Batter's hands

[PeteBooth]

The aforementioned says it all.

You made a ruling on the field, stuck to it so why bother asking a question.

IMO, that's one of the BIG reasons why posters say that there is a "tone" addressed to some of the OP's.

If you ask a question

Read the responses. Take those that offer you value and discard the rest.

However, if you have already made up your mind then what's the point other then to generate "excitement" over nothing.

In the scheme of things what player in their "right mind" is going to lean his exposed elbows/ arms over home plate so that F1 can throw a BBBE that hits him for a strike.

Pete Booth

[mick]

Originally Posted by PeteBooth

In the scheme of things what player in their "right mind" is going to lean his exposed elbows/ arms over home plate so that F1 can throw a BBBE that hits him for a strike.

Pete,
I think OP is all about that 12-yr.-old hot shot that thinks/knows he'll mess up the pitcher, just like some may waggle a fake bunt.

[TussAgee11]

As a veteran umpire in my association says,

"That waving fake bunt thing will open up my strike zone by an acre or two."

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by TussAgee11

As a veteran umpire in my association says,

"That waving fake bunt thing will open up my strike zone by an acre or two."

Another person making it up as he goes along.

[TussAgee11]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

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

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by TussAgee11

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

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.

[TussAgee11]

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

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

Another person making it up as he goes along.

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

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

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.

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

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?"

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

Another person making it up as he goes along.

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

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

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

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.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

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

Warm up the bus.

[aceholleran]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

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.

A LL kid bleeding for a walk ain't the same as an MLB primadonna. It's absolutely okay in my book to grant a borderline strike here.

In HS, I might say "Knock it off."

Above that, let 'em posture all they want.

And you'll break my stones here, RI, but I believe there are times when an umpire MUST impose his personal point of view into the goings-on.

Harrumph.

Ace