[Andy]

A bit more background.....

The TD volunteers with the Special Olympics program in the area. He started this benefit tournament a year ago with the goal of raising some money for SO. He is not an experienced TD and is basically making it up as he goes from his tournament experience as a player.

He is also a player with the local SP league and knew quite a few of the players. One of the teams involved in the brawl was a team from the local area and the other team was from another area of the state.

I also hold a high position with our state association ASA umpire group, as some of you know. TD knew this as well...even though I was not acting as a UIC for this particular tournament, just a working umpire. That is the reason he was asking me about reinstating the team.

He was trying to be a nice guy for the teams.....I felt like I had to take a stand. The statement about leaving was not a threat...just a statement of what the consequenses of his decision would be.