[etbaseball]

Gentlemen: (Most of you are, I'm sure)

Talk about a pissing match. Wow!

The IFF rule certainly appears to be much more controversial than it should ever be. I can't believe that so many of you cannot find common ground and provide guidance and understanding to those that seek you advise and counsel. A fly ball comes off the bat and you have probably less than 3 seconds (waiting for the apex) to determine and declare if its appropriate to call IFF. It's not automatic, if it were, then umpire judgement would not be necessary.

Peter (HHH) mentioned that he was involved in an NCAA game on a very windy day and still never hesitated declare an IFF. I too, have had the occassion to make this judgement (college game and very windy 20 - 40 MPH) and chose not to invoke the IFF rule. Both of us may have been correct in our judgements. When a towering infield fly started out over the third baseman's head (apex) and actually hit the ground between the second and first basemen, some 130 odd feet away, I knew that there was nothing "ordinary" about it. Even at this level of play, fly balls on this day were providing nothing but frustration for all players who were attempting to catch any fly ball. No objections, no arguments from either team.

While I believe that there will always be non-routine elements that come into play while applying the many rules of the game, I also understand that these rules are there in order to level the playing field. No advantage to the offense, and no advantage to the defense. When one considers the reason for a rule, then one can more equitably administer a rule. I have also called many an IFF with unskilled players out of position, that, in my judgement, should have been easily caught with ordinary effort.

Isn't judgement a question of balance? Circumstances, facts, conditions, etc. all need to be considered. I happen to think "NEVER" and "ALWAYS" are the greatest enemies of a good umpire. Some decisions are more difficult than others. All decisions, however, should be based on one principle - NO ADVANTAGE given to either the defense or the offense. In a word it's called being "fair" (npi). Be fair, work hard and give it your best shot, nobody has the right to ask for more.