Quote:
Originally posted by Tap
Thanks for the replies.
Oppool, that's correct about the forfeit under ASA rules. I know Mike R. and others hate modifications to ASA rules (justifiably so in most cases), but most leagues where I call games are rec leagues where a forfeit is not called if a team has to play shorthanded due to an ejection (it would be an automatic out when that spot in the order comes up -- and starting with 9 players would not even be an automatic out, just a big disadvantage defensively).
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How right you are! A dozen years ago, there was no such thing as playing shorthanded. As responsible adults, you were expected to field a complete team or lose to the team that could.
Rant on!
The original concept of the shorthanded rule was to not penalize other players on the field for the shortcomings of another individual. This allowed the games to continue and I have no problem with that. However, at the local levels, this has become just another part of Americana where alleged adults are not held to a standard of being responsible for themselves or team.
In my opinion, they have taken this participation rule too far and allowing people to be lazy and non-commital to their fellow ballplayers.
By allowing games to continue shorthanded by ejection has underminded the authority of the umpire and circumvents the manager/coach's responsibilities as noted in ASA's 4.8.A
It is a shame that such things develop out of fear, but at some point, you have to stand up and allow repercussions of an act take place regardless of the outcome.
Rant off.
JMHO,