Quote:
Originally Posted by Don Mueller
I do recognize at this point that I am on the ledge, but dug in quite nicely.
I'm going to step away from the ledge a bit. I shouldn't be advocating to new umpires the idea of substituting their own penalties in any situation. Nor should I make a practice of it.
As to another poster thinking my handling of this situation makes it more difficult for future umps with this coach I disagree.
This coach now believes that if he comes out to argue a strike call his batter is at risk for a delay of game strike. That strike means more to him than an ejection. He hasn't argued strikes and balls with me in the 2 games since.(he has a well deserved reputation as a whiner)
So in this case, I saved an ejection and modified behavior of a coach at the expense of 1 strike to a batter.
Not saying it was right only that this time it worked. IMO
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But it isn't over yet. Sooner or later, that coach will learn the truth, and you will be perceived as either a dishonest, cheating umpire, or "another" ignorant umpire. That may not bother you. Perhaps you're used to it. But it will bleed over into his relationship with other umpires.