quote:
Originally posted by T Alan:
I am pretty much amazed that some of you actually feel necessary to interface with a crowd member as you have listed above.
First, I have never worked a small diamond game so I offer no input on that level, however, I do work FED, College, American Legion, College Wood Bat and a very few adult games.
With the exception of a 'drunk and disorderly" fan I cannot picture how it could be my right or responsibility to eject a fan.
If the fan is taunting players . . . I would expect the coach or league representative to handle it.
If the fan is taunting an umpire . . . well friends, that just comes with the territory.
Now don't get me wrong . . . in my early days I have offered to go behind the dugout with a fan or two and "settle things like a man", but you kow what - I was wrong.
It is our JOB to handle players, coaches, and our feloow umpires - NOT to worry about the hyped up father of the 16 year old picture that thinks he is the next Sandy KOUFAX (not Colfax).
Pull up your socks guys.
I totally agree with you T.
But when a fan crosses the line, we must know who to go see to rectify the problem. In my experience, when someone goes beyond just normal heckling, and crosses the line, no one deals with that person (or people.) It gets ignored and, eventually, out of hand.
No umpire should approach an out of control spectator. You're just asking for trouble when you do that. If you really have a problem, know who should take care of that problem, whether it is a league official, coach, concession manager - whoever.
Sincerely,
Jim Porter
Youth League Correspondent
eUmpire.com
[This message has been edited by Jim Porter (edited September 13, 2000).]