And that's why I mentioned the severity of the outburst as being one that attracts everyone's attention. If it is a minor transgression, I won't react at all.

Also, I was speaking in general and not addressing the OP specifically. I agree that what happened in the OP wouldn't warrant any response.

Yes, the dugout is within the umpire's jurisdiction which I indicated in my responses. AFA, the kicking of bats, odds are you are not going to know who did anything with the equipment unless you are standing there, watching the dugout. But if you are watching the dugout, who is watching what is happening on the field. Yeah, I know that is picking a nit, but IMO so is acting on anything which does not affect the game on the field. We have enough to do inside the fences without worrying about anything else.

I'm not disagreeing, just pointing out that the state HS league here places a great degree of emphasis on sportsmanship. Also, part of this is a safety issue for HS-age kids. And, the written rule deals with it directly and explicitly. If I only see the equipment flying, but don't know who, then a team warning follows.

Everyone has their "line in the sand".

Competition is an emotional thing. I'll allow a participant some level of initial reaction to a call they don't like as long as it's not too direct or personal by simply "failing to notice". It's how that participant handles themselves after the initial reaction that concerns me more.

Many players are simply blowing off anger at themselves i.e. for taking the pitch.

Yeah, you keep thinking that, and you'll have no issues. :p

The problem with no nipping in the bud is identifying where one crosses the line later in the game and the ensuing shit storm for why someone else was allowed to get away with it.

Throwing a helmet/bat on the ground/in the air in disgust has to be dealt with immediately and by the book.

If someone slams all the bats onto the ground in the dugout and the culprit really cannot be identified, I'd issue a stern warning that if anything like that happens again, coach is gone.

And where do you draw the line on enforcement? Within 10', 20', 30' of the field or team area? Maybe within sight which can be quite a vast area in some complexes. And what if PU & BU have different tolerances or area allowances and one team has a player dumped and the other get away with it because the right umpire doesn't see it?

The field and team areas are a definitive line with which I am more than comfortable remaining within during the game.

I think we are on the same page here as far a field and team areas.:eek:

I am also talking more about JO/HS ball, as opposed to the men's game where the decorum and tolerances can be vastly different.:(

As for PU & BU having different tolerances, I\'d be surprised if any two had the same tolerances on any given day.:D