The Strong Make All the Rules!

*Hiragana Times CIA(Cynically Insulting Agency)

The first WBC (World Baseball Classic) held in the USA in March ended happily for Japan as they became the champions. On the other hand, the WBC created a big fuss thanks to misjudgments by the umpires. Hiragana Times CIA interviewed Mr. OHIRA Kimihiko, a branch manager of the International Rules Institute, about international rule issues.

CIA: What kind of research do you practice?

MGR: We study how international rules are created, whether the rules are fair and fairly implemented. Unfortunately mostof the rules are not fair.

CIA: What parts of the process are unfair?

MGR: First of all, the process of making rules. For instance, skiing. This year, the Torino Olympics were held, but Japanese skiers, who produced excellent results at the Nagano Olympics, did not do well at all. The reason was that the rule relating to the length of the skis was changed so that it was related to skiers’ heights. This was a great disadvantage to Japanese skiers who used to use longer skies. A similar thing also happened in figure skating. The rules were changed after ARAKAWA Shizuka won in the World Figure Skating Championships two years ago. Her favorite Ina Bauer move earned her zero points and she went into a slump. It is a miracle she won the gold medal at Torino.

CIA: Why do they change the rules?

MGR: It comes from the egoism of participating nations. As a matter of course, they introduce rule revisions that will be advantageous for their country’s athletes. Of course, the interests of sports manufacturers and related businesses are involved behind the scenes. The big reason that Japan’s intentions are not reflected in competition rules is that most Japanese delegates who should be participating in rule revision conferences do not speak English and are unable to express their opinions.

CIA: So, that means international rules reflect the intentions of strong nations, doesn’t it?

MGR: That’s right. In the WBC games, America plotted to position itself in the easy block in the first and second round games to avoid competing against strong teams. In addition, they made all the judges Americans. And in the USA-Mexico game, the umpire judged a Mexican player’s homerun as a double. In many sports, including baseball, the umpire’s judgment is given absolute authorization. In sumo wrestling, they make judgments with the aid of video replays when things are too close to call. But many international competitions deny the use of this technique.

CIA: Why is this?

MGR: The more discretion the judges have, the more chances stronger countries have to bribe judges and win. Remember, a case where a judge was bribed occurred in figure skating several years ago?

Comment from CIA
Cases where rules created by the strong do not only occur in sports. The USA is allowed to have nuclear weapons, but other countries that the U.S.A. doesn’t approve are not. This is obviously unfair, but no one can oppose it. Once, a Japanese baseball umpire involved in a dispute over his judgment, said “I am the rulebook.

*Hiragana Times CIA(Cynically Insulting Agency)

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