Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Andy
Mike - while I agree with you in philosophy, the NFHS considers the practical side to this rule as well. Often, especially at the lower levels, there may only be one coach for a team. If an ejection requires the player to leave the field and an adult to go with her, the team may have to forfeit due to not having any other responsible school personnel available to coach the team.
As you say, not the umpire's issue, but that is the reasoning behind ejection/resticting to the bench in NFHS.
FWIW - here in AZ, we have to file a report if we eject or restrict to the bench.
|
Andy,
I am aware of that which is exactly why I said it would not happen again. I also understand an educational institutions responsibility, and liability, as it pertains to it's students.
Rant ON!
However, that doesn't excuse unacceptable behavior and HS is not the place for an organization to be soft about it.
Trust me, if as umpire I was asked to explain why s/he ejected the player, I would make a point of being in front of a group, preferably the school board and the player's parents and in a loud, deep voice repeat what this cute, little, couldn't-harm-a-fly child said to me. If I'm lucky, it will be a Christian academy of some sort.
I've been in this situation. I was in the Navy (Phila. Naval Base) and worked LL games on base. A 10 yo kid said (assumingly) the same thing which was raised in this post. I tossed the kid. When Master Chief Long called me to his office to explain myself, I told him in a loud, gruff manner in front of an office of mixed gender, including civilians, that the kid said, "ARE YOU F***ING BLIND!"
The chief was a bit embarrassed, but I only answered the question he asked. He tried to justify the kid's comment by noting we were dealing with military brats. I asked him what would happen if at 10, he had said the same thing to his mother or father. I was immediately dismissed and the kid sat the next two games. Never heard another comment like it or about it again.
We are the adults. As game officials, we are supposed to be the responsible adults. We are supposed to do what is good for the game, not baby sit smart-*** kids that believe this is acceptable behavior, not only on the ball field, but with any adult.
Rant OFF!