Selig's ruling by the rules

The way I see it, Bud Selig made the right call - at least, technically speaking.

Since Wednesday's would-have-been-perfect game by Armando Galarraga, there has been lots of talk about what should have been done after the fact. Yes, both Galarraga and James Joyce took the high road - Joyce by admitting his error, Galarraga by extending grace and acknowledging that everyone makes mistakes. But, still, a wrong was committed, and no one likes to see injustice. So, this week, Bud Selig took a look at the game to see if it could be overturned, and he ruled to let it stand. To say that decision was controversial would be one of the great understatements of the year. But, as I read the rules of baseball, it sounds like Selig made the right decision, like it or not. And that's just what I did this week - read the rules of baseball. In so doing, I learned some valuable information:

Rule 3.09 - Players in uniform shall not address or mingle with spectators, nor sit in the stands before, during, or after a game. No manager, coach or player shall address any spectator before or during a game. Players of opposing teams shall not fraternize at any time while in uniform.

I guess the chances of me catching a Twins game and Joe Mauer at the same time aren't looking so good.

1.11i - A league may provide that the uniforms of its member teams include the names of its players on their backs. Any name other than the last name of the player must be approved by the League President. If adopted, all uniforms for a team must have the names of its players.

Ochocinco probably would not do well in this league (although in terms of rule-violations, he's not doing so hot in the NFL, either.)

While we're on the subject of uniforms, rules 1.11a-i are extremely detailed, and might I say, anal? (1.11a even has three subpoints.) However, since the baseball uniform is my favorite, and it always looks clean and fresh, I will not complain.

And, finally, back to the matter of hand. Related to overturning game decisions, the rules are as follows:

4.19 PROTESTING GAMES. Each league shall adopt rules governing procedure for protesting a game, when a manager claims that an umpire’s decision is in violation of these rules. No protest shall ever be permitted on judgment decisions by the umpire. In all protested games, the decision of the League President shall be final. (Emphasis mine.)

Even if it is held that the protested decision violated the rules, no replay of the game will be ordered unless in the opinion of the League President the violation adversely affected the protesting team’s chances of winning the game.

Rule 4.19 Comment: Whenever a manager protests a game because of alleged misapplication of the rules the protest will not be recognized unless the umpires are notified at the time the play under protest occurs and before the next pitch, play or attempted play. A protest arising on a game-ending play may be filed until 12 noon the following day with the league office.

First of all, the Tigers never officially protested the game. They had won and the final call would have in no way affected the outcome. So, really, there was nothing for the commish to even rule on.

But, for the sake of argument, let's say they had protested. The rules clearly state that games can only be overturn for violations of rules, not of judgments. Joyce's call was unfortunate, but it was a case of bad judgment - he judged the batter safe, when clearly the baseman had beat him to the plate. However, no rules were broken - no foul play, no one out of bounds, no illegal moves of any kind, by player, coach, or umpire. Selig's hands are tied by the rule book he was hired to uphold.

Do I wish that the call would have been overturned? Yes and no. I would have liked to see this pitcher get his perfect game - it's an achievement few can claim. But, Galarraga still would not have received the same immediate post-game adulation and celebration that he would have had Joyce not blown the call in the first place; he would have had a stat and little else. Without the stat, though, he has received so much respect and recognition for his character, because of the way he has handled the whole situation, which will take him a lot further in life than his throwing arm will (and last a lot longer, too).

So, while I do hate injustice, I applaud how everyone has responded, even Selig for sticking to the rules of the game. And, from now on, the Tigers have a fan in me - at least when Galarraga is pitching.

(Thanks to the MLB website for the rule book.)