[Warren Willson]

Originally posted by BJ Moose
I don't think the rule needs to be over analyzed. It doesn't say, SHALL EJECT, it is simply the foundation that permits umpires TO EJECT.

So what you are saying, Moose, is that you can SEE an illegal act which is punishable by ejection and ELECT NOT TO PUNISH that act? Rubbish! It's not your job to decide who does or doesn't need penalising under the rules. You only need to decide if the offense has been committed and apply the appropriate penalty. That's ALL!

Originally posted by BJ Moose
I MAY eject for
objecting to my calls and/or
unsportmanlike conduct

So if I do toss a player or coach...I point at one of these (which I have done about 10 times in 700 games... yes VERY low percentage). I can't eject for wearing an ugly hat or for bad coaching.

Wrong again, Moosie baby! Read OBR 9.01(b) and (c) again. ANY decision you make which is objected to can be the subject of an ejection! Even wearing an ugly hat or bad coaching! In fact, on the ugly hat you can even look to OBR 1.11(3) for the specific justification!

Originally posted by BJ Moose
Yes, the rules say the CANNOT object to safe/out, etc. But the do. The test for coaches and the test for umpires (or a major factor in umpire advancement), is how much room you give a coach to object. And are you consistent with what you give..

Oops! That's 0 for 3 now Moose! If there is an objection then someone's gotta go! No rope required! The issue lies in being sure you HAVE an objection to a judgement call first, not "how much room you give a coach to object". You eject when the line is crossed; not before and certainly not too long after. That's where the consistency lies.

Originally posted by BJ Moose
But think about this. At the higher levels, or skilled experienced coaches, on that OUT call you made at 2nd BANGER.. the coach is out talking to you, and he's not so much "objecting" as to asking about what you saw, and wants a clearer interpretation. IN my experience.. 99.4% of these conversations (and there ain't that many), end peaceably.

Each umpire decides when that coach has crossed the line, then ejects. The best umpires have it just right. Not so good umpires are too fast.... or too slow....

NOW you've got one right! A coach asks what you saw, you tell him. If he says he saw something different, you listen. If he then starts saying what he saw was right and what you saw was wrong, NOW you've got your objection and he should be tossed! Most experienced coaches won't go that route. A standard answer that stops them going too far is "Skip, if I had your view on that play I might have called it differently. Let's play ball." That's his cue to exit stage left.

Cheers.

[Edited by Warren Willson on Dec 20th, 2000 at 05:18 PM]