Dogs Pinch Running in Baseball.

<"What if some players are allergic to dogs? This would be very inconvenient for them: an inconvenience that could be avoided. "> Simple: allergy medication. That's how players deal with seasonal allergies, so it's clearly how they'd deal with dog allergies, as well. <"Greyhounds can reach speeds of 45 mph, while the human record is a mere half of that. [1]"> My opponents above comment doesn't really seem to rebut much -- if anything, he's affirming my point that dogs are significantly faster. So. .. thanks. <"I'd assume that instead of letting a dog get an out at bat, he'd just replace the dog with someone else. Why would you keep the dog if he'd never get on base anyway? "> Pinch hitters aren't always available. *If* there was an instance where the dog's spot in the batting order were to come up, then he would be an automatic out. The operative word is *if. * <"Why isn't it feasible? Why not cats? Why not wolves? "> Wolves are much too violent and aggressive, and are much more difficult to domesticate. Cats would also be much more difficult to train to run the bases and obey orders. <"That's just another problem: the rules. It would be extremely difficult to get the dogs to learn many of the rules (tag up for a pop fly, don't go to a base with a teammate on it, etc. ). It would also be difficult for the fielders who might have to tag the dog out. They would be more liable to accidentally injure a dog than injure another player, so lawsuits could arise. "> Firstly, lawsuits? For injuries in a baseball game? I can't think of a single instance for someone being held liable for injury in a baseball game; why would that start happening now? Such lawsuits would be entirely frivolous. Besides, the dogs would be owned by MLB, which I think is obvious, since they're the one's using them -- I doubt they're gonna sue themselves. But even if they didn't own the dogs, MLB could get their owner to sign a consent form stressing that anyone who plays (canines and people) are more susceptible to injuries. As for the rules, I think I covered that here: <"As long as he/she is vaccinated, domesticated, and willing to participate, it would add an entire new element to the game that is unprecedented in professional sports. "> -- the dogs would go through extensive training regimens in order to ensure that they relatively easily comply to the rules put forth by MLB. <"Well, they'd also need the approval of certain animal laws, and the other players. What if someone has an irrational fear of dogs? Then what does he do when a greyhound is charging at him at over 40 miles per hour. He'd scream his head off. "> Again, the dogs are vaccinated, domesticated, and are willing to participate. Any players with a fear of dogs would be exposed to the dogs being used in order to get used to them, which would therefore vanquish their fear of those specific dogs. <"When running to a base, they would be much more likely than human players to injure the fielder on the base, waiting for the throw. By going much faster, they would be more liable to crash, and less liable to slow down. Their claws could tear the base, or the other player's face. "> Dogs can have their claws removed. Plus, I'd think a player's spikes would do more damage than a dog's claws. And while the dog would be going faster, you also have to remember they weigh significantly less than humans, which would therefore take away from the severity of the blow. More speed? Yes. But they also way much less, typically, as well. <""3.02 No player shall intentionally discolor or damage the ball by rubbing it with soil, rosin, paraffin, licorice, sand-paper, emery-paper or other foreign substance. " A dog would probably reach the ball, hold it in its mouth, and damage it. Therefore, they should not be allowed. Also, when the ball is thrown, many dogs could be inclined to chase after it, get it, and be out. That would ruin the game. "> Again, the dogs would be trained, domesticated, whatever, which would take care of that problem, which means the above rule wouldn't be broken. If a dog *did* break the rules, then they'd be consequently punished, just as a player would be if he were to break rules, which does happen. The dog would be replaced by another dog, which would also go through extensive training. I've rationally addressed all the possible concerns my opponent has, and he actually seemed to help me, by reaffirming my point that dogs are significantly faster than humans.