Important Clarification On Batting Title Discussed

September 1, 2006

WASHINGTON DC> Awarding Mathew Gillis the 2006 Batting Title has caused quite a controversy around the Dog Pound Organization, the Town of Burlington, and it has now even gotten to the level of the Amateur Softball Association (ASA). Second place finisher Luke Lemelin has persistently argued his case to all the powers that be. Recently with the help of veteran softball guru and brother Steven Lemelin, they successfully pleaded their case to ASA executives. "My client has every right to voice his argument. This man has been to every game since the Dog Pound was created. I'm hurt and embarrassed that my clients reliability and devotion is being challenged in all this. This is why we are taking these drastic measures" said Steve Lemelin to the media.

The official scorekeeper, Bryan Riley was ordered to attend a mandatory hearing with all involved personnel at the ASA headquarters. "The entire situation can now be addressed and put to bed. Mathew Gillis is and will continue to be named the 2006 Batting Champ based on the following regulations" stated Bryan Riley in the hearing. The official MLB rule is shown below:

MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIPS RULE 10.23

To assure uniformity in establishing the batting, pitching and fielding championships of professional leagues, such champions shall meet the following minimum performance standards:
(a) The individual batting champion or slugging champion shall be the player with the highest batting average or slugging percentage, provided he is credited with as many or more total appearances at the plate in League Championship games as the number of games scheduled for each club in his league that season, multiplied by 3.1 in the case of a major league player. EXCEPTION: However, if there is any player with fewer than the required number of plate appearances whose average would be the highest, if he were charged with the required number of plate appearances or official at bats, then that player shall be awarded the batting championship or slugging championship.
EXAMPLE: If a major league schedules 162 games for each club, 502 plate appearances qualify (162 times 3.1 equals 502). If a National Association league schedules 140 games for each club, 378 plate appearances qualify (140 times 2.7 equals 378).
Total appearances at the plate shall include official times at bat, plus bases on balls, times hit by pitcher, sacrifice hits, sacrifice flies and times awarded first base because of interference or obstruction.
(b) The individual pitching champion shall be the pitcher with the lowest earned-run average, provided that he has pitched at least as many innings as the number of games scheduled for each club in his league that season. EXCEPTION: However, pitchers in National Association leagues shall qualify for the pitching championship by having the lowest earned-run average and having pitched at least as many innings as 80 percent of the number of games scheduled for each club in his league that season.
(c) The individual fielding champions shall be the fielders with the highest fielding average at each position, provided:
(1) A catcher must have participated as a catcher in at least one-half the number of games scheduled for each club in his league that season;
(2) An infielder or outfielder must have participated at his position in at least two-thirds of the number of games scheduled for each club in his league that season;
(3) A pitcher must have pitched at least as many innings as the number of games scheduled for each club in his league that season. EXCEPTION: If another pitcher has a fielding average as high or higher, and has handled more total chances in a lesser number of innings, he shall be the fielding champion.

Note: Since Major League Baseball plays 9 inning games and requires 3.1 plate appearance per scheduled and played game, a league that plays a 7 inning game would require 2.41 plate appearance per total team games played (7/9 X 3.1 = 2.41). Hence the Dog Pound played in 19 games requiring the batting champ to have a total of 46 plate appearances to qualify (2.41 X 19 = 46).

Matt Gillis had 44 at bats + 1 Walk + 2 Sacrifice Flies equaling 47 plate appearances. ONE MORE THAN REQUIRED.

Lets put this argument to bed.

.....Oh yeah, Luke click here