While I agree that more umpires need to learn better game management skills pertaining to coaches/players arguing calls, I DO NOT think that a quick finger serves any purpose. Trust me, I spent MANY years working that way, and it just frustrated me more and more. I used to get really upset that more guys don't "handle things" better. Now, I just handle things better.

It starts with ME doing a GREAT JOB no matter what game it is. If I am hustling, using good timing and good judgement, there is little they can complain about! I see more guys get yelled out simply because the dimwit doesn't show that he is engaged with the game, or care about the game.

Then you got the guys that take the opportunistic "easy outs". You know the calls, bases loaded with one out, team at bat down one in the top of the 7th, double play attempt, runner beats it by a hair by blue calls him out so that we don't go extra innings.

Or:

3-0 pitch is 8" inside, but they strike it anyway.

Talk about not having balls!

But it just kills me to see lazy umpiring coupled with opportunistic calls for outs. It is usually these same guys that after the game think I will be empathetic about how the "clamped down on that as*hole coach who complained". I actually usually feel for that coach and the players! I am sorry that they had to be subjected to umpiring that emphasizes the umpire getting out of the game as quickly as possible.

Now, out of 100 or so games this year, I have 4 ejections. Two were tactical ejections in college games for a team that needed to win the series to make the post season, one for a dummy who drew a line in the box where he thought the pitch came across, and one for a assistant coach this summer who thought that he was entitled to argue a call at first.

Now, I don't think I am the greatest balls and strikes guy in the world, but I also know that I am VERY consistent. Some coaches do not like that I call the high zone "by the book", but they NEVER argue because they see it go both ways, and I am VERY consistent with my calls. On the bases, they know I call what I see, and truthfully, I have had a coach come out on my maybe 5 times this year over a call. It is a rare happening anymore! Usually, when they do, the talk is civilized. Indeed, many coaches start out yelling, but that settles down once I calmly state "Coach, if you could talk to me instead of yelling, I would be will to discuss the call with you". It works like a charm every time.

Some of you guys who think quick ejections are good, maybe you should look into Verbal Judo. Seriously, it totally changed the way I deal with angry people. My ejections are WAY down, coaches are FAR more happy with me, and I am far more happy leaving games. It has worked wonders for me refereeing soccer too! I used to issue a yellow card for dissent about every other game in soccer. Over the 80 someodd games I do a year, that is a LOT! In the last year, I have issued 1 dissent card. My red cards are WAY down too.

It isn't about "avoiding the ejection report", or avoiding dealing with things on the field. It is about getting voluntary compliance with what I want them to do. I actually get people to do what I want them to do now, and all that I give up is listening to a little guff and answering it with questions that lead them to doing what I want them to do. Verbal Judo is AMAZING in this way. Since employing it, players, coaches, fans, assignors, etc...respect me FAR more than they ever did before. Coaches actually complain far less now because they know that I will listen to them IF they approach me in a manner that I like. It is amazing. By being more approachable and actually listening to them, I get less crap. The next time I have the coach, I have his respect, and am approached in a very calm way.

The short fuse never got me anywhere. Assignors were reluctant to put me on important games because they didn't know if they could trust that I could handle it. Now, there is no game that any of my assignors would NOT put me on. They respect and trust that I can handle the situations on the field in a professional manner, and that I probably won't have to resort to ejections to keep the focus on the players/play on the field!

Coincidently, I have not been "beaned" either. I enjoy VERY good relations with every catcher I work behind. I keep the lines of communication open. I let them know that they can disagree with my call provided that it stays civil and respectful. You would not believe how well that works! I almost NEVER hear a complaint from a catcher, and they often handle their coaches for me! They let them know where the pitches are and even "protect" me when I miss one here and there. I freely admit to the catcher if I miss one. If he says "Hey Ed, I thought that was a strike". I usually reply "I will look at that pitch closer next time Joe. Sorry if I missed it". Usually the response is "That's alright, you have been consistent all day, and that one was pretty close."

Being approachable, polite, and humble and can go a LONG way to excellent relations. I know guys who have HORRIBLE judgement on the field but have little said to them by players/coaches. They do not come across pretentious, and remain approachable and humble no matter what happens. You couple that with the willingness to dump a guy when they actually do cross the line, you have the perfect umpire.

I probably give warnings a bit sooner than some do, but I try to do so in a professional manner, and I do my part afterwards by continuing to work hard out there.