In October 1997 Sobo wrote: Andy- What do you think about this 'no tolerance' crap from the umpires? = At what time do they become administrators of the game, instead of the = focal point? I always agreed with the thought that a well officiated = game was one where the officials were not noticed. *********************************************************************** From: "Andy" Subj: [Fwd: Now Wait a Minute......] Sobo, I've been sitting idly on the sidelines reading the Tricky Dicky vs. Billy Bob debates, roto updates from luckiers than me, and ND football sadness - all with detached amusement. None of that really matters in the grand scheme of things. We can be certain more devious and self-serving politicians will come along and ND will return to National prominence on the football field. Unfortunately, the former will no doubt precede the latter and my roto team will still be waiting for a solid closer. But when you start to enter dialog maligning the true guardians of America's favorite pastime and cultural inheritance of our youth, I think it's time to stand up and be counted. Now listen: This "no tolerance" crap is a media invention heightened and even christened by the professional umpires' union chief, Richie Phillips. He's an attorney, you must remember, so take his remarks when fighting for his clients with a whole bag of salt. Or should I say, the phrase isn't worth spit? I am speaking from first hand knowledge when I say that no professional umpire called games any differently this year than in any previous years according to any underground agreements amongst the union members in retaliation for the lack of league action following the Alomar debacle or any other matter. If you check the stats I'm sure you'll find ejections to be consistent with previous years and still for same reasons as the culture of the game demands - arguing judgement decisions and using the magic "F" word preceding or following "you". UMPIRES REACTING WITH NO TOLERANCE of course makes a better headline for ESPN, Peter Gammons, and Tim McCarver to hype their importance in interpreting for us the secrets of the game. Baseball is unique in sports in that it is the only one I know where the culture of the game allows for playing action to be stopped while the participants or their managers are allowed to discuss the rulings which have just been made. The official rule book of baseball defines the conditions under which such discussions are and are not allowed under ruling 9.02(a) (professional level). You can look it up, but let me quote a section of that rule here: "Players leaving their postions in the field or on base, or managers or coaches leaving the bench or coach's box to argue on BALLS AND STRIKES will not be permitted. They should be warned if they start for the plate to protest the call. If they continue, they will be ejected from the game." That rule has ALWAYS been enforced in modern baseball and any attempts by the media to tie it to a "no tolerance" stand is bull. Nothing is different except the number of incidents being reported and hyped on National TV and in the National press for their own commercial interests. I could go on at length (as you all are well aware I'm sure) on this subject, and will do so should you choose to continue this dialog. For now, however, I would simply like to close by addressing one final comment that you made stating that "the good official is one that you don't notice." Unfortunately, this notion has the specious ring of truth like so many other old wive's tales and urban folk lores that general acceptance has given it an undeserved status in the mistaken zone of quick reacting minds. It is no truer than "he gets the base he was going to plus one" on any thrown dead ball, or "he held it long enough" on any attempted catch of a ball. Is the official who is "noticed" because he ejected a player or coach a lesser official than one who is not noticed but didn't stop an infraction that led a team to gain an unfair advantage? Sometimes you get noticed just because you're doing your job. I hope this enhances your understanding of the issue at large and welcome any comments in return. Polycyclops ******************************************************************** From: Gary Subject: RE: Now Wait a Minute...... Andy, I was actually interested in your opinion on the subject. However, your = lengthy, emotion-charged response brings to mind another long past = quote: .....'he who doth protest too much' Yours in seeking the truth,=20 Sobo ************************************************************************ From: Subject: Now Wait a Minute......] Aw shucks Andy, now why did you have to go and get the rule book and take all the fun out of baseball for us? Expressions like: "KILL THE UMPIRE!!! or "GET SOME GLASSES YOU BLIND SOB!" are important to the game and all us fans. Remember... most of us don't really want to see the umpire put to sleep. John ****************************************************************** From: Andy Subject: Re: umpires Fox wrote: > > Andy, > > Do you have the original post that started your umpire tirade? > > Fox Fox, Tirade? You mean treatise. Andy ******************************************************************** From: Subject: Re: umps Sobo, After re-reading Andy's heartfelt defense of umpiring as life, I guess... YOU'RE OUTTA HERE!! J.