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Is it more likely an umpire will evolve into a player or a player evolve into an umpire?
The key word is evolve. Players only know the game THEY play and barely the rules that apply to them let alone the rest of the game.
I once watching a Mets-Reds game. The Mets pulled Jesse Orosco from the mound and placed him in right field for one batter and then returned him to the pitching position for the remainder of the game. Now, what umpire in this world doesn't know that is a legal move? I certainly hope no one raised their hand as this is softball/baseball 101.
Yet, here is a TV camera focused on the coaching staff in the Reds dugout tearing through a rule book (not the pocket sized, but the big one), trying to gain evidence to support Rose who is arguing with the umpire that it cannot be done.
Okay, here are people getting paid an obscene amount of money to know this stuff and among the entire staff of game veterans, not a one knew what was going on.
These announcers may know the players and what they are supposed to do, but haven't a clue on the rules of the game.
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The bat issue in softball is as much about liability, insurance and litigation as it is about competition, inflated egos and softball.
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