ok, Ill ask the Jury..

[mcrowder]

Originally Posted by rwest

It sounds to me that this theory is based on reducing the "arguments" we get from coaches when calls don't go their way. If we see an out, no matter how close and no matter if the defense turned what should have been an easy play into a close one, we should call the out. Its not our job to make the coaches happy. We're paid to enforce the rules and ensure a level playing field. This theory does neither.

While I don't subscribe to the above theory, I think I can safely say that they are not telling you to rule a safe baserunner out because of a great play or an out baserunner safe because of a poor one. They are saying that if it's so close that you don't know, give the benefit of doubt to the team making the great play or against the team making a poor one.

I don't do such a thing, but what they are suggesting is not nearly so egregious as you imply it is.

[rwest]

Originally Posted by mcrowder

While I don't subscribe to the above theory, I think I can safely say that they are not telling you to rule a safe baserunner out because of a great play or an out baserunner safe because of a poor one. They are saying that if it's so close that you don't know, give the benefit of doubt to the team making the great play or against the team making a poor one.

I don't do such a thing, but what they are suggesting is not nearly so egregious as you imply it is.

Maybe, but I do remember the thread that Scott originally refered to. The thread was started maybe a year or two ago and I distinctly remember the author indicating that you call the play according to what the crowd and coaches expect even if you knew different. My apologizes if I erroneously inferred that Scott was advocating calling a runner safe when he knew the runner was out. I agree we should give the benefit of the doubt. However, shouldn't that always be to the offense? I'm thinking of the old adage "Don't guess an out". If you aren't sure if the ball beat the runner then the runner is safe. If you aren't sure the runner beat the ball there, is the runner still safe? Don't we have to be sure of an out to call an out, otherwise the call is safe.