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Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve
It happened to me in 2003 in a varsity HS game, but it wasn't as obvious as the catcher ducking the pitch. Plus, I really had no proof or backup from my dillweed partner, who just stood out at his position studying the daisies. The previous inning there was a close play at the plate that went against this team. The next inning the pitcher threw a fastball inside which missed the catcher's mitt by a couple inches and nailed me on the right forearm (I was in the slot in the scissors with a RH batter). I knew it was intentional, but if I would have ran F2, F1 and the smug little coach, it would have gotten ugly and I would have been perceived as a red-a$$ hothead. I told the coach that I knew it was intentional, which he of course denied. I also told F2 that if he let another ball touch me again for any reason that he would be very sorry he had. The ball never came close to me the rest of the game.
I probably should have ran the trio, but as has been said before, the shock of the situation, that "I can't believe this just happened" feeling took over and by the time I figured it out the timing was all wrong for ejecting. I wish I had been working with a partner with backbone who would have stepped in and said "hey Steve, that looked intentional to me too, let's run some people here."
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Wow, I can't believe you didn't run the F1 and F2 if you knew it was intentional. Don't worry about the timing. Worry about getting your senses under you and making the right decision. I had F2 call time and go out and talk to his pitcher. The next pitch clipped me in the mask as the catcher let it go over his glove. It took me a couple of seconds to gauge the situation and I let the
coach know he needed to replace both in the game as they had just been ejected. He started to argue, but I let him know right quick I wasn't in the mood and that he could go right with them if he so desired.
I might cut a little more slack on the arguing phase of the game, but when it comes to malicious contact or deliberately throwing at players or umpires, I pull the string quick and suddenly without any warning.
Blaming your partner for your failure to eject is a cop out in my opinion. I didn't worry one iota about my partner or his backbone. I made my call and earned much respect from my peers in doing so.