By THAT much?

[Umpirechick1]

It's been quite a while (about 2 years) since I had to send someone, but it happened this weekend.

HS showcase game - 18U.  The game was going along at a great pace, bottom of 5th and 55 mins in, no problems at all.  I'm PU, runner on 2B, partner in C.  Ground ball hit to SS, he throws to 1B, I see the pulled foot on 1st.  Everyone behind me saw it, I hear the groans of the crowd, and the OC coach asks for time, and once it's granted, goes to talk to my partner.  My partner comes to me and said "From my angle, I have his foot on the bag - do you have anything different?"  I said "I do - he was clearly off the bag - about 2 inches.  You can do with it whatever you choose to do, but I'm positive he pulled his foot."  My partner said "OK, I'm good with that.  So, we have the runner safe at 1B, and I'll let the coaches know."

He made the announcement to the coaches and the sh*t hit the fan!  The DHC came busting out of the dugout and was in my partner's face arguing, and meanwhile the parents on that team start getting restless, saying "You shouldn't have changed that call - it's not yours to make" and stuff like that.  The DHC didn't get the answer that he wanted, and instead of going back to the dugout, he came at me, got about 6" from my face and off he went... "That's a bullish*t call and you know it! You can't make that call!  That's bulls*t!  Absolute bulls*t!"  I said "Coach, he clearly pulled his foot off the bag - about 2 inches" and I demonstrated with my thumb and finger how far.  He said "ARE YOU KIDDING ME? You're going to call it by THAT MUCH?"  I said "Coach, he's either on the bag for the out, or the runner is safe.  Your player pulled his foot off the bag - that means the runner is safe."  He began yelling again that is was a "bullsh*t call" and I said "Coach, do you WANT to be tossed?" And he said "Oh, hell yeah... PLEASE do!" and I said "You're done - leave now."

The fans were really into it at this point, (which I ignored) and I stepped to the side and told the opposing team "We'll resume play as soon as he's gone" and the DHC took his time leaving the field, and managed a nice classy "That's a fuc**ing bulls*t call and you know it!"  All I could do was say "All right, gentlemen... here we go... let's play ball."

It's a good thing that I don't get intimated easily.

[Richvee]

Sounds like a great job keeping your composure and staying calm. I've got a lot to learn as far as games management and confrontations go, but my gut tells me it's not a good idea to give numbers...That goes for balls strikes, fair foul, throws beating runners, feet coming off the bag, etc. I wouldn't say, "that pitch was 3 inches off the plate", anymore than I'd say "his foot was 2 inches off the bag", or "It was foul by 5 inches". Just leave it as "I've got him off the bag". No need to give them any ammunition like "how could you see 2 inches from 90 feet away?? " Just my 2 cents

[maven]

When he approached you, he made a number of statements. If you're not going to toss him for the profanity, just nod and say, OK. Answer questions, ignore statements. What's he going to say after that?

Coach thinks it was a BS call. He's entitled to his opinion. You started the argument and opened the door for further outbursts. Coach cooperated by blowing a fuse. If you just let him vent for a second, you might get him off the field and resume play.

He might have been ready to go anyway, but we can improve game management by not trying to keep convincing them that we're right.

[Jimurray]

If I change a call due to my partner's input I'm making sure the coach is coming out to talk with me which appears to have happened. In the conversation with the coach I will try to own the call. If I am unsuccessful or the coach wants more I am going to head him off if I can if he heads toward my partner and I might have the ejection before he even talks to my partner. Sometime you think everything is OK and then you see the coach jawing at your partner. I will come in and reiterate that it is my call.

[Umpirechick1]

@Richvee, I get what you're saying about numbers.  The only reason I said that was because I think that they thought I was clearly wrong (obviously), or it was a mere millimeter.  To me, it was so obvious, and I don't see how I could ignore it (which they obviously wanted me to do).

 

@maven, I could ignore the profanity if it was only once and maybe for the fact that he was screaming it in my face... and of course, the entire facility got deathly quiet waiting to see what I would do.  Yes, he's entitled to his opinion, and once he'd stated it so many times, I got the feeling he was ready to go, so I offered the opportunity.  I've actually had a coach back down from that question based on my tone when I asked (not an angry tone, just asking) it and that wasn't the case with this coach.  He'd already blown his fuse at that point.  He vented for a full minute or more, and that's when I gave him the explanation, which he didn't like either, and he re-stated his opinion of the call.  That's when I knew he had to go.

After that, we played the last 2 innings with complete control of the game, and no other incidents.

[Dbellyflop]

I think he's entitled to his opinion but he's not entitled to get right in my face and scream it at me.......(I don't make 400 grand a year to umpire...) I work Little League games, if a coach came out of the dugout screaming, i don't think he would have made it to me before I ran him..

3ps.... personal......profane......prolonged........ looks like 2 out of three.........

Good job ignoring the crowd, That can be really hard sometimes.....

 

           

[KenBAZ]

I really don't like the aspect of shopping for someone to blame. Your team followed the protocol for a pulled foot. DHC knew how things work. OHC should not be jumping you once your partner had announced his decision. As usual Maven offers good advice on how we might have managed the situation. Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk

[RichMSN]

He argued with the base umpire.

Once he was done there and came for me, I would've shut that crap down immediately.  It's not 2-for-the-price-of-1.  

"No, you had your chance to talk to him, we're done here."  Walk away.  When he follows, eject him.

[maven]

@maven, I could ignore the profanity if it was only once and maybe for the fact that he was screaming it in my face... and of course, the entire facility got deathly quiet waiting to see what I would do.  Yes, he's entitled to his opinion, and once he'd stated it so many times, I got the feeling he was ready to go, so I offered the opportunity.  I've actually had a coach back down from that question based on my tone when I asked (not an angry tone, just asking) it and that wasn't the case with this coach.  He'd already blown his fuse at that point.  He vented for a full minute or more, and that's when I gave him the explanation, which he didn't like either, and he re-stated his opinion of the call.  That's when I knew he had to go.

Regarding this bit: so, if he's screaming at you, dump him right then. Why bother with the rest?

Regarding this bit: for me, that's the impulse I had to learn to resist. When coaches vent, they're NOT looking for an explanation. They know what happened, they know what you saw, and they know how the call got changed. What's to explain?

They think a changed call entitles them to anger. Whatever. They're entitled to express their opinion and their feelings, as well as to their own view of the play. None of that requires us to open our mouths at all. He can have a little time, especially in a tight game, then he's got to go. If he keeps a civil tongue in his head and leaves on time, he can stay. Otherwise, sayonara. Again: until he asks us a question — which ideally we answer in 5 words or so — there's really nothing to say.

Keep it simple.

[RichMSN]

He had a little time...with one umpire.  Once he goes to two, then start the clown music.  He can't be allowed to go to two without being told he's gonna get ejected (and then walk away).

Ideally, the base umpire communicates that to him as he's starting for the plate umpire -- if he continues, the BASE UMPIRE should eject him.

[Aging_Arbiter]

I think he's entitled to his opinion but he's not entitled to get right in my face and scream it at me.......(I don't make 400 grand a year to umpire...) I work Little League games, if a coach came out of the dugout screaming, i don't think he would have made it to me before I ran him..

3ps.... personal......profane......prolonged........ looks like 2 out of three.........

Good job ignoring the crowd, That can be really hard sometimes.....

 

           

Hey, even Meatloaf said "two out of three ain't bad"

[grayhawk]

He argued with the base umpire.

Once he was done there and came for me, I would've shut that crap down immediately.  It's not 2-for-the-price-of-1.  

"No, you had your chance to talk to him, we're done here."  Walk away.  When he follows, eject him.

^^^^^THIS^^^^^

[Specks]

 They're entitled to express their opinion and their feelings, as well as to their own view of the play.

None of that requires us to open our mouths at all.

He can have a little time, especially in a tight game, then he's got to go. If he keeps a civil tongue in his head and leaves on time, he can stay. Otherwise, sayonara. Again:

until he asks us a question — which ideally we answer in 5 words or so — there's really nothing to say.

Answer questions, ignore statements.

Good stuff right here!