What would be your call?
 

Have a question from an exam - only OBR, not FED or NCAA.
R3 - 1 out. The batter hits a ground ball that goes down 3rd base line, hits the base and bounces off the base, hitting R3 who is in foul territory before passing or touching an infielder. Is it interference or nothing? OBR references would be nice. BTW, the exam is finished and the deadline for submission has passed, so this is for discussion only, not to help get a better mark.....:)

I got nothing, incidental contact with the ball, try 7.04, 7.08, 7.09 and maybe 6.05i. If you have a J/R it's in there P.98, exact play.

A runner is out when he's hit by a fair ball in fair territory.

One of theose two requirements was not met. ;)

Thanks Gents!

Nothing, live ball and probably a chat with the DC when this play is concluded.

Are you a current MiLB contracted umpire?

I have umpired MiLB games in the past but am not currently under contract.

Was this as a contracted employee of MiLB, or as a fill-in?

I ask, because I have worked as a fill in for sick and injured umpires at some MiLB games, but I would never claim to be a MiLB umpire. There is, it seems to me, to be quite a difference between contracted, full time MiLB umpires and those of us who have "umpired games in the past."

I don't recall claiming to be a MiLB umpire. MiLB, NCAA, ASA, NSA, FED, and PONY are leagues and associations that I have umpired for.

Thanks for clearing that up.

Garth B.
NCAA/ASCAP/BMI/NAACP

NAACP....... Can you get me Jesse Jackson's autograph?


Chris Hickman
MLB #15**









** I went to an Angels game last year and I sat in seat #15

R2. McCovey shift being played against the batter (hence no infielder playing even close to third). Hard hit ground ball hits R2. Nobody had a play on it. The ball did technically pass the first baseman, but he was all the way on the other side of the infield, and he was the only infielder it passed. Would this be interference? The reason I ask is because the rulebook says "touching or passing an infielder" and I am wondering if that takes into account passing an infielder who is in the immediate vicinity of the ball, or if it can mean any infielder no matter how far away he is from the ball.

I know a few MiLB umpires on the Seaboard. What League did you work and when?

Even in San Francisco, as of last summer, anyway, that was still referred to as the McCovey shift.

And well before that, it was called the Williams shift, after that notorious pull hitter named Ted.

The Williams Shift

And during the mid 60s, well after Teddy Ballgame left the San Diego Padres, it was known as the Jim Gentile shift here at the friendly confines of Westgate Park, where the slugger played AAA ball near the end of his short career.

Obscure fact: On Tony Gwynn's 1st birthday, Jim Gentile became the 4th player in major league history to hit Grand Slam home runs in consecutive innings.

Start with this general principal: A runner is out when he's hit by an untouched fair batted ball in fair territory unless BOTH of the following are true: 1) He could reasonably expect the defense to field the ball before it got to him and 2) A defender playing behind him didn't have a play

Didn't you do some games for the ACLU a while back?

No, that was the AAGL.

So if nobody came even close to having a play on the ball, it would not be considered "passing an infielder" even if it did technically pass an infielder?

I think the words in the rule are "through or by" and "by" means "immediately by".

In some rules codes there's the "string theory" -- run a string frm F3 to F4 to F6 to F5 -- if the ball passes the string, then the ball has passed an infielder and the runner is not out.

Carolina and South Atlantic leagues. Still work them as needed.

What was your point in relation to the OP?

Somewhere along the line an umpire has to rely on common sense and not the typed words.

I apologize. I meant this message for Garth and even that was inappropriate.

There is no difference if a fair batted ball goes into foul territory and strikes a coach, runner, the ball girl, the ball girl's chair, the rolled up tarp, etc, as long as all are in foul territory and are "part" of the game as defined by the rules or ground rules. A ball that strikes the base at third and ricochets into foul ground is fair regardless of the position of the infielders and until it's path is disturbed by someone or something outside of the rules or ground rules, is a live ball.

There is a "delete post" feature that would have taken care of it, with no embarassing apology necessary.

*******

It was a reply to GarthB's question when I did respond to the OP. Scroll back.

:D It must be a duck............ :D

Looks more like a troll to me.

mr Garth is telling you its looks silly to put milb in your sig if you airent really one but we guess you are too dense to see that or are bein that way on purpose. i got a blockbuster card in my wallet but dont put it in my sig :rolleyes:

So by this logic, if you have worked high school baseball, but don't always work high school baseball, you have no right to put that in your signature?

Maybe I'm dense, but if I had the opportunity to work as a fill-in umpire in the minor leagues, and still do it when called upon, that would certainly qualify me to include it in my signature.

Your blockbuster card still gets you movies, doesn't it? Your signature can reflect the fact that you are a movie renter if you so choose.

Taht might be the way you look at it, Steve. Fortunately, you don't appear to be in the majority.

A Minor League umpire has graduated as an honor grad from proschool, has additional training at PBUC, was selected by PBUC for a job and is under contract to Minor League Baseball. If you haven't gone through this, you are not a minor league umpire.

A fill-in is a fill-in.

Every poster on this board with fill-in experience, except possibly one, has too much respect for the real MiLB umpires to claim membership in that fraternity.

Let's face, the poster in question lists MiLB in an attempt to steal a little prestige from the unknowing. If he weren't, he'd identify himself truthfully, "MiLB Fill-in",

Oh, I get it. He should hide in shame because he is a fill-in umpire for MiLB. He is not worthy. So I had to work my as$ off in order to improve my skills to be a full-time varsity umpire in my 2nd year umpiring. Does that mean that guys that work some varsity but mostly JV/Frosh-style games should not put NFHS Varsity in their signatures.

I just took his signature to indicate the various levels he had worked. I did not see it that he was claiming to be a card carrying member of that special "fraternity." It isn't like he scabbed or anything is it? He was asked to fill in for missing umpires. He did not put "AMLU" in his signature.

I like to list all the levels of baseball I've worked, which fall just short of MiLB and D-1 baseball. Jeez you astound me with your reverence for pro-school honor grads. It is only minor league baseball for chrissakes. It is really not that big of a deal. I was the (only) Honor Graduate of my AIT class in the Army, yet it only garnered me a letter to my folks and a promotion from E-1 to E-3. And on top of that, the other 34 students in that class still could claim to be professional soldiers. Even the NG and Reserve part-timers. Kind of like fill-ins.;)

No, you don't get it, obviously.

I don't believe anyone suggested any such thing. Exaggeration is usually relied upon by those who can't make a relevant point.

I don't know, did he?

Okay, here we go again. Yeah, we know you could have been a major league umpire....you've told us numerous times.

It is a big deal, Steve. Those men work hard and are rewarded justly. Someone making claim to MiLB without paying the price is a thief.

Why do I feel so strongly?

I spent much of last summer with several MiLB umpires on a writing assignment. I know how hard they worked to get through proschool. I know how hard they worked to make it through PBUC. I watched them work in 115 degree heat, day after day, honing their skills, making it through evaluations, dealing with pro managers and players and praying that they get the chance next year to do it again. They are special Steve. They have something in them that made them lay it on the line and go for it instead of posting on the internet..."I could have been a major league umpire." They have put their lives and careers on hold and gambled their futures to be called Minor League umpires. Those who haven't done the same haven't earned the right.


Not the same. They wouldn't be claiming something they're not. Reserves and NG went through the training to be professional soliders.

It's more like some trooper claiming to be an Airborne Ranger because he's made a couple of jumps. He'd get his *** kicked, I know. I've seen it happen.

Two interesting points. There are several umpires here who have filled in. How many claim MiLB affitiation or feel the need to broadcast it via a signature line?

Second, if it's not "that big of a deal" why then claim it when you haven't worked for it?

I thought you were more ethical than that, Steve.

Okay, here we go again. Yeah, we know you could have been a major league umpire....you've told us numerous times.

Hey Garth, I'm not supposed to say anything about that (because of your direct ridicule), but if you are going to open that one back up, then I will reinterate again:

In every single endeavor that I have undertaken with any degree of seriousness since high school I have been successful. Had I gone to umpire school there is no doubt in my mind that I would have been an honor graduate. And had I worked the minors, there is no doubt in my mind that I would have eventually ended up in the Show. Hey, I know that I didn't go to school, so I can't make any claims. But I do know how I go about things when they mean something to me. I have been top graduate in the military, several trade schools, and will be graduating from a prestigious graphic design school Magna Cum Laude in March.

So when I say that I would have graduated in the top 10 of a 150 student umpire school class, that is exactly what would have happened. I do very well when I apply myself. Actually, I'm glad I didn't go in some ways, because I probably would not have enjoyed the life, and I would not have the family I currently have. But as far as putting in the work that it takes to be a pro umpire, had I gone I would have certainly worked my tail off. I was already a pretty damn good umpire to start with and it would not have been too far of a reach to the top of one of Harry's classes.

I am one of those people who never could quite settle on a career, which is why I'm back in school, and of course, getting straight A's. I need a career that I can physically handle because of my current health. It is something I am taking very seriously, as I have finally found a field that I really truly love.

As I mentioned earlier I have never claimed to be a MiLB umpire. I do list the leagues, associations and levels of ball I work.

Yes you did. And Garth pointed out that doing so is disingenuous and deceptive, if not outright mendacious.

That's a pretty highfalutin word for us umpires isn't it??? :)

amen mr Garth. several pals around here filledin during the milb strike doing games, but NONE of them would be so persumptuous as to claim to be a milb umpire--they were at the right place right time no more no less. they know beter than to steal standing from others.

Sorry, Steve, I took your post for heading in that ridiculous direction again. Coulda, woulda, shoulda...meaningless absent action.

Congratulations. Now according to your logic and arguments, someone who graduated by the skin of the teeth, say with a D- could claim to be Magna Cum Laude and you wouldn't care.

It's obvious you believe that, Steve.

But these posts haven't been about that...these posts have been about deceptively listing credentials...or in other words, lying.

People are all the time lying on their résumés. Although I disapprove of this dispicable practice, it does happen and I am powerless to stop it.

Like I said, I took his signature to merely indicate the levels of baseball and softball that he has worked, not as any insult to card-carrying AMLU members. You know me, Public Defender Steve.

I guess that some of us feel differently about it than you do. He is obviously proud of the fact that he has worked some minor league baseball. That is something to be proud of for most people. Over 99% if all umpires worldwide cannot make that claim. I would count it as a major umpiring accomplishment to have worked as a sub in the minors.

Perhaps he should state "Levels worked:" in front of the various levels of ball to indicate that he is not a current full-time minor league umpire.

I know of at least seven posters here who have worked as fill-ins at the MiLB level. How many do you see listing that on a signature resume?

Those who feel differently, for the most part, are those who think it's okay to be deceptive.

Quite often it is more of being in the right place at the right time. I filled in once when the plate umpire went down during the game. Why me? One of the front office guys knew I was there watching the game and they didn't have to wait for someone to get to the ballpark.

The honest description would be "MiLB, Fill-in".

In reality, he is only fooling the truly unknowing. Anyone who understands umpiring wrote him off when he included MiLB and ASA in the same breath.

Oh, okay. I don't live near any minor league baseball, so I don't know how it works. If I lived near Lake Elsinore I would probably have been hanging around there all this time waiting for my shot.:rolleyes:

Maybe it's because I don't umpire in the professional system, but I don't see putting MiLB in one's signature as disrespecting umpires who make a living at that level. He just happened to put it in his signature. The umpire's role is to put up with a lot of abuse, so I'm sure most MiLB umpires wouldn't care if someone claimed to be a member of their association.

But Steve, making the claim that you would have made the big leagues had you had the drive to do so is a bit much. We've all got potential in certain domains. You don't get any results unless you use that potential. As an example, I am a gifted saxophone player- I started in grade 7 and it only took a few lessons before my teacher knew I really had something going for me. I had a ton of success over the years (won a Kiwanis scholarship, accepted into grade 10 music course when in grade 9, etc.). But while I had natural abilities going for me, I never had the drive or enjoyment to stick with it. While I could claim that I could be a big name jazz star, doing so would be a huge disservice to the people who dedicate their lives to the profession.

The same goes for umpiring. You may be one hell of an umpire, but unless you have put in years upon years in the professional system, it's not fair to act as if making the big leagues is an easy thing to do.

I've never seen that listed in any of the publications, and I certainly don't teach it.

Cump6 if one subtracks your first paragraph and only reads the 2nd two thats the best post youve ever made. :)

Wrong
 

The sooner you realize that this statement is wrong, the faster you will have better games!

The umpire's role is NOT to put up with a lot of abuse.

The umpire's role is to learn how to prevent abuse, to snuff out abuse if it happens, and how to punish those who abuse us. When you learn those three things you will never "put up with a lot of abuse," again.

We are not whipping boys.

First, I have not one time acted as if making the big leagues is easy. I realize exactly the hard work it takes. I said that if I had gone to umpire school and gotten a pro job, then I would have eventually made the big leagues. This would have taken a lot of hard work as well as a great deal of breaks along the way, but it could have been done.

Next, I don't know how to put this any more politely, but you don't have a clue as to my umpiring abilities back in the 1980s, so please do not comment on the subject. I have over 3,000 baseball games umpired under my belt. When you come anywhere close to this experience then you can comment. I worked my a$$ off honing my skills in a much more strenuous environment than umpire school, which would have been like Club Med compared to the conditions I put myself through. I worked in excess of 200 games a year in most years, 6 and 7 days a week, including many solo 90' triple-headers on the weekends. And all that time I was receiving instructions from some very knowledgable pro school grads and minor league umpires.

I know that I would have been a success in umpire school, and all that counts is that I know it, not anyone else. Everyone has already taken their potshots at me for revealing my feelings on the subject, but I'll be damned if I'm going to listen to some wet-behind-the-ears kid make remarks too. I have gone through more chest protectors and plate shoes than you have years on this earth.

Now, I didn't bring the subject up, Garth did. I know that I didn't go for it. Duh. That's kind of obvious. Yeah, I could have been an astronaut too if they only lowered the standards for entry in that program. We all "could have been" whatever we wanted under the right circumstances. If my aunt had balls she'd be my uncle. Of course, it should go without saying that nobody really knows what would have happened because I did not go. I had the money in to go, but needed the money for something else, so I blew it. Do I have regrets? Of course I do. That's probably why I opened myself up for ridicule to start with. But that was two years ago, and I really had hoped to get far beyond this subject.

Let's just put it this way: I was a far better umpire than several umpires who went to pro school and thought they were great, and who graduated near the top of their classes. Now that's the last I want to say about it or hear about it.

haven't you made it abundantly clear that you can do anything you put your mind to? why, then, would they have to lower the standards???

You have to have 20/20 vision uncorrected, plus answer a few questions that may have disqualified me. Becoming an astronaut is even harder than becoming an umpire.

Sentence 2 is closer to reality. But still, coulda, woulda, shoulda...it's all an exercise in nonsense.

[/quote]I worked my a$$ off honing my skills in a much more strenuous environment than umpire school, which would have been like Club Med compared to the conditions I put myself through. I worked in excess of 200 games a year in most years, 6 and 7 days a week, including many solo 90' triple-headers on the weekends. And all that time I was receiving instructions from some very knowledgable pro school grads and minor league umpires. [quote]

You an a hundred other umpires that aren't good enough to get to the majors.

When you're in a hole, you a need a ladder, not a shovel.

OMG.

Keep digging.

Make the comparison!
 

Minor League Umpires like MichaelVA2000? Or Minor League Umpires like bobbybanaduck? Who would you rather of had instruction from - someone that worked 140 professional games a year for several years, or someone that worked 3rd one night in April? That is the point - they are not the same experience - and trying to pretend that they are is disingenuous.

There is a big difference between working a dozen MiLB games as a fill-in and a season of MiLB games. And if the fill-in hasn't figured that out yet, then I have great sympathy for the rest of his crew.

Walt

What The do you mean by that? I'm not digging a damn hole, nor am I in one.



Did you not understand the astronaut analogy. I was saying what you keep saying, that everybody "coulda" been. You friggin missed the point entirely. I did not think that I needed to endure the kid piling on me as well. Again, I did not bring up the damn subject. I also said it was the last friggin time I wanted to hear any more about it. I want the last damn word on it, not the farkin peanut gallery.

AAUA96, I learned from actual minor league umpires, who were full-time minor league umpires. Our association has had quite a history of both minor and major league umpires among its ranks.

UES, what the f*ck are you talking about, little credibility? I have plenty of credibility here. I have contributed many good posts which have benefited umpires here and on other forums. If you dont' like what I post, then blow it out your a$$, ok punk?? I don't know who you think you are, but you need to shut the f*ck up. Who the f*ck are you?

Now, I don't want to discuss this sh*t any further, as I said.

Thanks for bringing up the subject, Garth. What did you expect me to say about it? That I've changed my mind and I'm just a real weak wanna-be official. NOT GONNA HAPPEN. I know what I know, and if you people want to say differently, then fine. None of you know me at all, so you all really need to keep your rude comments to yourselves.

SDS, you made my point. Fill-in's are not "actual minor league umpires" and should not mislead others into thinking that they are.

If you wonder why you draw such contentious disagreement, you only have to look at what you write. Those MiLB umpires that taught you so well, when they gave you an example from their experience, did you tell them "It is only MiLB, it's not that big of a deal?" Did you say "I know you did 500 professional games, but Mike had a fill-in game 4 years ago, and he says the proper mechanic is this, not what you just said. I'll do it his way?"

When it is in your best interest (when it applies to you), you hold MiLB umpires in high esteem. When you want to disagree with Garth, you choose to denigrate their profession and say "it's not that big of a deal" and it's okay to mislead others and pretend to have more qualifications than they really do.

Which is it - do MiLB umpires have your respect - or not?

Walt

What would Brian Boitano call?
 

I don't really know anyone on this board, so I don't know all the back-stories, and I'm on the fence as to whether I want to know or not. So my call would be for a moderator to close the thread, seeing to the train wreck it's become.

Just sayin'.

who cares? you work your games, I'll work my games...it doesn't do anybody on here a bit of good whip out our you know what's and talk about who's is bigger. although I have to say, these threads are rather entertaining. I will also predict lockdown in 3....2....1...

UES,

I was never a "small diamond umpire," which proves that you definitely know very little about me. I don't care how young you are, you have a long way to go to be as good an umpire over a long period of time as I was. I am retired now, you didn't just "pass me by like the wind." Such arrogance. Watch out, you might be confused with me with an ego like yours. You're a joke.

You were never taught to respect your elders, I see. I suppose if Doug Harvey came on this board, you would disrespect him as a "has-been" or a "white hair?" He no longer umpires either, I guess you blew by him too, huh? Fat chance. By the way, my hair is still mostly brown.

Here is what I meant by what I pompously stated. Garth has approved this response:

"I was a better than average umpire when I contemplated going to pro-school and I believe I would have had a better than average shot of making it in umpiring."

Now, that is much better, isn't it. I am over-confident by nature, so overstating the facts goes with the territory. Being a legend in my own mind should never be stated on a bulletin board for the public to ridicule.

I have all the respect for MiLB umpires I can possibly have. I just think it's a bit funny when the title is revered as if you went through 8 years of medical school to become a doctor or something like that. It was 6 weeks + PBUC for cryin' out loud. It's that "Rocket Science" mentality that I find soooooo off-putting. Sure, it's damn hard work and very few succeed, but compared with other occupations, it really is not as tough overall. I guess I'll never share that AMLU spirit.

Food for thought:
Why the ignorant are blissful. Inept individuals ooze confidence, study finds

That's a horse of a different color.

I can buy that. No problem.

Perhaps what we had here was failure to communicate.

Seeing as I will be 20 soon and consider myself mature beyond my years, I wouldn't exactly call myself a kid. What does it matter how old I am anyways. I was making the point that it doesn't matter what you can do, it matters what you actually do.

This brings us back to the whole ageism thing. So what if I'm 19? An opinion is an opinion and I think mine was reasonable enough, regardless of age. You're acting almost like an assignor who says "he's young, therefore he can't do that level of ball". In truth, age has little bearing on maturity or ability.

I should also add that I do not want to be associated with the people on here that like to pile on and give others a hard time. I'm not like that.

Get lost troll.

Hey Canada dry.... I happen to know the the true identity of UES and he aint no troll. Unlike you, UES Has a clue about the game.

Canada -

Take this advice, from a 21 one year old who used to have a streak in him in his early umpiring days, similar, but not quite as bad, as yours.

We don't know all about the world. Or umpiring. The best thing we can do is chime in and ask questions of the people who have more experience than us, particularly about umpiring. And most important, LISTEN.

I'm gearing up for a MiLB run in the winter of 2010, after I graduate from school. I'm soaking in as much as I can now, so when I go, I'll have the best experience and learn the most from it. But I have to LEARN how to learn. You should do the same.

You may not want to listen to those in positions of authority, but you better shut your mouth about it. And by not listening, you close off your world and never get better at anything. Our opinions doesn't matter about issues at this point in our lives, and quite frankly, it shouldn't. Listen, learn, get better, and hope one day you have the expertise of some of the individuals on this board, not just in umpiring, but in life.

With a glowing heart I will see thee rise...

-Tuss

Wish I had a dime for every time I heard that.

UES did present himself as a troll by coming out of the blue and giving Steve a hard time. He even admitted to wanting to "f" with Steve a bit. Then to suddenly change his mind and call Steve "a good guy" and state that he won't be coming here anymore just sounds a bit weird. I'm guilty of trolling as well, although I try not to belittle other posters when I do so. I think UES realizes that his comments were in bad taste, which is why he deleted them.

:) . Alright I take that as a friendly challenge. Shoot me a PM sometime and see if you can stump me on a rules question.

TussAgee, I agree with most of what you say, except for the statement that our opinions don't matter at this point in our lives. As umpires and as human beings, a young person's opinion does matter, so long as it is based on reasonable grounds and isn't being presented in a disrespectful fashion. One thing I have found through my studies in Psychology is that if a theory or concept can be imagined, it can be defended. Who is to say that any one theory is better than another? Theories come and theories go, and society is very unlikely to reach agreement on one concept for an extended length of time. That being said, this is the perfect place for us to throw ideas out there, to test our beliefs and to see if they can be challenged by alternate hypotheses.

Needless to say I am a very opinionated person, and that's not likely to change. At times I do find it hard to keep my opinion to myself. Maybe this just isn't the place where a 19 year old's beliefs are accepted, but I think we would all benefit from keeping our minds open to everyone's opinions, regardless of age.

JMO

"This article may contain faulty logic, methodological errors or poor communication," they cautioned in their journal report. "Let us assure our readers that to the extent this article is imperfect, it is not a sin we have committed knowingly."

But a sin nonetheless.

Those that were umpiring before we were conceived, that's who.

And again, you make an excuse, and say you won't change, even after claiming you agree with what I'm saying about listening and learning.

Lastly, you say we should keep our minds open to everyone's opinion. Of course, you insinuate that we really should only keep it open if it's yours.

I tried...:rolleyes:

Originally Posted by canadaump6
Needless to say I am a very opinionated person, and that's not likely to change. At times I do find it hard to keep my opinion to myself. Maybe this just isn't the place where a 19 year old's beliefs are accepted, but I think we would all benefit from keeping our minds open to everyone's opinions, regardless of age.

Oh ye of little understanding, your age is not why you were considered a troll!


Sorry all, I just couldn't resist! :D :D :D

Pot. Kettle. Black.

I'm just sayin'

you gus like coffee???

just for you, cliff, wherever you are.

I spoke with two MiLB umpires who work your region. The only fill in named Michael that they remembered worked the beginning of the season two years ago. Would that be you?

"as needed = never again" eh? :D

Hello Mr. Johnson.

I have listed my qualifications on this forum and others on several occasions.

What exactly are yours?

I hear you bloviate about this and that, and put down other people with your charming country wit and intentional cornpone misspelled words. Are you really LMan in disguise? At least he was funny.

At any rate, what exactly is your officiating level? Are you just a troll who comments whenever everybody is pouncing on someone?

hi mr Steve-- i dont recall that post being to you it was to some one else so you are mistaken thinking that i meant you i was refering to mr Michael. but since you butt in, my quals are my highest lvl is hischool varsity and i dont claim any thing else. i am where i should be and happy with it-- i was never going to be a future majorleague umpiring god dealt a creul hand and deined my eventual strikecalling glory by health issues, fate, evil enemies conspiring on me, the bush adminstration or any thing else. ok by you? :cool:

this would be a good entry for that mad gab game. it took me 4 tries to sound it out and make any sense of it. take a breath, use some punctuation, do something. wow.

Oh, so what you're saying is that you're a troll. Got it.

The spelling...not funny. You really ought to consider losing it.

Trust me, it's LMan with terrible skills. No two persons could be so exactly, well not very funny at all.

Yeah, that's what I've been thinking since you first brought it up.

At least when you and I argue, it's about something substantial. We don't normally engage in simple "me too" style posts where someone gets kicked while they're down and everyone else has had a shot. We go toe-to-toe, mano a mano :) . LMan/Larry just wants to pile on, which carries a 15 yard penalty last I checked.

MichaelVA2000 has endured the slings and arrows of his signature. He has read all the hate mail. Now he should be able to keep his siganture intact after reading all the detractors. What is he supposed to do, allow internet strangers to dictate what he chooses to sign with?

And while I'm on the subject. Why, Mr. Umpire, are you taking such a great interest in Michael's umpiring career? What, are you CIA or something. Jeez, back off night stalker.

...

I've gotta hand it to Garth and Steve. As much as we feud, at least they have the decency to tell me straight up what their opinion is, without piling on or adding a three word response to gang up on a poster.