When did they change the balk rule?

[UMP25]

Originally Posted by Kevin Finnerty

You unprofessionally baited a coach and then ejected him. Then you posted it and bragged about it.

Perhaps you ought to look up the definition of the word "brag," because I certainly did not "brag." My purpose of the thread was to simply have a laugh at a change in the balk rule insofar as when one should or should not be called.

I'd bet five bucks your sense of humor is also virtually nonexistent, especially off the field.

[Kevin Finnerty]

Originally Posted by UMP25

Perhaps you ought to look up the definition of the word "brag," because I certainly did not "brag." My purpose of the thread was to simply have a laugh at a change in the balk rule insofar as when one should or should not be called.

I'd bet five bucks your sense of humor is also virtually nonexistent, especially off the field.

Based on the level of acumen you have displayed here, you must lose a lot of five-dollar bets.

You baited the coach; you bragged about it; then you changed your story to make the encounter seem justified. That's fine; you already openly and fully displayed that you play a lot of games. Maybe you should wonder why so many coaches swear at you, and not what less-than-clever routine you're going to throw out there when they do.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by Kevin Finnerty

Based on the level of acumen you have displayed here, you must lose a lot of five-dollar bets.

Originally Posted by Kevin Finnerty

You are not qualified to judge me as a baseball man, given your tendencies.

Just soak in the hypocrisy, folks.

[Kevin Finnerty]

And what is hypocritical?

He's not qualified to judge me as a baseball man based on the sense of judgment he has put on display here. What are you missing?

[UMP25]

Originally Posted by Kevin Finnerty

Based on the level of acumen you have displayed here, you must lose a lot of five-dollar bets.

You'd be wrong, but that's nothing new.

Maybe you should wonder why so many coaches swear at you...

"So many"? Who knew that a mere two (and both coaches this year just happened to be coaches who were very frustrated with their teams' performances, each coming off lengthy losing streaks*) in the last 4+ years would be "a lot"? I see mathematics wasn't your strong suit either.

*Of course, this playing a part is something you wouldn't understand, I'm sure.

[Ump Rube]

I just feel the need to thank everyone who has been posting in this thread. It is a long day at work (the "real" kind, not the "fun wearing blue" kind) and this back-and-forth is just humorous enough to keep me going until the close of business.

[UMP25]

Originally Posted by Ump Rube

I just feel the need to thank everyone who has been posting in this thread. It is a long day at work (the "real" kind, not the "fun wearing blue" kind) and this back-and-forth is just humorous enough to keep me going until the close of business.

Glad we can make your day that much more enjoyable. It's easy to do when one debates bland, humorless individuals. It's kinda like when my mother and I talk.

[cardinalfan]

I have been trained as a trauma/crisis counselor and facilitate debriefings for police & fire depts after shootings, accidents, chases, etc. In tense situations, each word can literally be life or death, and I have learned to choose my words carefully in that setting (but not always in this forum!).
Since my training, I have tried to use the same tactics in umpiring, and that is when my ejections ebbed.

There has been some good points brought out in this discussion.
No umpire should let a player or coach swear at them. Anyone who does and doesn't take care of that won't be respected.
Coaches can't argue balls and strikes. If they do, they are looking to be shown the gate.
Umpires should not bait coaches into an ejection. If an umpire craves the adrenaline rush of an ejection enough to bait a coach into it, he has crossed the ethical line, imho.

As far as all the other accusations in this thread... if this was a real game, somebody would have been ejected by now.

[Ump Rube]

Originally Posted by cardinalfan

As far as all the other accusations in this thread... if this was a real game, somebody would have been ejected by now.

I think the umpire in Major League II said it best, "That's it you're outta here! All'a ya'!"