Legally putting ball in play, dead ball violations

[wpiced]

nineO1c

I support your reply to BJ. It seems to me that when the ball is dead, there is nothing on the diamond that can OFFICIALLY occur. If F1 is standing on the rubber licking his hands and spitting on the ball, why---why in the world would an upire put the ball in play. I would think it strange if F1 was doing a hand stand off one end of the rubber, but I would not point the ball live.

Mr. Moose, do you not concur? Oh, and does 8.01a1 apply when the ball is dead? Forget about it!! And your Q1.-- OBR 5.11 seems to cover that question.

Agreed, this is very arguable stuff, but an umpire can not control his game if he can't shut it down COMPLETELY at those appropriate times.