Umps "chasing" angry players

[Kahuna Burger]

So I was peripherally watching the Red Sox game last night, and got to see a player and manager/coach/some guy in a red shirt thrown out arguing the same (bad by instant replay) call.... But the thing that struck me was that while the player was being pissy at the ump, he was also backing up, trying to be mad without being physically confrontational... and the ump was following him! Moving with the player to keep the confrontation close and tense instead of backing apart to decrease the tension. I said to the Hubby "What the ****? Is he trying to get the guy to hit him?" The Hubby just pretty much said "yup" and was irritated but not at all surprised by the action. (the other umps ignored it, and a couple of other players got between the two of them before the ump could make matters any worse.)

Is this really normal? I mean, sure, being second guessed by an angry player probably isn't much fun, esp at the end of a double header, but when your entire job is to maintain order in a game, shouldn't there be some standards of professionalism? Who umps the umps, anyway?

 

[Ferret]

I have no idea, it seems really odd! Although I have no idea about Baseball (it was baseball, right?)

 

[Aeson]

Is this really normal? I mean, sure, being second guessed by an angry player probably isn't much fun, esp at the end of a double header, but when your entire job is to maintain order in a game, shouldn't there be some standards of professionalism? Who umps the umps, anyway?

Some people will get carried away. It also makes for good TV.

The league will look into it. The umpires have people that watch over them. It's often the player that won't let it go but at times the umpire can be that way.