MLB tells managers to stop arguing balls and strikes

Major League Baseball wants managers to stop arguing balls and strikes, warning in a memo that it is "detrimental to the game."

Joe Torre, the chief baseball officer for MLB, sent a memo Friday to managers, general managers and assistant general managers.

"This highly inappropriate conduct is detrimental to the game and must stop immediately," stated the memo, which was obtained Saturday by the Associated Press.

Torre, a Hall of Fame manager, said in the memo that managers are increasingly relying on technology from the clubhouse or video room to argue from the dugout.

"Although disagreements over ball and strike calls are natural, the prevalence of manager ejections simply cannot continue," Torre wrote. "This conduct not only delays the game, but it also has the propensity to undermine the integrity of the umpires on the field."

As examples earlier this season, Detroit Tigers manager Brad Ausmus was ejected for arguing balls and strikes and covered home plate with a sweat shirt, Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell was tossed during a dispute alongside Red Sox slugger David Ortiz and Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon was ejected while arguing from the dugout.

Torre warned that any manager or coach ejected for arguing balls and strikes "hereafter will be disciplined, including at least a fine."