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I got called to work an American Legion alumni game for my hometown AL team yesterday. The game was the current AL team vs. Alumni from over the years. This was supposed to be a fun game.....

When I got called to do the game the coach of the AL team told me that I would be on the dish and one of the alumni who couldn't play was going to help on the bases. I figured no problem. First, I knew almost everyone on the alumni team and a good portion of the current team. Secondly, again this was supposed to be a good, fun exhibition celebrating the tradition of baseball in my area....boy was I wrong.

Understand that the AL team in my hometown is actually comprised of two high schools: my old high school and a larger, neighboring school. Well, since the coach of the current AL team is an alumni himself, he was playing for the alumni squad--two of the parents coached the current team, the designated HC from the neighboring school.

Current team was the visitors--1st inning, their catcher (who I have come close to ejecting in FED Varsity games before), is batting and is complaining fairly openly about my strikezone. 2nd inning, while his team is batting again (already losing to the alumni 7-0), the player starts calling me terrible, horrible, etc. from the dugout loud enough for all to hear (remember...this is supposed to be a fun exhibition!) Well this starts the parent/coaches on me. By the 4th inning the parent HC is completely on me so bad that had it been a regular game, he would at the very least been restricted if FED rules had been in effect. After a close curveball that I called a Ball and he starts again, I take off the mask and shoot him a look. He immediately turns it on me: "Oh lighten up I was only teasing you. If you want to turn this into the World Series we will." Now the parents are on me.

Fast forward to the 7th. The current team has come back to take the lead 16-14. Alumni has R2 and R3, 0 out. Single to left, R2 scores easily, R3 waved home. Close play at the plate, F2 misses the tag, I call Safe. Parent HC comes sprinting out of the dugout just as I'm calling time to brush the plate to argue. As he gets to me, he makes contact (intentionally or accidentally I'm not sure). He argues w/ me for a good 20 seconds and then finally goes back to the dugout when I shoot him the "get out of my face or else" look. Current team ends up winning 19-18 in 9 innings.

I know this was long, but what would you guys have done in this sitch? Remember this was supposed to be a fun, celebratory exhibition that, at least for me, turned into a nightmare. Would any of you had pitched the player and/or parent-HC given these circumstances? Stan, if you read this, I'm sure you can probably guess who I'm talking about. Comments?