Discussions: Unsportsmanlike Conduct

In the baseball world and in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League, "tension" has become a trending topic. Indeed, after Umpire Odds & Ends: All-Star & July Ejections and Umpire Odds & Ends: West & Hernandez; Say it Ain't So, Joe, this is our third thread with related overtones. This time, we exclusively examine the issues of fighting and throwing at batters in baseball. Since 2008 and through July 17, 2011, there have been a total of 699 ejections in baseball. Of these, 80 ejections (or 11.4%) have been because of fighting or throwing at a batter. At the UEFL, these two Unsporting ejections under Rule 6.b.ii.e. are our bread & butter. As their incidence appears to increase, stay tuned for our end of the year Rules Summit to see if Rule 6.b.ii.e. is tweaked just a little.

One of our commenters recently asked "Why is it that the Red Sox have been involved in so many fights and unsporting acts and plays in the past season?" Another UEFL'er responded, "[I] think you are a bit biased on that, not saying the Red Sox havn't had their share of incidences, can't say it's a whole lot more than others though." Well, as we often do, let's take a look at the numbers, shall we?

Regarding Fighting/Throwing At incidents this season (there have been 17 such ejections):
Fighting: 2 BOS / 2 BAL
Throwing At: 3 BAL / 2 BOS / 2 AZ / 2 HOU / 2 WSH / 1 CLE / 1 FL

Regarding Fighting/Throwing At incidents last season (21 ejections):
Fighting: 1 BOS / 1 CIN / 1 FL / 1 SD / 1 STL / 1 WSH
Throwing At: 3 LAD / 3 WSH / 2 ATL / 2 FL / 2 MIL / 1 BAL / 1 BOS / 1 CLE / 1 SEA

Regarding Fighting/Throwing At incidents in 2009 (15 ejections):
Fighting: 1 BOS / 1 DET / 1 NYY / 1 TOR
Throwing At: 2 CLE / 2 DET / 2 FL / 2 LAA / 1 BOS / 1 LAD / 1 PIT

Regarding Fighting/Throwing At incidents in 2008 (27 ejections):
Fighting: 2 CLE / 2 CWS / 2 DET / 2 TB / 1 BOS / 1 COL / 1 KC / 1 LAA / 1 LAD / 1 NYY / 1 SEA
Throwing At: 2 KC / 2 NYY / 2 STL / 1 ATL / 1 BAL / 1 BOS / 1 MIL / 1 MIN / 1 TOR

Totals (2008-Present):
Boston Red Sox - 10 Ejections
Baltimore Orioles - 7 Ejections
Cleveland Indians - 6 Ejections
Florida Marlins - 6 Ejections
Washington Nationals - 6 Ejections
Detroit Tigers - 5 Ejections
Los Angeles Dodgers - 4 Ejections
New York Yankees - 4 Ejections

The Red Sox undoubtedly lead all teams in Fighting/Throwing At ejections since 2008, and the Red Sox are the only team that have been active in both the Fighting & Throwing At reasons for ejection every season since 2008; however, with 12.5% of all fighting/throwing at ejections involving the dismissal of Red Sox personnel, does this mean they are significantly more unsportsmanlike than other teams (if all 30 teams were represented equally, the figure should be 3.3%; the #2 team, the Orioles, make up 8.8% of these ejections... is 3.7% significant?)? Are the American League East and Central more prone to unsporting competition (AL East & Central teams have combined for 40% of fighting/throwing at ejections since 2008)? As we usually do here, we present you with the facts; it is up to you to form your own conclusions.