Rick Morris said he has until 5:00 this Friday to file an appeal concerning his day-1 DQ at last week's Smith Mt. Bassmaster Elite Series. As previously reported, he plans to file the appeal based on several factors. According to Morris, he'll state the following in his appeal:
1. That his hand remained in contact with the boat as he entered the water to land a fish, although his co-angler denies that was the case.
2. That BASS tournament director Trip Weldon, the night of day 1, told him that the only issue was whether his hand was in contact with the boat. He was informed by Weldon the following night that the hand was not a factor, and that he was DQd for departing the boat to land a fish.
3. That he has a witness to the alleged violation – a local angler – who will corroborate his version of the events.
4. That a BASS rules meeting prior to the Amistad season opener was "vague" about departing the boat to land a fish (BASS Rule 14), and he believed his actions to be legal.
Morris today told BassFan: "My lawyer and I got affidavits from several pros who don't want to be named stating the rules meeting we had was vague and unclear. Each fisherman perceived it in a different way when (Rule 14) was explained. Most whom I spoke to were unclear as to what was legal and what was not legal as far as departing the boat. That's part of our case."
Morris added that his lawyer is working on an affidavit from the witness, "who's totally willing to cooperate and sign the affidavit."
Morris said he did speak with Weldon about the appeal, and Weldon simply informed him of his right to appeal. Morris also confirmed that Weldon will not be part of the appeals committee.
He and his lawyer, Morris said, are also "asking for a say-so in selecting the appeals committee to make sure they're non-biased."
In addition, through the appeal, Morris seeks to have his 27th-place position from day 2 reinstated as his final finish, and to be awarded the $10,000 in prize money and requisite Angler of the Year points for that finish. He also seeks firm clarification of the rule.
> BassFans may remember that Morris questioned why no polygraph was administered. He told BassFan he confirmed through a source that BASS did inquire with an area polygraph company, but his source told him the company was unable to come.
