[Warren Willson]

Originally posted by Ranger
Actually I felt that the original posters on this topic Peter Booth and BJ Moose made some interesting points about how an umpire manages a game and the role of ejections. Warren Willson seemed to want them to eject whenever a coach or player objected.

It depends what YOU mean by "objected", Ranger. If you mean minor "chirps", mumbles and grumbles, little beefs about close calls, etc., then the answer is NO, I DO NOT want them to eject whenever a coach or player "objected".

Originally posted by Ranger
My position is that even at the MLB level, objections and arguments are not always punished with ejections. Therefore, in baseball, just like life, all offenses don't carry the same punishment.

Using YOUR definition of "arguments" and "objections" I agree completely. OTOH, if we were using MY definition, I can guarantee that in the professional leagues, excluding the "show" because it is such a significantly different culture, such offenses ARE met with ejections IF that is the prescribed punishment. All offenses may NOT "carry the same punishment", but the SAME offense should always be punished in exactly the same way! To do otherwise would be patently unjust.

Originally posted by Ranger
I never said that anyone should make up rules as they go. It is not the practice of MLB umpires to punish as though all offenses are equal. If a coach is chirping at me or any other umpire it usually is negative. I never said or suggested I wanted to hear any words, kind or otherwise, from coaches. Some may even choose to embrace the memory of Atilla closer that Solomon.

Whatever the "practice of MLB umpires" may be, I don't believe it is particularly relevent to this discussion. MLB umpires are participants in a "show", and may well have different constraints on their actions from amateur and minor league officials. Using them as examples is frought with pitfalls. Nevertheless, the rules we operate under are THEIR rules, and we should be cogniscent of THEIR interpretations of those rules. The fact remains that if we choose to play the game according to their rules, then we should apply the penalties as they are written in those rules. Umpires who try to divine the intent of players and coaches who clearly breach those rules, in an attempt to justify NOT applying the specified penalties, have overstepped the bounds of their role by a HUGE margin. When God declared "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. Vengeance is mine" he was letting everyone know that HE made the rules and it was up to HIM to decide the penalties. I say the same applies to the rules of baseball. No umpire should usurp that right. Even Solomon would agree with that! (even BIGGER grin)

Originally posted by Ranger
Here is an idea: If you don't use common sense when enforcing the rules, you'll do a poor job. To call baseball, or any sport, exactly by the book is to call a "perfect game," which causes trouble every time.

Absolutely. Now, can you please show me where I have ever advocated a different approach?

Cheers.

[Edited by Warren Willson on Dec 23rd, 2000 at 04:14 PM]