That's why they instituted the "Infield Fly Rule" 114 years ago. :-)
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:-) :-) :-)


Now if he had said players in general and mentioned Arod yelling "I've got it" as he rounds second on a popup to to short...that would have had nothing to do with the topic, just can't forget what a hack he is. :-)
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It is ludicrous to equate deeks and fakes, which play a part in most sports, with doctoring a ball or other such tactics like corked bats. The first is a legal strategy, the second a violation of rules.

For instance, a catcher will be lauded for his ability to "frame" or "pull" a pitch back into the zone in an attempt to fool the ump into believing a ball is a strike. "Good" catchers will try this dozens of times a game, and will get away with it on some of those. Is this cheating? Ehhh, OK, strictly speaking it is. Is it illegal? Not in the least.
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Yes, I know, but players still try.
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Before 1920 it was the duty of every pitcher to doctor the ball as soon as he got it. They would scuff it, cut it with a bottle cap, spit tobacco juice on it, use vasoline, etc., they used one ball for the whole game, unless it was lost over the fence, which was rare. In the 1860's players were expected to be gentlemen and honest about their play. In those days, players would say if they were out or not. Getting back to my point: the constant rule changes of football are difficult to keep up with for the casual fan and makes the game needlessly complicated.
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Thanks for the history lesson. When did they change the rule about the pressure of a football?
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I don't know, I tried looking it up, but I'm glad that the League will be handling the balls from now on, so I hear.
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The League always took care of the balls for both sides up until not many years ago.
I can't tell you how many years, but I bet Stephen can.
Why would the league give that responsibility back to the teams?
Simple. So the teams can cater balls to the QB's liking. It's a touchdown league, and that's what people want to see.
I'm fine with that.

Fact is, every team benefited from the change. Then someone got pissed and pointed a finger. The rule is written, and it needs to be enforced as such.
Watch how fast the rule changes now.
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This discussion on sports is excellent!!!!

Without debate, I think?, sports are a collection of rules and since sports have been invented, flexing the rules a bit and not getting caught gives you an advantage. When your caught, sucks to be you, but it's hard to honestly say that's the ONLY thing your bending the rules on which in this case is why I think the penalty was ridiculous because this is the second time getting caught bending the rules and they need to get smarter in hiding problems.

It's hard for me to imagine that the Colts for example aren't bending the rules somewhere and let's just start at the drug policies. Drugs in sports are a reality because humans seek an advantage especially when a great deal of money or fame is on the hook. There have been many articles written about how teams cheat the drug rules to the point of catheters being used to put IN fresh untainted urine and the team doctors assisting in this process as well as the same doctors helping collect samples to be tested. hmmm......

Anyway, I think sports represent the gladiators of today and as gladiators, I respect their desires to push to insane limits but I also respect the desire to create an even playing field. So if you get caught, suck it up, pay the fine, and cheat smarter.

My two cents.
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Really? I watch a lot of baseball, and can;t remember the last time I saw anything resembling that. Go figure.

Some might opine that the NFL has been handling the balls for quite a while now. :-)
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Too bad the league can't handle the nuts also.
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:-)
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Really? I think I last saw it about two years ago. Shortstop dropped an easy pop-up and shuffled the ball to second; it was called, but he tried. I forget who it was. Umps often forget to call it in the air. The trick is to make the catch look harder than it is.
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They still try. :-)

MIAMI (AP) — The Baltimore Orioles' bullpen was already stretched thin in the 12th inning when left-hander Brian Matusz was ejected for using a sticky substance that was on his right arm.

His replacement, T.J. McFarland, then gave up the game-winning single to Martin Prado in the 13th, and the Orioles lost to the Miami Marlins 1-0 Saturday.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter shrugged off the impact of the ejection, saying Matusz would have faced only one more hitter anyway.

''He wouldn't have pitched the next inning,'' Showalter said.

Matusz might not pitch again for a while. The Brewers' Will Smith was suspended for eight games Friday by Major League Baseball for having a foreign substance on his arm in a loss to the Braves.

Matusz entered the game in the 12th with the score 0-0 and retired the first two batters before new Marlins manager Dan Jennings approached home plate umpire Jordan Baker. Baker and crew chief Paul Emmel then went to the mound to inspect Matusz's arm.

''I went out there and told the pitcher I was going to touch his right forearm,'' Emmel said. ''That's where he was touching before he went to the ball. I detected a foreign substance, so the pitcher was ejected.''
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2007, the same year the Patriots started their amazing run and amazing lack of fumbles for that matter.
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Gee, I thought they started their amazing run in 2001. :-)

Actually, I think that was after "Spygate" when they went on their "F*** the NFL tour"; I expect another one this season. You know how powerful bulletin board material is and they have plenty this year.
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Darren, again I am confused. That Orioles pitcher was ejected and will likely face suspension for doctoring the ball. OK, it happens several times a season. He doctored the ball, and should face the music. But how does citing this defend your contention that Tom Brady and the Pats should NOT face any consequences for THEIR actions?
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I see your confusion; I wasn't contending anything, just an amusing anecdote.

Since you brought it up, this sort of thing seems to happen more often in baseball, but it almost never becomes a federal case. Did the Orioles get fined? His pitching coach and manager MUST have known. What about his catcher? He HAD to know. The clubhouse boys? Did they get suspended? No. I just think that football, or at least the front office, has gotten prissy.

On another note, I've decided to let it go and wait for the payback that Belichick will inflict upon the league, on the field. Brady's four game suspension will just be "tacklin' fuel". The players are furious and will take it out on everyone. Ya know...an evil genius like Belichick might just have set this up as a false flag op. Enormous motivation to beat everyone like a red-headed step-child. Gonna be a great season! :-)
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I always feel it is wiser to do your talking on the field, and let the rest of the crap go. :-)
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:-)
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