Rules We Don't Like

[SanDiegoSteve]

Good for the school district. Too bad I missed it, I would have brought some marshmellows.

[greymule]

Unfortunately, somebody nearby happened to have a fire extinguisher.

Not long ago I edited a paper about the efforts of the government of India to assist members of historically "backward" (the government's term) classes, or castes. The author told me that even today, it is not uncommon for a university student to set himself on fire upon learning that a member of such-and-such caste has been granted admission.

Imagine how much greater impact Earl Weaver's videotaped tirade would have had if Earl had simply sat down on second base and self-immolated. Question: If that happens in a game of yours, do you eject the guy for doing that?

[Dave Hensley]

Originally Posted by greymule

Unfortunately, somebody nearby happened to have a fire extinguisher.

Not long ago I edited a paper about the efforts of the government of India to assist members of historically "backward" (the government's term) classes, or castes. The author told me that even today, it is not uncommon for a university student to set himself on fire upon learning that a member of such-and-such caste has been granted admission.

Imagine how much greater impact Earl Weaver's videotaped tirade would have had if Earl had simply sat down on second base and self-immolated. Question: If that happens in a game of yours, do you eject the guy for doing that?

Of course you do. Everybody knows there's no smoking on the baseball field.

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by SAump

I don't like the penalty to the rule that allows a batter-runner to carelessly throw his bat and by existing rule keep his base hit, 3-3-b.

Please note that a fake tag, 3-3-a, is deemed defensive obstruction (8-3-2) and warrants an extra base award. As harmless as a fake tag may seem, look at the stiff penalty.

Affirmative action is needed to prevent anything which may seriously injure a player or umpire. I feel BR should be declared out, and all runners should return to bases at TOP. Delmon Young would probably disagree.

Why shouldn't he get to keep his hit if he didn't interfere with the play? A carelessly discarded bat has a severe enough penalty for the second offense.


Tim.

[SAump]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

Why shouldn't he get to keep his hit if he didn't interfere with the play? A carelessly discarded bat has a severe enough penalty for the second offense.
Tim.

That severe penalty applies to bandannas and jewelry, playing pepper or electronic equipment. All are allowed at the MLB level behind the Cardinals dugout.

Usually a bat goes flying into the stands and the batter is not warned. He already knows that he should HOLD on to the bat. Players that carelessly tossed bats or helmets out of misplaced anger have already been declared OUT. This is usually followed by an immediate ejection. It happens every season.

Why allow the clown who happens to reach base safely to engage in dangerous behavior? Again I understand the current rule. It is a rule I don't like and a rule I would amend to read, "The ejected player is declared OUT, unless he has already scored." Rules do not protect a dangerous runner that way, so why shoud rules protect a dangerous hitter?

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by SAump

That severe penalty also applies to bandannas and jewelry, and playing pepper or electronic equipment during a game. All of those are allowed at the MLB level behind the Cardinals dugout.

Professional players are adults who really don't need to be protected. The NFHS, along with most other organizations that govern youth baseball have decided that wearing jewelry is a safety hazard, and in order to protect the games participants they've implemented safety rules that disallow players from wearing any. I don't know of any umpires in my area that will eject a player for wearing jewelry unless after being asked to remove it they refuse.

Originally Posted by SAump

Usually a bat goes flying into the stands and the batter is not warned.

I've never seen a bat go flying into the stands in a high school game. But if I did you can bet there would be a warning issued.

Originally Posted by SAump

He already knows that he should HOLD on to the bat. The majority of players that carelessly tossed bats or helmets out of misplaced anger have already been declared OUT. This is usually followed by an immediate ejection. It happens every season.

A bat thrown out of anger or frustration is not a carelessly thrown bat, so of course they should be ejected immediately.

Originally Posted by SAump

Why allow the clown who happens to reach base safely to engage in dangerous behavior? Again I understand the current rule. It is a rule I don't like and a rule I would amend to read, "The ejected player is declared OUT, unless he has already scored." Rules do not protect a dangerous runner that way, so why should rules protect a dangerous hitter?

I'm still not sure why you'd like to see a more severe penalty for an inadvertant action on the part of a batter that doesn't effect the play. He's done nothing malicious or intentional. When I think of a carelessly discarded bat I think of a bat that accidentally slips out of a players hands on his follow swing, not some overt act to injure someone.


Tim.

[SAump]

You make it sound so simple and innocent. I wish it were true. A carelessly thrown bat happens. The catcher is the one who is often hit with the bat. There are times when a bat sails over or by the catcher and squarely hits the plate ump.

There was a time when a DUI was a slap on the wrist. Times have changed. When I think of a bat that has been carelessly tossed, I visualize one both flying and spinning in a large parabolic arc. Now you may allow slips, accidents, and inadvertant footsies; but I have learned not to listen to those who use them excuses.

If bat doesn't sail near anyone, I got nothing.
If bat sails near someone or barely hits anyone below the pelvis, I have a warning to issue.
If bat hits anyone above pelvis, I have an ejection report to write up.
A substitute will soon enter the ballgame.

It would be on defense if I had the ability to influence the rules committee. Action by those who do re-write the rules in this case would serve a much needed purpose. It would tell the rats, "Don't bring that cheese in here."