The Simple Things

[IRISHMAFIA]

While I'm rolling on simplification......

Have you ever wondered why the rules addressing the infield fly specify that first & second, or first, second and third are occupied?

Why is third base even mentioned since we all know that the occupation of that base is irrelevant to the rule?

[Rich]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

While I'm rolling on simplification......

Have you ever wondered why the rules addressing the infield fly specify that first & second, or first, second and third are occupied?

Why is third base even mentioned since we all know that the occupation of that base is irrelevant to the rule?

I prefer the line, "Anytime with less than 2 outs there's a force play at third base..."

[sbatten]

Originally Posted by Rich

I prefer the line, "Anytime with less than 2 outs there's a force play at third base..."

Agreed on the unnecessary wording in the book, and I too prefer to break it down Rich's way.


Similarly, ASA 8-2-J could be reworded to "When an infielder intentionally drops a caught fair fly ball, when there is less than two outs and first base is occupied at the time of the pitch."

[EsqUmp]

Originally Posted by Rich

I prefer the line, "Anytime with less than 2 outs there's a force play at third base..."

And since we are harping over language, it's actually "fewer" than 2 outs. Not "less" than two outs.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by EsqUmp

And since we are harping over language, it's actually "fewer" than 2 outs. Not "less" than two outs.

I know the difference and could care less (yes, I did that on purpose).

(Do you tell grocery store managers that their express lanes should say "10 items or fewer"? )

[Manny A]

A little off-topic, but somewhat related:

To date, pro baseball rules still state, "If a lefthanded or righthanded pitcher swings his free foot past the back edge of the pitcher’s rubber, he is required to pitch to the batter except to throw to second base on a pick-off play."

I've always wondered why they just don't remove the words I underlined. I mean, why bother?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Manny A

A little off-topic, but somewhat related:

To date, pro baseball rules still state, "If a lefthanded or righthanded pitcher swings his free foot past the back edge of the pitcher’s rubber, he is required to pitch to the batter except to throw to second base on a pick-off play."

I've always wondered why they just don't remove the words I underlined. I mean, why bother?

Personally, I think the entire rule is crap. Why not just force the pitcher to tell the runner where the ball is going.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by Rich

(Do you tell grocery store managers that their express lanes should say "10 items or fewer"? )

I have and also that 15 is not 10 or fewer.

[HugoTafurst]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

I have and also that 15 is not 10 or fewer.

That is another story...

[Steve M]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

I have and also that 15 is not 10 or fewer.

Now, if they can't count to make change, how do you expect them to know that 15 is more than 10?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by EsqUmp

And since we are harping over language, it's actually "fewer" than 2 outs. Not "less" than two outs.

Well, fewer is correct, but less is not wrong, at least, not according to Messrs. Merriam and Webster

[EsqUmp]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Well, fewer is correct, but less is not wrong, at least, not according to Messrs. Merriam and Webster

That's not so. It would have to be "lesser number of outs than 2" to be correct.

[ASA Ump MN]

She can't even understand that figuring out 20%

You guys tip 20 percent in Virginia?..

I could never tip $40 on a $100 tab no-matter how great the table dances or service was ...

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by EsqUmp

That's not so. It would have to be "lesser number of outs than 2" to be correct.

Usage Discussion of LESS

The traditional view is that less applies to matters of degree, value, or amount and modifies collective nouns, mass nouns, or nouns denoting an abstract whole while fewer applies to matters of number and modifies plural nouns. Less has been used to modify plural nouns since the days of King Alfred and the usage, though roundly decried, appears to be increasing. Less is more likely than fewer to modify plural nouns when distances, sums of money, and a few fixed phrases are involved <less than 100 miles> less than $2000> less> and as likely as fewer to modify periods of time less (or fewer) than four hours>.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

While I'm rolling on simplification......

Have you ever wondered why the rules addressing the infield fly specify that first & second, or first, second and third are occupied?

Why is third base even mentioned since we all know that the occupation of that base is irrelevant to the rule?

Because if you only had first and second listed for the condition then it wouldn't be in effect if the bases were loaded.

Before you say "BUT!" - think it through again.