What does "spirit/intent" of the rule mean to you, the umpire? Give an example.

[GoodCallBlue!]

What does "spirit/intent" of the rule mean to you, the umpire? Give an example.

[stkjock]

Wow, must be important..... You posted it three times. 

[maven]

It's the aim of fairness the rules-makers had in mind when formulating the rule. Example: the balk rule.

Does that help?

[Man_In_Black]

Are you a teacher? I'm having flashbacks of a high school social studies test.

Actually, I had an answer prepared and ready to post...but the dog ate my keyboard. Honest, Teach!

[JHSump]

[GoodCallBlue!]

13 hours ago, Man_In_Black said:

Are you a teacher? I'm having flashbacks of a high school social studies test.

Actually, I had an answer prepared and ready to post...but the dog ate my keyboard. Honest, Teach!

Hmmmm maybe just trying to get some feedback instead of some "high school" attempt at 'humor"?

[maineump]

- Look and act professional at all times

- Enforce the rules as intended (by the intent of the rule)

- Be in the right place at the right time

- Be approachable - don't have thin skin - allow manager to ASK questions in a civil manner and answer questions based on rule interpretations - not judgement.

- Keep the pace of the game going - keep time-outs to a minimum (non-conference time-outs)

- Hustle in between plays to get to your starting position. If you hustle the players will hustle.

- Keep a good line-up card and work with official scorers

- Don't have 'rabbit ears'.

- Make sure you have enough baseballs to keep the flow going

- Don't get together to talk to partner, unless it is needed

Good game management will get you respect on the field.

[Man_In_Black]

1 hour ago, GoodCallBlue! said:

Hmmmm maybe just trying to get some feedback instead of some "high school" attempt at 'humor"?

C'mon, man...lighten up. Even you have to admit that the way you phrased the question makes it sound like a 10th grade essay assignment. Smile, buddy...life is way too short.

Anyway, since the dog has since spit up my keyboard, I'll indulge your question. I personally think the answer to the question is pretty obvious. Having said that, sometimes umpires may have to use their own best judgment as to whether enforcing a rule to "the letter of the law" is in the true spirit of competition. You often see discussions of plays where half of the folks think a call should have gone one way, while the other half argues the opposite. And a lot of times in these instances, there are valid arguments for both sides. I suppose it depends on whether you're more of a "strict constructionist" or tend to be a "yeah, I know the rule, but they didn't have this crazy situation in mind when they wrote it" kind of guy.

Class dismissed!

[noumpere]

17 hours ago, GoodCallBlue! said:

What does "spirit/intent" of the rule mean to you, the umpire? Give an example.

"The rules are written by gentlemen, for gentlemen.  Not by lawyers, for lawyers."

"Umpire WITH the book, not BY the book."

And, yes, it's an art, and sometimes (perhaps too often) the phrase is used to justify an incorrect ruling.

[Jimurray]

18 hours ago, GoodCallBlue! said:

What does "spirit/intent" of the rule mean to you, the umpire? Give an example.

Example:

Rule: (a) The catcher shall station himself directly back of the plate. He
may leave his position at any time to catch a pitch or make a
play except that when the batter is being given an intentional
base on balls, the catcher must stand with both feet within the
lines of the catcher’s box until the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand.
PENALTY: Balk.

Spirit/Intent: The rule should rarely be enforced usually only when the catcher leaving the box gives him an advantage in holding a runner. Interps also allow leaving at TOP.