[ozzy6900]

One of the problems with this thread is that some people are trying to look at professional level ball through amateur eyes. In pro ball, there are incidents that happen. Have I seen pro runners go out of their way to take out a pro F2 at the plate? You bet - I've seen it plenty of times. Do the pro players take care of the situation themselves afterwords? Again, you bet! But there are certain rules that must be obeyed and not throwing at a batter's head is one of them. Throw at the batter to send a message if you must but never at the head. Knock him down and send a message, absolutely but stay away from the head. This is where the professional umpire must and will make a decision whether to dump the offending F1.

Now the above is all professional ball - the players are being paid to play. If the players are not being paid to play, it is amateur ball. Yes, even the "want-to-be-but-never-were" men's leagues that want to play MLB rules. If you have to go to a regular job in the morning, you are an amateur and none of the above should be allowed.

This is where we amateur umpires have to stand firm. If the runner goes out of his way to take out F2, dump him. If F1 throws at a batter (in your opinion), dump him! Dump the manager too, if you want. None of this crap belongs in amateur ball under any circumstances.