NSA Ruling?

[David Emerling]

Originally Posted by BlitzkriegBob

I don't do NSA, but I know they have their rule book online. The preamble to Rule 3 states: ... {snip}

Imagine that - an organization making their rulebook available online for those who have questions about the rules. What a novel concept!

USSSA also has their rulebook online. So does the AFA. So does the USFA.

NFHS ... ASA? {crickets chirping}

I think we can all agree; making the rulebook TOP SECRET is an excellent idea.

David Emerling
Memphis, TN

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by David Emerling

I think we can all agree; making the rulebook TOP SECRET is an excellent idea.

David Emerling
Memphis, TN

Perhaps we could agree on that if there was anyone who actually did that.

I do see, however, that you are completely bought into the teenage file sharing notion that there is no such thing as a copyright that should be respected, refusing to accept that it is up to the owner of the copyright to decide how to make the work available.

Anyone who registers with ASA gets the rule book. Anyone who registers with their state HS league gets the NFHS rule book (if their state uses NFHS). Anyone who is a member of the NFHS Officials Association has online access to the rule book and the case book. You can also choose to buy both of those works without registering. They are available online for purchase.

So, is what this boils down to is you think you should get these copyrighted works free?

[David Emerling]

Originally Posted by Dakota

Perhaps we could agree on that if there was anyone who actually did that.

I do see, however, that you are completely bought into the teenage file sharing notion that there is no such thing as a copyright that should be respected, refusing to accept that it is up to the owner of the copyright to decide how to make the work available.

Anyone who registers with ASA gets the rule book. Anyone who registers with their state HS league gets the NFHS rule book (if their state uses NFHS). Anyone who is a member of the NFHS Officials Association has online access to the rule book and the case book. You can also choose to buy both of those works without registering. They are available online for purchase.

So, is what this boils down to is you think you should get these copyrighted works free?

No, I don't think I should get the book for free, I think the rules should be readily available, online, for those who don't want to purchase the book. I can understand recovering printing expenses (and maybe with a little profit) for actually selling the book.

I understand the "intellectual property" argument with regards to music, movie scripts, photographs, etc. But the rules of a game, in my opinion, do not rise to that level.

Why should only coaches and umpires have ready access to the rules? Why can't an inquisitive fan, or a parent, or a player, who has a passing interest in some particular aspect of the game, not be able to sit at home, fire up their computer, and see what the rulebook actually says about interference, obstruction, illegal pitches, base awards, or whatever? They have to order the book and wait for the delivery?

So, to address your question - I do not believe that the wide dissemination of the rules to the general public - making it easily accessible - is some silly "teenage file sharing notion" like downloading illegal mp3's. What an asinine comparison!

There's no point in arguing about this. This debate rears its ugly head at least once a year. Everybody takes sides and nothing is accomplished. Nobody's mind is changed. I simply think more good is served when the rules are readily available. Rules are not something that should be viewed as a for-profit endeavor. There are so many other ways to make money than to extort people into purchasing a book even if they just have a passing interest in some element of the game.

Which is more important, making money from the rulebook, or educating the public about the rules of the game? How is it most other sports organizations seem to do just fine by making their rulebooks readily available?

David Emerling
Memphis, TN

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by David Emerling

...I think the rules should be readily available, online, for those who don't want to purchase the book. I can understand recovering printing expenses (and maybe with a little profit) for actually selling the book.

I understand the "intellectual property" argument with regards to music, movie scripts, photographs, etc. But the rules of a game, in my opinion, do not rise to that level.

In other words, you do not believe that the owner of the copyrighted work has the right to decide how the work will be make available, by what medium, and at what price.

Why should only coaches and umpires have ready access to the rules? Why can't an inquisitive fan, or a parent, or a player, who has a passing interest in some particular aspect of the game, not be able to sit at home, fire up their computer, and see what the rulebook actually says about interference, obstruction, illegal pitches, base awards, or whatever? They have to order the book and wait for the delivery?

Obviously, you've never actually looked at what ASA and NFHS have for sale. Fact is, you CAN do this with ASA (buy their CD) and you do NOT have to be registered with anyone to buy it. You CAN do this with NFHS, but it does require you to be a registered official with them. As to answering the question "why" is this the only way? Because the OWNERS of the copyrighted works have decided that is how they want to make THEIR work available.

So, to address your question - I do not believe that the wide dissemination of the rules to the general public - making it easily accessible - is some silly "teenage file sharing notion" like downloading illegal mp3's. What an asinine comparison!

It is a spot-on comparison. Both works are copyrighted (music, books), and neither owner of the work wants them available online for free distribution.

I simply think more good is served when the rules are readily available. Rules are not something that should be viewed as a for-profit endeavor. There are so many other ways to make money than to extort people into purchasing a book even if they just have a passing interest in some element of the game.

And, that is your opinion, but unfortunately, since you do not own the copyrights to these works, it is not your decision to make. Feel free to express you opinion to the ASA and to the NFHS. My only point is it is their decision to make. Not mine. Not yours.

Which is more important, making money from the rulebook, or educating the public about the rules of the game? How is it most other sports organizations seem to do just fine by making their rulebooks readily available?

David Emerling
Memphis, TN

Which of those two organizations have as their mission to "educate the public on the rules of the game?" The published rules are for the benefit of the participants in the game. They are made available to the public for purchase, but apparently you think they should be free. They disagree.

[David Emerling]

Originally Posted by Dakota

In other words, you do not believe that the owner of the copyrighted work has the right to decide how the work will be make available, by what medium, and at what price.

Of course they have the right! Did I say they didn't?

What I'm saying is that I think it is ill-advised that they exercise that right. I think the organization, softball, and the softball community would be better served if the system of rules was made readily available. And the internet is the perfect medium to do that - as countless other institutions have discovered.

Obviously, you've never actually looked at what ASA and NFHS have for sale. Fact is, you CAN do this with ASA (buy their CD) and you do NOT have to be registered with anyone to buy it. You CAN do this with NFHS, but it does require you to be a registered official with them. As to answering the question "why" is this the only way? Because the OWNERS of the copyrighted works have decided that is how they want to make THEIR work available.

I know! I know!

You do not have to be registered. I get it! But you always have to pay for it. It's never free and it's not readily available.

A parent watches their kid's game. Their daughter gets called for an illegal pitch. After the game, the parent asks his daughter, "Katie, why did that umpire call an illegal pitch? What did you do wrong?" (She's 12-yrs-old)

"He said I didn't wait long enough."

"Huh? Wait long enough for what?"

"I dunno. That's just what he said."

"Did your coach tell you anything?"

"He just told me to wait longer before I pitch."

"Wait for what?"

"I dunno."

So, the parent is not satisfied with the answers and decides he'll read through the pitching regulations before he goes to bed that night. He's just curious.

Bzzzzt!

Thanks for playing! Because Katie was playing under ASA rules and the ASA is going to make Daddy buy a book to find out. Or, Daddy has to ask somebody else about it and get the information second hand.

Fat chance he's going to buy a book to find out that one point of curiosity.

And, apparently, that's the way ASA likes it.

And, that is your opinion, but unfortunately, since you do not own the copyrights to these works, it is not your decision to make. Feel free to express you opinion to the ASA and to the NFHS. My only point is it is their decision to make. Not mine. Not yours.

Are you friggin' dense???

I'm not claiming it should be my decision. I completely understand they have the right to exercise the distribution of their rulebook in any manner they feel is appropriate.

But it is my right to disagree with their decision.

Geez!

You act like you've never heard anybody express this opinion before. Amazing.

Which of those two organizations have as their mission to "educate the public on the rules of the game?" The published rules are for the benefit of the participants in the game. They are made available to the public for purchase, but apparently you think they should be free. They disagree.

Yeah, whatever.

Very compelling.

David Emerling
Memphis, TN

[azbigdawg]

Mr. Emerling..by any chance are you an attorney?

If you arent..you should be....because you shovel crap with the best of them.

[IRISHMAFIA]

No, I don't think I should get the book for free, I think the rules should be readily available, online, for those who don't want to purchase the book.

LOL!!! Keep going, you are getting closer to joining the piano man

[David Emerling]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

LOL!!! Keep going, you are getting closer to joining the piano man

I have no idea what the this "piano man" reference is you keep resorting to. Is it some kind of oblique insult? Or, are you just entertaining yourself?

Quite frankly, I don't get. But if you want me to be upset and hurt by it - I'm devastated!


David Emerling
Memphis, TN

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by David Emerling

I have no idea what the this "piano man" reference is you keep resorting to. Is it some kind of oblique insult? Or, are you just entertaining yourself?

Quite frankly, I don't get. But if you want me to be upset and hurt by it - I'm devastated!


David Emerling
Memphis, TN

Don't think so as I do not believe in words having the power to hurt anyone, they are just words.

And I don't care if you don't get it. Say hello to Jim for me.

See ya.