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	Tuesday, July 18
	From the mailbag ESPN.com
	Carl Everett's actions were completely uncalled for in this situation. His suspension should rival the length of Bill Madlock's 15 games. No player should ever "get physical" with an umpire. With that being said, Ron Kulpa should also be suspended. He went out of his way to show Everett up on a grand stage. Everett's batting stance has been the same all year, so why the sudden enforcement by Kulpa? Everett should have been warned previous to the one given during a game situation. If Everett had been warned previously, the whole ugly situation would probably have been avoided. Chris Crowe Cincinnati The real issue here is the umpires' inability to enforce the rules. Hey Kulpa, while you are being such a rule stickler, why don't you call the strike zone like it says in the rule book? Steve Provo, Ut. Regardless of the circumstances that led to the incident, there is never a valid reason for a player or coach to physically contact an umpire. Umpires are legitimate authority figures, and they cannot be physically threatened because of calls they may make. Everett's anger may have been justified but his actions most certainly were not and he should receive the most severe punishment possible. Mark Nicholas Phoenix Everett should be suspended for at least 10 games. Umpires should begin enforcing the rule EVERY TIME any player comes to the plate. No one should be allowed to remove any part of the chalk line. MLB should amend the rule to make it clearer at their next rules meeting. Larry J. Oliver White City, Fla. As a lifelong Red Sox fan I was apalled by the incident between Everett and Kulpa on Saturday. I think the blame should be shared between player and ump. However, the vehemance with which Everett reacted and sustained into the dugout certainly leads one to question his stability. I don't believe that Kulpa was the innocent party and I'm sure that he didn't do enough to diffuse the situation. Long and short ... Everett should be suspended for 5-10 games and Kulpa should be suspended for his next scheduled series. By the way, I'm sure the boys at the WWF would be proud of Kulpa's reaction to the head butt ... that didn't connect. Brian Hennigan Philadelphia Like many fans, I agree that it was Carl Everett's fault. But I disagree with most people's reasoning. I think that Everett intentionally tried to get ejected in order to beat Red Sox reliever Rich Garces to the family barbeque that followed the game. This was the only way for Everett to guarantee himself two hot dogs and a cheeseburger at the event. Had Everett not been ejected, the ugly tirade would have just ensued hours later as El Guapo would have piled up his plate prior to all the other regular positional players had there chance to eat. Andrew Paone Hoboken, N.J. Baseball is a game of inches in which players try to get every possible advantage. Trying to crowd the plate is one thing, but when it's such an advantage that you throw a tantrum when you don't have it, that's another. Rules are rules, quit embarassing the GAME. Matthew Wayne Haynes Chicago Why are some people (Rob Dibble) trying to make Carl Everett into the victim here? The rules specifically state where the batter should be standing before the pitch is made. He was clearly outside of the batter's box and using it to his advantage. It doesn't matter how many at-bats he had from the right side of the plate this season. He was asked to follow the rules and he would not. The umpire was not trying to "show up" Carl Everett. He was doing his job. Everett and others should get some perspective here. You are playing a kid's game and getting paid very well. Getting mad because someone tells you to move your foot back three inches is just plain stupid. Stop arguing over where you put your foot and PLAY BALL!! Eric Seattle First of all, regardless of who did what to whom, Carl Everett initiated physical contact with an umpire. Anything less than a 10 game suspension is Major League Baseball's way of saying "the inmates run the asylum." What Carl Everett fails to realize is that now, given his recent antics, he now has a bulls-eye planted squarely on himself. Pitchers will now freely pitch him inside knowing that he won't get much protection from the umpires. George Platt Madison, Wisc. It seems that there is a gulf between regular people and athletes, whether it be out on the street or on the playing field. Look at drugs, for example. If I or someone gets caught with drugs, we go to jail. An athlete gets chance after chance. The same is true for violence in sports. If I shove my employer or a policeman, I'm going to be fired/go to jail. Not so with athletes. They can behave like selfish little brats, break any rules they please, and somehow, they will be exonerated. In Mr. Everett's case, throw the book at him! And then, do the same for every other athlete so that it will be consistent for all. I don't let my children watch very many sports on TV anymore. Who knows what foul gesture they'll see or violent tirade will be put on display for them by some so-called "professionals." It really is a shame. Mark D. Houseknecht Elmira, N.Y. Carl Everett's physical outburst is inexcusable. That said, I would ask Ron Kulpa would you have drawn that line in the sand had that been Mark McGwire or Ken Griffey Jr. who was crowding the plate? I always hear about suspensions for players arguing with umpires, but until the suspensions are also turned on the men in blue for their outbursts and their role in these altercations, this "one-up-man-ship" we see among umpires will continue. Cale Guthmiller Boise, Idaho Carl Everett is a moron. I understand that what the umpire did was wrong, but to not settle down when teamates are pleading with you is ridiculous. He even almost hit Saberhagen with a bat. My take is that Frank Robinson should give him at least a 15-20 game suspension. Sports figures cannot continue to disobey or in this case abuse an official/umpire. Jan Haas Columbus, Oh.	ALSO SEE Neyer: The Beane count Crew chief blames Red Sox's Everett for confrontation Everett has history of outbursts