A-Rod

[canadaump6]

Alex Rodriguez got plunked with a fastball in tonight's Bluejays/Yankees game. He sure deserved it, especially after the bush league play he pulled in late May when he yelled "mine" while running the bases. I would've said hit the jerk harder, and take him out of the lineup for 4 or 5 days. Nobody who makes that much money should get away with making such a bad move.

To see the incident, go to:
http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news....jsp&team=home

On the box score, click the "3" in the top of the third inning column. Fast forward 10 minutes. I thought the umpires handled the situation very well, by issuing warnings to both benches after the incident, and later ejecting Clemens when he (once again) threw at a batter intentionally.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by canadaump6

Alex Rodriguez got plunked with a fastball in tonight's Bluejays/Yankees game. He sure deserved it, especially after the bush league play he pulled in late May when he yelled "mine" while running the bases. I would've said hit the jerk harder, and take him out of the lineup for 4 or 5 days. Nobody who makes that much money should get away with making such a bad move.

To see the incident, go to:
http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news....jsp&team=home

On the box score, click the "3" in the top of the third inning column. Fast forward 10 minutes. I thought the umpires handled the situation very well, by issuing warnings to both benches after the incident, and later ejecting Clemens when he (once again) threw at a batter intentionally.

You don't get it.

He got his payback hit in the first game of the series on Monday and no one complained.

But no

The Jays decided that he didn't get hit well enough on Monday so they hit him again on Tuesday. It was the second payback pitch that got everyone upset. Once is OK. Twice is not.

Roger took care of that later in the game and everyone understood it - and no bench-emptying event happened on that one.

[Mike L]

From what I saw last night on ESPN, I thought the Toronto pitcher should have been tossed. And not for just plunking Rodriguez, it was the action after. Rodriguez stands at the plate, the pitcher advances significantly toward him and appears to be challenging Rod to do something about it. After that get clears up, and some more jawing occurs, the pitcher agains advances toward Rod at 1st base and appears to be challenging him yet again. Sorry, but somebody who appears to be inciting a fight should be leaving early in my book.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by Mike L

From what I saw last night on ESPN, I thought the Toronto pitcher should have been tossed. And not for just plunking Rodriguez, it was the action after. Rodriguez stands at the plate,

No. Rodriquez, bat in hand takes a few steps toward the mound saying something to the pitcher.

the pitcher advances significantly toward him and appears to be challenging Rod to do something about it.

The pitcher at first makes a normal after-delivery move in front of the mound, then, hearing Rodriquez, takes a couple of steps towards him, points to first and tells him to "just get your *** to first."

After that get clears up, and some more jawing occurs, the pitcher agains advances toward Rod at 1st base

Not according to the video.

The pitcher makes another comment towards Rodriquez who then is the one who advances and has to be restrained.

Sorry, but somebody who appears to be inciting a fight should be leaving early in my book.

This is big boy ball. It was handled well by the umpires.

[Mike L]

You are correct, this is big boy ball, and perhaps that's the way MLB wants situations to be handled. But I really suggest you look at the videos and see where the altercations occurred. Rodriguez was barely out of the box, the pitcher advanced almost all the way to the plate. See that big crowd of people right in front of the plate? Now admittedly, Rodriguez gets restrained by his coach at first on the second incident, but again, see that big crowd of people at first? It was the pitcher he advanced and created the problems.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by Mike L

You are correct, this is big boy ball, and perhaps that's the way MLB wants situations to be handled. But I really suggest you look at the videos and see where the altercations occurred.Rodriguez was barely out of the box, the pitcher advanced almost all the way to the plate.

Are we looking at the same video? Rodriquez, BAT IN HAND, begins to move toward the mound, mouthing something. The pitcher reacts to Rodriquez and tells him to get his a$$ to first.

Now admittedly, Rodriguez gets restrained by his coach at first on the second incident, but again, see that big crowd of people at first? It was the pitcher he advanced and created the problems.

Again, from this video and the newscast later, the pitcher is on the mound giving Rodriquez some lip. In the close up you can see Rodriquez say "Are you talking to me?" as HE initiates the advance and is restrained.

That big crowd at first is there because Rodriquez is there. Notice they are not at the mound restraining the pitcher.

This much ado about nothing. These guys will deal with this. But Rodriquez is not an innocent. The sad thing is that after the current lying and cheating douchebag home run "king" loses his crown, it will probably be to another lying cheating douchebag, Rodriquez.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by Mike L

You are correct, this is big boy ball, and perhaps that's the way MLB wants situations to be handled. But I really suggest you look at the videos and see where the altercations occurred. Rodriguez was barely out of the box, the pitcher advanced almost all the way to the plate. See that big crowd of people right in front of the plate? Now admittedly, Rodriguez gets restrained by his coach at first on the second incident, but again, see that big crowd of people at first? It was the pitcher he advanced and created the problems.

You sure you're not looking at a replay of Monday's? Every replay I've seen of the recent one is nothing like what you describe here.

[CO ump]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

The Jays decided that he didn't get hit well enough on Monday so they hit him again on Tuesday. It was the second payback pitch that got everyone upset. Once is OK. Twice is not.

Rules citation please.

I think what is considered a sufficient payback is determined by the offended party.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by CO ump

Rules citation please.

It's right there in the section about payback.

[CO ump]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

It's right there in the section about payback.

Unfortunately MLB and most other leagues want to eliminate this very valuable section.

[ManInBlue]

I didn't see the "I got it" play when it happened. They showed it tonight on ESPN. it seemed obvious that he interferred with the play. Did they call hin out for INT? I would hope so.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by CO ump

Rules citation please.

I think what is considered a sufficient payback is determined by the offended party.

Another person with no clue - great.

[CO ump]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

Another person with no clue - great.

Apparently Toronto didn't read the Rich Ives book of paybacks as short, simplistic and unimaginative as it was.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by CO ump

Apparently Toronto didn't read the Rich Ives book of paybacks as short, simplistic and unimaginative as it was.

It isn't MY payback book.

Apparently you didn't notice that the Monday plunk was "accepted". It was the Tuesday plunk that was judged as being over the line.

If you're going to umpire grown-up ball you'd better learn the unwritten part of the game.

And perhaps you should use the wink to show you're kidding.

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by CO ump

Rules citation please.

I think what is considered a sufficient payback is determined by the offended party.

Let's not get ridiculous here, CO ump! You want a rules quote? Here, read it.....

OBR 8.02(d) Intentionally Pitch at the Batter.

If, in the umpire’s judgment, such a violation occurs, the umpire may elect either to:

1. Expel the pitcher, or the manager and the pitcher, from the game, or
2. may warn the pitcher and the manager of both teams that another such pitch will result in the immediate expulsion of that pitcher (or a replacement) and the manager.
If, in the umpire’s judgment, circumstances warrant, both teams may be officially “warned” prior to the game or at any time during the game.
(League Presidents may take additional action under authority provided in Rule 9.05.)

Rule 8.02(d) Comment: To pitch at a batter’s head is unsportsmanlike and highly dangerous. It should be—and is—condemned by everybody. Umpires should act without hesitation in enforcement of this rule.

************************************


And that is what and how you enforce it in amateur baseball - to the letter!

But in professional ball, there is retaliation. There are no guidelines as to "how many times you can get satisfaction and when it is enough". You get it when you are done and and if you go too far, you'd better expect it to come back at you, ten fold!

That's your "rule", hope that you learned from it!