FED Rules
Each team has a fan that is generally making an a** of themselves from the bleachers. Harrassing the pitchers from both teams and the plate ump. After 3 innings, I can tell that someone is getting to my partner, who is on the dish, and his timing, consistency and mechanics have gone to the pits. After the 1/2 inning, I go to him and try to help him get his mind clear, get focused and go back to being the GOOD ump that he is. This lasts for a 1/2 inning. Things come to a head in the bottom of the 4th inning, when the V pitcher turns to me and asks me if I can do anything about the fans (his included). One of the parents is riding him pretty hard. I decide to take the bull by the horns and I call time and call the headcoaches to the mound, my partner, the plate ump is coming up to the mound and looks rattled. I explain to the coaches that the fans need to be told to back off, they can cheer and root for their team, but they need to leave the opposing team and the umpires alone, or we as umpires are going to have to start ejecting people. We are adults and need to set an example for the kids. V coach says ok and returns to dugout. H coach goes to the his fan and tells her to leave the other players alone as well as the umpires. UIC gives play ball. 2 batters later, UIC calls time and asks fan, who is sitting right behind home plate calling balls and strikes and heckling the UIC, to leave, fan yells "YOU SUCK" and picks up his chair leaves. At the 1/2 inning I see him sitting at the outfield fence and go tell him that he needs to leave the facilities. He calls me some 4 letter words and tells me how much he likes me, then leaves. After the next 1/2 inning I see him standing in the parking lot, behind centerfield, the fence is made of chicken wire, and I put both teams in the dugout and tell him either he leaves or the V forfeits. V, Head Coach comes out and tells him to leave.
My question - Did we handle this correctly? There was not a school administrator around to escort the gentleman from the field.
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