Missed One on a Silver Platter

[moblue]

I missed an ej that was handed to me on a silver platter last night. It was Cal Ripken 9/10 yr. olds, league tournament. I made the mistake of believing bases were loaded on a hit within the infield. The catcher set up at home as if for a force out (one foot on center of plate, reaching for the ball) and caught the throw from the 1B side of the infield. I signaled out and heard the DCs yelling "Tag him! Tag him!" I glanced up and saw a gap where I should have had a runner. At that point I knew I had caused myself a predicament no matter the outcome of the tag. I glance back down for a banger and called safe. I'm not sure if I got it right, but it was close enough the argument wasn't over why I called him safe, but rather my "out" then "safe" call. I admitted to the coaches "It was my fault, I thought the bases were loaded and it was a force out, but he beat the tag so he's safe." It was, IMO, a correctable error that I needed to fix. After all, I was set up on the 3B side so the catcher wasn't able to see the out call and not try to apply the tag. He turned on his coaches' command and applied a tag. No major problems as the coaches knew I had made a mistake, but also knew I had fixed it.

Between innings I go up to talk to my partner. He is a non-certified umpire but has called bases all season long. Long story short, he was an emergency call-in by me. As we are standing in front of one of the dugouts, he says "That's three you've missed so far. He was out." My reaction was something like this: B) . I told him not to ever do that again. His reply "Or else, what?" Now he likes to mouth for fun, but as of late he's been having some trouble knowing when is and isn't the time for it. We all know this definitely was not the time. I went back to home plate ticked off and thrown even farther off my game.

I had a banger at the plate where only I was close enough to see the little kid's hand get under the glove and his fingertips get home before he was tagged. More yelling, including one parent who ended up at the fence.

Now for the good part. The AC at 3rd sends one of his runners home on a hit. As he sends the runner, he puts his hand on his back and helps them along so they get the picture. I immediately called out. I had to let both books know the run did not count, and the runner was out. Of course that means an explanation to the OC, who wasn't happy. The other book changed their records to reflect the out without incident. As we are about to resume play and I'm thinking we got through it relatively well, the AC calls time and starts walking to home. We discussed what he had done, and he wasn't happy. The HC came over and wanted me to ask the opposing team's dugout if the coach had touched them. I said I didn't need to, I was certain that his hand had made contact with the runner. The HC left it at that. I think he could tell I was reaching the end of my limit for discussion and was fighting a losing battle.

The AC then hands me a huge EJ on a silver platter by saying, "I tell you what, if you're going to critique my work, then I'm going to critique yours just as much... and that's my warning to you." You can imagine what my response should have been. Instead it was, "If you do, I'll throw you out." This is the same team where I EJ'd a coach earlier this year, so he knew I meant every bit of what I said. Too bad he behaved himself for the rest of the game. I wish now I would have thrown him out. The good news is we get to meet again tonight. Any thoughts on how short of a leash I should keep this guy? All the coaches?

[Umpire in Chief]

Between innings I go up to talk to my partner. He is a non-certified umpire but has called bases all season long. Long story short, he was an emergency call-in by me. As we are standing in front of one of the dugouts, he says "That's three you've missed so far. He was out." My reaction was something like this: . I told him not to ever do that again. His reply "Or else, what?" Now he likes to mouth for fun, but as of late he's been having some trouble knowing when is and isn't the time for it. We all know this definitely was not the time. I went back to home plate ticked off and thrown even farther off my game.

This was what your partner said

If this was actually the coach, counting was his attempt to have his ticket punched. But if you have an incident, definitely don't talk to your partner in the same half inning break and then don't stand by the offended teams dugout, go to the other side. This way you don't hear it and if you do hear it it's an easy EJ with no warnings

As for what to do tonight. Don't bring it up, try not to think about it (it will be hard) give the coach every opportunity to redeem himself. First issue with him give him the, "That's enough!" with the stop sign. If he continues, then he's just punched his own ticket.

[gixxershane]

New game, come in with a clean slate. And just do what you do. I feel if you go into the game with any other mind set you will almost be looking to throw the guy out.

Just my $.02 :smachhead:

[LMSANS]

I wouldn't suggest that you carry anything forward from a previous game. It's hard to do, but he should start with a clean slate.

[moblue]

Thanks for the advice. Yes, it was my partner that was counting, not the coach. If it had been the coach, he probably would have left the game right then and there.

[Tyennie]

"Oh Jesus, Mary and Joseph" (In my best Irish brogue) Your partner said this, and then questioned "Or what" I would have a difficult time calling him to work with me again. I would rather work solo then have someone like this on the field with me.

As for the AC - "Good-bye!"

[Balk Hater]

imo you should have ej the base umpire

[kwiggie]

imo you should have ej the base umpire

no kidding!...

[Umpire in Chief]

I think that would be the last time I'd work with him.

It's one thing to give constructive criticism on the field we all need that. But to act like a coach towards your partner un effen believable. There was nothing constructive to be gained by saying, "That's three you've missed..." Lucky he didn't try to overrule you on the field.

[noumpere]

Between innings I go up to talk to my partner. He is a non-certified umpire but has called bases all season long. Long story short, he was an emergency call-in by me. As we are standing in front of one of the dugouts, he says "That's three you've missed so far. He was out."

I don't know about the other three, but this was one you definitely missed.

Only talk to your partner if there's a rotation (or similar mechanic) you need to clear up. Otherwise, he goes to the outfiled, while you're on one of the base lines.

[moblue]

imo you should have ej the base umpire

Had I known what a downhill spiral the game was going to get into from there, it might have been worth it for me to pay him his game fees he was going to get for the day (not much at all) and sent him on his way. Like I said though, it was kind of an emergency call-in because the other guy was a no-show without any notice. Next time I'll work solo or let the coaches agree on a parent.

On the bright side I got him to actually look professional. He doesn't own his own stuff, so he wore long blue jeans and borrowed one of my navy blues.

[jnazz]

noumpere is right. Younger umpires love to talk between innings, but idle chat can get you into problems -- especially if there was a controversial call. As the base umpire, I'll spend the breaks about 5-10 feet in the outfield grass between 1st and 2nd.

[RenoUmp]

One of the first things I ever learned from my mentor (a senior official assigned to me by the Association's Board) was to stay away from your partner for at least a full inning (if not longer) after any type of banger or other call which caused controversy, unless asked for help on the play by your partner.

It lends to speculation that the umpire calling the play is looking for support on the call after he had a chance to second guess himself.

All of the fallout garbage and second guessing can be covered in the post-game.

Conversations between the umpire crew between innings should be kept to a minimum anyway.

As far as how you should handle the second game, wipe the slate clean and change positions on the field. If you are not able to change postions due to experience/other rules, still wipe the slate clean. You will find that you feel better about the game and you may be able to gain/regain the respect of someone.

As far as the ejection, I would sure have a longer fuse with a coach after I knew I had kicked a call; however, you are correct - he absolutely teed the ej up for you with his passing comment.

Good luck!!!

[theedeuce]

About your partner... My first concern is why he is not "certified" and calling bases all year. That one confuses me... Second concern is when you say 9/10 tournament are you talking about all-stars because most leagues have finished there regular season and are deep in there all-stars tournaments... which raises even more concern about your "non certified" partner. Needless to say... your partner has just called his last game (see ya, wouldn't want to be ya)...

As far as tonight's game... let it go but... make sure both managers know that ALL judgment calls belong to you and your partner (fair, foul, safe, out, balls and strikes) and will not be discussed at any time... consider that your warning.

[moblue]

About your partner... My first concern is why he is not "certified" and calling bases all year. That one confuses me... Second concern is when you say 9/10 tournament are you talking about all-stars because most leagues have finished there regular season and are deep in there all-stars tournaments... which raises even more concern about your "non certified" partner. Needless to say... your partner has just called his last game (see ya, wouldn't want to be ya)...

You have to understand that in our area, places generally don't want to hire a base and plate umpire. He happens to work in a town that will pay both, but it isn't enough to get a certified umpire on bases. Just the fact that the league will pay a BU at the Cal Ripken level is odd, so most every team is used to having a parent/uncertified ump on the bases as it is.

No, this wasn't an all-star tournament. This was the league tournament at the end of regular season. It occured almost three weeks ago, so they were right on time for finishing up regular season play. I think this kid could make a good umpire, he just needs someone to show him the ropes.

[bassfam11]

Had I known what a downhill spiral the game was going to get into from there, it might have been worth it for me to pay him his game fees he was going to get for the day (not much at all) and sent him on his way. Like I said though, it was kind of an emergency call-in because the other guy was a no-show without any notice. Next time I'll work solo or let the coaches agree on a parent.

On the bright side I got him to actually look professional. He doesn't own his own stuff, so he wore long blue jeans and borrowed one of my navy blues.

NO! NO! and NEVER!!! :angel4:

[markdewdney]

I think that the AC was blustering after seeing your hand descend towards your holster. He read you "five-by-five", and the fact that he didn't push his luck any further makes you the sheriff of that small town (which is, apparently, missing it's idiot...)

[Don]

Thanks for the advice. Yes, it was my partner that was counting, not the coach. If it had been the coach, he probably would have left the game right then and there.

I don't believe you. You did not EJ the AC for making a comment that should clearly lead to EJ, so how you going to convince us you will EJ the HC for making a comment about missing calls?

As for the next game, and all games, give AC no leash at all, and HC as much as he needs without being personal, profane, or prolonged.