Umpires followed to car, assaulted post game

[concertman1971]

https://amp.sacbee.com/sports/high-school/article261510552.html

Scroll down to to see the video. 

[dumbdumb]

where was the home team security/AD detail to accompany the umpires safely to their vehicles.

and in a ""playoff"" game no less.

guess that pitcher was just rejected by MLB scouts, or that NCAA coach and scholarship for that one pitch being called a ball.

had a strike been called, he would have been a MLB first round draft choice or attending a D1 power 1/2/3/4/5/6 school.

yes sir re buddy, if we don't win on the field we are going to win off the field.

is this how they treat people at work also.

[boyinr]

It is a sad state of society that we may need to spend time in clinics on self defense training and divert the time away from rules and mechanics education. 🥺 

[wolfe_man]

I don't understand (and it's not cost) why there isn't some sort of security personnel/staff or police officers at every game now.  This isn't a one-off anymore and they have cops at most football and basketball games, so why not baseball & softball now too?   If schools can afford to have sports, then they can afford to provide security in my opinion.

[ArchAngel72]

What in the holy f-bomb...

 

That is insanely AWFUL!

Makes me wonder how much a tazer in my ball bag would weigh it down.  Between that and grabbing it by mistake when you wanted the brush LOL

 

[NateWalter]

The problem with all these situations is we see the 30 seconds of fighting, and nothing leading to it. I was at a HS game a while back, just as a spectator, and the umpire had an awful game. He knew it. Both teams knew it. And he was just sitting in the bed of his truck, in the closest parking spot to the field interacting with fans in a negative way.

He was also a jerk on the field. And it's very fortunate it didn't escalate into something bad.

Without accusing this particular umpire of anything, one's demeanor and how they conduct themselves from arrival to departure matters. And having a demeanor that shows that you're patient, you're willing to listen, and that it's not about you can drastically change the outcome of how things will go for you.

As far as the assault goes, I will never leave the field and go to the parking lot by myself. I go with my partner, we park next to or near each other, and we drive off at the same time. Few idiots will attack when there are two people together. If doing a one-man game (which I rarely do), I'll ask that the league director or someone that I can trust escort me to the vehicle. Sometimes I'll find a friendly parent and just head that direction with them.

Watch your attitude and demeanor and don't depart from the field alone.

[wolfe_man]

And once again, several "adults" standing around watching or filming... get involved and break it up!  What is wrong with people today?

[mw94]

2 hours ago, wolfe_man said:

I don't understand (and it's not cost) why there isn't some sort of security personnel/staff or police officers at every game now.  This isn't a one-off anymore and they have cops at most football and basketball games, so why not baseball & softball now too?   If schools can afford to have sports, then they can afford to provide security in my opinion.

Its the same here in AZ.  Football at the Varsity you are met in the parking lot with an escort & have a locker area.   I But baseball  your on your own getting dressed in the parking lot .

Guess it comes down too Football being a revenue sport & baseball is not 

[concertman1971]

42 minutes ago, mw94 said:

Guess it comes down too Football being a revenue sport & baseball is not 

I get this thought process, but there were 300-400 people @ +/- $5 per ticket at my game last night. We had to change in the lot (or walk the equivalent of 2 football fields to the facility). Many of the games i have worked here in Middle TN this season have had this kind of attendance. The schools have no excuse for not having a changing facility or security at games of any sport. 

[UMP45]

1 hour ago, mw94 said:

Its the same here in AZ.  Football at the Varsity you are met in the parking lot with an escort & have a locker area.   I But baseball  your on your own getting dressed in the parking lot .

Guess it comes down too Football being a revenue sport & baseball is not 

Baseball has always been the bastard child.

[Catch18]

The problem with all these situations is we see the 30 seconds of fighting, and nothing leading to it. I was at a HS game a while back, just as a spectator, and the umpire had an awful game. He knew it. Both teams knew it. And he was just sitting in the bed of his truck, in the closest parking spot to the field interacting with fans in a negative way.
He was also a jerk on the field. And it's very fortunate it didn't escalate into something bad.
Without accusing this particular umpire of anything, one's demeanor and how they conduct themselves from arrival to departure matters. And having a demeanor that shows that you're patient, you're willing to listen, and that it's not about you can drastically change the outcome of how things will go for you.
As far as the assault goes, I will never leave the field and go to the parking lot by myself. I go with my partner, we park next to or near each other, and we drive off at the same time. Few idiots will attack when there are two people together. If doing a one-man game (which I rarely do), I'll ask that the league director or someone that I can trust escort me to the vehicle. Sometimes I'll find a friendly parent and just head that direction with them.
Watch your attitude and demeanor and don't depart from the field alone.

Who forced any parent to say anything to truck ump? Please don’t paint the picture of “he was asking for it” by merely existing near the field.

Could you show me your rubric for how “awful” a game were allowed to have that permits abuse in the lot? Physical or verbal.

Did you even read the whole article? A parent screaming to a coach, “the umpires are getting attacked” is a pretty good indicator which way the ball is bouncing.

[JonnyCat]

I tell ya, a CCW permit is looking better and better these days.

[NateWalter]

4 hours ago, Catch18 said:

Who forced any parent to say anything to truck ump? Please don’t paint the picture of “he was asking for it” by merely existing near the field.

Could you show me your rubric for how “awful” a game were allowed to have that permits abuse in the lot? Physical or verbal.

Did you even read the whole article? A parent screaming to a coach, “the umpires are getting attacked” is a pretty good indicator which way the ball is bouncing.

The umpire in the truck was baiting it. I promise you, I was there.

And there's no amount of "awful" or justification for it, but the way you conduct yourself at the game, the way you interact and handle coaches and parents can and absolutely does change the chance for a positive outcome as you step away from the field. I don't think this is, nor should be, remotely controversial.

There are a LOT of umpires who are, unfortunately, massive jerks. To coaches, players, and parents. If you've umpired for very long, you've probably worked with one. I'm not saying it's justified to attack or abuse an umpire (or anyone) for being a jerk, but you can't just let them off the hook, either.

If you're not willing to at least accept that your demeanor and how you conduct yourself changes these interactions, then we can't have an honest or reasonable conversation about umpiring.

[The Man in Blue]

Well, let me take a little different approach to the article ...

Shame on the Sacramento Bee for focusing the article on two plays in the game instead of the consequences of the actions of A-double-two-holes.

Why do we keep seeing this?  Because we keep seeing that.  Run the article about the arrest and/or conviction instead of focusing on the umpire's game performance and/or glorifying the offender's actions.

[concertman1971]

2 hours ago, NateWalter said:

The umpire in the truck was baiting it. I promise you, I was there.

And there's no amount of "awful" or justification for it, but the way you conduct yourself at the game, the way you interact and handle coaches and parents can and absolutely does change the chance for a positive outcome as you step away from the field. I don't think this is, nor should be, remotely controversial.

There are a LOT of umpires who are, unfortunately, massive jerks. To coaches, players, and parents. If you've umpired for very long, you've probably worked with one. I'm not saying it's justified to attack or abuse an umpire (or anyone) for being a jerk, but you can't just let them off the hook, either.

If you're not willing to at least accept that your demeanor and how you conduct yourself changes these interactions, then we can't have an honest or reasonable conversation about umpiring.

Just wondering @NateWalter profile says MO, this happened in Sacramento, CA. You personally witnessed this?

[NateWalter]

1 hour ago, concertman1971 said:

Just wondering @NateWalter profile says MO, this happened in Sacramento, CA. You personally witnessed this?

No, I witnessed the situation that @The Man in Blue questioned within my initial comment. Do try to keep up.

As far as the umpire in Sacramento, I wasn't there. And all I have is a few seconds of context. But this kind of stuff doesn't just happen in a vacuum. I can condemn the abuse these umpires faced while also questioning the behavior/demeanor of the umpires being abused.

[The Man in Blue]

 

I didn't comment on that ... but I will say that one of the biggest principles in industrial safety prevention is "don't put yourself in the line of fire."  That still applies here.

When I look at the complexes I enjoy working at the most, one of the things that they have in common is a designated and separated umpires' parking lot.  Some of them shuttle umpires back and forth, but all of them are set up to prevent umpires from having to walk through the public lots.  Just saying.

I also agree that schools need to give more consideration to officials of sports outside of football and basketball.

[ousafe]

15 hours ago, NateWalter said:

If you're not willing to at least accept that your demeanor and how you conduct yourself changes these interactions, then we can't have an honest or reasonable conversation about umpiring.

I don't want to "victim blame" but this comment resonates with me.  In an adrenalized situation it is hard to stay calm and dispassionate. But I believe that is part of being a good umpire. Similar to the way we would expect a teacher would handle a student today.

Would I protect myself if attacked - of course! But I feel an obligation to my partner/assigner/association/brotherhood to not engage the crazy, unless forced to.

Those moments where I've lost my cool are the ones I'm least proud of as an umpire.

[NateWalter]

4 hours ago, ousafe said:

I don't want to "victim blame" but this comment resonates with me.  In an adrenalized situation it is hard to stay calm and dispassionate. But I believe that is part of being a good umpire. Similar to the way we would expect a teacher would handle a student today.

I've always held the mindset that if I'm ever attacked, I want it to be 100% clear to everyone witnessing that I'm, indeed, the victim. If I lose my cool, if I make the snarky comment in return, if I push back, fight back, or bark back... I lose that benefit of the doubt.

Again, I don't have a clue how the umpire in this situation handled himself in the game (or after), but I'd bet dollars to donuts that it didn't just happen out of the blue. It stemmed from something. The better we exhibit self-control, patience, and compassion, the less likely we are to be attacked, abused, or mistreated.

When I first started umpiring, I frequently got paired with a guy in his late-60s. He was excellent at calming down angry coaches by letting them talk, letting them vent their frustrations or concerns, and then calmly explaining the situation. The coaches felt heard. The parents could see it. The players could see it. He treated people with respect, and it paid off for him. We never had issues in those games. Even the contentious ones (of which there were several).

[Velho]

40 minutes ago, NateWalter said:

Again, I don't have a clue how the umpire in this situation handled himself in the game (or after), but I'd bet dollars to donuts that it didn't just happen out of the blue. It stemmed from something. The better we exhibit self-control, patience, and compassion, the less likely we are to be attacked, abused, or mistreated.

When I first started umpiring, I frequently got paired with a guy in his late-60s. He was excellent at calming down angry coaches by letting them talk, letting them vent their frustrations or concerns, and then calmly explaining the situation. The coaches felt heard. The parents could see it. The players could see it. He treated people with respect, and it paid off for him. We never had issues in those games. Even the contentious ones (of which there were several).

This is a great point. Not saying the OP umpires engaged in a negative way (and nothing short of insanity they could have done would warrant this) but there may be a learning in how we can try to be elite on mood management like Nate's partner. We can always get better. I continue to think about my ejection 2 weeks ago (my first, I posted about it). I know the coach 'ejected himself' but I am trying to see how I could have steered things differently. Not in a beat my self up way but in a growth mindset way.

Hope these umps are ok and the whole situation gets dealt with appropriately.

[NateWalter]

9 minutes ago, Velho said:

This is a great point. Not saying the OP umpires engaged in a negative way (and nothing short of insanity they could have done would warrant this) but there may be a learning in how we can try to be elite on mood management like Nate's partner. We can always get better. I continue to think about my ejection 2 weeks ago (my first, I posted about it). I know the coach 'ejected himself' but I am trying to see how I could have steered things differently. Not in a beat my self up way but in a growth mindset way.

Hope these umps are ok and the whole situation gets dealt with appropriately.

My first ever ejection was with the partner I mentioned. It was a catcher who was getting really mouthy about the strike zone. After a warning, he dropped a magic word about a strike three call on his way to the dugout, and I wanted to make the demonstrative ejection... the kid deserved it. But I saw my partner have to eject a coach a few games prior, and he did so by just calmly telling them to leave. I managed to do the same. I explained to the coach and player what happened, told the player he's been ejected from the game and his day was done. It took a little bit for word to get around why the catcher wasn't in the game anymore, but I didn't have to look like the aggressor. I simply took care of it.

I get there are times where you have to take care of matters and do it firmly to make a point, but I'd challenge umpires on here, especially those who do HS or younger: try to just quietly eject the next time you have to. Be calm. If the other party wants to explode on you, then they are the bad guy.

Don't give anyone a reason to make you look like the jerk.

[JonnyCat]

40 minutes ago, NateWalter said:

Don't give anyone a reason to make you look like the jerk.

I don't need any reasons, most of the time they think we're jerks anyway.

Oh, and I'm always coming up big, a la Bill Haller!

[mw94]

On some follow up I was able to piece together .( The main article is behind a paywall)  This was a best of 3 series. They were scheduled to play game 2 on 5/18 game was cancelled.

The team that won game 1(Del Campo) has been declared a forfeit because they took illegal pregame BP.  

The next game is going to be played with no fans allowed

[Catch18]

The next game is going to be played with no fans allowed

Well I’ll be a monkey’s uncle. Notice these never happen to say, “and the next game will be played without umpires.”

[The Man in Blue]

10 hours ago, mw94 said:

On some follow up I was able to piece together .( The main article is behind a paywall)  This was a best of 3 series. They were scheduled to play game 2 on 5/18 game was cancelled.

The team that won game 1(Del Campo) has been declared a forfeit because they took illegal pregame BP.  

The next game is going to be played with no fans allowed

OK, I am REALLY intrigued now ... This sounds like a rivalry with issues that go far beyond the umpires on the field.