Should I Have Ejected Him???

[csaump]

So I'm a 14 year old umpire...This game is Shetland level, the 6 and under leauge. From the moment I step onto the field, this guy is on me, ordering me to clean the plate. This continues throughout the entire game. I do not acknowledge this, but continue to clean the plate when it needs to be cleaned. He then proceeds to argue a call at first base, asking how I could call someone out if I wasn't even looking at the play. I informed the coach that I had indeed been looking at the play and he eventually simmered down. Towards the end of the game, he again ordered me to clean the plate, which I ignored as I hash just cleaned the plate after the last half inning. He then said "fine, I'll do it myself!" and came towards me attempting to grab my brush out of my ball bag...

Should I have EJed him and if so, at what point. Also, what could I have done differently to avoid all of this?

[Welpe]

Yes, he should have been tossed for pulling such a stunt. I would consider reporting these actions to your assignor. Don't beat yourself up. I'm not sure how long you've been umpiring but dealing with coaches like this takes some time to adjust to especially as a teenager.

You're doing the right thing looking for advice here.

A coach trying to tell an umpire what to do like this needs to be dealt with early in the game. A simple "Coach, let me handle cleaning the plate." the first time he orders you to will suffice the first time.

,

[James Walker]

Isn't 6u t-ball?

[csaump]

Isn't 6u t-ball?

In my leauge the kid gets a chance to hit five underhand pitches from their coach before hitting off the tee. My main job at this level is safe/out and fair/foul.

[carolinablue]

Yes, he should have been ejected. Attempting to grab your brush from your bag is along the lines of bumping or even worse and is a major no-no. Don't beat yourself up over it. An aggresive coach such as this is very difficult for an umpire your age and experience to handle. Even if you did, he probably would have tried to ignore you, IMO, and caused a bigger scene. As welpe suggested, I would definately discuss this with your assignor and also any board members/administrators of the league or the UIC if they have one.

[Jocko]

In the future, take charge early. If he ASKS you to clean the plate, do so without issue. If he DEMANDS anything, let him know YOU are in charge. Since you're not calling balls and strikes, I don't think it's an affront to you personally, just him trying to be the bully in charge. A stern, "I've got this coach" will usually do the trick. Don't ignore him. Give him a that's enough look if nothing else. Let him know you hear him and will handle it as you see fit. Once he came at you, Adios, Amigo. He's history. If he touches you, get your UIC, board comissioner, assignor, or some other park official involved. You didn't do wrong, just have to learn to handle situations and manage the game. It will come with time. That's why we don't allow anyone <18 to work games. You'll do fine. Remember not to hold a grudge against this douche bag. That game is over. Next time you see him, treat him as if it never happened. Professionalism. You'll get there. Don't be intimidated by anyone. YOU are in charge. Be polite, respectful, and professional, but be in control and let them know you know you are.

[scrounge]

this is outrageous, he's a bully and has no business coaching young kids. It's friggin' 6 year olds, they can barely track a ball, who gives a rats' a%$ if the plate is super clean or not!!! What is wrong with people?!?

This should be reported to the league.

[SoCal Lurker]

IMHO, this is an issuet he Board needs to deal with. These are 6-year-olds. A Shetland coach should never be saying anything to an umpire about a judgment call -- ever. None of this matters and the guy is way out of line and he needs to be talked to about getting his priorities straight. I really, really hope that you tell the umpire in chief, or a board member, or whoever is appropriate in your league about what happened and your concerns.

[SanDiegoSteve]

The answer to "Should I have ejected him" is always YES. :)

[mstaylor]

So the coach is throwing underhand to his player and can't find the plate? You should keep the plate visible but do it as you see fit. Don't ignore him, if you don't think it needs it, tell him so. He tries to take anything from your person, dump him. Hard to do when you are young and he's a jerk.

[MPLSMatt]

This is utterly insane. Report this right now! Yes, you should have ejected but I'd say given the situation, it probably wouldn't have helped. Get the board or your assignor involved.

As an aside, where are the parents? If I had a kid on that team, I'd be going to the board after I saw this sort of bullying to a minor going on.

[csaump]

So the coach is throwing underhand to his player and can't find the plate? You should keep the plate visible but do it as you see fit. Don't ignore him, if you don't think it needs it, tell him so. He tries to take anything from your person, dump him. Hard to do when you are young and he's a jerk.

The funny thing is that the coaches that we throwing underhand to the players never complained or asked...not even once. This guy was standing on my left, in order to coach the kids while they were batting.

[Jocko]

Hopefully by now you have told someone official about this. Speaking as a father, if my son told me what you"ve told us, I'd pay his a$$ a visit and remind him 1) you are a minor 2) you are an official SMACK! 3) you're MY son.

[umpcoachfather]

Sorry you went through this. But adults can and will be idiots, run him and run him quick. As this isnt baseball, having you behind the plate really doesnt matter. Count the pitches behind the mound, then call every interference and obstruction call imaginable, and stare at him while awarding bases. After the 56 minute half inning, he should figure it out. Let them manage their own games and put you on the field when a real game is being played. You should have said this "Pipe down and dont tell me how to do my job, thats your warning" then "Your gone - the first coach in history thrown out of a tball game for being an A*& to a 14 year old". Talk to the league President. If you were my son, and he tried taking the brush from him or even got close enough where I thought their might be some kind of phyiscal contact, he'd be allowed to clean his teeth of the plate.

[BT_Blue]

If he comes to grab the brush from you it could be taken as him attempting to assault a minor... in which case the cops could become involved. The league needs to take care of this knucklehead as this seems to have the potential to turn into a major legal issue.