Balk/Illegal Pitch???

[bkbjones]

Originally Posted by David Emerling

Your question is backwards. The question should be, "Why do some organizations not publish their rules (on the internet)?"

To be fair to ASA, they are joined by NFHS in this proprietary approach to their rules.

Why should the rules only be available to umpires and registered teams? What's the logic in that?

Why can't the average person (i.e. fan) have access to those rules?

Face it - it's a money making thing!

Umpires frequently complain about how ignorant fans are of their rulings. I think anybody should be able to look up (and educate themselves) as to what "obstruction" is, how it is determined, and what the penalties for the infraction are. What's the big deal?

What's the harm in making the rules open to the general public?

They'll take your money at the gate but not extend you the right to fully understand the game you're paying for.

The game is not all about the players, coaches, and umpires.

Sporting events are public exhibitions!

Heck, if you like a certain song you can easily find the lyrics to that song on the internet. You may have to PAY to hear the song, but the lyrics are FREE. Why would a sporting event be any different?

David Emerling
Memphis, TN

1. Don't make it personal, and don't should on me either. It's my question and I'll ask it how I please. Thank you.

2. Song lyrics are not free. They are copyrighted proprietary material. Are they available out there? Yep. But they're not free unless they are in the public domain.

3. Sporting events are not necessarily public exhibitions.