Celerion

Just sounds like you got stuck in the tight spot with the backstop. The catcher over reacted and got ejected for it. If this happens multiple times, they should move part of the backstop back, not get mad at the umpire.

I would agree that both the player and coach should have gotten ejected. The player for his (assuming male here) choice of words and the coach for his actions in the crowd followed by his actions in bringing it to you the way he did. When it comes to the catcher and the play, I do agree that you should know where the ball is at all times. This is one of the fundimental issues that most of us may have mistakenly done once or twice but it sadly effected a play in your case. If the catcher had approached it differently, there might have been a case for an umpire interfeerance request, but once the catcher opened his mouth and made that comment, see you later. Had two good ejections here but a possible umpire interfeerance so watch out for those situations in the future and always know where that ball is and where the play might be.

I personally agree with what these two gentleman and most of everyone else are also saying, coaches have to make an effort to get them selves ejected. I don't go on the diamond looking to eject coaches or players but if they meet the requirements to eject, then I will eject them without any hard feelings. A coach or played as to do something to get ejected but sometimes a coach might be trying to "protect his player/s" (keep them in the game) by getting thrown out instead. For example, I player might be upset about a call at the plate, and instead of waiting for the player to get ejected for arguing the call, the coach very well might come out to try to get the umpirs attention away from the player while another coach or player gets the arguing player back to the dugout. In this case, its important to remember why the coach may have come out in the first place. That being said, if the coach or player gives you multiple reasons to toss them, don't be over lenient. It just gives them the idea that they can continue the same thing with other umpires and causes issues down the way. If someone fits the reasons to eject, "all aboard the parking lot train; now leaving on track nine. See you later."

Hey all, Wondering if any of you have connections to leagues or umpires in Philadelphia? I am originally from Oregon and have umpired for a number of years consequtively, but have been away for work around the US since August and will most likely be missing this season back at home. I'll be in Philadelphia starting in the next couple weeks for work and it would be really nice to connect with some of the local city leagues as well as maybe meet and chat with some local fellow umpires. As some of you might know first hand, after umpiring for numerous years, an umpire may just catch the "bug" and continue to umpire to just be around the game. Let me know if you might know of any Philly Leagues or if you are in the area. Have a safe and successful season. Adam (Celerion)

Welcome to Umpire Empire and the third "team on the field". My personal opinion, get all the experience you can get. It can only help you later on and will give you experience seeing those odd plays that you may only see once at the upper levels. Also, only experience can help you tone your field management and help you better manage a game making it able to run more smoothly. I've stayed to lower level ball due to the ease of getting to games, and helping newer umpires learn. Considering moving up to HS ball in the future and still help LL rookie umpires learn the art of umpiring. LL can be a good place to get your feet wet so to speak and work on mechanics without getting trashed for messups at the higher levels. Best of luck at pro school in January. See how much they like the "basic six" there.

Good ejection. Hope they were paying you. They are probably practicing for their MLB careers and if a 35+ game is that competitive, they are probably wannabees.

Valid ejection, all aboard the parking lot train. One way trip. Where is my hotdog and pay if applicable.

I use the hammer. imo, the point is for foul ball calls not strike calls but to each their own. I just don't like mixing mechanics when avoidable.

Responding to the below quotes: Agree that a good umpire needs to be able to be able to manage a game effectivly. This can't be given or taught right away, it takes experience and time to learn. That being said, I do think that training by an experienced and competant umpire is important for new umpires and particurally youth umpires. Learning the proper mechanics early before getting into bad habits is necessary to both be effective and extend the "life of an umpire" behind the plate preventing injuries. That being said, it is my opinion. But yes, "field/game management" is one of the most important skills along with proper mechanics and making the right calls. Similar to @mstaylor said, I started as a teenager, starting on the bases for a number of years after aging out of LL. Went into umpiring instead of Babe Ruth or HS ball. I agree personally that as Harry Wendelstedt was known for, it is important to let coaches ask questions and say their piece, but when it is time to go it is time to go. I also like and agree with the quote "Its the players job to play, the coaches job to coach, and the umpires job to umpire."

Showed up but it was a forfeit so we got half pay. Alright, personally I think that is garbage. You showed up and did your job, should have gotten full pay. What level was it, and would question a rule about pay per inning/half pay.

Anyone umpiring games in VA near or around Alexandria? Currently staying in Alexandria near the Landmark mall in northern-ish Alexandria just east of Lincolnia and 395. Won't be able to do any games this year due to work and the fact that we can be called away on short notice if a disaster happens. Would like to go watch some lower division or youth games and maybe visit with some local umpires from the region at parks. Maybe it will help me with not being on the field this season. Umpire withdrawls? Let me know if you do games in the area or know people who do. Would like to meet up with fellow umpires and watch America's Greatest Pastime. Not asking for an open base ump position, would just like to be around the game as much as I can. Any help for a fellow umpire who is being kept off the diamond this season for work?

I am of the belief that the professionalism of the umpire will impact to an extent how the coaches act. If I was a coach and the umpire/s wasn't able to officiate the game properly and effectivly, I would question calls and decisions also. Appearance, Actions and how you present yourself as an umpire. Arriving late isn't an option IMO. If an umpire is less than 10 or 15 minutes early, they are late at the LL/JBO level. Upper levels would be more most likely. Appearance, Actions(calls and mechanics), and presentation often makes the difference.

Both of these posts go to my point. No ejection should have been made. He was walking away, didn't make it personal. Is the plate umpire a "veteran"/more experienced umpire? The way he arrived and presented himself between innings makes it sound like he is either a less experienced umpire or he isn't into the game due to the lack of professionalism on the field. Not to insult a fellow umpire and one I don't know but just from what I read, it seems that way and unprofessional umpires on the field is something that bugs me. This past season I was able to have a couple real good quality umpires work under me as well as a 15 y/o express interest in becoming a [youth] umpire. She did real good in the game she did with me and although I will be away on work and unable to work games with her this next season for more practice, I might try to connect her with a fellow umpiring veteran and decade+ friend and "call in a favor" to see if he could do some games with her on the bases to get some more experience working with some umpires who have the experience and know what they are doing. The more quality umpires we havd both on the field and training new umpires to have good habits, the better it will be for all of us.

Firm but fair. I am usually willing to tell a coach why a call was made but that doesn't mean it is up for review or arguement. If I want a second opinion, I can ask a review from one of the other umpires if there is one on the bases but it is the calling umpire (the one who has the call) who asks other umpires for help. I think it is important (at least at the lower levels) to work with the coaches and players to an extent, but it my job to umpire and officiate the game properly, not to coach. Its the players job to play, the coaches job to coach and my job to umpire.

I would have tossed him for that and sent him to his parents. At that age, they should either know better than to do that, or they need to learn and being ejected is probably the safest way to learn. Toss him and move on with the game; good ejection.

I am currently staying in Alexandria, VA just outside of DC. Weekends are often open from work and better for me.

I would be up for meeting people, its just with the nature of my work here I can be called to another part of the country on a moments notice. If you or anyone else happens to be in the area or doing games,shoot me a message and I might be able to swing by to watch a littke ball and say hi after the game. With this being my first season noit being on the field, it would be nice to be able to go see a few rec/lower division games in the mean time. PM me if anyone is in the DC area doing games. Don't have the guarenteed time to offer to help on the field but would still enjoy watching a few games and talking some ball.

Personally, I like to try to give coaches a warning before ejecting, but there are some things that are simply an immediate ejection. League/association rules would impact here also.

Hi all, I am originally from Portland, OR but I am doing some work based out of Maryland and very likely might be in DC for work over the next couple months. Any fellow umpires from the DC area? If I get some time off, it would be nice to go see a couple lower division/youth games and maybe meet some fellow umpires. Will be working in downtown DC and probably staying just outside of DC. Give me a shout if you umpire in the DC. Adam

Sometimes players/coaches just "need to go", and all they need you to do is "validate" their one way ticket on the parking lot train. If you are dealing with an attitude and you have a valid reason/s to eject, all aboard. Especially if a warning was given.

I think that allot of it comes down to comfortability on the field as an umpire. There may be a few technical rule plays where having a fellow umpire who has some experience on bases would be nice for those times, but being able to officiate a lower level game solo from having the proper experience and training can help with the comfortability factor. Same may be true with the upper levels.

I think this is a good idea. Just bring it up in a group training situation as a more broad question. Some more senior umpires may want to be behind the plate, some others (myself included) may be more indifferent and in my case, I don't mind too much as long as it is decided a bit in advance and to be honest, I wouldn't mind not always being behind the plate sometimes.

For the first situation, the female umpire should have called time, called both teams coaches out and state something to the extent that "the coaches are responsible for keeping their teams parents in line. If a parent gets out of line like that, one f the assistant coaches should ask them to leave and the game will be resumed once they have left." She should have also talked to the UIC after the game if she did not, an file a complaint about the parents/fans with the league. Depending on the league/level of play, fan ejections may not be possible, but as the umpire, you can suspend play (call time) until that person calms down or has left. If you do that, the unruly ones will be dealt with by the other fans and coaches who want to enjoy the game. My advice.