USC temper tantrum ejection

[JHSump]

I was PU in an 11U tournament game yesterday.  There was a swipe tag on a close play at the plate, and I called the runner out.  (It was pretty clear to me he was tagged before reaching the plate.)

 

The runner jumped up, and repeatedly screamed, "I was not out!" while throwing his hands in the air, stomping his feet, and shaking his head back and forth.  As he continued toward his 1B dugout and continued this display, I gave the EJ mechanic toward his dugout, and said, "He is gone."

 

It was a regular temper tantrum.

 

That was one out from the end of the game.  This player's team lost the game.  As the 3B coach passed me once the game ended, he said, "Sorry about that."  I just said, "Thanks."  

 

I don't know why the player threw the tantrum.  There had been some grumbling by parents in the 1B stands about balls, strikes, and a "Baltimore chop" down the 3B line that I called fair (against their team), and that may have "primed the pump" for this kid.  But who knows.  Later, in the central building at this 4-field complex, I told a fellow umpire I tossed a kid today.  He asked what team. I told him.  He immediately asked, what is ____________?  And, yes, it was that player.  He said, "He does that a lot.  His father is just as bad."  I said, "Well, I did my part, I guess.  Maybe he'll learn."

 

By the way, the grumbling during the game was from mothers.  I never heard a peep from any fathers or coaches, about anything.

 

What do you say to a coach that apologizes after you toss one of his players?  I figured it was not the time or place to get into a discussion about it --- if there ever is a good time or place.

 

As I left the field with my partner a man approached me just as we were entering the central building.  He said, "I want to shake your hand for what you just did."  I don't know how to react to these things.  Is he serious?  Dangerous?  He looked sincere.  Again, I just said, "Thanks."  He said, "You don't know the half of what goes on in that dugout."  I just said thanks again, and got inside before anything else could happen.  I did shake his hand.

 

What do you do under such circumstances?

 

Any other comments?

 

Ever have a kid throw a temper tantrum during a game?

 

[KLAH316]

I would just nod, acknowledge what was said and keep walking.....

[mstaylor]

Just say thanks and keep going. I tossed a manager once, after the game his brother came to my truck while I was changing. He told me it was his brother, that it was a good toss and he doesn't understand why he gets like that on the field. The really funny thing was the SS, this was a SrLL, saw me at adult wooden bat and told me it was a good toss, his coach was a jerk. 

[JHSump]

Just say thanks and keep going. I tossed a manager once, after the game his brother came to my truck while I was changing. He told me it was his brother, that it was a good toss and he doesn't understand why he gets like that on the field. The really funny thing was the SS, this was a SrLL, saw me at adult wooden bat and told me it was a good toss, his coach was a jerk. 

Definitely, some people DO get like that on a field.  Off the field, they are not a problem.  On the field...

 

And, that comment from the player reminds me that I will occasionally get such a comment, during the game, from the catcher (HS, Legion).

[Maineac]

The really funny thing was the SS, this was a SrLL, saw me at adult wooden bat and told me it was a good toss, his coach was a jerk. 

I think this goes to show that coaches can't fool the kids they coach. Probably nobody knows better than they do when their coach is a tool. He was probably deserving of it for awhile and the player was glad to see he got it. I've had a basketball player tell me the same thing after pitching his father from the stands for bad behavior.

[Dragon29]

Ever have a kid throw a temper tantrum during a game?

 

My very first EJ was because of a kid throwing a temper tantrum at the plate.

My 1st year in LL post-season; I was on the dish working a 11-year old TOC game w/two guys whose experience level soared over mine.

With two outs and no-one on (I think it was the 3rd inning) I called a 3rd strike on a pitch at the belt, just on the outside edge of the plate - basically, a no-brainer strike.  (Later, my U1 said the 1B coach started heading back to the dugout as soon as the pitch crossed the plate)

 

The kid exploded!  Slammed his helmet on the plate, pointed at me and said, "You're a terrible umpire!"  Then tossed his bat down and repeated himself.  I was stunned.  Granted, I had just started, but I'd never seen a reaction like that before so it took me a moment to recover.  The kid had gathered his gear and was starting to head back to his dugout, so I followed him - intending to go tell his manager to find someone to replace him - when my U3 signals me over to him - ?

He's a senior guy, so I figure I'd better listen to him.  I go speak to him and he says, "You gotta dump him."  Again, I'm new - but I know that!

By the time I got to the dugout a few seconds later, the manager came out with, "Don't worry, Blue.  He's gone." and I could hear the kids mother reading him the riot act from behind the dugout.

Still wrote the report though - I didn't want that kid playing the next game.

[blue23ll]

Good story Stuart, where did you work Little League? I am originally from California, worked District 57 for years.

[blue23ll]

I don't know if this is considered a tantrum, but this happened to me in a LL Majors game, a while ago. I was working the dish, runner on first advancing to third, so I rotate up, ball beats runner by a mile. I call him out, and while he was still on the ground, looking up at me, he slams his helmet into the ground and says, "F*$k you"...

[Richvee]

I don't know if this is considered a tantrum, but this happened to me in a LL Majors game, a while ago. I was working the dish, runner on first advancing to third, so I rotate up, ball beats runner by a mile. I call him out, and while he was still on the ground, looking up at me, he slams his helmet into the ground and says, "F*$k you"...

LOL. They don't get much easier than that!

[mstaylor]

Of course the first thought that popped in my head, and one you can't say, was," No, no, F*&k you."

[blue23ll]

The funny (ironic funny) was that the 3b coach was the kid's father. I looked at the father and asked, "Did he just say what I think he said?" The dad replied, "Let's go, Jack (son's name), your day is over". 

[UMP45]

I don't know if this is considered a tantrum, but this happened to me in a LL Majors game, a while ago. I was working the dish, runner on first advancing to third, so I rotate up, ball beats runner by a mile. I call him out, and while he was still on the ground, looking up at me, he slams his helmet into the ground and says, "F*$k you"...

"Fuuk me? No Fuuk U!"