Rules Interpretation

[MD Longhorn]

I agree there's a line there that shouldn't be crossed. We've all seen them. From the PU who starts his plate conference with, "Listen, we're not here to take any crap from any of you - if I have to, you're gone!", to the guy I was working with last spring who spent LITERALLY 10 minutes explaining the difference between a judgement call and a "rule call". We've all also worked with that guy who doesn't need lineups from anyone and his entire PC, if he has one, is "OK ... anyone have any questions? Nope, ok, play ball".

The ASA guide is a fantastic guide. If I'm working midseason in league ball, it is almost exactly what I say. If I'm working HS ball, it is almost exactly what I say as well even though it's not the code we're working (with the obligatory ... "I'm covering my backside by asking you if everyone is properly equipped" added on)

But the beginning of a tourney where more than half the teams are teams that have never been here before - we all find it beneficial if we ALL start their first games with that little bit. Yeah, probably half of the coaches are saying just what you said... "No ****". The other half, however, are those who have used local completely untrained umpires (if any) with crazy local rules, and board member coaches that walk on water and are accustomed to being treated like the king when they walk on the field, even in the middle of a play. Many also think PU can automatically overrule BU if they happened to disagree with the judgement of their partner. I see no problem in heading that off - one time - at the beginning of a very long weekend.

Ditto the first weekend of league ball (which just got rained out. )