Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Dholloway1962
I thought the whole idea of this forum was to promote discussion. The rulebook is full of black and white, and a whole lot of gray. Umpires judgement still counts.
I don't disagree with those saying BR is out but also see the other side.
|
IMO, there are times that contrarian views stated against black and white boilerplate rules have to be noted as that. Umpire judgement cannot be used to create policy that overrides the black and white of the rules; that privilege is limited to (for example) Dee Abrahamson in NCAA, Mary Struckhoff in NFHS, and Kevin Ryan or Craig Cress at ASA.
It seems to me that when supposed leaders are spouting and affirming something that is simply and totally wrong, it should be stated as such, not just offered as another part of a discussion, when part of our purpose for existence is to help educate. I know that some like to pose questions and offer positions to spur the thought process, but then the conversation needs to go back to the black and white, and those attempting to spur the thoughts should say so, rather than let the newbies think there is another possible answer.
In the OP in this thread, as worded, and as restated by the original poster, there can only be one right answer in the rules. It isn't much different than "What is the call when, with two strikes, the batter swings and misses, and the catcher catches the ball in flight?" Anything else is reading something that isn't there, or attempting to suggest what the policy should be, by personal preference, rather than any rule support. It isn't good discussion to suggest that in my alternate question that there is another valid answer; nor is it good discussion to continue claiming that "3rd baseman attempting to field bunt is run into by the batter while running to 1st" can be anything other than interference.