[DTQ_Blue]

In my third year of umpiring, but first year doing travel ball (NSA) I finally put a coach on the bench today. First time ever, still no ejection.

14U tourney game, on an hour time limit (no new inning after) because tomorrows games are all expected to be rained out in VA and the tourney organizers wanted to get in as many games as possible today. Inning ends at 58 minutes, coach of team ahead comes out and asks if the game is over I say "no, we're 2 minutes under the limit." He says "home cooking every time." I tell him to go back to the dugout which he does for about 30 seconds. Then he's out again asking to see the game clock. I tell him that it malfunctioned and that I had to use my watch. I also tell him that I didn't appreciate his home cooking comment. He said "That's what it was." I said yor're restricted to the dugout for the rest of the game.

Funny thing is my home town is the town his team comes from, and I've umped his girls in the rec league the last 2 years. He didn't know that. Later, I went over to one of the 12U coaches for the same travel team, who I have known for a couple of years, and asked him to inform the 14U coach that I am from the same town as his team. He laughed.

Our UIC has asked us to bench restrict rather than eject where possible. I think it was appropriate not to toss him. I chalk it up to his inexperience and impulsivity and hope he learns.

Any comments?