Quote:
Originally Posted by KHanneman
Was working a travel 15 game, my last game of 7 for the tournament, and I'm thinking how good of a job I'm doing so far in the tourney (my fourth year umping). This was pretty good baseball, anways, I'm PU and the visitors are up to bat in the last inning, down by 5 runs, runner on 3rd, 2 outs and the count is 3-0. Next two pitches I call strikes and the head coach goes bezerk. Walking all the way down from the 3rd base coaches box, screaming- and I mean screaming- about the last two strike calls. I call time, take off my mask and take a couple of steps so we are face to face and calmly tell him he can't argue balls and strikes. Still screaming- he says he's not arguing balls and strikes, the freaking (yeah, said freaking instead of fu**ing) ball was in the dirt. I look at him without saying anything else, and he turns around to walk back to the coaches box, still complaining about the calls. The runner ends up walking, the next batter strikes out swinging and game over.
My question, should I have ejected the guy, which I didn't because it was toward the end of game, he may have had a point (my partner didn't offer any help postgame as to whether the pitches were clearly balls), and I didn't want the coach to have to sit out the next game of the tourney.
Looking for experienced guys to guide me here.
Thanks.
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Walking down the line screaming? Automatic three step process:
1. To batter: step out
2. Left hand removes mask
3. Wind up the eject-o-matic & send him to the parking lot
NEVER, EVER let a coach/manager get away with this type of behavior. Now the next crew has to deal with his BS. The only way these guys will learn that poor behavior has consequences is to pay the price.
What are the results from letting him off the hook?
1. Everyone at the game (Including the teams waiting for the next game) now sees you (And you partner) as spineless.
2. The next time you see this coach/manager he will start right where he left off. You look bad indeed for ejecting him then for exactly the same thing ignored the last time.
3. The 1st pitch this coach/manager does not like in the next game will result in an ejection - YOUR fault - because you didn't take care of business.
See the pattern?
I expect to take some lumps IN PRIVATE when I screw up. Coaches / managers with a clue understand how to do so & those who don't learn quickly enough by paying the price of an ejection or two. Some never get it or don't care (Bobby Cox for one).