FED appeal situation

[DrC.]

Rich,

Even though I don't like the case play, let me say, now that I saw it, I would enforce it. ( I don't make the rules,I just enforce them)

I was joking about the Lawyer. Lawyers look how to bend interpretations to get their clients off. Sorry if you are a lawyer.

[Bfair]

Zach, I feel confident nobody will have difficulty accepting your apology. It's good to have a personality that can apologize.

I am an opinionated umpire, and I advertise that regularly...LOL.
However, it doesn't mean that I circumvent a known and established ruling because I don't like the ruling.

I will admit I overlook rules based on what I perceive as the spirit and intent of the rule. Most will admit to the latter, and realize it is needed in amateur baseball to avoid being overofficious. Yet, when a rule needs to be enforced, then it needs to be enforced per the rules established by the people that hired you---whether you like their ruling or not. I suspect that is what Carl was attempting to say.

If you don't like their specific ruling and feel you can't apply their standards when needed, then all are better off if you seek umpiring under rules that agree with your standards. Knowingly not adhering to the rulings will ultimately lead to problems not only for you, but for other umpires who properly follow rulings, but who then may seem inconsistent to coaches due to YOUR previous, incorrect application of the rule. Inconsistency among umpires is a major complaint by coaches.


Just my opinion,

Freix

[PeteBooth]

Originally posted by IndianaUmpRef

Protests are allowed in Indiana HS baseball, and if they want to protest, then by all means, please do so. And its not like I am picking the rules I want to enforce and jt enforcing them. This one to me is just illogical. I think that allowing an intentional walk by a defensive team is forfeiting your right to any appeal on previous batter-runners. I know the rule is not in there, but its definitely a part of the book that the rules people missed and I am not going to let a team be hurt because of it.

I here what you are saying but if we as officials don't call it that way, guess what? the rule will not be changed

As far as appeals go, I do not like the OBR appeal process either, but I can't simply ignore it. The ball has to be made live and then almost always, the coach will instruct the runner to advance, because in OBR once there is a play, Appeal cancelled.

Now the defense is in a dilema, do I TRUST that Blue saw the infraction and appeal, or should I be safe rather than sorry and play on the runner and thus cancel my right to appeal.

The bottom line is that no-matter what rule-book we use, there will be rules that we do not like as nothing is perfect. IMO FED had the appeal process right the "old way" but that is my opinion.

Hopefully, FED will change it, but I do like the fact that an appeal can be made during "dead ball".

Pete Booth

[JJ]

I received a reply from Elliot Hopkins at the NFHS supporting what Kyle McNeely has also said.

I also agree wholeheartedly with Pete Booth. At all of my rules meetings this year I have emphasized that the umpires administer the rules as written, and if that causes big enough waves the rules will be changed. If the rules are ignored the head cheeses will perceive there are no problems because they are receiving no complaints.

Thanks to all for your input!

[IndianaUmpRef]

I think I just got carried away with the whole situation to begin with. I definitely let it get to my head. But looking back on what I said, I think I would have to agree with Bfair's post that I, just in this case, "overlooked rules based on what I perceived as the spirit and intent of the rule."

I am trying to play this sort of situation in my head, and if it were to happen, I would probably go up to the coach that lost the appeal and explain to him that this rule isn't very kind, but it IS THE RULE.

Again, sorry for coming off the wrong way.

I have been off for 4 months now. Ready to get back on the field.

Zach