3 in 1 game

[BlueZone]

Just to preface, I have a total of 6 ejections in my career including these 3. I was called at 12:00 noon to do the plate for a LL Jrs game 2 cities over at 6:30 PM that night. I agreed and proceeded to change my schedule around so I could be there on time. I had been told that I was going to have help on the bases from one of the coaches in the league. So I get all of my gear ready and show up to the field at 6:00. Check out the field and start getting dressed. 6:30 comes, no help. No problem lets play. Game is progressing with no issues when during the bottom of the 2nd some guy starts walking onto the middle of the diamond. Let me paint this picture. The guy is dressed in baggy jean shorts with no belt and I can see about 5 inches of his boxers. He is also wearing a skin tight white tank top and a ball cap on backwards. As he walks away from me I noticed his wallet is on a 2' long chain.

I called time and motioned him over to me. I asked him, " Who are you?" "I'm the ump" was his response. I quietly said," Please do not walk out onto the field without checking in with me". His response was very loud, " Don't talk to me like one of these kids, I'm a man". I, still being very quiet, said, "Get off of my field". Now he start a rant that is loaded with foul language as I just walk back to the plate. He left the field and we continued.

In the 5th inning and the home team batting, I called a 3rd strike. The batter lifts his bat above his head and slams it on the ground next to me. He immidiately looks at me and I quietly say to him your gone. Noone has anything to say about this, and the player even tells me "sorry blue" before he walks away. We continue the game as the player gathers his things and walks out and sits on the bleachers.

Now in the 6th inning with the visiting team batting and 2 outs I have another called 3rd strike. The batter leans back in dis-belief then underhanded tosses his bat 60 feet back to the dugout as he mumbles under his breath. He had to go.

Now in hind sight I think I probably should have let the 3rd one go, but the other 2 guys set him up.

let the pain begin

Rick

[mstaylor]

No, I'm good with all three. If your partner can't see clear to dress properly and show up on time then you are better without him. When I say dressed properly, I don't mean an umpire uniform but pants hanging off his butt isn't good for coach or umpire. I've had guys show up in flipflops, thanks but have a nice day. Why back off the third guy? 60ft is a long throw, even underhanded.

[1dumbquestion]

so did your report include the other "umpire" you tossed? can't say I've ever EJ'd my partner... but I can think of a few times it would have been nice. 1

[moblue]

Maybe I'm too lenient, or I'm not understanding the picture clearly, but I disagree with the second ejection. Htbt I suppose, but slamming the bat on the ground in and of itself doesn't seem to warrant an ejection. At the most I would probably have warned for it. As for the other two, good job. I agree with not wanting a partner who can't dress properly (quite literally. That isn't something I would wear in public), and not letting equipment be thrown 60 feet. Of all of the ejections, the one you are most worried about (the third one) is probably your best. Good job.

[dleavitt39]

I've got an EJ on all 3. Make sure to report this assclown to the association.

DL

[Guest]

Maybe I'm too lenient, or I'm not understanding the picture clearly, but I disagree with the second ejection. Htbt I suppose, but slamming the bat on the ground in and of itself doesn't seem to warrant an ejection. At the most I would probably have warned for it.

You're kidding right?

[mstaylor]

I don't know aboout you, bu an overhead tomahawk with his bat is an early day.

[BlueZone]

To add a little more to the story. The home team had a big lead early (something like 9-1 in the 4th) and it looked like we were all headed for an early day. Then they started giving it away. Before you know it we are in the 6th and it is close. Then came EJ #3 and everything was my fault at that point. Now I know all of theses guys, and I am generally regarded as a good umpire around these parts. The visiting dugout started blaming me for things that happened in the 3rd because I didn't have help. It got a little ugly. I finished the game and left through the winning dugout and got out of there. This happened last May and I just saw one of the coaches this week and he was finnaly over it.

[Mr Umpire]

Maybe I'm too lenient, or I'm not understanding the picture clearly, but I disagree with the second ejection. Htbt I suppose, but slamming the bat on the ground in and of itself doesn't seem to warrant an ejection. At the most I would probably have warned for it. As for the other two, good job. I agree with not wanting a partner who can't dress properly (quite literally. That isn't something I would wear in public), and not letting equipment be thrown 60 feet. Of all of the ejections, the one you are most worried about (the third one) is probably your best. Good job.

Yeah, you are TOO lenient. A batter lifts his bat up over his head and slams it down is an early EJ. If he had just dropped it without raising it over his head, that gets a warning but he better pick it up immediately. If he doesn't, gone. Also, these are kids. Better to teach them early what is and is not acceptable. That was NOT acceptable and the batter knew it when he promptly said "Sorry blue".

[moblue]

Maybe I'm too lenient, or I'm not understanding the picture clearly, but I disagree with the second ejection. Htbt I suppose, but slamming the bat on the ground in and of itself doesn't seem to warrant an ejection. At the most I would probably have warned for it.

You're kidding right?

No, I'm serious. Unless I'm missing something, like his anger was directed directly at the home plate umpire and it was obvious, I would not eject for it. I honestly cannot recall of ever hearing about anyone in my area ejecting for something like that. Now, that said, I don't think it is acceptable, but that is a sportsmanship issue for the coach to handle. The only way I would step in is if it were over the top (very loud and/or included vulgar language). Most of the time the kids are mad at themselves and not the umpire.

[Guest]

Maybe I'm too lenient, or I'm not understanding the picture clearly, but I disagree with the second ejection. Htbt I suppose, but slamming the bat on the ground in and of itself doesn't seem to warrant an ejection. At the most I would probably have warned for it.

You're kidding right?

No, I'm serious. Unless I'm missing something, like his anger was directed directly at the home plate umpire and it was obvious, I would not eject for it. I honestly cannot recall of ever hearing about anyone in my area ejecting for something like that. Now, that said, I don't think it is acceptable, but that is a sportsmanship issue for the coach to handle. The only way I would step in is if it were over the top (very loud and/or included vulgar language). Most of the time the kids are mad at themselves and not the umpire.

I don't care if he's mad at himself, his coach, his 4th period gym teacher, or the guy selling peanuts in the fifth row - perception is reality, and he just told the entire park through his actions that he is upset with your call.

If you don't have an ejection here, you've just said its OK to spike bats, gloves, helmets, and any other paraphernalia you can think of whenever a close call doesn't go there way.

Reference: http://mlb.mlb.com/v...tent_id=6317143

[mstaylor]

Looks like a good toss to me.

[moblue]

That video is not at all what I am talking about. In that video, the batter clearly looked back and said something to the plate umpire after he slammed his bat down. I am referring to when a batter slams down his bat, turns, and walks or runs back to the dugout without a word.

[Guest]

That video is not at all what I am talking about. In that video, the batter clearly looked back and said something to the plate umpire after he slammed his bat down. I am referring to when a batter slams down his bat, turns, and walks or runs back to the dugout without a word.

Did you read what I wrote at all or did you just look at the video?

[mstaylor]

I agree with ump_24, it doesn't matter if he is mad at himself, the pitcher, the PU or that moon is full, when he slams his bat he is telling everyone he thinks you are a jerk or incompetent. No matter the reason, he is gone.

[dumbdumb]

Maybe I'm too lenient, or I'm not understanding the picture clearly, but I disagree with the second ejection. Htbt I suppose, but slamming the bat on the ground in and of itself doesn't seem to warrant an ejection. At the most I would probably have warned for it.

You're kidding right?

No, I'm serious. Unless I'm missing something, like his anger was directed directly at the home plate umpire and it was obvious, I would not eject for it. I honestly cannot recall of ever hearing about anyone in my area ejecting for something like that. Now, that said, I don't think it is acceptable, but that is a sportsmanship issue for the coach to handle. The only way I would step in is if it were over the top (very loud and/or included vulgar language). Most of the time the kids are mad at themselves and not the umpire.

I don't care if he's mad at himself, his coach, his 4th period gym teacher, or the guy selling peanuts in the fifth row - perception is reality, and he just told the entire park through his actions that he is upset with your call.

If you don't have an ejection here, you've just said its OK to spike bats, gloves, helmets, and any other paraphernalia you can think of whenever a close call doesn't go there way.

Reference: http://mlb.mlb.com/v...tent_id=6317143

"If you don't have an ejection here, you've just said its OK to spike bats, gloves, helmets, and any other paraphernalia you can think of whenever a close call doesn't go there way"

Listen to these guys.

And you will have enabled them to always use the "old excuse" I was just mad at myself and wasn't talking or reacting to you which they will use each and every time to CTA(cover their a&&). Meanwhile at least 18 times per team or more if it is not a no hitter, a player is allowed to slam the bat right at the plate and get away with it. And yes, both sides are watching to see what they can get away with. Right hand watches the left hand. And always remember Al Barlick's quote "Though it's very bad to eject a player when he shouldn't be ejected, it's far worse to keep someone in the game who should be ejected."

[moblue]

That video is not at all what I am talking about. In that video, the batter clearly looked back and said something to the plate umpire after he slammed his bat down. I am referring to when a batter slams down his bat, turns, and walks or runs back to the dugout without a word.

Did you read what I wrote at all or did you just look at the video?

Yes, I read what you wrote. I still disagree with ejecting players over it. As I have said all along, I must be missing something here because dumbdumb posted exactly what I am referring to:

Meanwhile at least 18 times per team or more if it is not a no hitter, a player is allowed to slam the bat right at the plate and get away with it.

My general rule on spiking equipment is that if it stays in his hand, he's okay. If it leaves his hand, well, thanks for playing.

[Guest]

That video is not at all what I am talking about. In that video, the batter clearly looked back and said something to the plate umpire after he slammed his bat down. I am referring to when a batter slams down his bat, turns, and walks or runs back to the dugout without a word.

Did you read what I wrote at all or did you just look at the video?

Yes, I read what you wrote. I still disagree with ejecting players over it. As I have said all along, I must be missing something here because dumbdumb posted exactly what I am referring to:

Meanwhile at least 18 times per team or more if it is not a no hitter, a player is allowed to slam the bat right at the plate and get away with it.

My general rule on spiking equipment is that if it stays in his hand, he's okay. If it leaves his hand, well, thanks for playing.

You are missing something because dumbdumb was being extremely facetious with that line.

He is in agreement with Mike, mrumpire, and myself.

Do what you wish though.

One day you'll see the light.