Balk or not?

[David B]

Originally posted by Daryl H. Long
[QUOTE
But, I do have a final question for you. Who is it who really makes up their own rules? Me, who calls the game according to FED interps even though I believe them to be wrong...or...Rich and others who have admitted they ignore certain interps and call the game their way? Just think about it, that is all I ask.

[Edited by Daryl H. Long on Apr 14th, 2005 at 08:25 PM]

There are many situations in umpiring this great game where accepted practice goes a looong way in determining what is called and what is not.

As a FED umpire, I follow FED rules, but if there is an accepted practice in my association and state, then I will follow that also.

As a group and as a state we enforce first movement commits the pitcher to pitch as stated in the rules; however, if the pitcher needs the signs again and give the "accepted practice" of moving the glove, we allow that.

I don't call it making up rules, simply going by what is accepted. If my state changes, then we'll go with that.

Thanks
David