Quote:
Originally Posted by EsqUmp
I would love to cross examine the umpire who left the bat there and hear the only reason why he left it there was "Because a clinician at the ASA camp told me to." Good luck. I hope you have extra insurance. And even better luck getting the person from ASA who told you that to appear in court.
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Cross examine away, GFL
I cannot leave what I do not possess to begin. The umpire's job is to officiate the game which s/he cannot possibly do if not watching the ball or play.
The player is not required to, nor is it even suggested that, any equipment be discarded in the plate area or on the field for that matter. In ASA, it isn't even suggested that the bat be discarded at all as the player is permitted to maintain possession of the bat. Maybe we should start ejecting players for the unsportsman-like act of creating a public nuisance and endangering the welfare of the umpire, catcher, fielders backing up or covering the plate and other runners attempting to advance.
The umpire is the invited guest of the teams, not the other way around. Since when is the guest responsible for the host's shortcomings and inability to control their own actions? Well, in this country with all the ambulance chasers around, I guess some putz who reached the bench could see it that way, but that doesn't make it right, just additional fodder for the Ninth Circus Court of Appeals where everything except freedom, common sense and constitution apply.