[PeteBooth]

Originally posted by LDUB

If F1 realizes that signs are being stolen, he is not going to throw the next pitch at the batter's head.

Says who. Unfortunately in today's climate it would be nice to let the game take care of itself, but it doesn't. The simpliest things turn into nightmares.

Remember the On-Deck Nightmare in the Witchita St. Game. To me being in the wrong on deck circle and stealing signs are similar meaning one team is trying to gain an advantage.

The question is? As an umpire should we interject? The answer could be yes or no, meaning it depends upon the nature of the game.

Each game is unique and as an umpire you get a feel when things tense up or you feel something is going to happen.

Therefore, if you are umpiring rival teams and they do not like each other, then you do all the Preventative umpiring you can to avoid a possible fiasco and even then it doesn't work out sometimes.

It's like a basketball game in which teams are known to fight, ie; The OLD Miami Heat and NY Knicks. The referres would call that type of game closer than another game.

As far as your comment regarding the invoking of 4.05 IMO you do not have a point. Your coach is CHEATING, the Other Coach is simply talking to his/her player. IMO that's a BIG difference, which is the reason we instruct one coach to the box and not the other.

If your coach wants to talk to your players fine, but if he is simply out of the box to steal signs, then he is going back plain and simple. If you do not like it then as rich said - "see ya skip" and have a nice day.

If you as a coach want to be treated fairly, then do not cheat.

Pete Booth