Quote:
Originally posted by DG
Obviously, there are some here who consider drawing a line a felony, and some consider it a misdemeanor. I stated my view earlier so I will not repeat.
|
Yes, everybody's got an opinion, but not all opinions are equal.
The higher the level of baseball, and the higher quality of training an umpire gets, the more universal the understanding is that drawing a line on an umpire is a felony deserving of summary ejection. The pro schools teach it, the NCAA clinics teach it, most FED training teaches it, some but not all youth organizations teach it.
I've had lines drawn on me 3 times. Once in a competitive adult league; I tossed him with no fanfare and virtually no comment from anyone including the disgruntled batter. Once in a recreational adolescent league - I warned him to erase the line, he drew another one, I laughed and said OK, play, then rung him up on strike 3 on a high and away pitch. He got the message, but I had to toss his coach in the ensuing argument.
The third time as the batter started to draw the line I told him "drawing a line on an umpire is an automatic ejection - erase that line or you're done." He apologized, erased the line, and stayed in the game.
I consider the 2nd example the worst of the decisions I made.