My answer: POTEDO #2

[Warren Willson]

quote:

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Originally posted by PeteBooth:
"Warren thanks I now know my analogy was incorrect - but not to beat a dead horse exactly was is a reasonable amount of time?

[snip]

Depending upon the ballpark - dugouts are a few feet away from home plate, therefore, reasonable amount of time could be up to the dugout steps - Again IMO that is plenty of time to correct one's mistake.

[snip]

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."

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Pete,

It is umpire's judgement as to what constitutes "a reasonable amount of time", but according to my reading of Jones' (PBUC) interpretation that reasonable amount of time refers to time taken while actually in the dugout, not simply reaching the dugout. After all, the ruling was about returning after entering the dugout. In order to return from a place you actually have to get there first! Therefore it would make no difference how far the dugout is from Home Plate (minimum 60 feet recommended for professional fields).

You can't use that interpretation you espouse to get around the PBUC ruling on a runner returning after entering the dugout, by simply saying time was up before the runner even entered the dugout in the first place. Sorry.

Cheers,

Warren Willson

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Member and Co-Moderator, UT