Should have I ejected?

[UmpireBen]

I'm kicking myself just thinking about it...

9/10 game. Runner on 1st with 1 out. BR singles up the middle, R1 is not running hard, CF throws to 2nd for force out, throw just beats him. I call him out. The head coach, who was coaching 1st, starts yelling "That's crap. Tie goes to the runner!" I ignored him and proceeded onto the next inning. Mind you this guy had been loudly mumbling under his breath in between innings about how the game should be called "both ways":blah

[ukce1861]

The head coach, who was coaching 1st, starts yelling "That's crap. Tie goes to the runner!"

That's all he said? I really can't see ejecting for that. Maybe a sharp, "That's enough!" and if he proceeds further then do it, but not for just that comment.

Now, his "loud mumbling"? Probably should have shut that down earlier - again, give him the stop sign and "That's enough". Especially if he's complaining about you calling it both ways - he's questioning your integrity, and you should shut that down ASAP, provided it was loud enough to be heard. If you heard it because you had rabbit ears, let it go...

[UmpireBen]

Thats what I was thinking, just wanted to get peoples input.

[Mr Umpire]

Now, his "loud mumbling"? Probably should have shut that down earlier - again, give him the stop sign and "That's enough". Especially if he's complaining about you calling it both ways - he's questioning your integrity, and you should shut that down ASAP, provided it was loud enough to be heard. If you heard it because you had rabbit ears, let it go...

I disagree with this. If you heard it, then someone else can hear it. I don't care who thinks it is 'rabbit ears'. It is questioning the umpire's integrity even if it is a whisper. Time to be told to stop immediately or it's time to go.

[UmpireBen]

That is a problem of mine. I often avoid conflict with coaches unless they are face to face yelling at me. I have to be more assertive.

[carolinablue]

How long have you been umpiring ? Dealing with coaches and players properly takes some experience. Also could have to do with overall confidence on the field.

[UmpireBen]

This will be my 2nd year umpiring. I"m 17.

[Umpire in Chief]

Ben things will come in time. The "That's enough" line works wonders. Welcome to the site...

[tjshanno]

the "tie goes to the runner" comment wouldn't bother me unless he continues and gets loud. The "both ways" comment needs to be shut down because the inference is that you are cheating. That train of thought can't be allowed to continue. Don't worry about the assertiveness thing, you sound like you are doing the right things, focus on seeing and calling the game, and the coaches will find a way to incite your assertiveness. It will be easy to spot. Good luck, and keep up the good work.

[Stan W.]

This will be my 2nd year umpiring. I"m 17.

hang in there ben, things will sort themselves out. A lot of times coaches will try and see how far they can push a young umpire...I think you did fine...

just so you know, I dont have much of a problem with what he said first, when a coach says "tie goes to the runner", I know he doesnt know anything about baseball. But I have a big problem with what he said later....

This statement gets me fired up all the time and I have been known to call time and let them know.

"Call it both ways"............really gets me...he is implying that I am cheating...and I wont stand for it.....

Best of Luck!

Stan

Edited July 15, 2010 by Stan W.
usual suspects, spelling and clarity

[amarillo]

Ejected a coach for this very comment earlier this evening because he said it one more time after I had given him the stop sign and the thats enough... This comment more than any other get me going

[PeteBooth]

I'm kicking myself just thinking about it...

9/10 game. Runner on 1st with 1 out. BR singles up the middle, R1 is not running hard, CF throws to 2nd for force out, throw just beats him. I call him out. The head coach, who was coaching 1st, starts yelling "That's crap. Tie goes to the runner!" I ignored him and proceeded onto the next inning. Mind you this guy had been loudly mumbling under his breath in between innings about how the game should be called "both ways":blah

We now know you are 17.

For the most part coaches will try to intimidate younger umpires thinking they can get away "with murder"

You now have to "show them" this is NOT the case.

The head coach, who was coaching 1st, starts yelling "That's crap.

The FIRST time simply ignore. If it keeps up then you put a stop to it.

NOTE: You have another thread about a bad partner and now this one. BOTH dealing with 9/10U

At this age group unfortunately you will be dealing with "Daddy" coaches and "Daddy" coaches are an altogether different "breed" meaning you do not deal with a 'Daddy" coach the same way you would deal with say a HS Varsity coach. For the most part (not all the time) the Varsity coach KNOWS when it's time to keep quiet. Not true with "Daddy" coaches. "Daddy" coaches are like the energizer bunny. They keep going, going so you have to have a "tighter rain" with a "Daddy" coach then you would with a more experienced/seasoned coach.

the game should be called "both ways":blah

You put a STOP to the aforementioned RIGHT AWAY.

Do not use threatening words as that can "box you in" but a Stern THAT'S ENOUGH COACH. If continued then you dump.

In Summary: at the 9/10/11 yr. old age brackets unfortunately you have to deal with daddy Coaches. Also, you are only 17 so as mentioned they "think" they can get away with more.

You have to show them that age doesn't matter and YOU are in control of the game. If they question your integrity it's time to STOP them in "their tracks" and if continued it's EJ time.

Hopefully this league you umpire in has some form of desciplinary action for coaches / players that get dumped. If there is no desciplinary action it's time to look for another league.

Pete Booth

[UmpireBen]

Thank you everyone for your comments. I hope I can contribute to this site.

[mstaylor]

Thank you everyone for your comments. I hope I can contribute to this site.

You certainly can contribute even if that contribution is asking questions that starts discussions. By asking questions, you learn, others learn and then you get to pass that knowledge to other umpires.

[yawetag]

By asking questions, you learn, others learn and then you get to pass that knowledge to other umpires.

And, every once in a while, full-blown "discussions" happen!

[UmpireBen]

Kind of resurrecting this thread, but I havent been on here since I last posted in this thread. I have moved past just calling 9/10 games. Last year I started working JV and freshman high school games, which was kind of weird at first because only a few years ago I was playing at that level. Hopefully this year I can continue working JV and hopefully get a cup a coffee shot at Varsity in the near future. However I will always find time to work the lower levels. 

 

And also, before I forget: I umpired a game a few days after this post was made and the coach in the OP was on one of the teams. Gave me the same crap from before. Warned him, he continued, so I ejected him.

 

Again, sorry if I was bumping and old thread,

[bam]

Resurrected? I'm calling "Dracula" on you.

Seriously, though - what happened AFTER you ignored it? It sounds like nothing happened. If you ignore something like this and nothing happens, then you did you job. If you had to EJ later, then you missed it.

It's been over 2 years since the post so you've either figured it out or haven't been working much.

[UmpireBen]

Um, I was posting on this thread because I haven't posted on here since I started this thread. Just wanted to give an update on how I was doing umpiring wise.

[bam]

Um is no way to start a sentence, son.

[UmpireBen]

Thank you.

[Pete Peterson Sr]

Um is no way to start a sentence, son.

 

 

 Although I completely agree with your sentiments, was that comment to the kid really necessary ? And IMHO, using the term "son" can seem condescending....

[UmpireBen]

Yea, I really didn't know how to react to that statement. Was that really necessary?

[alex7]

"Yea" is no way to start a...

 

just kidding.  I get super excited if I see or hear of a young umpire working. Seventeen?  That's awesome. The entire NATION needs more young umpires. It's a very hard job for which to recruit, and I appreciate you getting out there at a young age.  Keep it up and don't let some bad apples get in the way!

[Jocko]

Um... Yea. What he ^ said. Not even A-holes correcting you on UE ;)

[UmpireBen]

Sorry for bumping this. My mistake, I haven't been on here in years. For some reason I thought bumping the thread was a good idea. Please lock this. I'm sorry my second sentence did not have a semicolon by the way.