I think we can all agree that the rule should be rewritten to remove contradictions and conflicts. My problem with automatically calling an out for INT while I have CO is that the defense gets all the breaks if INT occurs AFTER the CO.
Let's take this play into consideration. Bases loaded, 2 out,full count, runners take off with the pitch and there's CO but the ball clips R3 on the heal. Without the INT we'd probably still have bases loaded with a run in. With the enforcement of INT 1st we have a new inning with no run scored despite the fact that the CO could have been the difference between the ball hitting R3 or not. To me it seems that the defense is being rewarded for breaking a rule.
Realistically the only time we'd have INT on CO is an infielder fielding a batted ball or throwing for a quick out because anything hit to the outfield is likely to advance the runners and take off the CO. The reason that we have INT is so that the Offense can't do something to prevent the defense from getting an out or if intentional, 2 outs. When there is CO we say that the defense only gets an out if the offense chooses to let them have an out but it's being suggested that if the offense commits INT, no matter how it occurs, the same runner that we would have been protecting is now going to be called out even though the INT may have been initiated by the CO. I maintain that the original call of dead ball, announce the out(s) then give the coach the choice play or CO is fair because if CO is chosen offense gets what offense would have gotten automatically, if play is chosen offense only gets what they got before INT, no advantage gained. JMHO JIm
[Edited by ChampaignBlue on Feb 10th, 2003 at 12:48 PM]
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