Confirm and Verify

Having twenty years of umpiring under my belt and having written Baseball Rules in Black and White, it only makes sense that I follow dozens of umpire sites on line.

Unfortunately what I have come to recognize is what’s sometimes posted as sarcastic humor, half or completely incorrect can soon become an accepted blurred or factual ruling.  There is nothing funny about an incorrect ruling in the middle of a ball game.

Seldom does the umpire’s post list the specific level of play or a rule number that his interpretation applies to. Shouldn’t these be a requirement when defining a rule for others?  

Not all, but some of these threads and posts are helpful. The problem is that umpires cannot accept getting some of their calls correct!

I am not telling anyone to not use these sites, but what I am saying is this.  Use caution, confirm and verify level of play and rule numbers from the official rule book or Baseball Rules in Black and White.