[DownTownTonyBrown]

Prove it!

I'm concerned about some of the comments made here and perhaps it warrants more discussion.

As umpires we make a lot of timing and location type judgements.... level of intoxication isn't one of them. What's the intoxication limit? Is it zero? How do I prove that a coach is beyond the limit?

He had three beers with his lunch four hours ago. Can I kick him out? Was his drinking inappropriate behavior?

I agree with the comments that have been made about our intolerance - alcohol should not be allowed around the children being coached. There are rules forbidding the use of tobacco within view of the players. I would assume that the use of alcohol (and other drugs) within view of the players should also be forbidden. BUT HOW DO I PROVE THAT A COACH IS INTOXICATED?

If I punish him for what I feel is unacceptable intoxication, am I now liable for the repercussions that he will face because I accused him of intoxication? (Especially if my accusation is incorrect.)

I haven't ran into this situation with a coach. And I'm not sure that I can enforce any kind of a penalty based upon my assumption that he is drunk. Maybe he is just on medication that causes his stupor. Maybe he had a beer before the game. Perhaps some angered parent threw their beer at him on his way into the ballpark. Perhaps he has been on an all day bender at the golf course. I don't know. And I can't prove it. My accusation of intoxication is a serious, perhaps life altering, judgement that I don't have enough information to make.

I can eject for unsporting behavior but I would not for an 'assumed' intoxication. The best I think I could do for a coach that I felt was intoxicated is to pull him aside and in private say something along the lines of "Coach, I don't mean any personal offense, but you appear to be intoxicated. And if you are, do you think it is appropriate for you to be here coaching children? Is there anyone else that can coach for you today so you can come back for another game, later?"

I would be cautious, Tony