Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt
I, too, do not see this as baiting, and furthermore, I don't see it as necessarily being sarcastic.
I will. As a law-enforcement and military professional, I will always have a negative assessment of someone who refuses to consider using all available options when faced with conflict. It limits your ability to resolve it satisfactorily.
"Virtually always?" That's an oxymoron. Wordsmithing like this is a sign of someone attempting to convince himself what he says is true.
Here lies your problem--you view an ejection as a negative act, one that you must initiate. It is not. It is nothing more than a tool that is needed and proper for game management.
Think about police officers and arrests. The arrest is merely the logical end result of a series of actions, of which at least one is negative--it's not the negative action itself. We wouldn't praise a cop that has no arrests, and we shouldn't praise the umpire that keeps participants around at all costs.
This part has already been addressed. If someone has crossed the line, there is a need to toss him.
I will say this--anyone who talks about "the game" as some sort of revered entity has a misplaced sense of reverence.
Furthermore, ejections are a part of baseball, and anyone who dismisses them as "ego-driven" really should reconsider being an umpire.
Again, you conflate an ejection with ego. It's not about personal issues, it's simply a necessary part of baseball. Don't read more into it than what is there. Just like my police officer analogy--sure, there are times where cops take personal satisfaction in removing a less-than-productive member of society from the rest of it. However, the majority of times, an arrest is nothing more than an affirmation that a person has to account for his or her behavior.
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A) Coaches haven't sworn at me. If anyone ever swears at me, or threatens me, or impugns my integrity, I'll toss them, like I have a player for doing such a thing. That hasn't happened yet from a coach.
B) In Los Angeles, if you eject the coach, the game is over---so try not to apply your standards to everyone's work. They may not apply. I refuse to deny everyone the opportunity to see a ballgame because of a single jerk.
C) If you want to act like a cop or a sergeant (or lieutenant) go ahead. I am a manager and that's what is needed on a diamond---not a cop or a sergeant. I choose to manage games for the greater good, and not police them. I am authoritative and respectful.
I have always thought it was something to be proud of to keep my cool in public settings. Apparently, there are those who lack that skill or willingness or patience or thick skin in their role as umpire. I have it, and I use it.
I also don't prejudge all coaches. That helps a lot. Some of them are respectable, and when they're respected, they show respect in return. And you don't even need a gun to get respect like a cop does.