BREAKING NEWS BREAKING NEWS BIG APPLE LEAGUE RULING

Today the Big Apple league announced the following ruling :
"The following pitchers are banned from pitching in the Big Apple League. (They may remain on their team's active roster as players at other positions):
Ramesh Samuel (Bombers)
Sleepy Genao (O'Hanlons)
Bobby Langer (Contact)"
The Official League report reads as follows "
- Begin statement
Report of the Commissioner’s Committee
May 7, 2009

The Commissioner Committee met on May 3, 2009 to discuss complaints that several pitchers have violated BASL Rules. The meeting lasted two hours. In addition, the Committee requested that each manager provide the Committee with his views and opinions. To date, responses have been received from all teams except O’Hanlon’s.

The Committee held an initial vote on May 3rd and re-affirmed its vote on May 6, 2009. Following is the Committee’s report and conclusions.


COMPLAINT #1

1. Facts and Review

On April 26th, Ramesh Samuel of the Bombers participated in a pitching audition before the Committee to determine if he is an “approved” pitcher in the BASL. The audition lasted no longer than 10 minutes. Committee members report that the level of talent Ramesh demonstrated in the audition ranged from mediocre to good. The Committee did not observe Ramesh pitching at a superstar level.

Based on the level of talent it observed, the Committee ruled that Ramesh was “approved” to pitch in the league. At the time, Bombers’ Manager Rudy Robinson did not inform the Committee that Ramesh could pitch better than he did during the audition. In a later statement to the Committee, Rudy stated that Ramesh pitched as hard as he could in the audition:

“I think it is ignorant to ask someone to throw the ball as hard as they can throw in an audition because there are different conditions then there would be in a game (new ball, dirt vs. grass, etc.). In the audition Ramesh threw the ball as hard as he could with movement.”

Following the audition, Ramesh pitched a no-hitter against Diesel Express. No pitcher has thrown a no-hitter in BASL history.

Based on statistics and personal experience, the Committee concludes that Diesel is a solid hitting team, and certainly not one of the worst in the League. This is a view that Rudy shares:

“No thought is being given to who our opponent was in the game. I sincerely doubt that a no hitter would have been thrown against Contact, Choice, West or any of the better teams. Express is not a bad team, but they are a notch below the ones I have mentioned and there are a couple other teams that are probably better.”

The Committee does not dispute Rudy’s opinion that, in addition to the three teams he mentioned, “there are a couple other teams that are probably better.” Since there are 12 teams in the league, Rudy believes that about six teams, or roughly one-half of the league, are worse hitters than Diesel Express.

Rudy’s statements clearly indicate that he believes the following:

Ramesh pitched “as hard as he could” in the audition.
Ramesh pitched as hard as he could in the game.
Diesel Express “is not a bad team.”


II. Rules and Conclusion

In reaching its decision, the Committee relied on the following rules and facts:

BASL Rule 1B - Approved Pitchers - During the season, if the Committee determines a pitcher misrepresented his talent during an audition, he may be judged a “superstar pitcher” and banned from pitching in the League that season.

BASL Rules 1A - Definition of a “Superstar Pitcher” - If any pitcher is determined to be too dominant and talented, and capable of consistently overpowering most batters, he will be declared a “superstar pitcher” and disqualified to pitch in the BASL.

Whether intentionally or not, Ramesh Samuel did not pitch as well as he can during the audition for the Committee.

The level of Ramesh’s performance in a league game is a clear demonstration that he is capable of pitching much better than he did in the audition.

It is very unlikely that a pitcher who throws the only no-hitter in BASL history against a solid hitting team is not “dominant and talented and capable of consistently overpowering most hitters.”

The Committee is required to make a decision on this complaint and therefore must first and foremost apply the rules to the facts of the audition and game, particularly since the Committee could not personally observe both events.

III. Ruling

Therefore, the Committee concludes that:

Ramesh Samuel’s performance against Diesel clearly demonstrates that he “misrepresented his talent during an audition” before the Committee.

Accordingly, the Committee rules that:

Ramesh Samuel’s status as an ”approved pitcher” in the BASL is hereby rescinded in accordance with BASL Rule 1B, and;

Ramesh Samuel is hereby banned from pitching in the League in accordance with BASL Rule 1B and Rule 1A.

The results of the game between the Bombers and Diesel Express shall not be changed.


IV. Notification

The Committee hereby notifies Bombers manager, Rudy Robinson, that, as is the case for all managers, he has the responsibility to inform the audition Committee if one of his pitchers does not demonstrate his level of talent during an audition. Each manager has an obligation to his fellow managers to act honestly and respectfully and to follow the league rules to the best of his ability.

The Committee hereby notifies all managers that any manager who deceives the Committee with respect to BASL rules may be subject to penalties, including suspension, banning and forfeits.

COMPLAINT #2
1. Facts and Review

Case #1 - During the 2007 season, the Committee received complaints that Sleepy Genao of O’Hanlon’s consistently used an illegal slingshot motion during League games. At the Manager’s Meeting before the 2008 season, these complaints were expressed to members of O’Hanlon’s in attendance. The managers agreed to postpone a vote on whether to ban Sleepy for throwing slingshot if O’Hanlon’s agreed to promise he would throw legally. However, during the 2008 season, the Commissioner received additional complaints that Sleepy Genao was pitching in league games using an illegal slingshot motion.

Case #2 - During the 2008 season, the Committee received complaints that Bobby Langer of the Bombers consistently used an illegal slingshot motion during League games. The Committee informed Rudy Robinson that Bobby was under review and he was to notify the Committee before Bobby pitched again. Committee members then attended a game in which Rudy said Bobby would pitch, but he never showed up. Several weeks had passed without further notification when several Committee members saw Bobby pitching in a league game despite the fact that Rudy failed to notify the Committee of his appearance.

Before the Committee took action, Bobby suffered a season-ending injury and did not play anymore. The Committee elected to complete its review the following year. Due to an oversight, the manager of Bobby’s new team, Pat Freni of Contact, was not notified that Bobby was still under review until last week. Since then, Pat has complied with the Committee’s request for notification before Bobby pitches.

Both Bobby and Sleepy are “approved pitchers” since neither was determined to be a superstar pitcher. However, BASL rules do not permit “approved pitchers” to use an illegal slingshot pitching, even if they used the same motion during the audition or in League games. In addition, both pitchers were personally told by the Committee that they cannot use an illegal slingshot motion during games.

When asked if he believed that his motion is illegal slingshot, Bobby Langer said it is legal. When asked by a Committee member why he used an illegal slingshot motion during a 2008 game, Sleepy replied that he did so because it gave his team a chance of winning the championship. During the 2008 season, at least one member of the Committee saw Sleepy pitch several games and reported that his motion was legal.


II. Rules and Conclusion

In reaching its decision, the Committee relied on the following rules and facts:

Rule 2 - The BASL shall adopt and enforce ASA Rule 6, sections 3A through 3M respectively, Class A Modified Pitching, with respect to the legal pitching motion. The BASL specifically prohibits “slingshot” or “windmill” pitching motions, as set forth in the BASL Rules and the ASA Rulebook.

Rule 1A - Approved Pitchers - Beginning in the 2008 season, any pitcher who pitched in the BASL during the 2007 season and is not currently designated as a “superstar pitcher” is approved to pitch in the League. (This does not mean that pitchers who use a slingshot or other illegal motion are “approved” to use such motion, BASL Rule 2).

Rule 1A - Legal Pitching Motion - Further, after observing a pitcher in one or more games, the Committee may decide that the pitcher consistently uses an illegal motion, even if the game umpires fail or refuse to call illegal pitches, and impose separate penalties, including suspension, banning and forfeited games (BASL Rule 2).

Rule 1B - “Approved” Pitchers Throwing Slingshot - The designation of an “approved” or “non superstar pitcher” status by the Committee is entirely unrelated to the legality of a pitcher’s motion. A pitcher who uses a slingshot motion is NOT be permitted to continue using such illegal motion, EVEN if he was approved by the Committee as a “non-superstar pitcher” OR previously used an illegal slingshot and was not called by the game umpires for throwing illegal pitches.


In the past two seasons, Committee members have observed both pitchers consistently using an illegal slingshot pitching motion during League games. (Bobby was not in the league in 2007.) The Committee has received reports from different managers stating that both pitchers use an illegal slingshot motion. Both Bobby and Sleepy are banned in other leagues for pitching slingshot. Both players have been warned using a slingshot motion; one pitcher admits to doing so.

The Committee acknowledges that both players were approved by the Committee since they were not determined to be “superstar pitchers.” The audition process, however, is solely for the purpose of determining whether a pitcher is superstar pitcher. It does not establish whether that pitcher uses an illegal motion, although the Committee routinely informs pitchers if they use an illegal motion during the audition. Bobby Langer was warned during his audition in 2008 and instructed to modify his motion during games. Sleepy Genao entered the league before auditions for every pitcher were required.

III. Ruling

Therefore, the Committee concludes that:
Complaint #1:
Bobby Langer’s status as an “approved pitcher” does not permit the use of an illegal slingshot motion, as set forth in Rule 1A and Rule 1B.

Bobby Langer has consistently used an illegal slingshot motion during league games in violation of Rule 2 and other rules.

Accordingly, the Committee hereby rules that:

1. Bobby Langer is herby banned from pitching in the League in accordance with Rule 2.

Complaint #2:

Sleepy Genao’s status as an “approved pitcher” does not permit the use of an illegal slingshot motion, as set forth in Rule 1A and Rule 1B.

Sleepy Genao has consistently used an illegal slingshot motion during league games in violation of Rule 2 and other rules.

Accordingly, the Committee hereby rules that:

1. Sleepy Genao is herby banned from pitching in the League in accordance with Rule 2.

Rule Clarification

In the future, a team that allows a banned pitcher to pitch in a League game shall automatically forfeit that game and the opposing team shall automatically be awarded a victory, regardless of the outcome of the game. Additional penalties may be imposed on the pitcher, manager or team for which a banned pitcher pitches. This clarification has no impact on games played in 2009 before the ruling. (Banned pitchers may remain in the league as position players or DHs, but may not pitch anymore.)
- end statement

I love the Big Apple League.
I care about not only winning but have a good fair competitive league.
I know that sounds like a bitch, but its true, and while it is very good to see the Big Apple league finally take some "aggressive" action after 2 1/2 years of me blogging about the prevalent pitching injustices that take place, I can't help but feel that they aren't seeing the real issue. They've spotted some trees but don't quite see the forest yet.

Why can't they just ask what kind of league are we?
Modified or Open (AKA Sling) ?
If your a modified league, then your pitchers must follow modified pitching rules. http://10manmodified.com/web/default.aspx
Some people argue that these pitching rules make every pitcher illegal.
That's stupid, nonsense and double talk.
They are clear:
No rocking backwards in your motion,
No twisting/opening hips in your delivery,
No breaking your wrist.
Simple.

If pitcher consistently follows these rules then he should have every right to participate. Otherwise he's not modified and is done. The Superstar rule is too vague and wishy washy they should stick to clear standards/rules. In addition, please eliminate the whole audition process it is problematic and impractical. Simply let pitchers throw in a game and have a manager and/or umpires notify the league if the pitcher is throwing illegal.

Think of a modified pitching league as a big dam, once you let one slinger in you have a crack in the system and eventually the whole dam will erupt

We would all be better off by enforcing clear standards.

Finally, below I have listed banned pitchers list for two of the cities biggest and most respected leagues - EMS and Inwood, it seems the Big Apple League still has cracks in their dam, as there still are more than one active Big Apple pitchers still allowed to pitch even though they are banned elsewhere for either being "illegal" or/and "superstar".

I advise the league to address these issues soon, anything else would be myopic and could lead the league dam to further burst

2009 EMS LEAGUE BANNED PITCHERS LIST

NAME TEAM
1. SOLITO PHILLIES
2. MIKE SANCHEZ D.E.A.
3. JEFF D.E.A/ Cardinals
4. CARLOS CLEMENTE PIRATES
5. JOHN MIRANDA CLEMENTE PIRATES
6. JOHN BROWN CLEMENTE PIRATES
7. ZORRO CARDINALS
8. JAMES PARKER CARDINALS
9. JOHN ROCKER COLUMBIA REDSTORM
10. CHRISTIAN MARINERS
11. SIXTO HARLEM CADILLAC/ TRANSIT
12. KIKE LG REBELS
13. STEVE JIMINEZ SUNDEVILS
14. FRANKIE RODRIGUEZ PANTHERS
15. BOBBY LANGA LOS COCOS
16. SOLANO UNKNOWN
17. CARMELLO 29ERS/ PANTHERS
18. MEIO CARDINALS
19. CEDRIC WASHINGTON DODGERS
20. ANGEL BLUEJAYS
21. ARMANDO GOODFELLAS
22. RAMESH CAVALIERS
23. CACQUITO PHILLIES
24. MIKE CUEVAS PIPELAYERS
25. J. D. 29ERS
26. EDGAR (EGGIE) WILDBUNCH / ARMED/ MAX MUSICK
27. MUNICA GIANTS / BX REDSOX
28. RAMON GIANTS / BX REDSOX
29. JAVIER VILLA 23 / D.E.A.
30. FELIX HERNANDEZ (D.J.) OLDTIMERS / CHAIN GANG
31. MORGAN PHILLIES / GIANTS
32. CHENCHO (PEDRO) CAVALIERS
33. PETE BLUEJAYS
34. ANTONIO CABASSA VIOLATERS / DODGERS

Inwood LEAGUE BANNED PITCHERS LIST as of 09/28/2008
Mike Sanchez - Dea (EMS)
Jeff - Dea (EMS)
John Miranda
John Brown - Choice Parts (Central park League)
Zorro
James Parker - (Central park League)
John Rocker
Steve Jimenez- (Gunny, 54st League)
Frankie Rodriguez - Cardinals (Gunny, 54st League)
Bobby Langa - Gents (Central park League)
Solano
Cedric Washington
Johanny - Hit Squad (Gunny, 54st League)
Angel - Highlanders
“Doc” - Choice Parts (Central park League)
Ramish
Millo
Clay – Choice Parts (Central park League)
Sleepy
Mike Cuevas
Macho (Twins/Phillies)