Dumb Athletic Directors.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by MikeStrybel

Maybe we are lucky around here, most of the coaches and ADs I encounter are supportive of good baseball and don't tolerate nonsense that leads to ejections. Some enforce penalties beyond what is required by the IHSA and a couple have been fired for behavior unbecoming. Sometimes the history is relevant. I am confident enough in my abilities to defend it.

The same is true here, but those coaches and ADs who are supportive would never have asked the question that was posed to Mark.

In no case would Mark's history be of any relevance. Chances are the real answer is "no," but it's more complicated. How we respond to swearing is always a judgment call, and it's not available for AD criticism or debate; which is clearly what the AD wanted here.

[MikeStrybel]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

The same is true here, but those coaches and ADs who are supportive would never have asked the question that was posed to Mark.

In no case would Mark's history be of any relevance. Chances are the real answer is "no," but it's more complicated. How we respond to swearing is always a judgment call, and it's not available for AD criticism or debate; which is clearly what the AD wanted here.

Thanks. It will be interesting to see what Mark says in reply to my questions. Clearly, the state association wants some dialogue or they would not have a policy inviting it. I hope someone from that area can quote the policy verbatim and offer some insight.

[Rich]

It could be that Mark's threshold is lower than others and the AD is genuinely curious why Mark would eject for that.

Personally, I don't get excited about language. I had a kid thrown out at the plate yesterday on a wild pitch, and after I punched him out, he got up and I heard a word starting with "f" come from his lips. I simply turned to him and said, "Hey, watch your language, OK?" with a smile on my face. He said, "Sorry, blue," and that was the end of it.

I save my ejections for important things. Using a word in a situation where he's not directing it at an opponent or an official isn't one of them.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

Personally, I don't get excited about language. I had a kid thrown out at the plate yesterday on a wild pitch, and after I punched him out, he got up and I heard a word starting with "f" come from his lips. I simply turned to him and said, "Hey, watch your language, OK?" with a smile on my face. He said, "Sorry, blue," and that was the end of it.

I save my ejections for important things. Using a word in a situation where he's not directing it at an opponent or an official isn't one of them.

I agree. If I had a nickel for every time a player used an expletive when mad at himself, I'd have a ****load of nickels.