ellow card? What? Isn't this the baseball part of Officiating.com? What the hell is he talking about?

OK, now that I have your attention, let me explain.

The Delorian returns

In my last article, I showed how my last game of the 2004 season has strongly influenced how I am going to approach games in 2005. Gone is the "nice" guy who has invaded my body over the past ten years. But while my red-ass attitude has returned to 1985, my game management skills didn't travel back. They remain firmly entrenched in the present.

If you're reading this article, I know that you are either an umpire, an official of some sport, or a coach looking to learn something about us. Regardless, there is something that we all can learn about managing a baseball game.

One-two punch

The keys to managing the behavior are two. First, you need to establish your line in the sand, as Travis did at the Alamo. (I saw the movie.) What will you determine is unacceptable behavior?  Second, and more importantly, once this line is approached, how will you deal with it?

In every sport, there is a fine line between behavior that is acceptable and that which is not. Cross that line and you will be penalized.

Continued...