Catcher Obstruction

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Paddy

Mike,

Why/How should this rule be changed ?

Like outs on a BOO protest, I would allow an offended team to keep any advance by the runners whether the manager accepted the play or enforcement of the CO.

I would not allow a "do-over". Don't particularly believe in them.

BTW, anytime a manger brings their big batter back to the plate, I'm walking him/her intentionally.

[Dutch Alex]

OK this rule can be changed in th e future (just as any rule), but who are we to decide if a rule should be changed?
In my opinion we, umpires, are there to enforce the rules, not to make them...


Sander

[whiskers_ump]

Originally Posted by Dutch Alex

OK this rule can be changed in th e future (just as any rule), but who are we to decide if a rule should be changed?
In my opinion we, umpires, are there to enforce the rules, not to make them...


Sander

Alex,

We may not be the ones to decide, but we should and do have an avenue for input...Many rules are changed by umpire suggestions to the right people, and Mike happens to be one of them....

[ukumpire]

With no disrespect, but we are the people who enforce the rules and therefore have the Freedom to suggest which rules or mechanics may need to change the game for the better.
If every umpire, never ever said anything, the rules of our game would of never changed.
I semi understand your point of view, but I believe that nobody, more than us as Umpires, change the rules for the better, this in no way must understate the consensus of players coaches and other officials, God Bless them!

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by ukumpire

With no disrespect, but we are the people who enforce the rules and therefore have the Freedom to suggest which rules or mechanics may need to change the game for the better.
If every umpire, never ever said anything, the rules of our game would of never changed.
I semi understand your point of view, but I believe that nobody, more than us as Umpires, change the rules for the better, this in no way must understate the consensus of players coaches and other officials, God Bless them!

If you lived in the litigious society that we do.....

In ASA, all rule changes are submitted by a voting member of the ASA General Council. ANYONE can submit a proposed change, but it must be "sponsored" and signed by a voting member.

They are published, reviewed in numerous committees (of council members), voted upon by each committee which sends recommendations to the final Playing Rules committee which takes the recommendations into consideration, then votes on these rules. The result of this vote is reported to the chair as recommendation for approval or rejection.

These recommendations are read in a general meeting of the council and at which point any voting member may challenge the recommendation. To reverse the recommendation, the motion must receive 60% of the vote.

Of course, there are also rules involving safety issues which are handled more as an operating policy until an emergency vote of the council can be executed.