BR interference with catcher fielding bunt

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by GaryBarrentine

What!!! A rule interpretation should not be available to coaches, because it maybe turned in to a strategy, what a load of pooh!

All rules, exceptions, notes, and interpretations used to play the game should be available to all parties involved with said game(coaches, players, umpires, and fans) in some standard form(written, electronic, etc)!

Gary, for you, this is a dumb comment. You have access to everything an umpire has, it just isn't wrapped up with a bow on it.

How can the players play the game with in the rules if they do not know them, because the do not have them!

Really? Whats that book you get with your registration? A rule book, maybe? And to be quite honest, even those who read the rule book, most coaches don't have a clue. There is more to knowing how to officiate a game than reading words on a page.

Rant on!

Pooh this! Players should just play the game, period. The coaches and players should play the game by the rules, period. If you want interpretations, start going to some clinics, exclamation point!

We are not your babysitters and my point as to it becoming strategy is so valid, it isn't even funny. I guarantee there will now be some coach teaching his/her players to try and time their advance to 1B to cut off the catcher. When the umpire calls INT, the moaning (do coaches do that?) will begin and the umpire will eventually end up tossing some yahoo who is trying to bend the rules instead of playing the game straight up. We hear it CONSTANTLY in almost every tournament. Blue, she's leaving early. Blue, she's illegal. Blue, she cannot stop once she starts that way. Blue, you called her safe, you cannot now call her out. Blue, her sunglasses are distracting my batter. Blue, are you sure she can wear a white sleeve while pitching. Waa Waa Waa!

Steve M. what do you think your buddy from Ohio would try to do with something like this if he actually read the book including the umpire's manual? Don't think he would whine too much when his player gets rung up for INT, do you?

Apparently, somewhere along the way, some coaches got the idea that "working the umpire" is part of the game and it is never personal. Well, guess what? When we tell you to leave the park, it isn't personal, you deserved it.

We are not there to be "worked". We are there to apply the rules as instructed, not to be a substitute for your wife when you feel that badgering someone is the best offense.

What the umpires are discussing here is direction of how to handle a certain situation. If you want to call the book, fine. Every time, it is going to be INT and catchers will be jumping into your batters just to draw the call. Why? Because coaches will be coaching that scenario. What do you think the possibility of injury is going to be in that scenario?

Let them play the game. Knowing the rules is great. Coaching to the rules instead of the game is a disservice to the players, team and the game itself.

Rant off!