Carl, don't do that!

[Whowefoolin]

Carl,

I have been reading the messages quite a bit. And I see where there is no penalties enforced (i.e., stepping off with wrong foot, holding ball infront with both hands) but a "Don't do that!" was said.

My question, if an umpire says, "Don't do that!", should a rule back that up? Can an umpire just tell a player not to do something if it is not in the rule book?

What happens if the coach/manager comes out and says, "what did he do wrong?" Then the ump says, "nothing illegal, just don't want him to do that?"

I think that the coach will tell the ump "to not coach his players, call balls and strikes!"

So I am not grasping how, if something is not in the rule book, the ump can say not to do it?

Just a thought

Max