My answer: POTEDO #2

[Carl Childress]

quote:

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Originally posted by PeteBooth:

I'm not saying it's right but I bet most umpires would rule a player out the moment he enters the dugout and probably would not get any flak from coaches for calling it that way.

Pete Booth

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Pete:

Three points here.

1. Most fans think the hands are part of the bat. We know that ain't so.

2. What is one of the lurkers here or on eteamz, where the issues has also been decided, happens to be a coach at the game where one of the "most umpires" makes the wrong call?

2. You are no longer a part of the group called "most umpires." That's why you "hook on" to ask experts what the rules mean. Harry Wendelstedt (by proxmy) and Cris Jones (via Jim Booth) have told you what the rule is. Both Warren and I have given you the thinking behind the official interpretation.

Now, your job, if you want it, is to help spread the word. Copy down Warren's explanation, add my play and answer, and show that around to other umpires. Some may scoff: Then you know they are fools. Some may not be interested. That will be the majority. Some will say: "Hey, Pete: Thanks, I didn't know that."

If you convince two umpires, they may convince two others. That's how word of mouth changes the way baseball is offficiated by amateur umpires.