ASA - erasing a line

[EsqUmp]

The rule book defines when a strike can be called. In most codes, there is no provision allowing for a strike to be called as a result of an offensive member erasing a line. The rule book does, however, have a way with dealing with unsporting behavior. Regardless of the reason the player erased the line, HE SHOULDN'T BE ERASING THE LINES. What provision in the book permits that? The rule book empowers umpires to make ruling on issues not directly covered within the rule book. Arguably (or maybe not so arguably), this is one of those times. I would eject the player immediately for doing it. In the very least, you send the message to everyone else to leave the lines alone. If they were supposed to be erased, they wouldn't have drawn them in the first place.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by EsqUmp

The rule book defines when a strike can be called. In most codes, there is no provision allowing for a strike to be called as a result of an offensive member erasing a line. The rule book does, however, have a way with dealing with unsporting behavior. Regardless of the reason the player erased the line, HE SHOULDN'T BE ERASING THE LINES. What provision in the book permits that? The rule book empowers umpires to make ruling on issues not directly covered within the rule book. Arguably (or maybe not so arguably), this is one of those times. I would eject the player immediately for doing it. In the very least, you send the message to everyone else to leave the lines alone. If they were supposed to be erased, they wouldn't have drawn them in the first place.

Now that you have started posting, how about some geography and credentials in your profile or at least in an introductory post. We know who is authoritative on here, but we don't know if you are for real.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

Now that you have started posting, how about some geography and credentials in your profile or at least in an introductory post. We know who is authoritative on here, but we don't know if you are for real.

Which is not to say that your opinions aren't welcome. We just want to get to know each other here, is all.

I'm Dave, and I call ASA SP (and now FP) in NC.

[gumpire]

I called a batter out for out-of-batter's-box in a tournament and his teams response was that since there were no lines, there was no batter's box.

My reply - so if we wipe out the base/foul lines are there no foul balls?

[argodad]

Originally Posted by gumpire

I called a batter out for out-of-batter's-box in a tournament and his teams response was that since there were no lines, there was no batter's box.

My reply - so if we wipe out the base/foul lines are there no foul balls?

With or without lines ... there's always a batter's box. And I know where it is because I studied the book.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by EsqUmp

The rule book defines when a strike can be called. In most codes, there is no provision allowing for a strike to be called as a result of an offensive member erasing a line. The rule book does, however, have a way with dealing with unsporting behavior. Regardless of the reason the player erased the line, HE SHOULDN'T BE ERASING THE LINES. What provision in the book permits that? The rule book empowers umpires to make ruling on issues not directly covered within the rule book. Arguably (or maybe not so arguably), this is one of those times. I would eject the player immediately for doing it. In the very least, you send the message to everyone else to leave the lines alone. If they were supposed to be erased, they wouldn't have drawn them in the first place.

Well, I couldn't disagree more. The lines are irrelevant to the rules. They are a helpful guide. Calling a penalty for someone removing the lines is OOO, even in the associations which provide for such penalties.