In my youth, players all knew about "Slide Kelly Slide" (no commas). His real name was Mike Kelly. He died of pneumonia in 1894 at the age of 36, so I didn't see him play in spite of what you might think. He "invented" the hook slide and the practice of catchers backing up first base. For more fascinating details, google "slide kelly slide" (no commas).

But I know this: Even without Google or Yahoo or Bing, sliding ain't what it used to be.

Click the title to see why. 

Out of deference to those who can't sit and read too long before a monitor (of which I am one), I've separated the answers from the questions. That is because around the office we decided if both the Q's and the A's were in the same piece, the reader wouldn't bother to take a rest.

Now, I hope you've walked around to think about your answers. If you care to argue about "my" answers, email me: carlchildress@officiating.com.

"After reading a number of recent posts in The Forum, I feel compelled to share with the distinguished umpires who frequent this site some confidential information I have recently become privy to – after a visit to my doctor.

"I hope you will respect that this is offered in confidence because I could get into lots of trouble with my fellow coaches if it was to get out that I'm the one who leaked this."

Click the title to see how this is done.

But after she read the first draft of this piece, she wondered – aloud – why I didn't have any of my patented anecdotes. She noted I've always said that one anecdote is worth 15 good, but hard-to-remember bullets.

She believes that anecdotes are antidotes. She knows what she's talking about. Anecdotes serve to spice up the environment while forcing out the tried but dull commandents clinicians fall back on. Like: "You've got to hustle to every play."

That's one I use a lot. Mama says it would be better if I illustrated what I was talking about.

Easy to do for mechanics. But this piece is about rules.

Go inside. Please.