Let's back away from the specifics of your friend, then. If you're interested in learning more about how to identify altered bats, that's one thing. If you're looking for a more specific justification, you could look at rule 3-7 if you have a book handy. It's a thin tread, but one still available to us.

Dave:

You're (IMO) on a slippery slope with that one. I say that, with total respect (I hate the internet for such correspondence). As I told my friend, you're being judge, jury and executioner.....with your "feel" as your only source of "evidence".

I also asked....."Would you support your most junior umpire who made the same call....under the same circumstances"?

See where I'm going? Where does it end? I see this like I see a lot of TV crime shows. It's one thing to know in your heart someone's guilty of a crime. It's another thing to prove it. In the criminal justice system, that's required. In the case of a shaved bat......is it not?

With the new 10' arc now in place, my greatest fear is seeing a pitcher getting his face shattered (Or worse) by one of these rocket launchers. It's going to happen, believe me. It's not if, but when.

You merely asked for a rule citation, not its application.

I really feel that this is a conversation that you need to be having with the umpire in question. He obviously felt compelled enough by the circumstances that were present to make a ruling, and if you have questions as to the reasoning behind that ruling, you should ask him directly.

I have. That's why I'm here. What I got from him was...."I discussed it with my counterparts, and they agree with me".

So I ask/asked.....do you?

I just want to know if "in my opinion, the bat is altered" is covered in the rules....and is a viable outlet for ALL umpires? And...would you support your most junior umpire making the same call?

This isn't that hard of a question (I don't think). And, I'm disrespecting no one in the process.

There's a reason both umpires enter the same dugout and inspect the bats together: it allows the umpires to consult each other and build a consensus on whether to allow certain bats that may be questionable. The umpiring team may then stand together after making a decision on whether a specific bat is to not be allowed into the game.

That being said, if the umpiring team finds a bat that, upon examination, raises sufficient suspicion, they may certainly restrict its use in the game. Umpires should not "go looking" for trouble in this regard, but when trouble is found, it must be dealt with. If the bat, for example, has any of the following characteristics, then the umpiring crew should be compelled to restrict its use:

• obvious pry marks around the end cap
• visible adhesive coming from the end cap
• raised decals
• paint covering the end cap
• the incorrect end cap
• Easton bats with the "Easton" stamp not properly lined up across barrel and end cap

Again, I reiterate that an umpiring crew should not look for trouble, but when trouble is encountered during the pre-game equipment inspection, it should not be overlooked. They should absolutely back each other in these matters.

Bull****! The 10' has nothing to do with it. It is 10', it was 10' before, it is 10' in every other SP organization.

This has always been a danger, 10 arc or not.

And yes, pitchers have already been killed while on the pitcher's plate. One was recently killed in northern Virginia during a tourney. Saddest part was that it's a "pitch to your own team" tourney.

Bats
 

I honestly believe that as officials of the game we have a responsiblity/duty to make the game as safe as we can. I believe that an umpire has the authority to remove from the game any piece of equipment which he/she feels is unsafe. I don't have my rulebook handy but I believe somewhere in rule 10 there is that broad stroke of "judgement" given to the umpire.

Swear all you like. I absolutely disagree. With the new 10' arc, the pitchers are pitching differently than before. Somebody is going to get hurt...badly.

The arc isn't new. You are buying into a lame-*** excuse by a bunch of wannabes who apparently are incapable of controlling a toothpick while attempting to hit a big ball approaching at 4-10 mph. Anyone who states they have to hit the middle because of the arc is either a liar or pretender.

The 10' arc has been around for 57 years and if they haven't figured it out by now, they should be taking up golf or tryout for the new, Fox reality show, Bobo the Clown! 'cause they certainly are not softball players.

And to add to what is already said here, even when the ceiling was 12', you could still legally pitch with a ceiling of 10'.