Would you Eject or Warn

[soapbox]

OK. This happened last month and kind of bothered me for a couple of days. A month later, I can sheepishly take the criticism (if deserved). 12U boys. R3, wild pitch, short back stop. I come up 3rd base line and get ready for play at plate. Since I don't see or hear catcher, I get in very low crouch in the event he is behind me and must make a throw to F1. Well, he was behind me, but instead of throwing the ball, lunges over me and lands on R3 who slides in safely. I make the call. F2, jumps up, tearing up, and yells for the entire complex to hear, "What the Hell, you got in my way!" Nothing I could do, and felt as far as the play, all was good. But as he was just 3 feet away at time and said in anger, I knee jerked reacted and loudly exclaimed, "You, You're out of here!". Now, don't get the idea I was confrontational, but would have liked to been more polite. Also, after being read the riot act by coach that he didn't use profanity, he went in dugout and chirped to the ejected player, an inning later, to another coach. Both time with cursing, but I let go. An inning later he walks into crowd and takes a survey and kindly comes back to tell me that the 30 umpires in the stands (aka his parents) said I should have only issued a warning. I wish I had, but no going back. Any feedback?

[Mike Prince]

I would have two EJ's, the one you called and the one you didn't. Coach was trying to show you up and got the crowd involved too...

[dawg-man]

Ditto, get them both.

[jjb]

You didn't toss the kid because you got in the way, you tossed him bccause he acted inappropriately. I'd guess that most of the 1,310 real umpires here think you did it right - except for not running the coach...

[Armgdnman]

Ditto, get them both.

+01

[NovaScotiaBlue]

OK. This happened last month and kind of bothered me for a couple of days. A month later, I can sheepishly take the criticism (if deserved). 12U boys. R3, wild pitch, short back stop. I come up 3rd base line and get ready for play at plate. Since I don't see or hear catcher, I get in very low crouch in the event he is behind me and must make a throw to F1. Well, he was behind me, but instead of throwing the ball, lunges over me and lands on R3 who slides in safely. I make the call. F2, jumps up, tearing up, and yells for the entire complex to hear, "What the Hell, you got in my way!" Nothing I could do, and felt as far as the play, all was good. But as he was just 3 feet away at time and said in anger, I knee jerked reacted and loudly exclaimed, "You, You're out of here!". Now, don't get the idea I was confrontational, but would have liked to been more polite. Also, after being read the riot act by coach that he didn't use profanity, he went in dugout and chirped to the ejected player, an inning later, to another coach. Both time with cursing, but I let go. An inning later he walks into crowd and takes a survey and kindly comes back to tell me that the 30 umpires in the stands (aka his parents) said I should have only issued a warning. I wish I had, but no going back. Any feedback?

My feedback starts with the comment, There was a lot you could have done to prevent this situation...What the heck were you doing taking your eyes off the ball??? That's umpiring 101. Because you had no idea where the player and the ball were, you did get in his way and should have considered that when the catcher let you know it in no uncertain terms . I think the ejection was a little heavy handed since your actions precipitated the player being upset. Now for the coach..he deserved to be tossed for his actions and comments and was not. I'm thinking that's because you knew you messed up and tossed the catcher when you knew you were to blame:question1:

[Stan W.]

I'd have dumped both of them.......

[semper_fi_72]

I 2nd the post of:

Never, Never, ever take your eye off the ball.

Unless you know where the ball is, you do not know where the play will develop or you will get in the way.

This was preventable.

[SRP]

I 2nd the post of:

Never, Never, ever take your eye off the ball.

Unless you know where the ball is, you do not know where the play will develop or you will get in the way.

Last night I was watching a 13U game. The PU was working solo and, I thought doing a great job; hustling out for calls, getting into position. Several parents were complaining that after an out at first or second, PU kept watching the ball rather than turning to see the run score at home.

They had a really good umpire calling the game and still had to find a reason to complain.

[th3]

definetly the coach...

[maninblack69]

:question1: to both of them.

[cmaurer21]

Something coaches forget is there is no rule in baseball stating that a person has to be warned if he becomes outs of line. I would have probably told the coach if he ever went into the stands and polled the crowd like that again that he would be joining the player. You cant have a player or coach showing you up in front of everyone.

[mstaylor]

As mentioned you need to watch the ball and react to it. None the less, once it happened then the catcher goes, coach goes, anybody else want to talk? :)

[JaxRolo]

Something coaches forget is there is no rule in baseball stating that a person has to be warned if he becomes outs of line. I would have probably told the coach if he ever went into the stands and polled the crowd like that again that he would be joining the player. You cant have a player or coach showing you up in front of everyone.

Are you kidding? Only thing you need to tell him is that he is EJECTED!

[BrianC14]

My feedback starts with the comment, There was a lot you could have done to prevent this situation...What the heck were you doing taking your eyes off the ball??? That's umpiring 101. Because you had no idea where the player and the ball were, you did get in his way and should have considered that when the catcher let you know it in no uncertain terms . I think the ejection was a little heavy handed since your actions precipitated the player being upset. Now for the coach..he deserved to be tossed for his actions and comments and was not. I'm thinking that's because you knew you messed up and tossed the catcher when you knew you were to blame:question1:

Mega-ditto to this.

[mazzamouth]

does anyone wanna talk about his postioning for this play... R3 coming home an he is set up on the 3rd base side?... 1st off open the gate read the play and go away from where the catcher is gonna be throwing the ball home. in this play, you should have went toward 1st base.. I know i might not have EJ the pitcher for this, even if i was not in his way.. unless he makes it personal then Heck yea....

[kcfan102]

My feedback starts with the comment, There was a lot you could have done to prevent this situation...What the heck were you doing taking your eyes off the ball??? That's umpiring 101. Because you had no idea where the player and the ball were, you did get in his way and should have considered that when the catcher let you know it in no uncertain terms . I think the ejection was a little heavy handed since your actions precipitated the player being upset. Now for the coach..he deserved to be tossed for his actions and comments and was not. I'm thinking that's because you knew you messed up and tossed the catcher when you knew you were to blame:question1:

Find the ball. That's so pivotal, so so pivotal. If he ran into you on the way to get the ball at the backstop, that's one thing; that's bad luck (and at 12u that happens). If the ball gets by the catcher, read the direction of the catcher, get out of his way, and find the ball. The way baseball works, is if you try to hunker down and hope it pray that play doesn't find you, it always will. Always be alert and find the ball then get into position, like Mazz said.

As for swearing, where I work there is zero tolerance, so that's a no brainer for me. I think 12u is a little young to be using "big boy" words. Regardless, he doesn't need to be talking to you like that.

[soapbox]

Point taken. Won't lose site of the ball. Thanks all.

[catoblue]

Point taken. Won't lose site of the ball. Thanks all.

Gotta take the other point too:

a coach that goes and polls the crowd = Whooooosh!!!!! :hopmad:

[DirtyDawg]

I agree with the above, and I am the last person you would expect to eject.

[HokieUmp]

I 2nd the post of:

Never, Never, ever take your eye off the ball.

Unless you know where the ball is, you do not know where the play will develop or you will get in the way.

This was preventable.

You're right, but I'll say this: even if we miss a call, or get out of position, or get in the way, doesn't print a license for a player or coach to act like a horse's a$$ about it.

An 11/12 year old saying that?

A coach going into the crowd?? and a lengthy write-up in the EJ report.

But, again: don't take your eyes off the ball.

[tjwoelfel13]

Don't take your eye off the ball. I have the f2 gone for use of profanity and the coach un-sportsman like conduct. Just because you tanked the call does not allow anyone to treat you like this.

 

I do not allow profanity from players until the players are old enough to drive themselves to the game.

Coaches may never show any umpire up this egregiously at any time even if the call is tanked.

[Nsb Brian]

Perhaps nothing should have happened, except play to resume and apologies for getting in the way of the play at the plate (as much as that sucks). Imagine the coach wasnt too happy with you, and he has every right to be. I do not want to interfere with the game, and make it about the umpires. I want to get in there, and let the players win/lose/eject themselves..etc. (no reason the catcher, with possession of the ball, should be behind you.. out of eyesight). Drop-step with catcher on past ball while keeping my eyes on ball and body opened up to player with ball, and move into a position to make call...best way Ive found to take play at plate on past-ball. At most, I would warn both teams so that it squashes the heat, puts you back in driver seat, and definitely dump the coach as soon as he went into stands to take a survey...never heard that before-

[Celerion]

I would have two EJ's, the one you called and the one you didn't. Coach was trying to show you up and got the crowd involved too...

 

 

I 2nd the post of:

Never, Never, ever take your eye off the ball.

Unless you know where the ball is, you do not know where the play will develop or you will get in the way.

This was preventable.

 

 

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.

[UmpJM]

soapbox,

 

You should have apologized to the player for your incompetence instead of ejecting him.

 

Eject of the coach seems fine.

 

JM