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Jicecone has an excellent point about being there to officiate but not to be the focus of the game. However, the same can be said for the coaches and the fans.
Baseball games are long enough without allowing things absolutely forbidden in the rules to delay a game. If a coach doesn't agree with a rule interpretation, all he has to do is simply protest it. There's no need for putting on a show. Most coaches won't protest because they don't know the rules and don't want to show their ignorance.
Arguing judgement calls is a totally different thing. If a given ump wants to allow that to happen, then he has to determine how far to let it go before he thinks it affects the game. That's a judgement call too!
But the bottom line is laid out in Rule 9.02. There is some leeway given in there, but the words "shall" and "will" aren't subjective.
I don't want to see everyone who opens their mouth booted, but on the other hand, if a person breaks the rules, they are subject to the penalties.
Personally, I know very little about hockey, or even want to for that matter. But I do enjoy a baseball game and happen not to want to see a game taken over by non-players, umpires or otherwise!
No one questions whether or not umps try to do a good job, but not throwing people out who should be doesn't do anything for the game or for anyone's opinion of umpires in general.
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