Out&UglyToo

ALS - Why am I finding myself on defense over something so trivial? You had to be there and see it. It was no big deal. The first guy just did not seem serious enough to even make me think of removing him, if he did, I'd have sent him. To "have to" punish him is Nazi-think. My action had the desired effect. I see that as good enough. The situation was in control. I did not harm anyone, my fellow umpires included, by bringing him around to my way of thinking with a simple question. Rule 9.01 (d) says an umpire "has the authority to disqualify any player, coach, or manager", it does not say that the umpire "shall" disqualify any player coach or manager for language, unsportsmanlike behavior, etc.. That does not force our hand, it leaves us room for discretion. Maybe I'm so tough that a baby punch goes unnoticed, I'm not trying to say that, (besides it hit the chest protector, so throw out the tough guy theory). Maybe I'm so secure in my self that when a guy apologizes, we can get back to baseball, and everything will be OK. Maybe that it was so easily mistaken for unintentional, because I'm hard-of-hearing and he might have been trying to request me to call time, then I called a balk on his boy, maybe that is why I keep a lot of slack in my system. It works for me. You had to see the game, I sort of remember thinking that I over-reacted, not under. Get my drift? I'm not advocating a lack of control here, just the right amount of slack / control. A zealot umpire with a quick trigger finger spoils all the fun. One with no control lets a game get out of hand. The line in between is where we do our best work.THAT'S WHAT I'M ADVOCATING.

I recall many years ago that verbal "Strike 3. Ball's on the ground" was considered to give the BR an advantage. I have been away from it since the early 2000's. I've heard that the strike is called as usual, (verbally if a zone strike, the hammer and no voice if swinging 3K) and a "half safe"sign is given when the ball is dropped. Is that what you are asking about? That would be good to clarify - how does the pro school want it done?

No, a cop ignoring a drunk driver blowing a .15 is a hole different thing. NOT OK. Bust the cop and the driver. The guy in the first case was not any kind of danger to self or others. I was mostly surprised that he was that close to me. It seemed to have surprised him even more than me. It was not the kind of thing I took seriously. It just seemed funny, like an actor doing his own stunt. Had I any thought that it was a dangerous slug to the face, or that he was in any way out of control or hot about it, I probably would have sent him. I am hard-of-hearing. I may have missed something that was said. I did not hear anything. Maybe he was trying to get my attention. I do leave slack for that. Often people get mad at me until they realize that I can't hear too well. That happens a lot, that and thinking I still understand a conversation and suddenly realize that I'm out in left field. Ugh. So I do keep a lot of slack. It works for me. I just said part about "what are we trying to teach these kids? That was a bump and it won't look good for you when the board reads my report..." when he went into his apology. I think the umpire assignor asked me about it a few weeks later and I had forgotten about it. I don't recall if I even reported it. That would have seemed wrong. His immediate change of attitude may have caused me to allowed him more slack than I should, but it was so pleasing to see a grown man, a Southern Californian at that, apologize like that and get on himself. It certainly disarmed any attitude I had. The priority was to play baseball, not to dole out punishments where ever possible. As for 2 assaults being a trend, please consider that the latter situation are guys that had already been banned form one league, then somehow became coaches in a higher level league. I heard a rumor that they did not last but 3 games in either league. They probably are regulars in the prison system, if not lifers. I hope not. I hope the lesson in baseball sank in and they changed their ways, but I doubt that. It's those guys, I really doubt it's me. I hardly count the first as an assault - it seemed more like a joke at the time. One thing I wanted to add. I like Stevis' answer, the 4th down from the top. Don't go talk to the coaches between innings. That is good advice.

Cato - I agree that "illegal deception" is better wording than "intentional deception". Thank you for that.

The editor won't allow me to re-edit. I just did it too. I misread you post. I missed the word "not". So not ejecting him cost me credibility? Maybe for some people who think like that. Really the punch was so silly, and apology so real, I didn't really think about it. It was his about face that got me. I would have felt pretty mean ejecting him after that, that's probably why I did not think of it. I just laughed it off and the game went on.

Zebra - No, I did not eject the first guy, I ejected all 3 of those guys who were out of line in the other game. I think you quoted me while I was still editing, not reading my completed post. Tossing them was the right thing to do. If they insist that certain rules do not apply to their pitcher, they lose credibility, not me. If they try to intimidate, and the bluff gets called, they don't really look all that tough, do they? I gain more credibility for standing by the game and conducting it in a fair manner, The league backed me up entirely, and other umpires respected me far more after that incident. My ratings went up. The intimidation effort continuing after the second incident was when the nerves were needed. With nobody watching, they could have pulled out a gun. I did not blink nor did I cower. I stand by my action in both cases.

Thank you all - great, useful answers. At times, the 7-, 8-, and 9- year olds' skills DO surprise us, just not all that often. I like Tksjewelry's idea - get the out. Haha. Am I overthinking this - maybe. Looking back, there IS a question - how secure IS possession? An immediate throw to third would probably have changed my call. I'd have given it to him. It seemed a bit more of a question after I thought about it. The look on F3's face did not show me enough to tip the scale either way. A surprised look would have indicated it was a bobble, a confident look would have indicated a quick transfer. I got neither from him.

Ricka, think what you will, but consider the following. The coach that threw the punch was right near me. His reaction was immediate to my call. I don't recall all the details of that one, but I think it was a balk call. It probably involved his son. That and stepping out of the batter's box to hit a pitched ball get the most violent reactions. His punch was almost comical. He didn't miss entirely, but he was no Mike Tyson. I said, "Coach! What ARE we trying to teach these kids?" He immediately said, "Oh, God, what have I done? I am sorry! Are you OK? I am WAY out of line. I am SO sorry. (Etc. Etc.)" I guess the thought of ejecting him never occurred - I knew I did not have to worry about this guy. He realized his error so suddenly and turned around 180 degrees. His apology was so genuine, I chuckled, I think I did explain the pitcher lifting up his left leg before coming set, not something you want to do with a runner on third, and we got back to "Play ball". You'll notice that was not the case with the second situation. I ejected all 3 of them. When they got even hotter, I told them they had 30 seconds to get off the playing field, 60 seconds to get out of the viewing area of the ballgame. The shove came about 2 minutes after that. That did it. I said what you read above, walked over to the plate, and announced that the coaches' behavior required the forfeiture of the game, the opponents were awarded 7 runs, the home team zero runs, that the pitch counts, at bats, and hits did count toward league statistics. They then threatened to overturn my car. A 1973 Pontiac Catalina is not easily turned over, even by 3 guys with the help of 3 gorillas. I was not too worried about false threats. These were guys accustomed to barrio bullying tactics to get their way - a mind game - against which I was equally accustomed, and to which I was not deeply impressed. I called their bluff, they lost. They were up against an umpire armed with superior wits and not about to be intimidated with 75 people watching. People left the stands. The wind went out of their sails. They went home. to the best of my recollection, the head coach did, at some point, begin to back off and told the other two to ease off. I believe I included that in my report. Handcuffs would have been welcome, but only for effect. I knew that they were bluffing, that they felt they couldn't back off without losing face. I did not think of calling cops - that would have looked weak. I imagine that report is still around somewhere, as it probably gained notoriety. That occurred in about 1999 to 2001, somewhere in there. If I find that anybody still has it, I'll try to post it. I was soon after injured and quit umpiring for 14 years. I'm just doing some youth ball now. I guess that I based my reaction to the very different ways these coaches handled their own view in the mirror (or lack of it). I barely remember the first incident. It seems as though I still recall the second as clear as yesterday, although I may have some of the details confused. It was a long time ago. It may have been a tag play, or ??? I do remember the facial expressions on each guy. Bullies are mostly guys who know it is a mind game. They'll cower in a real fight. Stay cool, calm, and maintain your credibility, and you'll get promoted up to varsity games and eventually championship games.

I am known for an extremely long fuse. I try to embody the advice I got in umpire school, "Keep personalities out of it and calmly conduct the game." I agree with the IAWE, except for possibly the I = ignore. That can signal some mentalities that such language is OK. When language more appropriate for starting lawn mowers is used in the holy realm of a baseball game, I remind coaches using such prose that the code in the NFL is, "Do you care to repeat that?", meaning the gun is loaded and the trigger is cocked (= one step short of an ejection). The level of language usually cleans up upon bringing up the NFL question. Players perhaps enjoy less tolerance than coaches when expletives burst forth. When personal attacks are utilized, I remind the coach that argumentum ad homineum is usually grounds for ejectum ad coacheum. The discussion usually returns to the topic of baseball quite abruptly. In 500+ games, I've had only 2 physical assaults. The first was a punch to the chest protector. I replied, "That's a bump. It will not look very good for you when the board reads my report." He backed off, apologized and remained in the game. The second was 3 very large coaches attempting to dissuade me of a balk call by way of intimidation, threatened to kill me, followed by a shove. I said, "That's a bump. It will not look good for you on my report when the board reads it. I umpire in 18 leagues. Think about what you want, and how best to get that. Getting physical with umpires does not work." (The second situation resulted in a forfeited game. The coaches lost their jobs, and were banned from most baseball leagues in North America after the highly-detailed report was faxed around.) When a coach is discussing a play at high volume, and/or with high emotion, I walk away from the stands slowly, always turning away form him, while appearing to be politely listening to him. This makes him appear as the aggressor, and lends me credibility. If he asks me to request help, I may or may not, depending on the play, the position of other umpires, maybe other factors. I always want to get the call right, so with additional information from my umpire partners, I may or may not change a call. My ego is NOT involved here, only the good of the game. Fans have 3 properties. 1) Ignorance of the rules. 2) Highly biased partisian favoritism. 3) Glee at tormenting officials. Ignore these idiots. Place both teams in the dugouts and have the coaches or league officials deal with the fans. Also, the code is that if you blew a call, take the heat, but don't eject him. Arguments, like home runs and diving catches, are part of the show. That is the catharsis that the fans are paying for (whether ticket price or paying for their kids to play). I'm not advocating longer arguments, just be conservative about use of the index finger. Remember that arguing with an umpire is like wrestling with a pig in the mud. Sooner or later, you'll realize that the pig is thoroughly enjoying himself.

That was my initial reaction - that F3 indeed bobbled the ball while the B-R touched the bag. The ball appeared to roll through the lower part of the palm / heel of the mitt and flew 8 inches to his throwing hand, which held it securely as he was ready to throw it. R3 remained at third. No further play, no throw. My initial read was "did not hold it securely", but it could have been a very skilled player making a fancy, quick transfer. These are 7-, 8-, and 9-yrear-old players, but some are quite skilled sometimes. Had F3 held it in his mitt longer, no question, B-R would have been called out.

I had a banger at first base. F1 fielded a bunt and threw to first just barely ahead of the runner. F3 allowed the ball to roll off the butt of his mitt and into his throwing hand - maybe a slick move ( though I did not think of that at the time). About that time B-R touches the bag. I ruled safe, and indicated that he juggled the ball. The coach argued that it was his transfer. I thought about this, if it had happened on a double play at second or third, I may have ruled the runner out. I have even turned a double play by taking the ball on the outside of my glove and cocked and thrown to 1B immediately thereafter. Thoughts?

First off, I'm returning from 15 years off, so I'm way out of date. As I recall it from umpire school, it goes as follows: (OBR) R3 went beyond his (balk) awarded base at his own risk. Defense lost their chance at getting him out due to the batter's follow-through interference. R3 is out for the batter's interference. Strike one to the batter. No run. No error. Mechanic: BU points and says, "That's a balk" and holds out a fist, indicating delayed dead ball (immediate dead ball in High school FED, but I may not be current. If this is still the rule, R2 goes to 3rd. No pitch). (now, back to OBR, where the delayed dead ball allows the play to continue...) PU points and identifies batter's interference, "That's interference. TIME! The runner has gone past the base he would have been awarded at his own risk. He is declared out due to the batter's interference. One out. Strike one." Don't call "Play" yet. You know the coaches will coming out for a chat about that one. Explain it, don't zing them. I don't know the college rule. BaseJester may have it right - again, I am way out of date.

I don't know if fair or foul is the issue. F6 was camped under a fly ball, and easy out on BR. R3 took that out away in the collision - interference is called. F6 was not blocking a base, R3 must allow him his right to field the ball. There is definitely a chance of a double play - there is a runner and he's off the base. To kill the play seems wrong - would that be a delayed dead ball? Who should be called out? If it were a force out situation, and R1 deliberately or unintentionally broke up a double play, I have no problem calling both out on the one interference. Is this non-force situation different? My problem is that the offense is benefiting from interference - defense lost a chance at a possible double play. F6 may have caught the ball and made a tag on R3. I think 2 outs are in order. Comments? thanks.

The press boys are too stupid to go interview an umpire and ask him, so they become actors with a Lego ball field in their street clothes and look like total clowns. Any nominations for the academy award for best baseball manager over-actor? Had that been a high school coach putting on an act like that, I'd have reminded him that he's 10 seconds from a forfeit, then said, "Nine. Eight. Seven. Six..." Major leagues, and on television, gotta remember it improves the ratings and sells beer. Ahem...so I give him the Stink Eye and send him a private letter that reads, "You owe me and my crew 6 barbecues. Steak, potatoes, and oh yeah, boiled lobster. You're buying."

It is the GIANT BLACK HOLE of 1-man mechanics. I had one that was impossible to call. A steal of second on a swing and miss. I ran out to second to see if the footprints would reveal more info - they indicated it had to be very close. But it was the facial expressions of the players a few minutes into the resulting argument clinic, and my experience playing poker that gave me my answer. The second baseman was behaving naturally as though he knew he'd tagged the runner. The runner had "that look" that set off my Bravo Sierra detector. I called him out, but way, way too late for the home team fans, who were furious. I should have BS'd a call and sold it right away like I had seen it clearly. I just was not in a habit of that because I was very, very quick on my feet, and always hustled. I had never had to fake a call before, and I was 6 years into umpiring. I'd never had a play that I was out of position nor hadn't seen the play. The umpire organization heard that it was "the worst umpiring I've ever seen" according to the coach. I got called out on the carpet for that, and they thought I'd looked really bad. All because I would not be rattled into making a call until I decided it. That coach never got any benefit from me or any of the umpires who understood my position ever again. Several of my buddies zinged him whenever he got mouthy. Fortunately, the next season, my evaluations revealed me to be in the top 5%. I'd done 300+ games that year, so my umpiring was pretty crisp. After that, if I was working alone, I'd tell the teams at the plate meeting that I would hustle, but that on a remote tag play on the bases, if the ball is there first first and the tag is down, I'm calling him out if I see it or not. Gotta live with it. If the runner is there first, I'm calling him safe. My judgement, I'll own it. No do-overs. Usually gets a good laugh.

Richvee - Thanks for the nice clarification, and for the Rogers Hornsby quote. Here's a little-known Yogism. Yogi Berra was walking from the bullpen to the dugout. A press man shouted, "Hey, Yogi - I heard your wife went to see Doctor Zhivago." He answered, "Yeah, there's always something wrong with her."

Greyhawk - Thank you for the insight regarding good timing vs. "Show me the ball." I doubt that I will ask anyone to show me the ball with multiple runners and potential plays still happening, or with less than 2 outs. That's just better umpiring. I just watched it again a couple of times - that was indeed a great example of fantastic timing. PU looked, adjusted position, looked until he saw it, then rang it up. The announcer didn't even wait that long to call him out. He really does look good doing it like that. That is an excellent instruction video if you watch the PU for his timing. How many of us would have waited that long? Superb!

Can we ever get past the Old School mentality of "never correct my mistake"? I'd far rather get the call right than let my false ego screw up the great game of baseball. I see asking for help as creating MORE credibility, not less. The best mechanic for the check swing appeal, to my knowledge, is for PU to cross-over step clear of F2 on the First Base side, point to BU1 with his left hand, ask, "Hey Joe, did he offer at that pitch?" If BU1 signs the safe sign or says "No, he did not", PU says "The ball call stands, the count is X balls and Y strikes". If BU1 signs "the hammer" or says, "Yes! He went!", then PU says "Then it's a STRIKE. The count is X balls and y strikes" or "Then that's STRIKE THREE!" If the plate umpire does not want to change the call, he merely tells F2, "No. I saw it. That was not a swing." No secret codes, no retained anger at the audacity to question my call, no 10-year Hatfield vs. Coy relationships between umpires.

I grew up stealing bases. I'd often call a balk before the ump. There are no such things as "technical balks", they are all just "balks" - intentional deception by the pitcher (OK and an occasional oopsie-daisy) to prevent me from stealing 2nd 3rd, or home. Please call them and award bases, unless the score is something like 27 to 0 in a 4-hour game with no mercy kill rule. We can all manage to "NOT SEE" a balk by the pitcher that is down 26 runs, RIGHT? The rules of baseball began developing in 1845, and are presently quite refined. As an umpire, it is not my role to make, interpret, nor edit the rules, merely to enforce them judiciously. Each league has a book of rule interpretations. Learn these. Ask senior umpires or the appropriate person in the league hierarchy.

Best position you could have gotten. +1 to Rich and Labguy. Swipe tags where my view is blocked - that is tough. If the ball gets there first AND THE TAG IS DOWN, I'll call him out, but I do mention that in the plate meeting when working one man games.

The knuckleball was my best pitch, except with full count. Having served him a steady diet of wind dancers, full count is too good a time to increase the speed. Fading fastball, forkball, or sinking splitter for the out. If he fouls it off, give him full heat. Now back to business - WHEN DO YOU CALL A GAME DUE TO LACK OF DAYLIGHT? Ask the batter to step out, have the pitcher bring either a fastball or a curveball, then have him bring the opposite of the two. If you can't tell one from the other coming out of his hand, IT'S NOW A SAFETY ISSUE - GAME'S OVER! You really don't want a batter hanging in there on a "curveball" that was really a high, inside fastball.

One more point - if there had been less than 2 outs, you could have called it a double play. "That's interference! The runner is out, and the (batter-runner or other runner) is out for the runner's interference." A smart baserunner, thinking that only he will be out, would intentionally interfere to avoid a double play or even triple play. That's why the rule is there. I have raised the question before, "If the batted ball is hit sharply to a fielder in a good position to make a triple play, can I call the interference a triple play?" The instructor just happened to be the state association president that year, and he responded, "That would be a difficult case to make, but I really like how you think!"

Another good one: (Veteran Ump to buck new trainee) "Once you step onto that field, you can eject God from a game, if he's out of line. He should know that, he'll probably toe the line." Also: "Yeah, read the rule book, but understand that as a new umpire, you'll absorb the rules over time. Know your field mechanics, sell your calls. You won't need the rulebook much."

Rule #1 - DO NOT PUT YOURSELF IN A SITUATION WHERE YOU MIGHT HAVE TO EJECT YOUR WIFE. exception - feel free to eject your Ex-wife. Rule #2 - Do not umpire in CUBA. exception - If you already are an umpire in Cuba, be warned that Fidel was a pitcher, and he does not like to be ejected. Rule #3 - If you actually think it will have an effect on your game, talk to your assignor and / or recuse yourself.

!ylper dooG - xaMdaM@