[bkbjones]

Today's new rule comes from church league co-ed slowpitch.

Team A is beating Team B 11-3, top of 4. I am downright anal about some things including checking bats.

Team B has someone come in late, and he pulls a couple bats out of his bag. While I'm anal, I'm not going to call time and go check his bats.

A couple of his teammates hit a couple decent shots, but they are outs. A guy from the league keeping score says "Hey Blue, check that bat." So I pick it up and look. It's a non-approved bat. I know this from memory, but I pull out my hand dandy list just in case. Sure enough, it's non approved. Got it in writing, got a picture of the bat.

So I enforce the proper rule. BOTH teams go ballistic. I finally get tired of saying "I have no choice" and just let 'em talk. Finally they talk themselves out, and the choirboy is still gone. But not before the proposed new rule.

"C'mon blue, this is church league and it was someone else's bat. Throw the bat out, but he shouldn't be punished."

So I ask the wonderful question: "So, what else are we going to compromise on? Infield fly rule? Plan of Salvation? Inerrancy of the Bible? should we have two commandments and eight suggestions?"

"On no, blue, we're not going to compromise on any of those."

"Exactly. Play ball."