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2 years ago, I was umpiring a 12-U tournament. One team was getting hammered pretty bad. I'm talking to my partner in between innings and the assistant coach of the losing team comes up and tells me she thinks the centerfielder on the other team is a boy. I asked her to repeat that, thinking she was joking. She wasn't, as the player had a real short, almost burr type haircut. Now, this CF was about 5 foot tall, hadn't touched the ball defensively all game and had not even gotten on base. My partner asked her how she intended to prove it. She said she thinks the team has a right to know. Now, I'm getting pretty upset, since this is a 12 year old kid who someone is wanting to embarass to no end. I politely (as possible at this stage) asked her if she really wants to protest an illegal player and do this to a child. She adamantly tells me it's her right to do so. I agree with her and tell her I'll call the TD. Then I let her know, if she goes through with this, loses the protest and humiliates this kid, I'm gonna remember it the rest of the tournament and she better not even sneeze loud. Yep, this is unprofessional and not cool on my part, but I don't think what was happening showed any class or consideration for the kid at all. By the time I got to the fence to let the TD know, the Head Coach came up and tried to talk to me. He said he wanted to know what the repercussions were. I just told him, if they won, nothing. But he better win. The TD came up, asked a few questions and refused the protest. By this time the crowd knew something was up and the girl's parents heard. Now the stink began. The little girl was crying. Turned out she was 10, playing up in an older bracket. Just got called a boy and a cheater by one of the "adults" on the other team. Had to pull her out of the game.
The Head Coach went to the little girl, apologized to her for what had happened and to her team. He then asked me to remove his assistant coach from the field. I refused, as I, in my mind, had no reason to, yet. He then went and told her she wasn't needed anymore, to go into the stands. I mentally applauded him for this. I saw the coach of the little CF about a year later and he told me she quit playing after that game and had never come back.
One of the saddest stories I've ever been involved in on a softball field. I think everyone involved felt dirty after this.
I realize in today's times that some hard decisions need to be made in these situations, especially in the adult legues, as things can occur like what was originally presented to us. If the guy is still a male, awaiting a sex change operation, let him play in the male leagues. Period.
Just a thought.
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Rick
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