Altered Bat? You make this call (or do you?).

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by nc452010

Yeah....IMO....BIG can of worms.

Or maybe a barrel of snakes.

[nc452010]

I won't comment too much about this issue, but I will say this much. The problem becomes ten times greater when you have someone in charge who is unwilling to do anything about the problem, including backing up the umpires when they see bats that clearly are not legit.

When you have such a person at the helm, your role as umpire becomes that much more dangerous. Your credibility can go right out the window, not because you were right or wrong about a bat, but because you did the right thing and didn't get backed at the critical moment.

Can you help me out, here? How was/is this discernable? (see underlined/bolded).

[AtlUmpSteve]

Nc452010;

In my opinion, you are making way too much out of this. Or maybe your buddy did, but get over it, and work with the program.

When you, your buddy, or any other umpire does a bat inspection, it is your sole judgment if a bat has a dent, a crack, a rivet popped out, or any other defect that renders it illegal. That is YOUR JUDGMENT for this game. It matters not even one iota if every other umpire thinks it is okay, you get to make that judgment for this game. In a tournament, the UIC can overrule you; in a league game, it is your call.

He threw that bat out; he has that authority for that game, and, frankly, any other game he umpires. He can't force the league to throw it out, or even to test it; but he can disqualify it any game he chooses. Is it altered? I don't know, and I'm not sure he knows, but he can do what he did.

This isn't much different a discussion than the coach who thinks he can stand outside the dugout while on defense; he can't, according to the rules. He will tell you he isn't gaining an unfair advantage; your response should be that if there is no advantage gained, it shouldn't matter to him that he can't do it.

Now, substitute that bat, and using it, for being outside the dugout, and doing it during live ball play. If the bat isn't enhanced illegally, then there is no disadvantage from being told it is judged illegal for this game. There is no protest available, since umpire judgment is the criteria. So, get over it, and move on.

[nc452010]

"Get over it"?

That's rich. I said I had no problem with the end-result. I wanna know how he got there.

So...which rule do you use, if you wanna go "there"?

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by nc452010

Can you help me out, here? How was/is this discernable? (see underlined/bolded).

I'd rather not comment much further on this specific incident, and there are many reasons why.

Originally Posted by nc452010

"Get over it"?

That's rich. I said I had no problem with the end-result. I wanna know how he got there.

So...which rule do you use, if you wanna go "there"?

nc452010, just giving you a fair heads up for why you might be taking a bit of fire here. We don't know you, so we're going to be a bit, well, apprehensive of you. This is a forum for officials, and quite frankly, we get plenty of trolls on here looking to **** with some umpires (like we don't hear enough sh1t during games?).

So if your intentions are good, welcome to the forum. We'll answer your questions, but until (or even if) we get to know you better, don't be surprised if we're a little wary of newcomers, and don't be surprised if our answers reflect that apprehension.

If you're a coach or player, just say so. No harm in it. If you're an umpire, introduce yourself.

Just recognize the position we're in here.

[nc452010]

Perfectly understandable.

I used to post here quite a bit....under the "handle" of NCBlue (or something like that.....as it's been years). My email addy has changed, so I didn't go through the process of trying to resurrect my login information.

So, I felt it would be easier to simply re-register.

My playing background aside, I've been an active ASA umpire in NC, since 2000. I took this year off to train for a few triathlons, but I still stay in touch with my cohorts....who ARE my friends.....all. I have a DEEP respect for the gentleman I'm speaking of. That cannot be misconstrued. He's one outstanding umpire....and I've learned a ton from him.

From my playing days, I sometimes see what "we" do from that side, also. It's no more than a healthy regard for "their" world, though. I haven't played the game in many years. As far as softball goes.....I'm an umpire.

I just felt, in this instance, that a can of worms was opened. I wanna know HOW my friend got to where he did.....and I'm not entirely convinced by his explanation (citing the altered bat rule.....but not how he arrived at it being altered....other than his "observance").

Out of respect for my friend, I won't get into naming names. And, if you guys more experienced (if you are....lol) than me tell me "that's just one of those things".......I'll accept that.

Is it?

Edit** I just searched NCBlue....and if I used that handle, it got erased when the site (obviously....lol) switched over to the current format.

[NCASAUmp]

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.