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Originally Posted by JJ
For decades in Pro ball players have been "taking care of" those players who committed such "unacceptable acts" against other players. Now the umpires have stepped in and potentially opened a Pandora's Box.
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I agree "pandora's box" could be opening. For years MLB was called a certain way regardless of what the actual written rule said ie; Balks
We saw what happened many years ago when Major League Baseball Umpires called the balk in line with the book definition. The Players Union got involved and things went back to normal.
If the "powers that be" instructed umpires to start calling the game the way the rules are written does that mean:
1. No more calling the neigborhood play
2. Phatom tag a thing of the past
3. No more "freebies" for players like Biggio who hung there arms out to purposely get hit and get a free ride.
4. Tell the players to "take off the body armor"
Now as you mentioned whenever there is a hard slide at second base, the manager is going to request time and ask the umpire why he didn't record 2 outs.
If major league baseball wants the umpires to call the game the way the rules are written then IMO, you cannot "pick and choose" which ones will follow suit.
My gut is that after this year the Players Union will get involved especially now that we have seen an automatic DP called in a playoff game.
I am not saying I did not agree with the call I am saying that it is surprsing to see it called in a major league baseball game. 3 in one year is probably a record.
Pete Booth