Accosted in the parking lot

[UmpJM]

Jax,

 

Though I don't disagree with the sentiment, it would have been better if you hadn't said anything.

 

Don't let them drag you down to their level.

 

JM

[BalkHawk]

BalkHawk

Have you read the thread "Have people Completely Lost Their Minds?"

It is getting worse.

Have you called in all parts of the US?

Must be nice living in Disneyland.

I did glance at that thread. I also glanced at the Little League official website. Apparently, in 2011, there were more than 7,500 local little leagues, not to mention Dixie, Babe Ruth, etc. As far as I can tell, there have been no other instances similar to that which happened in Vallejo.

I do not believe "it" is getting worse, unless "it" refers to the media, or the number of websites on which anonymous citizens can perpetrate paranoid rantings and pass them off as expert opinions.

I have not called ball in all 50 states, or even all the 48 contiguous states. Here in Disney World (Disneyland is near Vallejo, I think) we have year round ball, and it IS nice, especially when the snow birds leave. We also have thugs here, some of 'em have guns, and some of those have kids in little league. Still, I'll be damned if I'm going to live my life in paranoid fear of the psychopathic.

[bam]

I did a game yesterday with a guy who had a coach follow him to his car after and EJ/forfeit the prior day.  My best advice - stop halfway there and tell him if he gets to my car, I'm calling 9-eleven (as Tom Menino calls it). 

[BigUmpire]

 

BalkHawk

Have you read the thread "Have people Completely Lost Their Minds?"

It is getting worse.

Have you called in all parts of the US?

Must be nice living in Disneyland.

I did glance at that thread. I also glanced at the Little League official website. Apparently, in 2011, there were more than 7,500 local little leagues, not to mention Dixie, Babe Ruth, etc. As far as I can tell, there have been no other instances similar to that which happened in Vallejo.

I do not believe "it" is getting worse, unless "it" refers to the media, or the number of websites on which anonymous citizens can perpetrate paranoid rantings and pass them of as expert opinions.

I have not called ball in all 50 states, or even all the 48 contiguous states. Here in Disney World (Disneyland is near Vallejo, I think) we have year round ball, and it IS nice, especially when the snow birds leave. We also have thugs here, some of 'em have guns, and some of those have kids in little league. Still, I'll be damned if I'm going to live my life in paranoid fear of the psychopathic.

 

Someday.

[BigUmpire]

I did a game yesterday with a guy who had a coach follow him to his car after and EJ/forfeit the prior day.  My best advice - stop halfway there and tell him if he gets to my car, I'm calling 9-eleven (as Tom Menino calls it). 

No one would screw with you anyhow. Must be your rosy personality.

[Fittske24]

When I use to do this kind of ball here is something that worked flawlessly in this kind of situation.....

When returning to your truck/car always have your cellphone handy and close by..... When approached by a angry parent, coach, or whoever immediatly grab it.... Before they start talking, switch on the video recording feature, point the phone at them and say " this conversation is being recorded in the event I have to contact the authorities." 10 times out 10 they don't say another word and walk away. Sometimes all I had to do was point the phone at them as if recording video and they walk away.....

[mstaylor]

I was working a game where the catcher came to my truck after the game. He language was not pretty and he is known to swing on people. I know his father very well so I talked to him about it. I asked of his son was 18, he was. I told him the next time he comes to my truck cussing me he was getting laid out. His father said not a problem.

Sent from my C771 using Tapatalk 2

[Haid D' Salaami]

with Runners on base like in this play.. R2 touching of 3rd is the least of your priorities.. watching the FPSR, and the play at 1st as you have responsibilities there. Touching of bases is always down low of our list of things to watch for.

[JaxRolo]

Jax,

 

Though I don't disagree with the sentiment, it would have been better if you hadn't said anything.

 

Don't let them drag you down to their level.

 

JM

 

I agree!

[basejester]

When returning to your truck/car always have your cellphone handy and close by..... When approached by a angry parent, coach, or whoever immediatly grab it.... Before they start talking, switch on the video recording feature, point the phone at them and say " this conversation is being recorded in the event I have to contact the authorities." 10 times out 10 they don't say another word and walk away. Sometimes all I had to do was point the phone at them as if recording video and they walk away.....

I think the people who are deterred by that are unlikely to have violent intent.

[BigUmpire]

 

When returning to your truck/car always have your cellphone handy and close by..... When approached by a angry parent, coach, or whoever immediatly grab it.... Before they start talking, switch on the video recording feature, point the phone at them and say " this conversation is being recorded in the event I have to contact the authorities." 10 times out 10 they don't say another word and walk away. Sometimes all I had to do was point the phone at them as if recording video and they walk away.....

I think the people who are deterred by that are unlikely to have violent intent.

 

You are right on the money. Then there are others that do.

[zm1283]

When I start working at places where I fear for my personal safety on any kind of regular basis, I'll most likely get out of umpiring at that point.  If you honestly feel threatened enough to have to carry ax handles, large flashlights, laser pointers, and possibly guns to your umpiring gigs, you either are paranoid or need to find something else to do.

[BigUmpire]

I had my arm broken in one of the most affluent and crime free locations in Georgia. Peachtree City.

Suprise, suprise.

[Thunderheads]

This has never happened to me, ....and,.....it's the last thing on my mind when arriving, doing, and leaving a game.........

[Dannytheman]

I've been followed to my truck, but mainly the individual feeling they need to tell me how bad I am. I have never been accosted. My truck was keyed. Insurance took care of that.

In my league, I go to the snack bar and get a diet Coke and Hot Dog. Sit on a retaining wall and eat. People can come over anytime and ask me questions, it's LL and I am a neighbor and friend. I try to educate and answer questions best I can. I use things I have read here, I use things from my past and I tell people the truth, we miss some but they tend to even out. It tends to be more about THEIR kid, than the team, and I sometimes politley remind them of it.

 

When I was traveling working Jr High, High School and Community College games, I did what I was supposed to do, leave the field by the winners access point and get out of Dodge. But now I am older and more relaxed.

[BigUmpire]

Did the diet Coke cancel out the calories of the hotdog?

[Dannytheman]

Did the diet Coke cancel out the calories of the hotdog?

That's what the relish and spicy mustard does, the Diet Coke is so I can keep my shape.

 

 

 

Round is a shape.

[IABlue]

Well, you reported it so that's good. If you don't want to work there anymore, I can understand that. If it's otherwise a good place to work, I would probably see if they handle it correctly ( get rid of the jerk coach ) before I made a harsh decision.

 

The only other thing I would say is that, this is why I never ask what the score is. I don't care and don't want to know. If there's a scoreboard then fine but if not I'm just going to do my job and the game will end when it's over. If you ask, someone can always accuse you of trying to end the game. JMHO.

 

I hate you had to go through this. Good luck.

LOL, how do you know when the game is over unless you know what the score is?

 

Think about that for a few minutes.

 

If there is some question on what the correct score is, find out, but do it DISCREETLY.

[IABlue]

Lots of great stuff in this thread.

 

BigUmp, I completely sympathize with what you've been through, but if you're going be this paranoid for the rest of your life, I would suggest finding a new hobby.

 

Just sayin...

[BigUmpire]

Lots of great stuff in this thread.

 

BigUmp, I completely sympathize with what you've been through, but if you're going be this paranoid for the rest of your life, I would suggest finding a new hobby.

 

Just sayin...

Not paranoid, just prepared .

[basejester]

LOL, how do you know when the game is over unless you know what the score is?

When everybody else leaves, I figure it must be over.

[IABlue]

 

LOL, how do you know when the game is over unless you know what the score is?

When everybody else leaves, I figure it must be over.

 

So you just hang around on the field until everyone is done shaking hands and heads back to the dugout to pack up their gear?

[noumpere]

 

LOL, how do you know when the game is over unless you know what the score is?

 

.

 

 

The teams line up to shake hands.

 

Seriously, you know whether it's close or not and you can tell by the strategy and the comments which run is the winning run.

[carolinablue]

I have yet to have a game where the players continued to play after a complete game was over. When I do I'll start asking, but I have a feeling the winning team will always let you know when the game is over.

[IABlue]

I have yet to have a game where the players continued to play after a complete game was over. When I do I'll start asking, but I have a feeling the winning team will always let you know when the game is over.

This is hilarious.  You literally stand there until both teams line up and start shaking hands?

 

 

LOL, how do you know when the game is over unless you know what the score is?

 

.

 

 

The teams line up to shake hands.

 

Seriously, you know whether it's close or not and you can tell by the strategy and the comments which run is the winning run.

 

Or, you know, you can look at the scoreboard.

 

Knowing what the score is any point in a game is just as critical as knowing how many outs there are or what the count is.  To ignore such a critical aspect of the game situation is borderline negligence in terms of doing your job.