Ejection Report

[tankmjg24]

Since there is 10 inches of snow outside and ~5 degrees (Fahrenheit not Celsius)  I figure why not start a topic to get the opinions of my fellow umpires.  I have had the pleasure to write a handful of ejection reports.  I come from the school of thought to write every objective detail down.  For example, if the coach comes out of the dugout without permission and proceeds to tell me I am horrible while kicing dirt on me I would write "Coach A from Team A entered the field of play without being granted time.  Coach A then stated that I was a horrible umpire while kicking dirt in my direction.  Coach A was ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct."  I have fellow umpires that have the philosophy of keep it short and sweet and believe that this should be written as "Coach A for team A was ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct."  Their thought is that if more information is needed, that you will receive a phone call and can then go into details then.  So how would you all write up your report? 

[BigUmpire]

This is more for ON field time BUT it MAY apply here.

 

Umpire bumper sticker:

 

• "The more you say to the coach, the more the coach can use against you."-plateumpire

[Mike Prince]

I understand the thought that you may only get one shot to present your case, but that's really not true.  If your assignor/board needs more info, they will ask for it.  But they also don't want to have to read a book which may confuse them and to @BigUmpire's point, you may talk yourself into a situation.  Go in with the attitude that people have your back, not the other way around.

 

One of the best pieces of advice I ever got from an umpire was - "The less you say is the less you say"

[BigUmpire]

I understand the thought that you may only get one shot to present your case, but that's really not true.  If your assignor/board needs more info, they will ask for it.  But they also don't want to have to read a book which may confuse them and to @BigUmpire's point, you may talk yourself into a situation.  Go in with the attitude that people have your back, not the other way around.

 

One of the best pieces of advice I ever got from an umpire was - "The less you say is the less you say"

OR "The less you say is the BEST you say"

[scrounge]

I think there has to be a distinction between fact-based and opinion-based statements. The less OPINION you say, the better. But I do not agree with a simple "Coach was ejected for unsportsmanlike behavior". Now the AD/assignor/board/whoever is wondering "what behavior?" and is now hearing the full coaches' side without any facts or context. Saying "Coach made personal, insulting remarks while kicking dirt on my shoes/in my direction" or including the actual quote now gives context, ESPECIALLY when there's a physical component like a bump or kicking dirt that makes it an indefensible no-brainer. Leaving out key details deprives the reader of the report of that much needed context and leaves them wondering, creates extra work for them to call you (sure, they may call you anyway, but why leave them hanging?), and lets the coach frame the debate first.

[mstaylor]

When writing an ejection report you need to be concise but complete.

:Do not write a novel

:Do not interject opinion

:Add any and all salient points

:If language is involved, include it

I always follow the same format but it is a little formal for youth ball.

Date:

Field Location:

Home Team:

Visiting Team:

Reason for ejection:

[Texas Manny]

Remember, your ejection report is a legal document that can be used by any administrative body, or even a court of law, for purposes of discipline, so it is very important that you stick directly to the facts and do not inflate the situation with your personal feelings. State exactly the time, inning, number of outs, anything to do with the batter if involved, including his count, what each participant did. Refer to each member as "Mr. xxxx"; whereas "xxxx" is their last name, after initially using their title, i.e., manager, coach, etc. Do not forget to put stated words in quotations. If you were physically touched or threatened, say so. You must include what the offending individual(s) did and what you did to respond. Be as concise as possible, however, do not runneth over with the pen. Stick to the facts. Say it as briefly as possible. CYA.

[Mike Prince]

I will also add that when an ejection occurs, take a moment after the situation is under control to take a few one or two word notes on the back of your lineup card.  Specifically the inning, outs and situation/what was said, etc..  Use this later when you fill out your EJ report.  Often it is easy to get caught up in the moment or be in a rush to get the game restarted and you find yourself in front of a computer screen later struggling for key details.  Take 30-45 seconds on the field where you can get your own space and jot down a few notes with keywords to help you remember later on what happened.

[BigUmpire]

Remember, your ejection report is a legal document that can be used by any administrative body, or even a court of law, for purposes of discipline, so it is very important that you stick directly to the facts and do not inflate the situation with your personal feelings. State exactly the time, inning, number of outs, anything to do with the batter if involved, including his count, what each participant did. Refer to each member as "Mr. xxxx"; whereas "xxxx" is their last name, after initially using their title, i.e., manager, coach, etc. Do not forget to put stated words in quotations. If you were physically touched or threatened, say so. You must include what the offending individual(s) did and what you did to respond. Be as concise as possible, however, do not runneth over with the pen. Stick to the facts. Say it as briefly as possible. CYA.

• "The more you say to the coach, the more the coach can use against you."-plateumpire

[MidAmUmp]

You are the governing body's eyes and ears.  If they say it, it needs to be in the report.  Unsportsmanlike Conduct is a pretty broad brush.  You need to be specific on what they did.  Their administration needs to know the exact details of what they said and did.  They cuss, you put it in the report.  They scream, you use exclamation points.  Write the entire conversation.  Don't leave out any details.  The more they know, the more likely something will be done.  Simply saying "I ejected him for unsportsmanlike conduct" is going to get a "Well, don't do it again."  Saying, "He screamed at me, 'You chickens--t motherf---er!" (<---true story!) is going to catch the eye of the administration and governing body.  Something is going to be done about it.

 

Obviously no opinions, but don't leave out any pertinent details.  Tell the truth, if you cussed, you'd better include it, too.

 

We're having to submit our reports to our supervisors for review before sending them on to the NCAA.

[Haid D' Salaami]

I also would take out the " coach came out with out being granted time"... that means nothing..

[BillKen]

2013 EJECTION OF THE YEAR!  It is a clinic on the above conversation!

 

http://m.mlb.com/video/v29273399/laatex-scioscia-gets-ejected-after-arguing-play

[afaber12]

2013 EJECTION OF THE YEAR! It is a clinic on the above conversation!<br /><br />http://m.mlb.com/video/v29273399/laatex-scioscia-gets-ejected-after-arguing-play

<br /><br />This one still brings a smile to my face. Probably not recommended for beginners though.<br /><br />As part of my other life, I'm occasionally required to write witness statements for court matters. I've heard the exact same guidelines for that as for ejection reports.<br /><br />Stick to the facts. What did they do? What did you do? If you know the exact words, quote them - if foul language was used, write out the full words rather than "f###" or "f-word". If you don't, be as accurate as you can. If it's your partner's ejection, only what you actually saw/heard, not what your partner said happened. If you only saw the aftermath because the play was still going on, or you were dealing with something else, then say so.

[BT_Blue]

2013 EJECTION OF THE YEAR!  It is a clinic on the above conversation!

 

http://m.mlb.com/video/v29273399/laatex-scioscia-gets-ejected-after-arguing-play

I have dubbed this the "Silence Is Golden" ejection and is possibly my all time favorite.

I was always used to writing out a full ejection report described above. However, Washington just wants a one or two sentence blub of the reason (along with who, what, and where). However, Oregon wants the full thing. To each their own.

[yawetag]

Remember, your ejection report is a legal document

 

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

 

While it may be used in a legal proceeding, it doesn't make it a "legal document."

[MidAmUmp]

 

Remember, your ejection report is a legal document

 

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

 

While it may be used in a legal proceeding, it doesn't make it a "legal document."

 

I know 3 umpires, a prosecuting attorney, and a defense attorney who will disagree with you.

 

Boy, I'm in an argumentative mood tonight...

[BT_Blue]

Remember, your ejection report is a legal document

 

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

 

While it may be used in a legal proceeding, it doesn't make it a "legal document."

I know 3 umpires, a prosecuting attorney, and a defense attorney who will disagree with you.

 

Boy, I'm in an argumentative mood tonight...

Preparing for opening day huh?

[Texas Manny]

 

Remember, your ejection report is a legal document

 

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

 

While it may be used in a legal proceeding, it doesn't make it a "legal document."

 

Laugh as you may, but it is absolutely true. An ejection report is a legal document. Just because it may have less importance at youth leagues, don't negate it's importance.

[UmpTTS43]

Remember, your ejection report is a legal document

 

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

 

While it may be used in a legal proceeding, it doesn't make it a "legal document."

I know 3 umpires, a prosecuting attorney, and a defense attorney who will disagree with you.

 

Boy, I'm in an argumentative mood tonight...

I also agree.

Not on the argumentative point but the legal status of this document

[BillKen]

Any report submitted to a state association like UIL essentially serve as your affidavit for any disciplinary hearings that the coach must attend.  Texas does not require umpires to attend UIL discipline reviews...your report speaks for you.  An admin may call you and get some of the "between the lines" info, but what you write is your "testimony" in that hearing.  While that is not a legal setting, should it evolve into a due process hearing due to termination by the district, the report will then be evidentiary.  

 

I've found that if I write my report when I get home from the game, it is best for me to wait until the next day to hit the "send" button.  After the adrenaline exits my system, I usually think much clearer!

[Jocko]

[Jocko]

Be thorough but concise. Include all pertinent I formation. The count doesn't matter. The situation does. Whether time was granted or not is inconsequential.

Keep

It

Simple

Stupid

[BT_Blue]

What is funny, is that instructord still like to use this when talking about ejection reports. They dont realize that over half the audience, if not more, has never seen an episode of Dragnet.

[tankmjg24]

I am in the medical field and it has been preached to us many a million times that if it is not written (or with EHR these days typed) into the chart then it never happened.  I tend to take that philosophy with my ejection report.  I keep it objective and keep the subjective material out of the report as it can be deemed bias.  I was just curius how everyone else handled their reports as it seems there is much fluctuation between governing bodies. 

[Trakes2]

2013 EJECTION OF THE YEAR!  It is a clinic on the above conversation!

 

http://m.mlb.com/video/v29273399/laatex-scioscia-gets-ejected-after-arguing-play

I love this! One of the best in a LONG time!

 

I swear at the 51 second mark, Lane moves his mouth..(He's shifting his gum I believe) BUT it looks like he does it because he's about to bust out a smile...GREAT EJ!