[Larks]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

It isn't the umpire's job to give teams a rules clinic.

I don't disagree and I'm not suggesting that.

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

These are umpires from around the country and they do not know what happens in your area.

EXACTLY - So why not make sure we are ALL on the same page. I guarantee this was covered in the umpires meeting! Why not make sure we are ALL on the same page??

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

If you have a beef, it is with your local folks or tournament directors.

I don't disagree that this starts locally. But look at it from my side of the coin - In Cincinnati, ASA registers more teams than several states combined. We are talking thousands of games being played before the nationals and none of them use this rule. Isn't it therefore reasonable that teams from our area could fall into this problem? Actually, I know 3 teams that did. For the quality of play, why would you NOT want to address this? You mentioned stealing - when stealing is NOT permitted, umps mention it in ground rules. Why cant this be any different just the other way around?

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

When I have players complain about running the bases on a HR, it usually involves (like you did) that the upper levels don't have to, whiy should I?

Actually - that wasn't my main point and its not about upper level envy - its about consistency of a rule for essentially the same sport and preventative officiating. Its not a rule in A but is in B & C and logically that doesn't make sense.

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Here is where I get confused. You have players who buy expensive bats that make HR hitters out of anyone, want a postage stamp strike zone as a batter (just like they think the big boys have), they don't want to run out HR (like the big boys), they talk $hit like they are all superstars, but when it comes down to playing for a title, most of these guys cannot find a classification low enough to trophy hunt.

Here is where I get confused....why is it that an attempt to talk about possible ASA rule changes reverts to a bat discussion by the guy who started the conversation? I never once suggested that I was a superstar or that I wanted to be like Brett Helmer. I actually am here as a coach of a team that is one of the few teams left from Cincinnati that is trying to still play ASA nationally when the lion share of teams are going USSSA if they want to play in Nationals and Worlds. What frustrates me is you have an attitude that we are ALL a bunch of sh$t talking fat a$$ beer drinking wannabe bomb hitters rather than interacting with me as a coach or participant in the sport. If the disposition towards men's slow pitch within ASA leadership is similar to yours - WHY BOTHER?

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

What it comes down to is that the rules are the rules. They are printed and a book is distributed to every team which registers. There are umpire rule clinic all over the country which you could probably attend. However, when it comes to game time, it is time to play ball, not give a rules clinic.

If you ask for rule changes and a particpant offers one, Why play the old "read the book and go to class" card? Is that the best you can do? Are you really so narrow minded that you are unwilling to even consider the fact that this rule affects teams unnecessarily. You are willing as an organization to modify it for the "big boys"....what was the justification there? Because the teams wanted it right?. I don't disagree that we should know the rules but again, you are missing the point - In my opinion, which you will obviously will never agree with the opinion of a beer drinking bomb hitting sh$t talker....but nonetheless, the ASA can and should do a better job with how they handle this specific rule since it is being selectively enforced. You can call it what you want....local rules, umps doing the wrong thing....TDs giving in to pressure from teams.....Bottom line - Its inconsistent from my point of view as a coach.

I'll give you the last word because my beer is getting warm.