Another person making it up as he goes along.

Nah, he's just a joker when you sit down and have a few with him. It is ok to smile sometimes you know :)

Yes.

None needed unless he gets hit.

Sure, but irony doesn't always come across on the internet. You might know better, but someone might read your post and think, "OK, I can change the strike zone in some situations."

Also, in my experience the people who say stuff like this are only half joking.

10-4 on the internet thing. Perhaps some smileys would have lightened the mood of the post.

For the record: do not open up the strike zone by an acre or two. Just make a mental note that waving a bat in the strike zone doesn't belong in a baseball game, but nothing you can do to stop him from doing it.

Kind of like my favorite New York Ranger screening the goaltender by facing him and waving his stick in his face... but that is a discussion for the hockey board :)

I would not change the strikezone, but I would secretly wish in my heart that the pitcher would nail the batter on the forearm with a fastball.

Yes, and in the strike zone, too, so we get a dead ball strike and runners return.

Maybe so, but I guarantee this happens. The better question is: What baseball purpose does waving the bat accomplish?

What baseball purpose does a deceptive pickoff move accomplish?

What baseball purpose does the hidden ball trick accomplish?

What baseball purpose does the skunk play accomplish?

What baseball purpose does a fielder asking a runner to step off the base so he can clean it accomplish?

What baseball purpose does showing bunt then hitting away accomplish?

What baseball purpose does the Miami play accomplish?

Trying to gain an edge. Legal. Live with it.

Actually Rich, all of your examples really do accomplish something. They either get you an out or throw off the defense (and all are of course, legal). Let me also add that all but the Miami play are rooted in "Old Tyme" baseball. But I agree with the question "What does waving or waggling the bat really accomplish?"

To quote you: "throw off the defense".

The defense has a way of handling it if it bothers them.

What, throw at the batter?

It just bothers you that there isn't a thing you can do about it.

:D The catcher can set up for an outside curve ball and the pitcher can throw a high fast ball.

Do you think it's OK for an umpire to impose his personal point of view on the game? If so, why?

Varitek swings his bat while the catcher is giving signs. Thome points his. Manny does a Statue of Liberty imitation. NO ONE CARES! Why should you?

I coach. I have to see it from both the offensive and defensive perspective. It's not a one-sided view.

Warm up the bus.