Socializing with the enemy...

[tzme415]

I agree. As a player or an umpire a simple, 'thank you'; 'Good game'; etc. and/or a handshake wouldn't be construed as socializing. A couple of times as a player I even went to an umpire and said that I was sorry for getting out of line and have had players apologize to me as an umpire. Who knows I might have that guy as an ump or partner in another game. I never saw this as socializing either, just common courtesy. Some may disagree. I have often umpired games in which I knew most of the players on both teams. In those situations I don't think it out of line to at least acknowledge the player that says hello to you. If the player wants to get into a conversation with you, a simple 'I'm sorry I can't talk right now' or 'In order to maintain impartiality, I am not permitted to converse with players.'