Drawing lines

[James Walker]

Alright, we all know that drawing lines are an auto ej. But I was reading another tread and in the discussion, something interesting ( at least to me) occured to me. What if drawing a line is something the batter does to get set in the box every time? I get that if you were 100% sure he was arguing location you would dump him. (Ie he looks at you and says it was here blue.). But what would you do if he was mumbling and going through his normal set up ( drawing the line) on a close inside pitch? Warn, ej, or ignore?

[johnnyg08]

Alright, we all know that drawing lines are an auto ej. But I was reading another tread and in the discussion, something interesting ( at least to me) occured to me. What if drawing a line is something the batter does to get set in the box every time? I get that if you were 100% sure he was arguing location you would dump him. (Ie he looks at you and says it was here blue.). But what would you do if he was mumbling and going through his normal set up ( drawing the line) on a close inside pitch? Warn, ej, or ignore?

 

 

For me to dump, it will be blatantly obvious to everybody in the stadium why he's drawing the line.   Don't go looking for trouble w/ this one.

[BRUMP]

If he does it before the first pitch of the AB then Ill buy the "I do it every time" excuse.

[semper_fi_72]

Once the first pitch is thrown there is no drawing lines.

[BT_Blue]

I'm the reason for this question. When I ran the kid, it was on the second pitch of the AB in the bottom of the second or third inning. Pitch was called a strike on the inside corner. I do not remember seeing the batter draw a line before the first pitch. The line was large and obvious.

[mjr_2013]

I'm the reason for this question. When I ran the kid, it was on the second pitch of the AB in the bottom of the second or third inning. Pitch was called a strike on the inside corner. I do not remember seeing the batter draw a line before the first pitch. The line was large and obvious.

 

I'm assuming the line was then drawn along the inside of the plate as if the path of the ball?

[BT_Blue]

Of course. It wouldn't make much sense to run him if the line was off the outside corner.

[johnnyg08]

I'm the reason for this question. When I ran the kid, it was on the second pitch of the AB in the bottom of the second or third inning. Pitch was called a strike on the inside corner. I do not remember seeing the batter draw a line before the first pitch. The line was large and obvious.

 

 

Good ejection.  Many guys don't have the balls to do that.  

[BT_Blue]

I missed one several years ago and was read the riot act by my assignor that saw it happen. Decided that that EJ and throwing equipment will never be missed by me again.

[mstaylor]

I had a coach give me the,"It's his habit" excuse when I tossed his player. I told him he may want to consider a new habit. 

[johnnyg08]

I had a coach give me the,"It's his habit" excuse when I tossed his player. I told him he may want to consider a new habit. 

 

 

 

Exactly.

[Jocko]

Copenhagen? :fuel:

[Replacematt]

I had a coach give me the,"It's his habit" excuse when I tossed his player. I told him he may want to consider a new habit. 

 

The only time I have entertained something along this line was when a coach preemptively told me a player had Tourette's.

[mstaylor]

I asked a coach if one of his players had Tourette's. He kept yelling just as the pitcher would release the ball, trying to make him balk. The completely blank look on the coach was priceless. 

[Jocko]

I draw the line at drawing lines. Some hitters have a ritual, and an astute HP will recognize the difference.

[plateumpire29]

I had a batter draw a line  4 inches inside of  the plate after an inside corner punchout. I said, "excuse me, may I see your bat?" Quizzically, he complied. I told him to follow me. I then drew a line from the plate to the dugout, at which time I handed him the bat and gave him the big heave-ho. Lesson learned.

[BalkHawk]

too slippery of a slope. No lines. If he does it before the AB, I say, call time, say "excuse me, batter" so you can step between him and the catcher as you go to wipe the plate. As you wipe, eyes on the ground, say "batter, don't draw any more lines" just for him and the catcher. As you go back by, your plate boot becomes a foot-long eraser. This shall be done with tact.The dugout may or may not have seen what happened and no one in the crowd knows, save your assignor.

[BalkHawk]

speaking of silly batters, I've had one step up to bat and touch myself and the F2 as if its good luck or something. Would you knock it off?

[johnnyg08]

Nah, they do it at the MLB level.  I've had it done to me at the college level.  

 

I don't think there's a rule against it.  Rapport with players helps you be a better umpire.  

 

In Minnesota, for the last several years now, the players give the officials "nugs" during introductions.  I don't work basketball, but find it really unnecessary.  

 

But it has become a custom that appears to be followed throughout our state.  So there's my take.

[James Walker]

speaking of silly batters, I've had one step up to bat and touch myself and the F2 as if its good luck or something. Would you knock it off?

I remember a player catching some flak about this a few years ago. I believe it was between Brandon Phillips and Molina. But I think it had more to do with bad blood between Phillips and Molina.

I've had kids do this to me once or twice (drawing line as part of getting into the box). I would clean the plate and they em to knock it off.

Just wanted to get everyone's opinion and maybe stir the pot a little.

[BT_Blue]

Is was Phillips and it did stem from earlier in the year when Phillips was quoted saying that he hated the Cardinals and everyone that plays for them.

[cyclonehokiece]

Copenhagen?

 Jocko, I know you are resident smarta$$, but I say

[Jocko]

Copenhagen?

 Jocko, I know you are resident smarta$$, but I say :D

[UMP45]

too slippery of a slope. No lines. If he does it before the AB, I say, call time, say "excuse me, batter" so you can step between him and the catcher as you go to wipe the plate. As you wipe, eyes on the ground, say "batter, don't draw any more lines" just for him and the catcher. As you go back by, your plate boot becomes a foot-long eraser. This shall be done with tact.The dugout may or may not have seen what happened and no one in the crowd knows, save your assignor.

"Much ado about nothing"! Picking boogers!

[Thunderheads]

I would think that with no apparent 'issues' coming from anywhere else, no looks from the batter, etc, ... you assume it's his routine and don't go 'looking' for an EJ.   If you're wondering still, after the inning if feasible, ask the batter what he was doing.

 

Whatever his answer may be, you could give him a hint, or a warning ...either "don't ever do that again" , or ... " you may want to be careful with line drawing", whether he meant it or not