Sending a "message"

[DG]

Mens league game - 9 innings - mercy rule in effect after 6.5 or 7 (If HT is trailing)

95 degree day and we are approaching the 2.5 hour mark

Bottom 7 HT ahead by 9. B1 doubles. The next batter hits a rope in the gap between F8/F9.

My grandmother could have walked home from second base. R2 simply trotted into third base and stayed there.

The next 2 batters purposely got out.

My partner and I had enough. Both of us almost simulataneously said "Balk" awarded R3 home = game over.

It's one thing if the particpants are actually PLAYING the game of baseball it's quite another when they want to pro-long the game because they do not want to go home early and do chores (like mowing the lawn) for the wife.

IMO, it's not a technique used EVERYDAY but depending upon the situation it can be effective. It's not "cheating" the game or jeopardizing one's integrity as an official.

If you are uncomfortabel using it that's fine but do not say that any official who uses this technique is dis-honoring the game.

Pete Booth[/QUOTE]That's not an FYC. Not sure how a batter purposely made an out, but it would not happen twice.