Page 13 - Layout 1

Page 13:Layout 1 10/03/2016 16:30 Page 1

Hi Bob 13
A very interesting edition, in particular the AGM report from Selwyn Goldsmith. Lack
of entries to the Nationals is possibly due to the fact that they are always held in Northants area,
thus many players face a very long journey, with possibly an overnight stay. The ESMBA ac-
knowledges this when they say Umpires from Cornwall are rarely asked to officiate as their
travel costs are too high! This is also very unfair, distant counties should not be penalised in this
way, no wonder their members get disillusioned.
I note there was discussion about Umpires wearing burgundy shirts rather than blazers -
this was put to umpires a year or two ago and the consensus was the present uniform be kept -
many clubs have that colour as club shirts/jumpers, which will cause confusion, umpires should
be easily identified and also look smart. Blazers (with useful pockets for Rule Book, etc.) and
waistcoats are comfortable and also authoritative. What a pity these and matters pertaining to
Rule changes are not made by umpires (the people who implement the rules), rather than the
committee. Keep banging your head against a brick wall - oops, I mean keep publishing SMI,
please.
Rosemary King

ED - Firstly, the ESMBA has to think of everybody, not just the South or the North. Sure, we
could hold the championships in say Bristol but just look at the journey that those in the North and
East of England would have to make. The Midlands is used to average out the distances from
North, South and East. Personally, I wouldn’t mind if say every 4 years or so we moved the event
somewhat South, say Bristol then somewhere North, say Manchester and then somewhere to-
wards the East. That is once every 4 years(ish) with the others in the middle.
As to the Umpires and the Rules, not every Umpire reads them the same! However, I am
strongly in favour of proposed rule changes being submitted to all the Umpires and not just the
ESMBA Committee. I would NOT ask the Umpires to agree or disagree with them, I would simply
ask are they workable and do they clash
with any other rules etc. etc.
It is then up to the county delegates to
accept or reject them. I well remember a
rule being proposed that we wear white
above the waist and grey below. It did not
specify anything else and a lot of people
agreed with it until I asked the question “who
is going to check the underwear?” As it was
written we all had to wear grey underwear
and grey shoes etc. etc. The proposition
was not thought through and we need to
check all proposals carefully.
As to interpretation, I also remember
the interpretation of one P ratt who would
not allow a disabled bowler to sit because
one rule says you must STAND clear of the
carpet - Brain Dead I think!!!!!
As to the magazine, the future is not in
my hands but it is in the hands of all the
clubs and bowlers who play the sport, AND
SUBSCRIBE, no matter which country they
live in. I need news and subscriptions. If
they don’t continue then neither can I and all
you will get is the BS that sometimes comes
from National Associations.