Is it my duty as a fellow umpire?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Andy

The other thing to remember is that you are a slow pitch softball umpire only, by your own admission.

I don't know how things are in your neighborhood, but in some places, baseball umpires don't think softball umpires are real umpires. (if you don't believe me, go peruse the baseball board) If this is the case in your area, just leave it alone.....

That's okay, 'cause I don't believe anyone who needs to point is much of an umpire. For that matter, let's talk about the "dead" ball hyprocy in baseball. Quite a few, including instructors at high levels, mock softball and any umpire that rules a ball dead, yet the baseball rules routinely refer to a ball being "alive". Hmmmm.......we cannot have a dead ball, but they can have one that is alive.

[HugoTafurst]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

SnipHmmmm.......we cannot have a dead ball, but they can have one that is alive.

Funny you should mention that... Just the other day I was reading a post on some baseball discussion board and the poster talked about the ball being "alive".

I refrained from making some hysterical comments.....

Out of curiosity, I searched the baseball rulebooks I have access pdf to and surprise, surprise the word "alive" was not mentioned once.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by HugoTafurst

Out of curiosity, I searched the baseball rulebooks I have access pdf to and surprise, surprise the word "alive" was not mentioned once.

Then you are not looking at MLB. You can find it at www.mlb.com

Or NCAA where it is used three times in the one paragraph used to define "live ball".

[HugoTafurst]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Then you are not looking at MLB. You can find it at www.mlb.com

Or NCAA where it is used three times in the one paragraph used to define "live ball".

OK, I'l admit it, I only actually searched the NFHS 2008 Baseball Rules pdf.

I started with MLB.com, but realized I'd have to do it rule by rule and that seemed like too much effort just to join in a pissing contest!

Sat AM an not much to do, I read your post and figured I'd look.
Figured 5.xx would be a good place to start and sure enough there it is (multiple times).

But gee, I noticed that many times they also refer to the ball as "DEAD"

And to continue.......
If baseball guys are allowed to make a huge ceremony when a "Dead ball" is announced (complete with pall bearers, etc) can we have a naming ceremony and pass out cigars when it is announced that the ball is now "alive" - and better yet, do we snip off some of the thread if the umpire is Jewish????

[Az.Ump]

Ooch!!!

Paul

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Quite a few, including instructors at high levels, mock softball and any umpire that rules a ball dead, yet the baseball rules routinely refer to a ball being "alive". Hmmmm.......we cannot have a dead ball, but they can have one that is alive.

It's not the status of the ball, it is the use of the verbal "dead ball" that is considered improper. OBR instructs in their rules to kill the ball by yelling "Time".

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Welpe

It's not the status of the ball, it is the use of the verbal "dead ball" that is considered improper. OBR instructs in their rules to kill the ball by yelling "Time".

And in softball, as umpires, we base our calls on the status of the ball. "Time" is not the status of the ball, but that of the game. Two different calls for two different situations.

Of course, I have to wonder why some baseball umpires have such a difficult time with softball umpires doing their job.

[Welpe]

I'm just explaining where the line of thought comes from...I don't really care one way or another.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Welpe

I'm just explaining where the line of thought comes from...I don't really care one way or another.

I understand and didn't think you were doing anything other than that.

Thank you

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Of course, I have to wonder why some baseball umpires have such a difficult time with softball umpires doing their job.

Insecurity ??