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Originally Posted by Ref Ump Welsch
"If you'll read Stat-Man's OP, he was playing in this game."
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-- Actually, I was our team's first base coach. Seeing I have not seriosuly swung a bat since 9th grade PE class, this probably the best position for me to be on offense
However, I would be willing to sub into the game as a last resrot if it would be difference between the team playing shorthanded or not.
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Originally Posted by KJUmp
Why no ASA rule book in your bag so you could check the rule question after the game?
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-- Last year, I was not given our team's ASA rule book. So, as I made a transition from having strictly NFHS FP experience to the recreational SP game, I had a lot of questions to ask here. Even though I am not an umpire, I believe that being rules-knowledgeable helps to make what I do easier.
I do have our team's ASA rule book packed away in my softball bag this year, but I would think having out in the bench area or with me in the first base box would not look good to the umpire. Also, it was the opposing team batting when this IFR was invoked with the statement runners cannot advance. Therefore, it was their protest to make.
I'd just as soon save the onsite rule book consultation for something serious and protest-worthy; an IFR myth with the runners not even making an attempt to advance would not be one of those situations (to me anyways).
Yes, I have fetched a rulebook or league rule handout in situations where an official wanted to see a rule change in writing (because there was a dispute over a basketball rule change last fall) or in our CYO basketball league since each level has its own rules regarding pressing and substitutions and the officials want to see what the rules for that particular level are before enforcing them. Aside from that, I try to stick to the philosphy that rule books should be kept packed away during a game. The only exception is our public middle school league, which recommends having the league-specific rules readily available for the officials.
If I have a rule issue that I need to research, I usually wait until I return home. However, I will ask questions here if I'm not 100% sure since my SP experience is limited to 25 games at the moment and someone with more SP rules experience may know something I don't or know something about the co-ed specific rules I don't.