Possibly. But I find that the ejection rate is higher at the lower levels (as the coaches haven't learned how to talk to the umpires.)

I think the numbers can only be compared within a relatively small geographic area and at the same level -- and then if you have a number that is "extreme" on either end of the spectrum , you need to consider whether that means some changes are needed.

You have already proven yourself here and freely demonstrated the limited scope of your thinking. If you can't see it or imagine it, it comes as no surprise.

I have skills and a background in baseball and in life that naturally come into use when it is time to deal with an angry or frustrated coach, who often takes on the character of a child. I rise above the childishness quickly, change the tone quickly and arrest the situation quickly before it gets bad. If you lack the skills or imagination or strength or maturity or patience or life experience to accomplish that from situation to situation, then be what you are and continue to operate the way you do. Booting coaches probably gets you off somehow. Rising above the nonsense rather than adding to it is what satisfies me.

Just out of curiosity, what do you do when a rule violation specifically calls for an ejection? Do you then ignore the rule just to boast that you are continuing your never having ejected someone?

Well, the first time a coach comes out and hollers, "you suck," you damn sure better eject him. I don't want to hear how you let him stay in the game so the game wouldn't end.

Were you wearing your cool blue contacts or your red 'devil' set?

No.

And I also never baited a coach, so I never had that type of situation arise either.

I have never had a coach yell that or anything of the sort.

Then come down to San Diego for a couple of weeks and you will.

[big grin icon]

I'm still waiting to see just where this utopian baseball world is located.

I didn't ask that. Stick to the question at hand and stop baiting people.

Either you have never had a coach who violated a rule that specifies an ejection--something no one here would probably believe if you've been umpiring a while; or you're not being completely truthful. I give benefit of the doubt, so I don't think it's the latter.

Never has a coach thrown, kicked or said anything that makes an ejection mandatory. A few players have, and they were tossed without warning and without reservation.

AND, if I did have such a violation and did not eject, don't you think somebody would hear about it and some action would be taken? It always is when others overlook such things. I don't have that rep. Instead, I get high marks and better games, and even the schools with the more troublesome coaches and crowds, mostly because of my problem-solving and emergency handling skills and record. I have been sent to schools where I am told that the coach was going to eat me alive. I usually instead get thanked for working so hard and calling such a fair, consistent game. It happened again yesterday. I hear stories at meetings about certain coaches that are abominable. In my dealings with those same coaches, it seems like they are different people altogether than the ones that other umpires described in their ejection stories.

I'm fair, honest, punctual, knowledgeable, authoritative, dedicated, reliable, consistent, thick-skinned and vastly experienced at this game in several capacities, including playing, coaching and scouting. My uniform is always fresh, pressed and flawless and my equipment always shines. And I hustle at all times. My respect for the game has no bounds and most coaches notice that rather early if they don't know me already. I do everything I possibly can to be a respectable umpire and baseball man, and any respect and cooperation I get is partly or mostly a result of that. I also gain respect and future cooperation when I defuse a potentially volatile situation and resolve it without a spectacle.

I have a total baseball background and managerial background and not just an umpiring background. I know the game from every angle and I know the local game rather fully. So maybe all of that makes me less of a target.

Now after all of this, I'll probably have to run somebody for dumping a bucket of balls, or kicking dirt on my shoes. You'll all be the first to know about it.

I share the same experiences to which you allude in your second paragraph. Consequently, I wouldn't doubt that if we were on the same crew our games would progress quite happily and without incident.

I would not doubt it either.

As long as you control your sarcasm. ;)

Do I detect a bit of sarcasm there???

;)