Take a long look ... and then look again

Can you believe it? The seventh installment of the Star Wars saga is set to be released in theaters in 2015 - two years from now - but there's already poster art.

Take a look at the poster on the right. It looks like the Millenium Falcon, Han Solo's ship is in distress. There are few X-wing fighters, one of which looks like it has taken some damage. In one glance, this poster shows action, drama and excitement.

Doesn't this poster get you excited to see the next offering? Too bad this poster isn't an official poster. It's a fake.

The real term is "fan-inspired." It was created by AndrewSS7 and can be viewed here.

One of my good friends was fooled when he saw this post on Facebook that teased the poster and the site it was posted on. Even though the post had the disclaimer (Fan-made poster by AndrewSS7), my friend and others thought it was real.

As I previously posted, the truths we cling to are often shaped by our points of view.

Now take a look at the photo above. If you are a baseball fan, you recognize this as the seminal moment of Game 3 of the 2013 World Series.

With two out in the bottom of the ninth inning, the runner (Allen Craig) tripped over the third baseman (Will Middlebrooks) and was apparently thrown out at home to send the game into extra innings.

However, the umpire ruled that Middlebrooks obstructed the runner and Craig was awarded home plate, giving the Cardinals the victory.

The rule on obstruction has nothing to do with an intent by the fielder to block the runner, as reported by ESPN. Instead, the rule is based simply on the act of obstruction. Any controversy about the call is the result of the umpire doing his job and making the correct call no matter the situation.

In the NHL, officials are noted for not making calls in the third period, just as NBA officials are noted for letting players "play" in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter.

Joe Torre, the executive vice president of baseball operations, said the rule will be looked at after the World Series. At issue is the rule of intent, because as it is currently written, the umpire was obligated to make the call - regardless of the situation.

If it is changed, the rule will include intent, which will allow the umpire the flexibility of whether or not to make the call (presumably NEVER in the bottom of the ninth inning of a World Series game unless the fielder tackles the runner).

So instead of a hard and fast rule, obstruction would be determined by the umpire's point of view.

Until next time ...