[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally posted by Dakota

Hear, hear.

This rule is toothless since the circumstances are so vague that invoke it and the penalty so severe. The only way I have successfully used this rule is as the basis of a warning.

I'd like to see as clear a definition as possible of what kind of "tactics" are included in this, and what kind aren't. I have long maintained that otherwise legal tactics (e.g. taking practice swings) can violate this rule if they meet the test of being "noticeably designed do delay."

Pure umpire's judgment. Examples would be anything the umpire perceives as intentional which delays or, in some cases, shortens the game.

I've used this a few times and you'll know it when you see it. The problem is that too many umpires don't want to be known at the blue who forfeited a game. The players will not understand and will not get a straight answer from the coach.

I can guarantee you that only the coach is going to know the truth and they will make up a story to make the umpire a scapegoat rather than admit s/he or another on the team knowling did something wrong.

Been there, done that. I've been accused of this even when the reason for the forfeiture was something else.

The most obvious reason you will not see examples of such a thing is because no one wants to set down guidelines which in the long run would be detrimental to the game. When in print, too many time people believe that if it isn't written as a no-no, it must be okay.

For example, there is a softball myth that if you don't curse, you can say just about anything you want to an umpire and s/he CANNOT throw you out of the game. I don't know how many times I've heard, "You can't do that, he didn't even curse you!" after ejecting a player for unsportsmanlike conduct.