Expert: Dr. Mark R. Ambrose - 9/30/2009

Question
What guidance does the ASA rule book give on when and HOW TO eject player(s)?  Recently, our league has had a rash of egregious player mis conduct, but it seems the umps are afraid to toss anyone as they think it will hurt them with future assignments, etc.

I take the opposite view, keeping in the game a player who is agruing every call sets an example to other players that then can also act in an unsporting manner; further, next week a different will likely have to deal with it if he/she is worth their salt.

Answer
Hi pete,

Obviously it's the individual umpires judgment as to how much they will let go on.  As an umpire gains more experience, takes classes and schools they become more consistent in how they want to handle the game.

I do agree that some umpires can make other umpires job more difficult but players learn real quick IMO how much an umpire will let go on.  We want umpiring to be consistent but a "liberal" umpire from last weeks game or the previous tournament game has never really affected my game control.

Mark