Big-league umps madder than ever

Tuesday, March 4, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

"Tolerance in baseball is leading to total anarchy," umpires Jerry Crawford and Don Denkinger said in a statement Monday. "The rules of the game will be rigidly enforced."

Umpires are still angry over the Roberto Alomar incident. Baltimore's All-Star second baseman received a five-game suspension for spitting at umpire John Hirschbeck last September and will serve it this April -- with pay. Umpires wanted a longer suspension, wanted it be without pay and wanted him to serve it during the postseason.

"Umpires will no longer bend over backwards to keep players in the game," umpires union head Richie Phillips said from his office in Media, Pa.

"The umpires, who have been oft-criticized for being too confrontational, will engage in less arguments on the field. Players who engage in aberrant behavior can expect an immediate ejection and little conversation, so that should lessen confrontation.

"If players get out of line, they will be ejected. Arguing with the umpires at any time is grounds for ejection."

Baseball officials were angered by Phillips' threats.

"We expect they will not make a travesty of the game," acting commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement. "If they do, appropriate action will be taken.

"This is not a time for divisive statements. Rather, it is a time for umpires and players to come together in the best interests of the game."

Union head Donald Fehr, for once, agreed with Selig.

"When we're trying to put the game together, this is about as confrontational as can be," Fehr said. "I assume they're starving for press coverage. I think the umpires would understand their purpose isn't to affect the outcome of games by their own behavior. They will do whatever they will do. The owners and the players will take care of themselves."

Phillips said umpires decided in their meeting 10 days ago at Palm Springs, Calif., that players will be ejected for even minor violations.

"There are many rules that while they do not require ejection, allow ejection for even the slightest violation," Phillips said. "The umpires feel they've been too tolerant."

As an example, Phillips said the rules on the speed of the game will be rigidly enforced. Pitchers are required to throw a pitch within 20 seconds when no runners are on base, but the rule hasn't been followed for many years.

"They will tell players to get in the box," Phillips said. "If they player doesn't get in the box, they'll call for the pitch. If the player objects, he will be ejected."

Umpires called for a code of conduct to be developed at a meeting last month, but the players association will not agree to specific penalties for specific infractions.

Phillips also took another shot at Baltimore owner Peter Angelos, who has said Hirschbeck should apologize to Alomar. Angelos contends the umpire provoked his player with a profanity.

"When a club owner is permitted to demand an apology from an umpire who has been spit upon, there must be immediate corrective action taken," Phillips said. "The umpires have no recourse but to engage in self protection."