[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by LeftyRef

I was working the bases at a freshman game this evening. In the bottom of the first inning, there was a banger at first. I called the runner out, much to the dismay of the home crowd, but the inning was over. I began my walk to shallow right field. As I'm walking, I see the home team manager turn to address the spectators sitting behind his bench. He asks the crowd (loudly enough for me to hear in shallow right): "Is there anyone here besides ths umpire who thinks he was out?"

I didn't think this warranted an ejection at the time, but the more I think about it, the more I don't like that he addressed the spectators. The rule that immediately came to mind is OBR 4.06(a): "No manager/player shall incite, or try to incite, by word or sign a demonstration from the spectators." The penalty here is removal from the game.

Did I miss this one in this situation?

1) I do not care if this is a 10U game or an NCAA Div. I game, this is an automatic ejection.

2) If the coach yelled it loud enough for the BU to hear in right field then the PU should have heard it from his position near the plate.

3) This is not a case of having rabbit hears. Both umpires should have been giving this coach the thumb before he finished his address to the crowd.

MTD, Sr.