Bingo Card Ejections

[BLWizzRanger]

I got to fill another square on my Umpire Bingo Card last night.  I didn't ever think I would get one of these, but alas, I did.

I ejected the HTHC due to him referencing the rule book and my willingness to read it during the game.  Never, never, never thought I would get one of those.  Backstory is that I had had this team for a previous game during the season and called two illegal pitches on his pitcher.  I had a discussion twice with the HTHC and while he didn't do anything eject-able at that time, he whined and argued that it was allowed. Two times.  The pitcher would come to a full stop during the windup.  Imagine taking a step to the side with his non-pivot foot and keeping it there for a beat or two before for continuing with his delivery. Not continuous motion and not without interruption.

Well, I had this team for the first round of the playoffs. I am U1. First inning, maybe first pitch, but definitely first batter, I called it.  The HTHC comes out and it is the same argument, slightly more agitated due to the playoffs, I assume.  I let it go.  Second inning I could have called it again a few times, but didn't because I was thinking too much about it and the impact it would have on the game.  Third inning, the second pitch, the pitcher did it, I called the illegal pitch.  Mind you, its an illegal pitch not a balk.  I think I am doing the responsible thing because if there is a guy on third, its a balk and a run scores.

He comes out again and I should have stopped him there by not allowing him to come out.  But I didn't (next time, I have that in my toolbox).  As a courtesy, I try to explain it to him the he knows by rule that isn't allowed.  He cut me off and said, Yes he had a rule book, yes, its in the dugout, and yes, we should go read it.  After learning he wasn't needed anymore, he did all of the things you would expect from saying 'I got ejected for that' to taking a seat in the dugout, to calling my assignor walking down the foul line on the field, to finally leaving and taking a position withing arm lengths of the field but in the outfield (I saw him but couldn't hear him.  Didn't think I should stir it up anymore by removing him further).  He had a discussion about the rule with me FOUR times and still was surprised I called it.

So guess what?  The true axiom of notorious coaches was discovered again.  He was a pain all season, no one ejected him during the season, he was surprised such little action caused him to be ejected.  Did I mention FOUR times yet?

Its a three game suspension during the playoffs (double elimination) although the school appealed it.  I was asked for input with the appeal and I told them if I was a stickler to the rules for what I called, then I have to be one for the three game suspension by-laws.  I consented that he needed something but if we are talking playoffs, an one game suspension would suffice.

And his team won by the ten run rule.  Live and learn.

 

 

[Jimurray]

While you do have an NFHS interp that backs you up you do know that this is allowed in NCAA and OBR and by some of us in FED. 

[BrainFreeze]

36 minutes ago, Jimurray said:

While you do have an NFHS interp that backs you up you do know that this is allowed in NCAA and OBR and by some of us in FED. 

@Jimurray, it is legal under those rules or is the rule ignored or de-emphasized? 

I've called this before on pitchers ( NFHS rules ), but I call it only in situations like @BLWizzRanger describes -- the pitcher isn't pausing or hesitating but rather he's coming to a dead stop and freezing before continuing his motion. 

[Jimurray]

26 minutes ago, BrainFreeze said:

@Jimurray, it is legal under those rules or is the rule ignored or de-emphasized? 

I've called this before on pitchers ( NFHS rules ), but I call it only in situations like @BLWizzRanger describes -- the pitcher isn't pausing or hesitating but rather he's coming to a dead stop and freezing before continuing his motion. 

The wording of “without interruption or alteration” is in all three codes. The “Japanese windup” is allowed in OBR but I don’t know what interp allows it. NCAA allows the pitcher to pause his windup in their rules. FED has an interp specifically prohibiting that but it is ignored in some locales. Pausing in the windup only benefits runners but some would argue high school batters would be put at a disadvantage. 

[BLWizzRanger]

It is supposed to be called in my board. Yes, the NCAA and OBR is what they try to point to, even asking how does Cortez (Yankees) is allowed to. But, he keeps moving. I havent seen it in the NCAA this year, TBH. The pros tighten it up and I haven't seen it there either.

The unevenness of enforcement is frustrating, but, if the umpire tells them not to do something during the game that is backed in the rule book, and told 4 times not to do it, why is there an argument?

Sent from my SM-F721U1 using Tapatalk

[Lou B]

If it's against the rules and you call it once then you need to call it every time.  In other words, don't not call it just because there is a runner on third and it would score the run.  You can't "selectively" umpire!

[The Man in Blue]

While I back you 💯 @BLWizzRanger, I'll be honest in that I probably wouldn't call it simply because I would have chalked it up to more "Stupid Pitching Games" instead of actually thinking about it.  But then, I am also a big advocate of "play Stupid Pitching Games, win Stupid Pitching Prizes." 

I salute you, sir!

[SeeingEyeDog]

Good call and good ejection, @BLWizzRanger. Curious how the appeal works out...please let us know.

~Dawg

[BLWizzRanger]

3 hours ago, Lou B said:

If it's against the rules and you call it once then you need to call it every time.  In other words, don't not call it just because there is a runner on third and it would score the run.  You can't "selectively" umpire!

Yes, I agree.  My issue to overcome.

[The Man in Blue]

16 hours ago, Lou B said:

If it's against the rules and you call it once then you need to call it every time.  In other words, don't not call it just because there is a runner on third and it would score the run.  You can't "selectively" umpire!

In another thread, but I called a kid some 32 times this past weekend.  It was abysmal.  
 

Had it been something ticky-tacky, there is NO WAY I would  have called it every time.  I am OK with selectively umpiring if it is strategically selective to the game, not vindictively or punitively strategic to a team.  The game has to get played somehow.

[BLWizzRanger]

I mean, that is a fine line in making it a travesty, right? Stream of consciousness below...

What could have happened, if they didn't learn and wanted to push it, was me calling it for the first four pitches and the BR would be awarded first.  The pitcher would have gone from the set at that point and it would have taken a little bit of effort to get a runner to third.  At that time, the pitcher might have gone from the windup and we would have a balk - R3 scores and others, if any, move up. And it would continue....

More likely was that after the first call in the inning, they would adjust and we wouldn't see it anymore in the inning. Maybe the pitcher would forget and do it, but given the benefit of doubt, it would stop for that inning. Next inning could be the same - first time call it and, maybe, we wouldn't see it again. Next inning....

The latter seems to be the best way in my mind.  And, in the first inning, this was what happened.  The second inning I let it go and they thought it was over with.  The third inning I called it and the SH*# hit the fan.  So self reflecting, I was part of the problem. But also, them not adjusting to what was being called was just as large of a problem.

I wish I did this before the game.  lol.

 

[BLWizzRanger]

Update on the appeal.  In today's print, I caught a glimpse of a picture where the 3BC was the substitute for the HC.  So maybe they got one game, at the least?  Not official but an observation.

[BLWizzRanger]

Just a final update on the appeal. The appeal was denied and the coach served all three games.  He missed the entire, other than the first three innings, round of playoffs for playing stupid games.

[Velho]

As the great Bobby Eaton used to say "F around, F around, and soon you won't be around" 

[SeeingEyeDog]

On 5/14/2023 at 4:26 PM, BLWizzRanger said:

Just a final update on the appeal. The appeal was denied and the coach served all three games.  He missed the entire, other than the first three innings, round of playoffs for playing stupid games.

I am very glad for you and your credibility, the league, your association and overall...The Game of baseball itself. What the coach did? He cannot do that. My expectation and I hope it was yours, too was that the suspension would absolutely be upheld. Most guys will file the appeal as a last ditch effort because they know they've made a mistake and are trying to stay in for those 3 games. Some guys will file the appeal to try and get a dig in or otherwise further disrespect the umpire(s) involved.

Every coach ejection and subsequent suspension is so very, very important for the league and The Game. If a league is going to take a coach's ejection seriously, they are going to have a suspension like this legislated in so that everyone knows they are serious. But, there's writing a rule and then...APPLYING that rule. Eventually, that coach will get the message. He will either self-correct himself, leave The Game altogether or his players' parents will tire of him and find someone else for their kids to play for.

~Dawg

[beerguy55]

If there's any reference to rules or the rulebook...

"Coach, are you filing a protest?"

If No  "Then the conversation's over"

If Yes "Good, noted...the conversation's over"

After that, it's like the Judge in My Cousin Vinny "if the next words out of your mouth aren't 'guilty' or 'not guilty' you will be held in contempt"

[BigBlue4u]

On 5/11/2023 at 8:56 AM, The Man in Blue said:

In another thread, but I called a kid some 32 times this past weekend.  It was abysmal.

Or. after the second or third time, you could have advised the coach, "Coach, if he does it again, he's going to get ejected for deliberately violating the rules."