[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Yesterday (May 12/Thu., 2011), I umpired a boys' H.S. jr. varsity baseball DH.

I was the BU in the second game (MichiganHSAA allows DH to be played even if the schools have class the next day). R1 on 1B when the batter ripped a single to right field. F9 threw the ball to F6 who threw to F5 in an unsuccessful attempt to throw out F1 at 3B. F6's failure to throw out R1 caused him to drop an F-bomb. And we all know what happened next. I informed the young man that he was done for the day and escorted him to his team's dugout where I explained to V-HC what I had. No problem.

My problem was this morning with school administrators. I called the school's principal and was connected to her assistant (not assistant principal, the principal's assistant; and this is a public school). I was told by the assistant that the principal was unavailable for me to speak with her today. I told her why I was calling and she transferred me to the school's AD.

Convesation with AD:

MTD, Sr.: Good morning Mr. Xxxxx, I am Mark DeNucci, Sr., and I umpired your school's jr. varsity baseball DH with Xxxxx H.S. yesterday. I am calling to inform you that Player Xxxxx Xxxxx was ejected in the bottom of the second inning for dropping an F-bomb after failing to throw out a runner at third base.

AD: Do you always eject a player for swearing?

MTD, Sr.: Mr. Xxxxx that question is not germain to the subject we are discussing. Xxxxx Xxxxx's actions is why I am calling.

AD: But I am asking the question so I can understand why you ejected Xxxxx Xxxxx.

MTD, Sr.: Mr. Xxxxx, your original question is not germain to Xxxxx Xxxxx ejection.

AD: Yes, it is. I want to know if you always eject a player for swearing?

MTD, Sr.: Mr. Xxxxx, the MichiganHSAA requires me to make contact with a school adminstrator when there is a player ejection and inform the adminstrator that a game report will be filed.

AD: But, I want to know if you always eject a player for swearing to be able to understand your actions.

MTD, Sr.: Mr. Xxxxx, this conversation is over. Goodbye. "click"

What a way to start a weekend.

MTD, Sr.