You make the call

[jimpiano]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Trust me, those snakes didn't find anything he said offensive. If they had, it wouldn't have taken Al Sharpton to initiate punitive action.

The cowards just drew the politically correct card from the deck. But that's okay, because I will now make an effort to avoid sponsor who advertise on CBS radio.

I am still struggling to understand any point you are trying to make.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by jimpiano

I am still struggling to understand any point you are trying to make.

Really? I doubt that. I think you are just trying to appear obtuse. It is easier than writing an actual response.

[jimpiano]

Originally Posted by Dakota

Really? I doubt that. I think you are just trying to appear obtuse. It is easier than writing an actual response.

A response to what?

[Dakota]

Drifting back into trollism, I see. I'm more than happy to debate the political issues here, but not with a troll.

[NCASAUmp]

[Steve M]

Originally Posted by Dakota

You mean like "ho"?

Only if there's something nappy? Didn't somebody just say something along those lines?

[jimpiano]

Originally Posted by Dakota

Drifting back into trollism, I see. I'm more than happy to debate the political issues here, but not with a troll.

Just what is it you want to debate?

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by jimpiano

Just what is it you want to debate?

You know what, jim, when you get into your troll mode, there is no point continuing. Maybe you just have this juvenile idea that he who posts last, regardless of how insipid the post, wins. Have fun with that.

[NCASAUmp]

Okay, guys... Consider this thread closed. We're waaaaaay off-topic.

Move along, people. Nothing to see here!

[jimpiano]

Originally Posted by Dakota

You know what, jim, when you get into your troll mode, there is no point continuing. Maybe you just have this juvenile idea that he who posts last, regardless of how insipid the post, wins. Have fun with that.

I am still waiting for you to contribute anything.

[mcrowder]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

Okay, that comment was only 10% serious. If it's a simple d@mn it, I definitely let it go. When they drop a very loud "f-bomb," I have a hard time just letting it slide, especially at the league I previously mentioned. It's not that I have sensitive ears. You should hear me at work when someone breaks their computer. "I have to go unf*** So-and-So's computer." However, if I don't enforce the rule in that league, I won't be asked to call there again.

*shrug* Not my rule. I just enforce it.

See... this is part of the problem. YOU "definitely let go" a simple d@mmit. Someone else may not. Any profanity rule, unless it's VERY detailed, down to the words which are outlawed, and which languages they are outlawed in, is inherently going to be called differently from umpire to umpire.

I was ejected in just such a league for saying, conversationally with my pitcher ("Stop throwing that crap" when he was trying some spinball he couldn't get over), the word CRAP. Ejected. Not two days later, an opposing batter was not even talked to when he yelled the F-Bomb after he hit a popup. Why? Because THAT umpire felt that he was yelling at himself and his utterance didn't meet his definition of profanity.

That inequity is what makes 99.99% of the profanity rules out there bad rules.

Besides ... we are there to call the game. Words are just words - and have nothing to do with safe/out, ball/strike, interference/obstruction. You want language police out there? Define the rules IN SPECIFIC, or it will not be called uniformly.

[Dakota]

You'd better pay attention, here. Look at the message just above...

I think Irish has figured out your login / password for this board.

[mcrowder]

Originally Posted by Dakota

You'd better pay attention, here. Look at the message just above...

I think Irish has figured out your login / password for this board.

LOL! On this particular topic, we agree 100% - which is why I couldn't wait for him to see the post that kicked us in this direction.

Another example of "Local Rules are Made By Fools."

[jimpiano]

Originally Posted by mcrowder

LOL! On this particular topic, we agree 100% - which is why I couldn't wait for him to see the post that kicked us in this direction.

Another example of "Local Rules are Made By Fools."

Local rules here are made after input from the league commissioners, the players, the managers and the umpires.

Rules governing abusive language are to be enforced.

The fact that penalties are seldom, if ever, used speaks to the ability of all conerned to behave in a civil manner in a public park.

If those rules have been adopted by foolls, then the world might want to listen to the fools on a more regular basis.

[NCASAUmp]

And I agree with you there about "rules by fools." For me, it's not so much what they say, but what's behind it. Are they getting out of control? Are they intentionally speaking "aggressively" towards the situation, or towards another player? It's all context. All in all, I rarely toss a player for profanity, unless it's *clearly* apparent that they're not in control of themselves.

During a playoff game, I was about to give a player a simple warning for dropping the "f-bomb." It wasn't shouted, it wasn't even 100% clear to anyone else who wasn't paying attention (he smacked his glove as he said it), and it was while he wasn't part of the play (so focus was on the other players). After the play was over, I started moving a little closer to him to tell him quietly, "hey... keep it clean, man," but he beat me to it and dropped another that was as clear as day. At that point, hey, I couldn't just let it go, even though it was directed at no one else but himself. The rules are rules, no matter how much I agree or disagree with them. If I don't call them, I don't get asked to call there again.