"Terence Evans this week became the first judge in the United States to cite a YouTube video in a written opinion.Here is a blending of two of my favorite subjects -- the glory days of the Royals, and new uses of technology. Note that the video referenced in the judge's opinion has since been removed at the request of Major League Baseball.
Evans, a President Clinton nominee who sits on the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, was writing about a case involving a trademark dispute over 'Stealth' baseball bats.
The case deals with baseball Hall-of-Famer George Brett, who joined a baseball bat manufacturer after he left the Kansas City Royals. Now Brett Brothers Sports International is embroiled in a trademark dispute with Central Manufacturing, which is a hyper-litigious company owned by Leo Stoller that claims broad trademark rights in the world 'Stealth.'
As background, Evans included a description of what baseball fans remember as Brett's famous Pine Tar Incident in a 1983 game against the New York Yankees over whether the bat was legal to be used. Brett's home run was nullified by an umpire, the Yankees won, but on appeal to the American League his team got a second try and eventually beat the Yankees 5-4. ..."
This has brought back many fond memories of the 1980's Kansas City Royals and one of my favorite sports cartoons: George Brett is standing in the batters box, the umpire is bent over facing away from Brett brushing off home plate, and the catcher warns Brett "Remember George, only up to the label..."
2 comments:
I never knew the George Brett rage had been overturned on appeal. So he got his hr back. I bet that's a first...
Well, the ruling was overturned based on it having been a misapplication of the rules.
However...you are still not allowed to charge the umpire as though you plan to do him some violence, so when the game was resumed, Brett was off playing golf. Fortunately Quisenberry was all the Royals needed to close out the game.
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