EJ feedback

[Moriarty_45]

I ejected a 9-10 coach last night and want feedback.

Coach is the UIC for coach pitch/t-ball league across town. I have known him for years and we have never gotten along too well. He is one that insists on being in charge no matter what role he is in. He always seems confrontational and I have never seen him smile or have any fun while at the ball park. WTF? Why even participate in youth sports if you can’t freakin’ enjoy yourself? I havn’t heard it but apparently he has pulled the ump card several times on the field. “I am the head ump at the other park!”

He has also likes to invite folks to the parking lot. A board member told me after the game that this coach said prior to the season that he would probably be EJ’d at some point during the season.

Short history lesson first. My son started umpiring 2 years ago at age 13. I approached the aforementioned coach to try and get him started with the little kids, coach pitch/t-ball. He refused, saying he was too young. Pissed me off a little, but blew it off and went to neighboring town and we did games there for that spring and fall season. I also made him umpire every scrimmage game that my 9u boy had, probably around 10-15 games that fall and then early spring. After our UIC for the 9-18 divisions saw him do a few 9u, games he brought him onboard. We attended the Southern Ump Camp this Feb. I am biased, but I will say it anyhow, he does a better job on the field than most of our “old dudes”.

Now my son is 15 and working 4-6 games a week, mostly the 9-10 field. I don’t know for sure but I sense a bit of contempt from this coach toward my son. We have done several of his games prior to this and was on the verge of running him last game when he said “that’s two you missed?” to my son.

Tonights went a little like this. Ejected coach’s team down by 2 in 5th inning and scores 2 to tie, next out comes on a delayed steal of home after F2 throws back to F1. F1 beats the runner to the plate and applies the tag on a very close play. My son is behind the plate and bangs him out. Coach of course has better view from 3rd base coach’s box and walks by the plate with “that’s terrible!” On to extra innings. Coach on defense, R3, D3K and catcher looks runner back to 3rd and then throw to 1st for out. Runner breaks for home, throw from F3 is on time but dropped. Runner safe. Assistant coach starts arguing for interference at 1st because he felt the batter/runner was in the way. I said, “coach what is the runner supposed to do, disappear”? I was responding mainly to the way the coach was chirping about it. The batter/runner did nothing intentionally and really didn’t affect the play. The assistants keep chirping. I put the hand up, “that’s enough”. HC now takes a few steps towards me and tells me I was being a smart alec, and his coaches simply were asking a question. I said I didn’t even have to acknowledge his assistants in the first place. Then he says “THAT’S HOW IT’S GOING TO BE? THAT FIGURES!” Bye!

He comes up to me for a few last words. I don’t remember the exact words because I was doing all I could to bite my tongue. Here is a sample.

You are gutless.

Your son has no reason being out here, he has blown several calls against us.

I will make sure you guys never do another one of my games.

The only thing I was thinking “you have no reason being out here”

BTW they ended up winning, and he gets to miss 2 games.

[maninblack69]

Sounds like he had it coming. Good EJ in my book.

[txump81]

IMO, you gave him the warning and drew the line. He JUMPED over it willingly and with both feet. Good job.

On another note, good to get your son involved in umpiring with you. Another way to get a kid involved and staying out of trouble. :cheers:

[Umpire in Chief]

Good Job! It's a shame he's like that especially as an UIC. I hope other umps see how he is and goin other groups.

And yes, your son did a good job at camp.

[Thunderheads]

First of all, super cool getting your son involved and umpiring with you!

Second, ...I know this guy sounds like a douchebag, and he probably should go just for being obstinant,....but you dumped him for saying this:

Then he says “THAT’S HOW IT’S GOING TO BE? THAT FIGURES!”

??

[Stan W.]

solid EJ of a classless jerk......he is the type that gives umpires a bad name.........I just dont get some "coaches who umpire" or some "umpires who coach" that would relate to other umpires in that fashion.....

does that attitiude work when they are in the umpire role?

[catoblue]

a jerk is a jerk is a jerk. Guys like him don't give umpires a bad name, they give adults involved with youth sports a bad name.

My feedback - you gave him more than enough rope with which to hang himself, then he put the rope around his neck and jumped off a bridge. Good EJ and good bye to bad garbage.

[MCLEOD36]

Having your son there is just cool.

As for the other dopes, I would only listen to the headcoach and ignore the others. If they persist, call head coach over, take out your scorecard and lineup sheet.... and go "COACH NO MORE COMMENTS FROM THE PEANUT GALLERY"...... and voila, it is quieted down. If not, BYE BYE...

And I love the threats, YOU will never work here again. Well until the tournament director comes over and kicks them out of park...ha ha.

[muddauber77]

I have been training and recruiting new umpires for a fast pitch softball league for a couple of years now. I have had several younger people trying to get into umpiring, mostly girls that used to play in the league. Some coaches go alittle too far in trying to jump on them. It's great when you can get these kids to have an interest in umpiring, but it really puts a sour taste in their mouths when coaches act like this.

[Mr Umpire]

First of all, super cool getting your son involved and umpiring with you!

Second, ...I know this guy sounds like a douchebag, and he probably should go just for being obstinant,....but you dumped him for saying this:

Then he says “THAT’S HOW IT’S GOING TO BE? THAT FIGURES!”

??

Yes. It is a personal attack and questions the umpire's integrity. He said the umpire was not going to listen to him or his assistants b/c of who he or they were. Also, given the additional comments, he is using the history between them in the remark. Also, what isn't in here is body language, tone, and aggressiveness of the situation.

It isn't always about what is said, but what is not said in so many words.

[Thunderheads]

Yes. It is a personal attack and questions the umpire's integrity. He said the umpire was not going to listen to him or his assistants b/c of who he or they were. Also, given the additional comments, he is using the history between them in the remark. Also, what isn't in here is body language, tone, and aggressiveness of the situation.

It isn't always about what is said, but what is not said in so many words.

VERY true! Good points, .... a .... HTBT kind a thing :D

[HokieUmp]

First of all, super cool getting your son involved and umpiring with you!

Second, ...I know this guy sounds like a douchebag, and he probably should go just for being obstinant,....but you dumped him for saying this:

Then he says “THAT’S HOW IT’S GOING TO BE? THAT FIGURES!”

??

I'm thinking two reasons:

1. Maybe I'm misinterpreting the all caps, but it doesn't sound like it was said quietly, and likely yelled across the field. That ain't right.

2. The implication to the words you coloured is, in my reading, the statement that the umpires are cheating his team. That also ain't right.

Whooosh.