[David Emerling]

Originally Posted by Dakota

So, as I said before, you just want it free (online).

As to rules essentially the same, the example you gave earlier of a quick pitch call would be the same in just about every fastpitch rule book.

But you wouldn't know that unless you checked.

As to AFA saying hands are part of the bat, BZZZZT, Wrong. Quit relying on the online (but wrong) [you mean out-of-date] AFA book from a year or two ago that you apparently downloaded and read the real one. Or, go to the AFA web site and download a corrected one.

I love poking fun at them for that. I even wrote the organization a letter about it. It doesn't surprise me that it no longer appears in their rulebook. I haven't looked at it for some time. I'm sure it's been corrected.

You motivated me to go to their website. I notice that, already, they have their 2008 rulebook available. They have been notoriously delinquent in keeping their rulebook up-to-date, frequently stating on their website that it's "in the works."

See how nice it was to go to afasoftball.com, click on the rulebook link, and immediately be invited to either purchase their rulebook or view the online rulebook for FREE?

Is that so hard?

How convenient!

Can't you tell it makes the world a better place?

The fact that you could even verify the fact that they have removed (i.e. corrected) "the hands are part of the bat" phraseology was because they had their rules available online - for you to look at. Unless, of course, you have your own hardcopy of the 2008 AFA rules, in which case I stand corrected.

NFHS is online (but not free). ASA is computer readable (but not free). Notice a trend here? NOT FREE.

Unquestionably!

Your position is you want it free on your computer. Too bad. You attempt to glorify this into some altruistic "good for softball" rationale, but even then, you are reduced to a "wouldn't hurt" argument.

That's my entire argument - it wouldn't hurt. Further, it would probably help. And, yes, you're right, it is an altruistic view on my part. Call me naive.

I guess I'm just a pure fan, umpire, and coach that has a hard time wrapping my mind around the need to make a system of rules into some kind of Dead Sea Scroll secret that is intended to be a cash cow.

Without a doubt - it's their right. I can't argue that.

And speaking of "wouldn't hurt" - that was not your initial position. You claimed you wanted to educate daddy. In fact, it seems to me you merely want it free on your computer.

That daddy-post came later, as an example of how it could help and serve a useful purpose. That, in itself, is not the entire essence of my argument. But it's part of it.

David Emerling
Memphis, TN