Should I have Ejected him?

[JonWessel]

I worked 3 tournament games on Saturday and the second I worked behind the plate. In the bottom of the first, a lefty comes up. He stands with his right foot on the front line of the batter's box and swings at the first pitch, sending the ball into right field for a double. His foot was on the line when he made contact, but the defensive coaches in the first base dugout were saying his foot was completely outside the box.

I had all three coaches yelling at me, saying things like, "you're taking the game away from the kids", and one of them actually came out and put his foot in front of the box and said, "You can see where his foot was. Right here." He continued to walk towards 3rd base and the other two coaches were still complaining. After a few moments, the coach that head towards 3rd base came back and drew a line with his foot in front of the box and said, "There, now you can see if they step out again."

Should I have tossed him after he drew the line with his foot? Do any of you think that that was call for an ejection? Also, should I have insisted that only the manager come out and argue, instead of him and the two coaches yelling from the dugout?

BTW, I didn't have any problems with them after that. The rest of the game went smoothly. Thanks.

[willv28]

Well, I might have ejected him when he "demonstrated" what happened. Coaches can say whatever they want to me within limits, but I don't take kindly to demonstrations. If you didn't do it then, the moment he drew a line he showed you up and insulted your integrity for all to see, he would have at least been dumped there.

[Jboval]

1. If I actually saw that his foot was on the line, I would of said "Coach, I am right here, I saw his foot and it was on the line when he made contact. That is the end of our discussion, now let's play ball", and put my mask back on and headed to the plate.

2. If the other coaches would of continued from the dugout I would of warned skip that we are playing ball, and any more comments from the dugout about it would result in ejections.

3. If he would of walked up to the plate and done that with his foot, there would still be ringing in his ears from me ejecting him.

Note: Doing #1 would probably get rid of the need for either #2 or #3. I have very seldom had an issue after explaining that I saw it, that I know it, and that we are done discussing it. If I did have further issues, explaining that 'we are done, or I will eject' (depending on the type of further comments, you may not even give this 'eject' warning) has resulted in maybe a few situations that continued, and we can all guess how those went.

[BT_Blue]

The minute he drew the line he was done. Its no different than when a batter draws a line. as for the customers jumping on you about the batters foot being out of the box ask them which you would rather see a strike thrown by their pitcher or the batters foot maybe being out of the box.

Hopefully they arent stupid and take the latter.

[NFUA_44]

Keep it short, and simple as Jboval said. I personally don't get into to much of an extended conversation about things of this nature. A simple, Thanks coach, I've got it, he was fine" should suffice. If not follow some simple steps. #1 clarify that your having this conversation with the Head Coach, if it's not the head coach, end the conversation there and advise mr. dugout that you'll be happy to speak to the man in charge. #2, this is what I've got coach, let's move on a long, it's time to play ball. Any further attempt to drag this dead horse back out of the barn is going to be met with repercussions. #3 ANYBODY who wants to come out and try to demonstrate something is showing you up, and there is only one response to that type of behavior, which is to allow them to watch the rest of the game from the parking lot. Just stop and consider if they made a really goofy coaching decision and you decided to DEMONSTRATE to everyone how they just totally missed it and therefore got their runner thrown out........could you imagine the sh#tstorm you would have?

Be fair, be firm, and stay confident, they will spend less time trying to manipulate you, and hopefully more time coaching their players.

[Umpire in Chief]

one of them actually came out and put his foot in front of the box and said, "You can see where his foot was. Right here."

Opportunity #1, but at your discretion. I was taught never let a coach show you marks in the dirt...

After a few moments, the coach that head towards 3rd base came back and drew a line with his foot in front of the box and said, "There, now you can see if they step out again."

Gone!

That's demonstrating, continuing an old argument, and showing you up.

[Stan W.]

After a few moments, the coach that head towards 3rd base came back and drew a line with his foot in front of the box and said, "There, now you can see if they step out again."

Should I have tossed him after he drew the line with his foot? Do any of you think that that was call for an ejection? .

Instant ejection.......dump him and do all of us a favor down the road.....let him go and you are pushing his bad behavior down onto your umpire brothers to deal with......

[Mr Umpire]

The showing you where his foot was possibly should have been ejected. At the very least, he should have been told "I saw the play. That's enough."

Then, when he drew the line, get rid of him and get a new coach out there.

let him go and you are pushing his bad behavior down onto your umpire brothers to deal with......

Send him my way. I'll get rid of him and stop it(for my games at least). No problems or questions here. He's as good as gone. I may not even get to the line drawing since I will already know it's coming.

Just remember this, Jon. Even if the coach does do it again to another umpire, at least, he will know he can't do it to you or he won't stick around very long. So, get rid of them now and don't deal with it anymore. Always think of it as "Will I have this team again?" That way, they will figure out real quick of what they can't get away with when you are out there.

Now, this coach will try again until you get rid of him. The rest of the game may have gone by smoothly. But, that was a major risk you took. If they knew they could get away with this, then they may have taken bigger liberties. If they want to play in the dirt, they can go find a playground to play in. Here, we play baseball.

Line drawing = ejection.:wow:

[BrianC14]

Three coaches were on you?

I must ask - what in the name of all that is holy was your partner doing while this was going on?

And as previously noted, YES, an ejection should have been made when the first "demos" were given. But before that, you should have told both ACs to buzz off, and let all three know that you'd speak with the head coach ONLY. When (if) they fail to depart, then you can provide them with a trip to the parking lot. BOTH of them.

[jjb]

HE draws a line ine the dirt, YOU draw an arrow - pointing to the parking lot.

[blindumpire99]

Three coaches were on you?

I must ask - what in the name of all that is holy was your partner doing while this was going on?

And as previously noted, YES, an ejection should have been made when the first "demos" were given. But before that, you should have told both ACs to buzz off, and let all three know that you'd speak with the head coach ONLY. When (if) they fail to depart, then you can provide them with a trip to the parking lot. BOTH of them.

All the above was good advice, but Brian's is the best when dealing with a "peripheral problem" (the a.c.'s)

[JonWessel]

I must ask - what in the name of all that is holy was your partner doing while this was going on?

He was in the A position watching the whole thing take place. I honestly don't know why he didn't come over to help. He's been umpiring for many years and I would think he should know better than to stay away when one of his partners is in a situation like that.

[Penguin]

After a few moments, the coach that head towards 3rd base came back and drew a line with his foot in front of the box and said, "There, now you can see if they step out again."

he didn't just "draw" a line - he crossed it. Once he crosses the line - he might as well just keep going!!

[BrianC14]

HE draws a line ine the dirt, YOU draw an arrow - pointing to the parking lot.

ROFLMAO - -

Oh, how I'd LOVE to do that, just ONE time! :wow:

[BrianC14]

He was in the A position watching the whole thing take place. I honestly don't know why he didn't come over to help. He's been umpiring for many years and I would think he should know better than to stay away when one of his partners is in a situation like that.

The million dollar question, no doubt.

His job is to immediately put a stop to chirping from the bench.

He gets an 'F' for that.

I hope you survived the bus.

[MCLEOD36]

If he is chirping nah..... just try and quiet him. But, if he comes back to show me....guess what, LET ME SHOW YOU WHAT I DO.....poof, GONE.

I do like that line to parking lot.

[carolinablue]

The minute he drew the line he was done. Its no different than when a batter draws a line. as for the customers jumping on you about the batters foot being out of the box ask them which you would rather see a strike thrown by their pitcher or the batters foot maybe being out of the box.

Hopefully they arent stupid and take the latter.

I used that same line in a game I did once. The coach understood what I was saying and no more problem. Some people said they thought that may be being a smart butt but I don't think so. Just letting the coach know, if I'm watching his foot all the time, it's going to take away from my pitch calling.

[BT_Blue]

Its hard enough to track pitches coming in (just look at the number of threads on this board and others about it) and they want me to look over 3 feet bellow where the strike heart of the strike zone is to watch their feet? You have to be kidding me. If I see the foot out of the box then I will call it but you have to be kidding me if you think its something I will pay attention to.

[blue32]

HE draws a line ine the dirt, YOU draw an arrow - pointing to the parking lot.

Post of the year! Bravo, jjb, bravo! :banghead:

[mstaylor]

Remember rule number one in the game of ejections, if you leave saying I probably should have tossed him, then you should have tossed him. When you get ACs yakking, apply 11.03g liberally. For those that know Atlanta Blue 11.03g is the rule that says, " Coach, go back to the dugout, you're pissing me off."

[treedog24]

Since I'm back from a trip to San Antonio, when he drew the line I would told the coach he's not Travis but I am Santa Ana, bye-bye. Always give them a history lesson.

To tell you the truth the foot stomp would of been enough for me in a tournment game. "Those" coaches should know better.

[daled]

I will not talk to multiple coaches at one time. I will discuss things with the head coach only all other have no voice to me. I let them know quickly that unless they want to have an early day go back to the dugout and I will discuss things with the Head Coach. If the Head coach acts like this guy did I would have explained to him that his time was over for the day.

[catoblue]

The first demonstration with the foot in front of the box would have ended his day with me, but I really like the arrow to the parking lot idea!!!!!!