Quote:
Originally Posted by SamG
I don't know why he acknowledged it. He also talked to our fans. He overheard us talking among ourselves about a ruling question and told us the correct answer.
Are you saying the PU didn't have the power to eject the fan?
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The plate umpire has that authority. However, why exercise that authority? By letting the fans know they can "affect" you, you then open yourself up for more problems. Having umpired for 23 years I find that "hearing" the fans only leads to other problems. If you have to remove a fan let the coach do it for you. I would NEVER address a fan directly. My main concern is what happens on the field. If what happens in the stands begins to effect things on the field then have the coach deal with it.
For instance. I had a 14U game where Daddy's little girl was pitching. She was having an off game and Daddy was all over her from the stands. Berating and belittling her. She began to cry. Well, a young lady pitcher with tears streaming down her face can't very well field a line drive back at her. I called time. I walked out to her and said "Would you like me to have him removed?" She simply nodded her head. I walked over to her coach, pulled out my lineup card and said "Coach, Dad needs to go now, this is becoming a safety issues and I don't want to see your pitcher get hurt. Do you?" Dad left.
No need to directly address the fans.