[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by EsqUmp

The rule book defines when a strike can be called. In most codes, there is no provision allowing for a strike to be called as a result of an offensive member erasing a line. The rule book does, however, have a way with dealing with unsporting behavior. Regardless of the reason the player erased the line, HE SHOULDN'T BE ERASING THE LINES. What provision in the book permits that? The rule book empowers umpires to make ruling on issues not directly covered within the rule book. Arguably (or maybe not so arguably), this is one of those times. I would eject the player immediately for doing it. In the very least, you send the message to everyone else to leave the lines alone. If they were supposed to be erased, they wouldn't have drawn them in the first place.

Well, I couldn't disagree more. The lines are irrelevant to the rules. They are a helpful guide. Calling a penalty for someone removing the lines is OOO, even in the associations which provide for such penalties.