[David Emerling]

Originally Posted by Dakota

In other words, you do not believe that the owner of the copyrighted work has the right to decide how the work will be make available, by what medium, and at what price.

Of course they have the right! Did I say they didn't?

What I'm saying is that I think it is ill-advised that they exercise that right. I think the organization, softball, and the softball community would be better served if the system of rules was made readily available. And the internet is the perfect medium to do that - as countless other institutions have discovered.

Obviously, you've never actually looked at what ASA and NFHS have for sale. Fact is, you CAN do this with ASA (buy their CD) and you do NOT have to be registered with anyone to buy it. You CAN do this with NFHS, but it does require you to be a registered official with them. As to answering the question "why" is this the only way? Because the OWNERS of the copyrighted works have decided that is how they want to make THEIR work available.

I know! I know!

You do not have to be registered. I get it! But you always have to pay for it. It's never free and it's not readily available.

A parent watches their kid's game. Their daughter gets called for an illegal pitch. After the game, the parent asks his daughter, "Katie, why did that umpire call an illegal pitch? What did you do wrong?" (She's 12-yrs-old)

"He said I didn't wait long enough."

"Huh? Wait long enough for what?"

"I dunno. That's just what he said."

"Did your coach tell you anything?"

"He just told me to wait longer before I pitch."

"Wait for what?"

"I dunno."

So, the parent is not satisfied with the answers and decides he'll read through the pitching regulations before he goes to bed that night. He's just curious.

Bzzzzt!

Thanks for playing! Because Katie was playing under ASA rules and the ASA is going to make Daddy buy a book to find out. Or, Daddy has to ask somebody else about it and get the information second hand.

Fat chance he's going to buy a book to find out that one point of curiosity.

And, apparently, that's the way ASA likes it.

And, that is your opinion, but unfortunately, since you do not own the copyrights to these works, it is not your decision to make. Feel free to express you opinion to the ASA and to the NFHS. My only point is it is their decision to make. Not mine. Not yours.

Are you friggin' dense???

I'm not claiming it should be my decision. I completely understand they have the right to exercise the distribution of their rulebook in any manner they feel is appropriate.

But it is my right to disagree with their decision.

Geez!

You act like you've never heard anybody express this opinion before. Amazing.

Which of those two organizations have as their mission to "educate the public on the rules of the game?" The published rules are for the benefit of the participants in the game. They are made available to the public for purchase, but apparently you think they should be free. They disagree.

Yeah, whatever.

Very compelling.

David Emerling
Memphis, TN