Draw your OWN line
 

If an adult player drew an inside line on me after calling a strike, I would ask for his bat and draw another line on the outside part of the plate (usually about 6 inches outside). Then I would hand the bat back, and tell him, "that's the zone now, so you'd better swing!"

Re: Draw your OWN line
 

That's tiresome. Why stoop to his level? Just eject him and maintain dignity and composure.

How could you possibly defend such an action with a supervisor or assignor?

--Rich

Re: Re: Draw your OWN line
 

I agree.

I attended Andy Fletcher's (MLB umpire) training camp here in Memphis.

He showed us a video of the time he ejected Benito Santiago (at the time, the catcher for the San Francisco Giants.) Andy was the PU. Santiago had been very unhappy with many of Andy's calls and was starting to express it. He had been chipping away at Andy for some time. A foul ball was hit and Andy tried to hand Santiago a new ball. Santiago ignored him. Andy refused to throw the ball to the pitcher himself, insisting that Santiago throw it. Santiago continued to ignore him. Finally, in aggravation, Andy went out in front of the plate, and threw the ball onto the plate and then promptly ejected Santiago. This game was nationally televised. The announcers were highly critical of Andy's actions, saying, "Nobody came out here this afternoon to watch Andy Fletcher umpire. They came to watch <i>Santiago</i> play. Unbelievable." And, in fact, Andy <i>did</i> get in trouble for his actions. Throwing the ball on the plate was uncalled for. Andy admitted he was wrong to do that.

I think <i>any</i> theatrics by an umpire are wrong. That would include the "drawing the line in the sand."

David Emerling
Memphis, TN

[Edited by David Emerling on Apr 26th, 2004 at 11:37 AM]

Re: Re: Draw your OWN line
 

Agreed Rich.

Also, why penalize the TEAM for an individual's screw up?

Toss the individual, get a new batter and THAT batter may get a hit. To INTENTIONALLY call a ball a strike is jsut wrong. Also, you have now taken an out away from the offense.

Many people here have indicated that I am inserting my personal feeling into this and that I am inflexible. Yes to both. However, the other "solutions" like this only serve to screw a team and ruin teh credibility of not on lythe umpire doing this, but the guys who follow and the umpire group as a whole.

Blaine

I'm sorry. I read your post to mean that Blaine had called people stupid who disagreed with him in this thread. I didn't think you were referring to the idiot that he watched IRL.

Re: Re: Re: Draw your OWN line
 

The FYC is also theater at its worst.

Had he ejected him without the fanfare and merely stated the ejection was over arguing balls/strikes, the attention would be on Santiego.

By inserting the theatrics, the offense which started this is lost. Its like punishing your 6 year old a hour after he breaks the sindow with the baseball. He doesn't understand why he is being punished.

Blaine

Re: Re: Re: Draw your OWN line
 

Did you see the game last year I believe it was. I cannot remember the umpire, but there was an argument with manager of the team in the field over balls and strikes. HP ump ejected him and the manager kicked dirt all over home plate, covering it. After the manager left, the HP ump refused to clean off home plate, the catcher asked for the ump brush and cleaned the plate himself. I thought it was hilarious at the time. Whaddya think?

Re: No you didn't!!!
 

What names have I called you Rut? In which posts? When I did tell someone they were not a real umpire? In which posts?

I fear you have me confused with someone else Rut, but if I've have behaved as badly as you say, show me and I will most definitely apologize.

Like you, Rut, I feel I have the right to express my opinion. I don't believe I've ever said that it is the only opinion. In fact, I remember posting to you that I really don't care how you handle a certain a situation, and that if it worked for you, fine.

Re: Re: Great Entertainment
 

So, am I to understand that statements such as:

fall under the radar these days?

Re: Re: Re: Great Entertainment
 

Gee, Dave, who would write such a post calling someone names like that? That wouldn't be my pal, Rut, would it? Nahhhh.

Re: Re: Re: Great Entertainment
 

Dave;

Please don't temp the devil.

Peter

Re: Re: Re: Great Entertainment
 

In my judgment, those statements, taken in the context of the entire thread, did not warrant deleting. Feel free to disagree. shrug.

Hey Peter
 

Dare we hope for a new record? I don't have the exact number that would be needed, but if we claim the record I'm sure that he-whose-name-is-not-spoken will tell us if we're wrong.

Re: Hey Peter
 

Volde-Porter?

Could someone explain
 

...what FYC means? I admit I am new. I have tried to surmise the meaning of this by its use but to no avail.

In my highly limited experience, I must agree with NSump and say that drawing a line in the sand would definitely warrant an ejection from me. That is direspectful, is showing up the umpire in a public way, is arguing balls and strikes and is unsportsmanlike conduct. If I can put four adjectives to that act without even thinking about it, then drawing a line warrants an ejection.

It was related to me by the head coach of my local high school team that an opposing player did not like a called third strike to end the inning and stood at home plate for easily 30 seconds. Would that warrant some action by the plate umpire?