Line in the sand

[GarthB]

Originally posted by Carl Childress

I am truly amazed at the general tenor of this thread. Even the law realizes that one size does not fit all. (Switching perhaps from the shoe to a hat metaphor.)

One person kills another. In Texas the range of penalty is from two years to death. Similarly, whatever anyone claims to believe, no good umpire can use a rigid game control philosophy and trust it to handle every situation.

And it is the umpire's duty to enforce the rules of the organization that hires him and ensure that no team gains an advantage not intended by the rules. It is not our job to promote our definition of civility.

1. I should know better than to argue with an expert, but, what the hell....

Carl, you keep trying to make this a general offense, it is not. It is very specific. Change your example to the premeditated, well planned and executed, cold blooded killing of a police officer. Trust me, even in Texas that will draw the same penalty every time.

Drawing a line...ejection, everytime.

2. This change of heart, or the acquisition of one,that you have experienced is hard to adjust to. Your recent posts are 180 degrees from the many on related topics I have on file. Maybe it's just the difference in audience.

3. Upon further reflection, your inconsistent, "guess what's going to happen this time" method may have merit. Pschologists have shown that while inconsistent negative reinforcement in lab rats may not bring about desired behavioral changes as quickly as consistent negative reinforcement, it does mess up their little brains causing symptoms similar to those of mental break downs and paranoia. Maybe it will do the same to diamond rats.