Warning Given Better Late Than Never

[834k3r]

Saturday I was BU for a JV game with a very good PU. First inning, I'm in deep B anticipating R1 attempting to steal 2B. Sure enough, steal happens, and it's a bang-bang play--but he's clearly safe and I call the runner such. As the ball's thrown back to the pitcher I remain BTC and slide over to C position. Once F1 has the ball, I hear off to my right and behind me F5 muttering under his breath "are you blind? <unintelligible> not safe... <unintelligible> out." I look over to F5 and his not looking at me, so I let it go (and after the next pitch I regretted letting it go).

Fast forward to the 5th inning. Same player (F5 in the first inning) is now F1. Delivers a pitch that the BR lines to left center. Ball's thrown to F2 by F7 but the throw is off line and F2 attempts a swipe tag on the runner coming in to score. PU properly calls the runner safe--the missed tag was so obvious I saw the missed tag from C. F1 (recall he was F5 that muttered under his breath in the first inning) mutters again under his breath "<unintelligible> umpire, <unintelligible> umpire." I called time and warned him loudly enough for both dugouts to hear. F1 says "I was talking to myself!" His coach comes out and asks what's going on. I told the coach that F1's talking badly about the umpire's calls. Coach calmly says "thank you" to me, points at F1, says "you're done," and puts in a new pitcher.

I share this story to encourage my peers here to don't let something go. I should have warned the kid in the first inning, but I didn't. I had the luxury of getting a second chance to take care of it, but I don't think that'll happen often.

Epilogue:  during our post-game, PU told me that he was glad I warned the player and told me his older brothers acted the same way.

[The Man in Blue]

I think that was a good progression on your part, @834k3r.

A player may be talking to himself, and we want to allow that space.  However, it is not a blanket excuse or defense for the language or what is being said.