For Moose and others: Change the call?

[Warren Willson]

Originally posted by Dave Hensley
In arguing that a passage from the current rulebook is obsolete and should be ignored, you cite a similar reference from an 1897 rulebook. The revelation that you base your opinions and interpretations of current baseball rules on rulings and interpretations from the 19th century, long after they've been superceded and replaced with modern rules and interpretations, explains A LOT. The irony is exceeded only by the comedy. Send in the clowns, indeed.

Another obfuscation. That selective memory of yours is some doosey to observe, Dave. YOU asked ME to produce evidence of the underlying INTENT of OBR 9.02(a). The quoted 1897 rule expresses the original INTENT you queried. Will you NEVER see things clearly that are contrary to your own myopic viewpoint?

In the Jim Evans quote you and Carl use to support your contention that the General Instructions are obsolete, not "real" rules, and should be ignored, I think you may have missed the import of this statement:

Assistance is not requested except when the responsible umpire is "blocked out" from seeing all the elements of a play or he has substantial reason to believe that his positioning did not afford him the proper position to render an accurate call.

This is Evans' comment on the general instruction that advises umpires to use "secret signals" to allow an umpire to correct a "manifestly wrong decision." While Evans points out that today's umpires don't use secret signals, the statement I've quoted shows that he still allows, albeit in rare circumstances and with the admonition that requests for help should be minimized, for the possibility that an umpire can seek assistance from his partner in order to correct a manifestly wrong decision. If Evans says you can do it, it stands to reason it would not be "illegal" to do it.

Obfuscation after obfuscation. Who EVER said it was ILLEGAL to get help BEFORE making a decision? In fact, I can agree that it is permissable to get help even AFTER certain judgement decisions have been made where the rules specifically permit. What is clearly and unequivocally ILLEGAL, Dave, is to get help AFTER the decision is made and AFTER the coach/manager has questioned the call! That has been the whole import of this debate, but I'm sure you'll deny that. Unlike yours, however, my memory is quite sound and not in the least selective!

Cheers,