[Freddy]

An important principle to maintain might go something like this: there's a measure of flexibility possible with the enforcement of all rules, but understanding when, when not, and how much to exercise that flexibility mandates a prior understanding of what the applicable rules actually state.

One approach to nurture a book-based understanding is to come to understand Rule 10-6-1 through 11, and then compare everything there with Rule 4-27-1 through 3. Throw in an awareness of 4-7 and 4-24, and that'll give anyone a good start. Those references serve then as a foundation for applying all the other concepts popularly mentioned in any mature discussion of the issue you've expressed. And there are other concepts that go into it (marginal vs. significant, game situation, crew consistency, etc.) which I'm sure our other esteemed forum contributors will suggest.