Pulled the trigger last night

[Umpire in Chief]

Well it finally happened a coach earned their way onto my list. This wasn't a particularly satisfying EJ, but was earned by the coach.

Little League Juniors game. In the bottom of the first inning the coach came out to argue for batters interference. Right handed batter up with runners on 2nd & 3rd (possibly 1st too). The pitcher tosses a wild pitch (7 feet high and waaay inside) to the backstop. The batter ducked and ran across the plate to the outside of the left handed batter's box. However, the track the ball took off the backstop put the ball approximately on 3rd base line extended near the fence, and now the batter is standing between the catcher (now with the ball) and the plate. The catcher did have to side step the batter returning to the plate, but there was no play to be made.

Technically the batter did "impede and/or hinder" the catcher, and I know interference does not have to be intentional, however, I did not judge the catcher was in the act of making a play as R3 stayed pretty close to 3rd the entire time.

The coach came out to argue for batter interference. I let the coach know I wasn't going to award interference on the play. He was very wound up, and obviously wasn't happy with my decision. I let him say his piece, I didn't ask him to calm down, just let him rant. Without being asked, he left the field. All seemed fine. As I was getting ready to resume play he began yelling from behind the fence attempting to incite his parents/team, by yelling about how bad the umpires he always gets are and general idiotic rants. Then he yells to me from the other side of the fence in an animated way, "You've got to be kidding me?"

I replied, "No, I'm not kidding! That's enough."

The coach began again and I ejected him.

After 2 more pitches I heard the coach yelling again. I called time and announced the game would not continue until he was out of sight and sound. We resumed the game in about a minute.

This wasn't one of those really satisfying ejections, just a needed to be done one. Once I said "that’s enough" I meant that’s enough, I wasn't going to have him continue to yell at and/or about 'the umpire' any more from behind the fence. He continued and punched his own ticket.

[Bigdog]

Hey all,

Good EJ, but why did you resume the game before the coach was out of sight and sound? Then if he comes back you get can really irritate him by telling him that if he doesn't leave immediately, he could cost his team a forfeit.

Bigdog:cool:

[Umpire in Chief]

He seemed to have left, I watched him go down the path to the parking lot. But he reappeared on the side of the other team continuing to run his mouth. He must have went to the other path going to the first base side.

[Bigdog]

Hey all,

Ah, I see... you have to watch them managers and coaches 'cuz the are sneaky like the rats they are named after! HAHA!

Bigdog:cool:

[Nate]

The phrase "That's enough" has worked a couple times for me. High school JV game, coach is slow giving the signs and pitcher is waiting to pitch. Being nice, I tell the batter to get in the box. Next pitch samething, I tell him to get in the box, but he ignores me. I say it a second time, and I hear the third base coach yell "He can't tell you to get in there, next time he says it take a step away." Oh really now?! He gets in the box, next batter, ignoring me, takes a step back and I issued a stike. The second I did that the coach went nuts, and said I can't do that. Of course he knows all the rules. I cut him off and said "That's enough," and he didn't say a word. That's the closet I've come to an ejection all year, and if he decided to follow me back to the plate I was going to toss him.

[BT_Blue]

I like what the college association I belong to was instructed to say.

"Coach, this is your official warning on (enter infraction here, i.e. balls/strikes/safes/outs). If you continue to argue I will have no choice but to eject you from the game."

this is great cause there is no question in his mind what is being said and what will happen if he continues. That and you got yourself a concrete warning issued.