"FED Legal" Baseballs

[griff901c]

Originally Posted by Kevin Finnerty

Same here in L.A.'s association, but the S.F. Valley assn. made no such edict.

When the rule came out, I bought two cases of NFHS Diamond baseballs, and I just carry them around. I had one school that had "official league" baseballs without the stamp. I just had them swap them out for six of mine with the stamp. Otherwise, if my unit didn't voice the must-have-the-stamp edict, then I would be the if-they're-hardballs-let's-play type of umpire. So in order to ensure that I can allow every game to be played, I bring my own.

So you don't have to be a "tight-@ssed, black and white, anal, rules book umpire," or an unintelligent umpire to enforce the rule plus written and spoken edict, you would merely be following the wishes of the guy who assigns all of the games for three different associations. I would say that's a sign of intelligence to do things his way.

Now, to avoid being a tight-@ssed, anal (the very same thing), black & white, by-the-book umpire on something so trivial, I bring my own baseballs.

For years I have been looking for an easy way to measure the mound height.

If it's not legal do you carry your own rake or use theirs?

[Kevin Finnerty]

Have you considered writing comedy?

No, really.

[Steven Tyler]

Originally Posted by griff901c

For years I have been looking for an easy way to measure the mound height.

If it's not legal do you carry your own rake or use theirs?

My biggest pet peeve is when the coaches boxes are not regulation size.

[griff901c]

Are you saying I'm funny..ha ha..or funny... peculiar..( don't help him Patrino)

To me buying NFHS stamped balls is both..

[Kevin Finnerty]

The word peculiar does not mean strange or odd, by the way.

I am a batting instructor and my son's a pitcher, so I always need dozens of baseballs. I just started buying the ones with the stamp once that edict came down.

So avoiding a problem with the most ridiculous rule ever enacted, and not wanting to draw attention for having an incident because of the most ridiculous rule ever enacted is the route I choose to take.

I have spent most of my entire adult life facilitating the safe and effective and respectful playing of the game of baseball. When this rule came out, and they were serious about enforcing it, I just averted any problems other guys allow to happen by devising a no-brainer solution. There are umpires who are out to take their check and do as little as they can get away with. I am out there to do as much as necessary, and often more.

[griff901c]

Originally Posted by Kevin Finnerty

The word peculiar does not mean strange or odd, by the way.

peculiar...uncommon, unusual.....

I am a batting instructor and my son's a pitcher, so I always need dozens of baseballs. I just started buying the ones with the stamp once that edict came down.

peculiar, I would say..

So avoiding a problem with the most ridiculous rule ever enacted, and not wanting to draw attention for having an incident because of the most ridiculous rule ever enacted is the route I choose to take.

I have spent most of my entire adult life facilitating the safe and effective and respectful playing of the game of baseball. When this rule came out, and they were serious about enforcing it, I just averted any problems other guys allow to happen by devising a no-brainer solution. There are umpires who are out to take their check and do as little as they can get away with. I am out there to do as much as necessary, and often more.

is mound height any different, according to your statement above? They are both in the same boat as far as I am concerned.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but to imply that allowing play with a non-stamped ball as getting away with doing as little as possible is insulting and arrogant on your part.

[RPatrino]

Peculiar?? Not particularly. Funny I'll buy!! Maybe we should have stamps with the FED logo made to stamp all these rogue baseballs we will be using and make them 'legal'?

[jicecone]

Originally Posted by Steven Tyler

My biggest pet peeve is when the coaches boxes are not regulation size.

Yea I know what you mean.

Luckily, I am an engineer. So 2 hours before every game I get my transit and tape and check each field for non-conformance with the prevailing rules. I believe over the couple of thousands of games I have officiated, at best 5 or 10 wolud actually have been played if I was really OOOOO.

Also luckily, I am not OOOOO.