Re: Re: Speaking of...
 

Something like that....
http://cbs.sportsline.com/mlb/story/8423759

I did a playoff game this year on an turf field where they are forbidden, but on a regular field, there is no reason to disallow it.

Tobacco is also forbidden by major league baseball and the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues for all minor leagues. The "tobacco ban" policy takes up three pages in the PBUC manual. (7.27)

Hooray!

Major League players on rehab with a minor league are exempted from the rule.

Boo!

My association forbids umpires from using sunflower seeds during a game.

Hooray!

State law forbids any tobacco on any "school" field or stadium.

Horray!

I find out that one of my umpires is using tobacco during a game, at a minimum he has an a$$-chewing coming his way. If he persists, he will be sanctioned.

Heard a comment the other day...the ball field is an extension of the classroom.

I think that rings true for 99% of the umpires out there.

I guess it's alot different in East Tennessee. About 50% of the umpires dip or chew here, including the assignors and crew chiefs.

My, isn't your association a little anal retentive. Someone pass me a bag of seeds, please (but only if I'm working the bases).

I lived in Knoxville for 3 years and I NEVER worked with anyone who smoked or dipped on the field.

Ha! You're kidding me right? That's the funniest thing I've heard in a while. Who did you work for?

And I'm not talking about smoking. That would be a sight, to see an umpire smoking on the field. I'm just talking about dipping or chewing. I would say it's a good 40-50%

Rich: With such an attitude, we wouldn't certify you in our association.

Our umpires, about 120, overwhelmingly supported the ban - in a vote. We think chewing seeds on the field is the ultimate in non-professionalism.

"You're out!! Oops, sorry about the seeds, man."

Well,
 

All I know is that no umpire in our association is allow to chew tobacco.

It is a warning, followed by suspension, followed by firing.

I know nothing of other groups but I would be skeptical that 40 to 50% of any umpire association chew on the field.

We have six artifical turf fields that all do not allow seeds.

Exaggeration is an art -- and I have said that one million times.

This is summer ball I am speaking of Tim. I'm sure for high school and college it is different. This is no exaggeration though, it's East Tennessee man, there shouldn't be any suprise there.

ohhh summer ball. toss out all of the norms, its summer!

how is what you do (as an umpire) different when the seasons change, other than wearing a jacket/coat or shirt?

Yeah brian, be a smart-a$$ like every other umpire on here please. As if we haven't already heard enough. It's not funny anymore man. Summer ball as in not high school or college season ball anymore buddy. Big difference. Many times it is not as professional. Everybody knows the difference. Good try at trying to be funny though, it almost worked.

All of our summer leagues have the same rules regarding tobacco as FED. (High school ball, for you, Dude) I'll bet many of yours do as well.

Additionally, summer ball uses high school fields. The rules regarding tobacco on school propery apply year around, not just the school year.

I don't doubt some porch sittin' banjo playing tobacky dippin toothless umpire in Tennesee may ignore the rules, but I'm sure they're in place anyway.