[NCASAUmp]

When I first started umpiring, I used to do games for a boys' church league. One team had a particularly obnoxious coach (who ended up getting banned, btw), and this guy obviously didn't get it. He wasn't a parent of any of the kids, and I often wondered if his desire to coach came from a judge sentencing him to community service.

One game, his team was on offense when one of his kids tried to score. This kid was maybe 9 years old, couldn't run fast, and was tagged out easily at home plate (wasn't even remotely close). Coach's advice to the kid?

"If that happens again, you bowl him over!"

I couldn't help it. This is a kids' league sponsored by a church. This rule was heavily emphasized during the coaches' meeting at the beginning of the season. I told the coach, "if he does that, he's out and he's ejected." The coach blew up, "What?! Show me the rule! Show me the rule!"

And we wonder why kids grow up with such bad attitudes.