Why is there a differentiation between byes and leg byes in cricket?

[Morgoth]

the difference is basically a leg bye is scored off the body of the batsman without a bat while a bye is not. Comes down to the same type of extra though.

 

[DJ...]

the difference is basically a leg bye is scored off the body of the batsman without a bat while a bye is not. Comes down to the same type of extra though.

I'm pretty sure Picard understands that. He's asking why the need for a distinction between the two types of byes...

 

[Morgoth]

I'm pretty sure Picard understands that. He's asking why the need for a distinction between the two types of byes...

because the British said so

 

[OzzieCapie]

Is this an April Fool's question? If so its a couple of days early.

Perhaps this question should "go through to the wicketkeeper".

Wicketkeepers are very picky about LB signalled incorrectly as Byes because it reflects their ability rather than the bowler's erratic bowling i.e. wide byes are signalled as wides etc.
In otherw ords it only applies to legal deliveries within the confines of the crease which a wicketkeeper should stop.

If you are then going to question whether the wicketkeeper should have stopped a leg bye...well that could have been deflected anywhere, so do you also then blame the slips or cover etc and put runs against their name...or for that matter should the wicketkeeper also prevent runs off bat?

 

[Devill]

I'm pretty sure Picard understands that. He's asking why the need for a distinction between the two types of byes...

Think you hit the nail on the head earlier, byes = w/keepers ability, leg byes are not his fault however.