I've been fortunate to not have any escalated situations. There have been upset players at calls that didn't go their way, and as a result a few ejections.
I'm curious, though, about the comments about contacting the TD, UIC, etc., during the course of a game. In most games I've worked for regular league play, I'm usually the only official at the game, and in some leagues, I will have a partner.
In tournaments, we might see our UIC on occasion but he spends his time moving from one set of fields to another.
I guess my point is that if I need to halt a game to be in search of a tournament official, do I leave the field, send a partner to find someone, what? I don't carry my cell phone with me while doing a game, and at some of our fields, I might have to walk half a mile from my car to the field.
Borrowing someone's cell would work, but I don't have phone numbers memorized. So do you guys keep phone numbers in your pocket?
I did a game this week which resulted in my first ambulance visit to the field. Catcher had her feet taken out by a sliding runner while she was in mid-air trying to field a high throw. She came down hard. People there finally decided to call 911 to get the ambulance there. Coaches decided to call off the game and EMTs had the girl in a neck brace and were getting ready to put her on a back-board/stretcher to take her to the hospital.
I guess the difference here is that folks/fans/parents were being helpful. Agitated folks/fans/parents aren't likely to want to help, unless the "other team" associates step in.
Thanx for any guidance.
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Ted
USA & NFHS Softball
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