Peter, Peter, Peter....

[mcrowder]

It's been asked a couple of times, "What's the harm" in knowing the score. I'm sure that for most of you big dogs and many of the medium sized dogs - there is no harm. I don't know what sized dog you all consider me, and frankly it doesn't matter.

However, as someone in charge of several "little dogs", I'd prefer that they NOT follow the score, inning, etc. My reasoning - I don't want there to be any tendency at all to make a call differently, or focus any less, or hustle any less, simply because of the score or the inning. And say what you will about the quality of the umpires that might allow themselves to become a little less diligent, a little less focused, in a blowout or late in the game - but this WILL happen to some people if knowing the score/inning is an issue.

I'm sure that each of us, individually, feel that we, ourselves, would never change the way we do our jobs based on the score or inning. But can you honestly say you don't know (or haven't seen) someone who might?