How does Hunter not get tossed?

[ADZ23]

I think Norris wanted to back him off the plate and didn't much care if the pitch ended up drilling him in the process.

I don't see how anyone can dog Hunter tho. Seems like a good guy to me.

[MurphDogg]

If MLB wants to come down on him because there are currently clear double standards in terms of player/ump contact, I would not be opposed. But if MLB is fine with an UMP making contact in a good faith effort to diffuse a situation that is fine with me as well.

Yeah, Hunter's quote convinced me that it may have been a good faith effort to defuse the situation between two guys that know each other. If Hunter and that umpire have a relationship, then that is fine. That said, if showboating umpires like Laz Diaz think that this creates a precedent to allow them to up the ante when they show up a player, then I have a problem with it.

[Barnfather]

Can't say if there was intent there or not, but 5 hit batters this season so far would indicate that Norris has a control issue (albeit physical rather than mental) at least.

Having said that, I like to see that kind of passion from players from time to time, in any sport. Nothing worse than a watching a game which has reached a pivotal point - like it was when conceding the HR - and the players acting like it doesn't matter to them either way.

This whole 'bench clearing' thing is quite a novelty to me too. But I have a question about it....surely the field (including the on-deck circles, diamond, infield and outfield) constitutes the 'field of play', whilst people sat on the bench or in the bullpen are NOT part of the active field of play? Therefore unless either being part of the current play, or having a reason to be on it - such as the manager taking a pitcher off - then no-one should be on there, and penalties ought to be imposed if they do.

Making a parallel with other sports (as I'm liable to do a lot), especially football (soccer)....the benches, medical or coaching staff are expressly forbidden from 'encroaching on the field of play' unless authorised by the referee. If we have situations where non-active players/coaches do 'encroach' then they can be sent to the stands and the clubs are liable for a heavy fine for 'failing to control their players'. If there are any physical altercations as a result of it, then lengthy bans can be enforced too.

I find it quite amusing, due to the novelty factor, of the bullpen guys streaming across the field of play to get involved in a 'handbags at five paces' type incident, but I do find it astonishing that more isn't done to discourage it.

Oh, and as for the umpire and the 'slap'. It didn't look threatening at all to me, and seemed to be more of a 'focus on me, not him' type action.

[gmelson26]

Yeah, Hunter's quote convinced me that it may have been a good faith effort to defuse the situation between two guys that know each other. If Hunter and that umpire have a relationship, then that is fine. That said, if showboating umpires like Laz Diaz think that this creates a precedent to allow them to up the ante when they show up a player, then I have a problem with it.

Oh Laz Diaz.... not sure anything else needs to be said.

[VeveJones007]

I think Norris wanted to back him off the plate and didn't much care if the pitch ended up drilling him in the process.

I don't see how anyone can dog Hunter tho. Seems like a good guy to me.

I agree. Guy gets nailed in the ribs with a 93 mph fastball. He's bound to be upset.

I'm upset with baseball for not having a rule established that would immediately calm down these situations. If Hunter knew he would be tossed if he started to walk towards and jaw at Norris, then it would be a non-incident. At the same time, it still gives the umpire the opportunity to toss Norris if he felt there was intent.

[Dipper9]

I like Bud and I'm glad he plays with fire.

That said, if Davis or Nick or Jonesie gets a broken hand out of retaliation tonight, then this won't be so much fun.

THAT said, those of you trying to impose rules to end this, why? Not like these incidents happen often. Let the guys fight. When that Gomez cat acted like an ass after his homer last year, and McCann got in his face and didn't let him score, that was some classic stuff right there. I like some fire every now and again.

Also, since I'll be at the game tonight, I wouldn't mind seeing round two tonight, but I don't expect anything, unless the game gets out of hand, which I doubt. The Birds have played close games all year.

[MDK02]

I like Bud and I'm glad he plays with fire.

That said, if Davis or Nick or Jonesie gets a broken hand out of retaliation tonight, then this won't be so much fun.

THAT said, those of you trying to impose rules to end this, why? Not like these incidents happen often. Let the guys fight. When that Gomez cat acted like an ass after his homer last year, and McCann got in his face and didn't let him score, that was some classic stuff right there. I like some fire every now and again.

Also, since I'll be at the game tonight, I wouldn't mind seeing round two tonight, but I don't expect anything, unless the game gets out of hand, which I doubt. The Birds have played close games all year.

How about we go up 10-0 then in the 9th inning let Ryan Webb drill Hunter in the back again.. I don't think he would want any part of Webby out there.

All jokes aside, just win the game.. that would be the best way to end all this.

[SteveO]

Yep no way he's throwing at him there. Hunter is a hot head. I like the way he plays and think he's a good guy but he does this every time he gets plunked. Not only that but he got hit in the ribs and not the head or anywhere near the head.

Hunter got plucked after a HR. I imagine a 94mph fastball to the ribs does not feel pleasant. I cant begrudge the guy running his mouth going up the first base line. I mean lets be fair here, he got plucked immediately after a HR. I personally think Norris was trying to go inside but not trying to hit him and it got away. I can certainly see when your side is throbbing walking down the first base line that it might occur to you it was done intentionally if your Hunter. He did not charge the mound or swing. Should he have been tossed.....ehhh maybe.

[El Gordo]

Norris is a smart guy. He wouldn't hit a guy and put a runner on base for MCab. He was having command issues the whole inning. If he had intended to hit Hunter we wouldn't have been protesting so vehemently. He would have just said something like "deal with it punk, and go soak your head Hunter" and that's it. That said they need to suspend anyone who comes off the bench or out of the bullpen. I noticed CD escorting Hunter, that was more than enough to keep him under control.

[Ruzious]

Norris is a smart guy. He wouldn't hit a guy and put a runner on base for MCab. He was having command issues the whole inning. If he had intended to hit Hunter we wouldn't have been protesting so vehemently. He would have just said something like "deal with it punk, and go soak your head Hunter" and that's it. That said they need to suspend anyone who comes off the bench or out of the bullpen. I noticed CD escorting Hunter, that was more than enough to keep him under control.

Well, he might be smart, but he was definitely angry, and when a smart guy gets angry, he sometimes does things that aren't smart. As I said, at best... he was trying to brush off Hunter, and he wasn't trying to hurt him. I've watched baseball too many years to believe Norris was an "innocent guy" at that point.

[john316]

I like Bud and I'm glad he plays with fire.

That said, if Davis or Nick or Jonesie gets a broken hand out of retaliation tonight, then this won't be so much fun.

THAT said, those of you trying to impose rules to end this, why? Not like these incidents happen often. Let the guys fight. When that Gomez cat acted like an ass after his homer last year, and McCann got in his face and didn't let him score, that was some classic stuff right there. I like some fire every now and again.

Also, since I'll be at the game tonight, I wouldn't mind seeing round two tonight, but I don't expect anything, unless the game gets out of hand, which I doubt. The Birds have played close games all year.

I was in agreement with you until the bold text then I got a little confused. Dont you think Nick or Jones or whoever can get hurt during a brawl too? Remember that Cal almost lost his streak due to a brawl. I know its part of the game and it makes for good entertainment but I dont see where much good can come out of a brawl for either side.

[flyhighbirds]

I hope our fans boo the heck out of Hunter in today's game

[El Gordo]

Well, he might be smart, but he was definitely angry, and when a smart guy gets angry, he sometimes does things that aren't smart. As I said, at best... he was trying to brush off Hunter, and he wasn't trying to hurt him. I've watched baseball too many years to believe Norris was an "innocent guy" at that point.

Nothing wrong with pitching inside. He wasn't throwing at Hunter. Hunter was crowding the plate and Norris had lost his command not his head.

[El Gordo]

If I want to see a good fight I'll go to a Hockey game.

[SteveO]

Well, he might be smart, but he was definitely angry, and when a smart guy gets angry, he sometimes does things that aren't smart. As I said, at best... he was trying to brush off Hunter, and he wasn't trying to hurt him. I've watched baseball too many years to believe Norris was an "innocent guy" at that point.

The only persons who really know will never say if was intentional.

I tend to think that he was angry and went inside intentionally. Not in an effort to hit Hunter but more to move him off the plate. It got away...prob being peeved and pumped had something to do with it but I really tend to believe it was not done with intent. Its still a manageable 3 run game no reason to put yourself in further jeopardy