[Julio Caliente]

Well, this last weekend I had a pretty good opportunity come my way. The Pro Fast Pitch Extreme Tour was coming to Indianapolis and about 2 weeks ago I got the call to come work some of the tournament games. I was pretty nervous because I am new to softball (done mostly baseball) and have only done about 25 FP softball games in my life, but somebody somewhere had seen me umpire and I guess liked what they saw. I got called about 2 weeks before the tournament, and I can say it was a very eye opening experience. Since many things happened this weekend I will do it in more than one post.


Here is the "bigee" thing that happened. 10U team from OH (home team in 1st base dugout) has a stud pitcher. I would say she is throwing in the low to mid 50's and could easily pass for a 13 or 14 y/o. This girl was mowing down the other team like they weren't even there. The only ones that got to first were on walks. Well, the in the bottom of the 2nd inning I am standing on the first base line talking to my partner (I am the PU) when the visiting team coach approaches us and asks, "How old do you think that pitcher is?"

Just about that time the home team coach is walking by and says, "She is 14, almost 15, and will be driving soon." as he is heading towards the third base coaches box.

Well, that just set off the visiting coach who started raising hell about her not being of age, and she cant pitch and they have to forfeit, etc, etc. I tell the coach, that I believe the home team coach is being sarcastic and all players are checked at registration on Friday. Then he goes "Well, if we lose we are going to protest her being a legal player".

Me: "Coach, are you wishing to protest this game?"
Coach: "Like, I said if we lose we are"
Me: "So, is that a no your not going to play the game under protest or you are?"
Coach: "Yes, I would like to play the game under protest"
Me: "Okay, where is your scorekeeper?"

I get his book, note the game, inning, players name, the players number that they are protesting, and sign the book. I then head over to the Home team coach and explain what is going on to them and why I need to see their scorebook. Before I get to their scorekeeper though I notice both head coaches have got together and our discussing things. I take an authorative stance between the two head coaches trying to keep the peace, and I get them two separated without any problems. Home team coach is heading back to his dugout and visiting team coach is heading back toward theirs. I head back to the home team scorekeeper to make the same notes in it I did in the visiting teams book.

Well, I think all is well and I am getting ready to start the game back up when I notice the Home teams third base coach isn't walking towards the coaches box, but has a file in his hands and is heading towards the visiting teams dugout. Before I get there he whips open the file and has the girls birth certificate showing that she is of age. Visiting coach says the name on that certificate is not what the parents are calling her. Well, this sets off the Home team coach and I am sure that if there was not a chain link fence between the two there would have been some serious, serious problems. I intervene and escort the Home team coach away from the visiting team dugout.
Me: "Coach, that is enough you need to calm down."
Him: "Are they going to test her for steroids also?"
Me: "Coach, they have the right to protest if they choose to."
Him: "I just want to know if they are going to check for HGH and steroids also?"
Me: "Coach, that is enough. This game is being played under protest, and it will be finished. Continuing down the path you are going will guarantee you that will not see the end of the game. Now lets play ball".

Now, I am not hesitant to throw somebody out and both coaches were tip toeing the line but none of them actually crossed it. After the game the Home team coach apologized for his actions and said that I did a great job during the "discussion". The visiting team spent quite a bit of time with the UIC and I was sure I was going to get my but chewed over that. Turns out the visiting team coach said that I handled it professionally and from where he was he thought I did a great job also (turns out he was at the backstop watching the whole time).