Umpires in Detroit unite against verbal abuse

DETROIT -- Two of the four umpires working Saturday's Los Angeles-Detroit Major League Baseball game wore white wristbands in support of the umpire association's stand against what it feels is increasing verbal abuse of its members.

"This is in support of major league umpires," crew chief Bill Miller said after the Dodgers beat the Tigers 3-0. "We're directing all questions to our attorney so that everything comes from one mouth."

Umpire Joe West before taking the field today wearing white wrist band to protest escalating verbal attacks on MLB umpires! pic.twitter.com/a8TkW2JCip

— MLB World Umpires (@MLBaseballUmps) August 19, 2017

Miller, who worked second base, and third base umpire Todd Tichenor were the only two of the four spotted wearing the white wristbands.

There is some thought the wristband wearing came about because Detroit second baseman Ian Kinsler was fined and not suspended for derogatory remarks Tuesday about umpire Angel Hernandez.

Hernandez, working home plate, kicked Kinsler and Detroit manager Brad Ausmus out of Monday's game for arguing balls and strikes.

"He's not the focus of the situation," Miller said of Kinsler. "That's just part of the puzzle. We've had several instances where umpires have been called out or challenged.

"Ejections seem to be up, and we just feel like we need to band together and let people know that we are human beings."