ivotuk
Well-known member
Polaris":2rzfixen said:Smellyman":2rzfixen said:No foul if this is it:
Rule 12-4-1(a) explains that an illegal bat occurs if “a player of either team bats or punches a loose ball in the field of play toward his opponent’s goal line. While Rule 12-4-1(a) doesn’t expressly require intent, Rule 3-2-5(g) defines illegal batting as “the intentional striking of the ball with hand, fist, elbow, or forearm.”
not towards the opponents goal line
Edit: someone else could find the actual rule, someone smarter than me.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...-dolphins-patriots-game-comes-under-scrutiny/
If this is the rule, then the play was legal. It sure looked like a smart and LEGAL play when I saw it. I point out that the ball was not batted towards the Detroit goal line AND I also point out on a very practical matter that there wasn't a Lion player within 5 yards of that loose ball, so it was academic. Wright could have just as easily picked it up but he clearly thought it was legal (and I still do) and figured this was better than taking the chance of falling on it.
Besides, the 'hawks never quit, and in the end THAT is what matters, not some octogenarian retired ref who wants some national face time.
Nice find.