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Similar story...no exchange of body fluids.
Midget AA team second baseman argues called third strike to end the inning.
I allow him the opportunity to take first advantage of the hot water in the clubhouse. He continues his tirade all the way back to the dugout, throwing his bat at the backstop, slamming his helmet on the ground...you know the drill.
After the game, he confronts me in the parking lot. "You're a ****ing brutal ump, an a***ole" and so forth.
I tell the coach what his player did, he (the coach)apologizes to me, but I tell him that it's not enough. Until the kid comes up to me, hat in hands and apologizes for what he said and how he carried himself, I'll flush him from the game the moment the lineup cards are handed to me.
The coach thinks it's actually a good idea, and that's exactly what happens the next time they play.
Managers meet at home plate, lineup cards are exchanged and kid is tossed.
WAIT...it gets better.
The rest of the local umps agree with the lesson being taught, and they too, toss him from the game when the lineup cards are exchanged. The kid gets the boot from four games in six days before he comes up to me at the start of the game and gives me the apology I'm owed.
Say what you will about the pettiness of my actions, but I have not had a single concern with this kid since.
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