No Need to Toss

[moblue]

I called a 13 YO Jr. Babe Ruth DH last night. I was on the bases the first game. A kid that I've known both him and his family for quite some time came up to bat and struck out. On the way back to the dugout he gave the bat a nice low toss ahead of him. I looked over at the coaches and none of them were saying anything. I was already thinking up what I wanted to say to his coach, when I heard his mother yelling at him from her position behind the backstop. Neither the PU nor myself said anything, as she was up and on her way to the dugout. (I should mention he also slammed his batting helmet down in the dugout. I didn't know those things would bounce that high.) Her son must have heard her coming, because he grabbed his hat and glove and went out to LF in a hurry. His mother, rather than leave it alone, stood by the dugout for the entire half inning and waited on him to get back. When his team came back in... I didn't even try to go and see what was about to happen. I knew it wouldn't be good. The PU said she chewed him out pretty good.

After the game I let him and his mother know that if I ever saw him do anything like that again, I would throw him out of the game. His mother, whom I've known for many years, assured me that she would be taking care of it before I could finish the ej mechanic. It's so nice to actually see someone make their kid take responsibility for their actions. :D

[BrianC14]

I called a 13 YO Jr. Babe Ruth DH last night. I was on the bases the first game. A kid that I've known both him and his family for quite some time came up to bat and struck out. On the way back to the dugout he gave the bat a nice low toss ahead of him. I looked over at the coaches and none of them were saying anything. I was already thinking up what I wanted to say to his coach, when I heard his mother yelling at him from her position behind the backstop. Neither the PU nor myself said anything, as she was up and on her way to the dugout. (I should mention he also slammed his batting helmet down in the dugout. I didn't know those things would bounce that high.) Her son must have heard her coming, because he grabbed his hat and glove and went out to LF in a hurry. His mother, rather than leave it alone, stood by the dugout for the entire half inning and waited on him to get back. When his team came back in... I didn't even try to go and see what was about to happen. I knew it wouldn't be good. The PU said she chewed him out pretty good.

After the game I let him and his mother know that if I ever saw him do anything like that again, I would throw him out of the game. His mother, whom I've known for many years, assured me that she would be taking care of it before I could finish the ej mechanic. It's so nice to actually see someone make their kid take responsibility for their actions.

If only there were more parents like that.... :)

[willv28]

My question, what business does she have going into the dugout?

[BrianC14]

My question, what business does she have going into the dugout?

That's a fair question, Willy, but as an umpire, what do I care?

She's going where I certainly have no business....

[willv28]

That's a fair question, Willy, but as an umpire, what do I care?

She's going where I certainly have no business....

I know that, I just don't like the idea in that situation. People just don't do that around here. If they did, I'm sure it'd be a scene. That's the only reason they'd go in there. But also, to get in the dugout here from the outside, you have to go on the field through the gates near the dugouts.

[BT_Blue]

I dont think she actually went IN to the dugout. The OP says stood by it. And most of the LL/Pony/etc. leagues I know, the dugouts are made of chainlink fences so parents are ALWAYS over there playing coach.

I say why not let the lady do something good instead of letting dad confuse the kids from the stands.

[BrianC14]

I look at it this way: eons ago when I was attending Catholic grade school, if we ever got into trouble at school - the nuns were pretty strict disciplinarians.

But no matter what they dished out, we would BEG them not to call our parents, because the punishment was always much worse.

If some kid's Mom wants to deal with Little Johnny right there, I've got no problem with that - heck, she's doing me a favor, because Little Johnny's going to be an angel for the rest of the game, and who knows - maybe some of the other players will see that and realize that Mrs. Little Johnny's Mom might spread the word to the other Moms if their kids act up.

I say: "Listen to you Mother." :(

[willv28]

I don't necessarily mean in a situation like this. I mean just in general. Should some parent ever try to go to the field or dugout, there probably not going to be there to deal with their kid.

[BrianC14]

I don't necessarily mean in a situation like this. I mean just in general. Should some parent ever try to go to the field or dugout, there probably not going to be there to deal with their kid.

Coming on the field. Nope. But I'll put that sitch right into the Manager's lap. "Deal with Mrs. Zippy, Coach. We'll wait. But not for long."

Coming to the dugout. I couldn't care less. Not my business. I might even call 'Time' to watch the show. :crazy:

[moblue]

I never saw her in the dugout. To get in there she would have had to come onto the field first. This field sounds a lot like the one willv28 described. I don't recall seeing her on the field. These dugouts were made of concrete blocks, and I think there may have been some chainlink on either side extending the walls of the dugout to the field perimeter (make sense?). She probably got him over to that side of the dugout, away from everyone, to talk to him.

[willv28]

I never saw her in the dugout. To get in there she would have had to come onto the field first. This field sounds a lot like the one willv28 described. I don't recall seeing her on the field. These dugouts were made of concrete blocks, and I think there may have been some chainlink on either side extending the walls of the dugout to the field perimeter (make sense?). She probably got him over to that side of the dugout, away from everyone, to talk to him.

Sounds exactly the same. I wouldn't be that upset, but if it happened it would likely turn into something that would have to be dealt with. Not necessarily by me, but I would be upset my game was being delayed.