Changing bats

[David Emerling]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Rich Fronheiser

Who are we, as umpires, to say there isn't something wrong with the bat or glove? I'm letting either the fielder switch or the batter switch in the instances you mention. Anything else, would be OOO, in my opinion.

I would think the player would need to provide some plausible reason as to the necessity of the mid-inning equipment change.

As an umpire, after granting the batter time, I would want to know WHY he is leaving the area of home plate, disappearing into the dugout. It's unusual. It's a delay. And I'd want to know what the compelling reason is.

"I'm thirsty ... I need a drink." Too bad! Get back out here and bat. Get a drink later.

"I forgot to put my contacts in." Too bad! You should have thought of that earlier.

"I want a lighter bat. I didn't realize that pitcher threw so hard." Too bad! Get a lighter bat next time.

"I think I'm going to go with the big barrel." Too bad! This is baseball - not golf. You can't switch "clubs." Let's go.

"My bat is cracked." Fine.

David Emerling
Memphis, TN

[Edited by David Emerling on Apr 8th, 2005 at 01:54 PM]