[QUOTE]
Originally posted by IRISHMAFIA
[B]
Quote:
Originally posted by Larks
Apparently, you have never had to deal with games where the teams would do everything they could to manipulate the ball. The reason ASA cares about it is because it is part of their job to make sure the teams are playing on a level field.
It's really a no-brainer as far as most umpires are concerned. Here is the ball, hit the ball. If you want the ball out of the game, hit it out of play and don't retrieve it! Replace it. How hard is that? It is a big ball approaching a batter with a $300-$400 bat at 4 to 5 MPH. Hit the damn thing into the woods, pond, river, ocean, whatever! Or just hit it out of play, replace it, and then retrieve the dud and put it in your equipment bag or the trash can.
If the players are stupid enough to retrieve a worn ball and return it to the umpire, I'll just say, "Thank you, Forrest" and put it in my bag.
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Irish, I agree 100% that both teams should be on an equal playing field. No question. But, I think you are missing my point....we provide our own balls where we play however they must be Worth .44 Cor, 375 Compression. There is little or no effort placed around here to hit illegal balls because we all buy the same balls from the parks anyway. Personally I would have no problem fliping said replacement to the umpire before it makes it to the pitcher so he could confirm it's legal. I've seen some umpires do that.
What does the speed of the pitch or the equipment have to do with this question? All I want to do is have a little more control over the quality of the ball, especially since we now have to pay for them after years of park's taking advantage of teams by giving one new game ball and 3 or 4 WELL TRAVELED replacements.
I agree we can simply hit it out of play but that doesnt answer my question....who is disadvantaged by allowing the ball to be replaced? Why go thru the farce (my opinion) of hitting it out of play on purpose which forces the Umpire to change it. Another by product of this "strategy" is injury potential. If I attempt to hit the ball out of play on purpose, how many people could potentially get injured? Sometimes none. Sometimes lots.
How about the umpire not worrying about what is used so long as it's an approved ASA 44 / 375 ball confirmed so by him / her before being thrown in? Isnt that easier than going thru all the other motions?
Did you mean "Thank You Forrest" or "Stupid is as Stupid Does"?
