|
I was working with a Big Dog umpire of a neighboring chapter for the first time. Game was a playoff for Connie Mack. Pard had done first dish and done great. No problems in 2nd game until top of 7th (last inning) with 1 out in a 2-1 game. He makes relatively quick call on routine out at first. Ball drops to ground and he calls it lost on the exchange---out stands. (I will state now that, IMO, the player never had control nor did he ever put his throwing hand near his glove. It appeared as quick timing and just an unwillingness to correct the call. That doesn't mean he wasn't right in his judgement, just many saw it differently).
Player and coach argue vehemently, while I am keeping entire bench from coming on the field. Crowd is going berserk.
BR leaves after ejection with 1B coach still going bonkers and begging for an appeal. I am still at dugout keeping players from overflowing onto the field. Coach gets ejected and starts yelling how hard they worked to get there and how this ump ended their season with one hor$e$hit call. Coach says," I oughta just take you out to the parking lot and kick your a$$ !!!!
To my amazement, pard starts yelling back, "Let's go, cmon...let's go!!!" and is seriously ready to head to the lot as he takes a few steps that way prompting the coach to follow. Others, including myself, quickly came in to stop things at that point. Coach is escorted from the facility and we finished top of 7th with home team ultimately winning the game after the next out.
I was quite alarmed at this Big Dog in his provoking of the physical violence threatened by the coach. I had never seen such behavior from an official before or after that incident. I would have expected better control by him in handling the situation and the threat. Never worked with that ump again, and I can't say I am sorry. He is still a Big Dog in neighboring chapter.
Freix
|