Too Lenient?

[The Winning Run]

Working solo in a Rec League Softball game last night and had two different situations where the players were close to crossing the line. Both call I was in the proper position to have a clean look.

1) Grounder to 3B, throw to 1B, bang bang at first. 1B caught the ball then came off the base. Clean catch, foot still in contact with bag when catch made, beat the runner. I call Out. Runner says 1B came off the bag. I shook my head and begin to return behind home plate. Runner jogging back to 3B dugout continues to protest. I tell him its over. Runner replies loud enough for everyone to hear, "YOU MISSED IT BLUE!!!" Runner apologized in between innings.

2) Both pitchers equally did not like my zone. I was not expanding off the plate to their liking. My zone felt good, consistent the entire game. Pitcher for the same team as the runner in first scenario (different player) does a little walk about after a close pitch does not go his way, ball was too low and too far outside. Pitcher doesn't say anything. Batter eventually gets out. Pitcher is first batter up next inning. Pitch comes in and hooks just enough to catch the inside corner at the top of the zone. Pitcher (Batter) steps out of the box and shakes his head while looking down and says loud enough for only the catcher and myself to hear, "You've got to be kidding me." He never looks back or says anything else but shakes his head until the next pitch comes.

Did I handle these correctly situations correctly by not ejecting either player?

[grayhawk]

I don't work rec league softball (sounds like fast pitch adult?), so I don't know the appropriate tolerance level.  I will comment that on the first play, which sounded like F3 was close to pulling his foot, it's a good idea to call, "He held the bag!" before calling the out.  It shows everyone that you saw F3 come off, but that he was on the bag when he secured the throw.  It puts you in a position of strength if they question it.

[smckin]

personally I believe you did... I am not quick to throw someone out.. I may have told them "HEY that's enough " maybe warned them but wouldn't have ejected them on just that... Good Job

[LittleBlue]

Sounds good to me. @grayhawk is right, saying that the runner held the bag goes a long way in selling the call. Just him saying that you missed the call doesn't warrant an ejection. Say "OK" or if you think he has argued for too long say "That's enough" and then move on. For the comment from the batter, doing nothing is probably the best call here. He didn't say anything offensive and he didn't say anything personal. The batter expressed his displeasure with the call and moved on. He's allowed to do that. Good job not ejecting here.

[udbrky]

100% agree. Tossing here would probably result in ejections, as you are being too strict, or a reputation for being too quick on the trigger. 

If they don't keep going and don't say a lot of things that involve "You", you're probably not ejecting. Once you get 1-2 EJ's under your belt, you'll stop looking for them.

 

Try doing some adult rec hoops in the offseason. You won't keep wondering if you should eject

[MPLSMatt]

Adult slow pitch traditionally has a little bit of a longer leash too.  I'd agree that you did fine.  I can hear tossing the first guy - the second one if it's quiet and looking at the ground, you're a red ass if you toss there.