Quote:
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Originally Posted by Tim C
~Sigh~
SDS noted:
"Because I'm not going to have some idiot standing behind me, who's sole purpose is criticizing my strike zone."
Steve, I work at inner-city schools where the screen behind home plate is from 10 to 12 FEET behind the dish.
In games played by shaving aged players I would never consider telling someone they could not stand there or anywhere else in deadball terriitory.
I find it very odd to me that any umpire, working big boy ball, would even consider telling fans to move.
I just don't "get" your position.
Regards,
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Well, Tee...
In the abstract, or in general, I agree: HOWEVER---
I have, ONCE, required a "fan" to move in "big boy" [Legion playoff] ball.
At a venue, very much like those you describe, where the "dugouts" are fenced areas directly behind the backstop wings, I called a site admin. and directed him to move or remove a fan who was not only commenting on my zone, parent's marital status and species, but was inciting the home team bench to similar excess. Since I could not be certain if any given comment [each deserving of immediate ejection if made by a "game participant"] was coming from this idjit or those on the bench, I found it impossible to confine my attention to disciplining the players and coaches.
This was also the occasion on which I removed a scorekeeper from the bench area because he replied to my directive to "take control of your bench, or I will" by whining that he was "just a scorekeeper". Fine: if you are useless and intend to remain so: do it from the stands.
Not my finest moment(s); but lacking other, better alternatives; .... you know ?.......