F2 Spikes the Ball

[CricketChapman]

Inspired by the recent post about an angry F2, I offer the following from a few years ago:

12U USSSA Tournament, elimination game.  VT is the lowest seed after getting shellacked in pool play.  Bottom 4, the score is 6-0 HT, R2.  The score was 2-0 until the 4th, when HT started lighting up VT's F1 - the attitudes of the players were clearly deteriorating.

BR hits a liner to F9 and he throws to the plate in an attempt to retire R2.  The throw is perfect, F2 blocks the plate pretty well, and R2 slides into the tag just prior to touching home plate.  Just as I am about to punch R2 out, F2 and I both notice the ball is laying on the ground.  F2 then picks the ball up off the ground and shows it to me.  I give a strong safe mechanic and a point at where the ball was laying, while verbalizing, "He's safe!  The ball's on the ground."

F2 rises up and starts yelling, "I tagged him out!!  I tagged him out!!"  I replied, "You dropped the ball during the tag."  F2 says, "But I tagged him out!"  I reply, "That's enough, catch" and after a brief moment, F2 screams "No way!" and slams the ball down so hard it rolls to the pitcher's mound.  I ejected F2.

VT HC sprints to the plate after this.  He said the kid was just angry at himself, and I told VT HC that F2 was reacting to the call.  VT HC then delivers this line: "That's bush league and you're terrible."  VT HC was ejected.  The next batter singled in the winning run and the game was over.

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Was this handled pretty well?  I am fairly certain, based on F2's tone and volume, as well as his histrionic slamming of the ball, that the ejection was appropriate without further warning.

As for VT HC, is there a better response to the statement that the "kid was just angry at himself"?

[blue23ll]

Yes, if you feel compelled to say anything,  a better response would be, 'get me another catcher, coach'. You don't have to justify your ejection, and I don't recommend discussing calls with 12 year olds.

[LRZ]

VT HC sprints to the plate after this.  He said the kid was just angry at himself, and I told VT HC that F2 was reacting to the call.  VT HC then delivers this line: "That's bush league and you're terrible."  VT HC was ejected.  The next batter singled in the winning run and the game was over.

 

[snip}

As for VT HC, is there a better response to the statement that the "kid was just angry at himself"?

IMO, your response was fine. I have to admit that sometimes, in similar circumstances, my immediate reaction is: "You gotta be kidding me. Not even close."

[catsbackr]

Both ejections are fine.  Too much conversation with the F2.  "Safe, ball's on the ground."  "You're gone."

 

As far as responses to the coach, "I don't care who he was mad at coach, he's got to control himself."  After the coach said what he said, I know why his players can't control themselves.

[KenBAZ]

In the situation I had, F2's spiking of the ball was clearly in anger and frustration at himself and not after a dispute of a call.  His HC responded to my request that he speak to the player and try and get him under control.  In your situation such blatant disrespect for you from F2 and his coach deserved the action you took in my view.