ecently on a Yahoo message board, the members discussed the proposition that starting in B with the bases empty was the proper position. Now Blaine and I are "discussing" the issue again. But as Jack Warden remarked: "It's all been said."

Conventional arguments — against

When Blaine is in B:

1. He can't help out on check swings.

On the board, one umpire wrote:

No more "did he go?" on a check swing. RH hitter and I am in C and PU asked for help on a check swing, don't even go there. LH hitter and I'm in B, don't go there either.

Let's suppose that umpire makes it to Pioneer League: professional ball, 2-man crew. R2. RH B1 swings. Or did he? The plate umpire says: "Ball! No, he didn't go." The coach screams: "Appeal." The umpire says: "Don't even go there." Result: Fitzpatrick might fire him. Appealing a half swing is mandatory in OBR (and NCAA) games. The only "don't even go there" is in FED — and they don't use that book in Canada.

Continued...