fuel for discussion

[bob jenkins]

Originally posted by Carl Childress
Bob: That's not an official interpretation. It's one umpire (Rick Roder) writing for the WCU. You can find the same "authoritative opiion" on page 32 of the latest J/R. But from PBUC or MLB -- nothing.

While the press release was written by Rick, it also includes the following:

"The Major League Baseball Joint Committee on Training, consisting of representatives from MLBÂ’s Umpiring Department and its umpire staff, unanimously agreed to two new rule interpretations at a recent meeting."

and,

"The Joint Committee consists of MLB umpires Randy Marsh, Dale Scott, Mark Hirschbeck, and Charlie Reliford and MLB Umpiring Department administrator Tom Lepperd and supervisors Frank Pulli, Steve Palermo, and Rich Rieker. Wally Bell filled in for Hirschbeck, who could not be present.

"The Joint Committee put together the first comprehensive MLB Umpire Manual after the National and American League umpiring staffs were combined, completing the manual prior to the 2002 season. The new interpretations will be added to the manual during the coming off-season."

So, I'd guess it's more than just Rick's opinion.