No Good Deed, etc.

[poppyfor3]

Let me set the stage: 2 fields and my game is a forfeit no show. I decide to help a new umpire doing minors softball solo. Plate meeting and one coach says,"Wow,we never get 2 umpires!"

Bases loaded, routine out at first. Ass't.coach tells R-2," If that shortstop is in your way knock her down." "No coach." "She can knock her down." "Coach, you're done." Turn to go back to my position and the fun begins. Here comes the coach screaming, " It's a rule!!" Gets in my face and bumps me twice before 2 coaches drag him off.

Next morning UIC calls and says league officials want to talk to me. Seems several parents had called before game was done. I tell the official what happened and board will make decision on banning said "coach."

Later that day, I bump into team's head coach who tells me,"He had had a really bad day---just come from a funeral." Damn,and me without my violin.

[txump81]

Good call. A runner can't plow through a fielder. I explained that rule to two coaches last night.

[dumbdumb]

Now you will find out how much the league really backs its umpires. Keep this in the back of your mind going forward. Concerning the comment from the HC---that should have been a reason for AC to skip the game period, or just view from the sidelines if that might make him more emotional in an adverse situation and he should pull the plug on being the AC for that game himself. A man has to know his limitations at all times. While you cannot help but think about the funeral, that is no excuse for future conduct and deportment lapses. You must think of these things before you become a HC or AC period and you must be in charge of your own conduct and deportment at all times or face the consequences including and up to expulsion. Hopefully, that will not be a reason to go "lightly" concerning the boards decision. Lets hope the board has the intestinal fortitude to pull the plug on this guy considering the level of play and participants of the players involved and the seriousness of the offense that they just witnessed at such a young age. At this level of play, who would even want to think about taking up umpiring upon seeing this type of abuse, whether they be an adult watching or the kids who might have considered umpiring later in life but remember this incident and say, no way am I taking that abuse. The board must consider this side of the equation. Not only must they take up for the kids having to see and be involved in this type of conduct and deportment, they must think about the current umpires and possible future umpires involved in this.

Edited May 29, 2010 by dumbdumb

[MPLSMatt]

The actual advice is bad enough for a suspension if you ask me. LL minors, (I don't do LL but that's 10 year olds, right?) and you are telling one kid to lay out another kid who is unsuspecting. This guy needs to get some perspective. You did right by calling him on it and if the league doesn't back you up that would be extremely disappointing.