WORST THINGS YOU'VE SEEN AN UMPIRE DO

[bbump82]

After reading all of the posts on this subject, I will have to admit that what I'm about to impart to ya'll, is with out a doubt the worst thing any of us has ever heard of or seen.

Several years ago I was scheduled to do a LL 13-14 YO (Yes I know, Kiddy ball, but it is where I got started) game on a Saturday afternoon. I arrived early, got down to the field to watch a little of the game before mine. Situation was R1 & 2 man crew, I actually watched the PU almost get run over by the BU on a routine base hit to the outfield. R1 going 1-3, PU coming up the line yelling "I got 3, I've got 3!", came inside to make the call and for whatever reason, the BU never acknowledged him and almost ran the PU over while back pedaling into 3.

1 ball, 1 defender, 1 runner, 2 umps to make the call.

PRICELESS!!

[David B]

Originally posted by TriggerMN
That's easy. I saw Don Denkinger take the World Series away from the St. Louis Cardinals in 1985.

I wish I had kept my post last year. ESPN did an article and a TV special on Denkinger and it was great.

But your post is in error. You need the "rest of the story."

I see Garth provided that.

Take a search around ESPN.com and its very interesting reading.

Thanks
David

[mcrowder]

Worst I've seen - supposed 20-year umpire. He's BU, I'm at the plate. Pop up to 2nd base with no one on. Fans all scream as F4 is trying to catch it, and he drops it. I hear "Interference! Batter's out!" I didn't see interference, but was not going to contradict him on the field. Between innings (this old boy had to visit with me between every half-inning) I ask him what happened. "Verbal Fan Interference."

OK, fine - new one on me, too late to fix.

2nd game, he's behind the plate. One out, R2. Catcher catches a 1-hopper for swinging strike 3 and fires to third to catch R2 stealing, I call him out. PU is yelling, "Batter's out! Batter's Out!" as batter makes it to 1st without a throw. Coach goes nuts, gets ejected. Assistant (a wiser man) approaches PU calmly and asks him to discuss the call with me. Much to my shock he does. Turns out he knows the ball bounced - but ruled batter out because catcher fielded the ball cleanly. I tell him he's wrong (no one else can hear us), and he yells at me, for all to hear, "You're a F$^#&ing idiot!" and returns to the plate. Poor assistant coach doesn't know to protest.

He never worked for us again either.

[Tim C]

Mr. Crowder:

You may have the winning entry.

A double header none the less.

[Rich]

Originally posted by mcrowder
Worst I've seen - supposed 20-year umpire. He's BU, I'm at the plate. Pop up to 2nd base with no one on. Fans all scream as F4 is trying to catch it, and he drops it. I hear "Interference! Batter's out!" I didn't see interference, but was not going to contradict him on the field. Between innings (this old boy had to visit with me between every half-inning) I ask him what happened. "Verbal Fan Interference."

OK, fine - new one on me, too late to fix.

2nd game, he's behind the plate. One out, R2. Catcher catches a 1-hopper for swinging strike 3 and fires to third to catch R2 stealing, I call him out. PU is yelling, "Batter's out! Batter's Out!" as batter makes it to 1st without a throw. Coach goes nuts, gets ejected. Assistant (a wiser man) approaches PU calmly and asks him to discuss the call with me. Much to my shock he does. Turns out he knows the ball bounced - but ruled batter out because catcher fielded the ball cleanly. I tell him he's wrong (no one else can hear us), and he yells at me, for all to hear, "You're a F$^#&ing idiot!" and returns to the plate. Poor assistant coach doesn't know to protest.

He never worked for us again either.

I would've helped the coach through the protest after that.

[largeone59]

Girl's fastpitch softball game (i know i know). Routine grounder to F6 who throws to F3 to get the BR. As the throw is half way across the diamond, PU yells "Batter's Out! Batter's Out!" When asked why- she was running outside the runner's lane.

No contact with F3 or anything.

[jason181988]

mcrowder i think you do win. Thats great. There is alot of confusion with that 3rd strike where i umpire too. It must NOT hit the ground to be considered a clean catch for the third strike, correct?

[harmbu]

Come on guys. Lighten up. I am sure in all of the situations discussed the umpires were just trying to make conversation by making these rulings or not showing up.

[tasoump]

I posted this once before but here it goes again. HS Varsity game. I'm BU, bottom of 2nd 1 out R1, PU calls balk while pitcher is standing on rubber getting sign. I had know idea why PU called balk. Visiting head coach calmly called time and walked out to the PU, had a conversation and returned to the dugout. I did not hear the conversation between the coach and PU. Pitcher asked me why he called a balk and I replied I have no idea ask your coach when the inning is over. Later the visiting coach told me it was because the pitcher was holding the ball beside his leg not behind his back. Now the fun begins bottom of 7th home team trailing 11-2. PU lost his strike zone and walked the next 13 batters in a row. Visiting team used 3 pitchers during the walkathon. From my viewpoint there were plenty of pitches that could be called strikes. Visiting coach asked me during one of the pitching changes if I thought he was getting screwed and could he appeal to me on called balls. I informed him no he cannot appeal to me on called balls and I hope you have your KY jelly so it doesn't hurt so bad. Home team wins game 11-12 with no hits and no outs in bottom of 7th. Found out later that PU was a graduate from the home team HS. I quit being an umpire after that game.

[cmcramer]

in a Little League tourney. BU calls time and turns to face he outfield fence 200 feet away where a parent is grousing about a call. Umpire yells, "You wanna Ump?" Parent yells, "Sure..but my kid's in the game." Ump yells,"That's OK...get out here!"

Parent jumps over fence and trots to second base, stays for a couple pitches before tourney Director - red as a beet - comes on to field to escort parent off.

I'm not making this up.

[mattmets]

Ouch.

[mattmets]

I play HS Varsity baseball and last year we had an umpire who was terrible, just really bad. One day the guy was having an especially bad day behind the plate. We're in the field as the visitors, maybe 4th inning of a 6-2 game... our pitcher throws a belt-high fastball right down the middle....and it's called a ball. My coach asks where was it, and the classic response? "Low."

[mrm21711]

Originally posted by tasoump
I posted this once before but here it goes again. HS Varsity game. I'm BU, bottom of 2nd 1 out R1, PU calls balk while pitcher is standing on rubber getting sign. I had know idea why PU called balk. Visiting head coach calmly called time and walked out to the PU, had a conversation and returned to the dugout. I did not hear the conversation between the coach and PU. Pitcher asked me why he called a balk and I replied I have no idea ask your coach when the inning is over. Later the visiting coach told me it was because the pitcher was holding the ball beside his leg not behind his back. Now the fun begins bottom of 7th home team trailing 11-2. PU lost his strike zone and walked the next 13 batters in a row. Visiting team used 3 pitchers during the walkathon. From my viewpoint there were plenty of pitches that could be called strikes. Visiting coach asked me during one of the pitching changes if I thought he was getting screwed and could he appeal to me on called balls. I informed him no he cannot appeal to me on called balls and I hope you have your KY jelly so it doesn't hurt so bad. Home team wins game 11-12 with no hits and no outs in bottom of 7th. Found out later that PU was a graduate from the home team HS. I quit being an umpire after that game.

In my opinion, thats why you should umpire, to do it right and restore some integrity to the game unlike this clown.

[Blue37]

Originally posted by mrm21711

In my opinion, thats why you should umpire, to do it right and restore some integrity to the game unlike this clown.

Personally, if what he has stated is accurate, I think we are better off without him. You might think your partner is deliberately throwing a game, but to share that perception with a coach during the contest is less than honorable. Take your concerns to your assignor. I hope the quip about the KY was an embellishment and did not really happen.

[Reznor]

My partner and I are both first year umpires. R1 and R2 pitch bounces in the dirt and hits the PU in the chest, runners, who would have been safe standing up, take off. PU calls it a dead ball because it hit him.

Of course the offensive coach went and spoke to him. PU came to me and asked me about it. I think we made the right decision. I told him we had to eat it because he called it dead so it was dead forever and the runners had to go back. Luckily it was a 10 run rule game and the runners later scored.

Was I correct in making the runners return to their bases or should the runners have been awarded 2nd and 3rd base?