Commissioner Daniel Kurtzer has decided to disallow a protest submitted by the Modi’in Miracle that contested the outcome of their game with the Ra’anana Tigers on June 26, 2007. The final result of the home run derby – Ra’anana 4, Modi’in 3 -- stands.
The regulation game ended in a 0-0 tie. During the home run derby, Modi’in twice challenged the bat being used by Ra’anana player Scott Feller. On each occasion, the umpire ruled the bat to be legal. Following the game, Modi’in Manager Art Shamsky filed a formal (verbal) protest with the League, arguing that the bat was not legal and thus Feller’s home runs should be disallowed.
After the game ended, the bat was taken by League President Martin Berger. Upon examination, the bat is a composite bat that is illegal in the IBL.
According to IBL Rule 4.19, “…No protest shall ever be permitted on judgment decisions by the umpire. In all protested games,
the decision of the Commissioner shall be final. 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 Commissioner the violation adversely affected the protesting team’s chances of winning the game.”
According to Rule 6.06 (d), “A batter is out for an illegal action when he uses or attempts to use a bat that, in the umpire’s judgment, has been altered or tampered with in such a way to improve the distance factor or cause an unusual reaction on the baseball. This includes bats that are filled, flat-surfaced, nailed, hollowed, grooved or covered with a substance such as paraffin, wax, etc.
No advancement on the bases will be allowed and any out or outs made during a play shall stand. In addition to being called out, the player shall be ejected from the game and may be subject to additional penalties as determined by his Commissioner. Rule 6.06(d) Comment: A batter shall be deemed to have used or attempted to use an illegal bat if he brings such a bat into the batter’s box.”
Although the bat in question was clearly not allowed per League rules, and although the Modi’in Manager followed the proper procedure for protesting the situation during and immediately after the batter’s at-bat, there are insufficient grounds to overturn the umpire’s ruling on the field.
The Commissioner also considered penalties against the batter for using an illegal bat. However, because the League did not adequately communicate its rules to Managers and players before the start of the season, the Commissioner decided to issue a warning to the player. Furthermore, the Commissioner has advised all Managers and players that any future breach of the IBL rules could, without further warning, result in suspensions, fines or other penalties.
