Does anyone have any one thing that just gets their goat and earns an automatic ejection.

Obviously arguing balls and strikes is high on the list.

I have to deal with my scorekeeper (aka my wife) making snide comments within earshot of the PU. While I may have the same feelings, I keep them silent as I known I cannot see what the PU sees.

I do communicate with my catcher as to whether my pitcher is throwing outside or inside and he needs to move in or out to correct as necessary.

I do not have any "automatics" when it comes to ejections.

I do have things that will get my attention. When you get personal with comments or question my integrity or the integrity of my partner's, then I will have a problem with that. It does not mean it is automatic, just something that will be addressed. Depending on the severity of the act or comments, there might not be an ejection on the spot.

I also do not tolerate much conversation or debate from assistant coaches.

Peace

Balls and Strikes
 

I was told at a brief clinic last night:

When a coach argues Balls and Strikes from the bench:
<LI> 1st Time -> Ignore
<LI> 2nd Time -> Acknowledge
<LI> 3rd Time -> Warn
<LI> 4th Time -> Eject

If the coach comes onto the field to complain -> Eject immediately.

Thoughts?
mick

I sure do. A loud F-bomb aimed at me or my judgment will send a coach to the bus right now. Drawing in the dirt: also gone. Bumping me: out of here. Accuse me of cheating: See ya.

Close to automatic: any civilian in the dugout or assistant coach who isn't smart enough to shut up after once warned.

That said, I went the last four years without an ejection at the high school level. This year, though, I've had three. Each of those three violated an "automatic."

I have never seen nor heard anyone do that in a game I was working. So for me, I am not going to call that an "automatic" ejection. I have never heard someone call a person a racial slur either. I do not like to deal with a hypothetical, I like to deal with real world situations that have either happened or I have experienced. All these things are possible, but many of them have never happened to me. I have had a batter draw dirt in the sand and I did not eject. I sent a message and the message was received.

Peace

Re: Balls and Strikes
 

I would eliminate 1 and go straight to 2.

1. I hear ya coach.

2. I don't want to hear you again coach.

3. You're gone coach.

If the coach comes onto the field to complain -> Eject immediately. Agree!

1. Coach gets personal - "you're useless/horrible/hor$hit"

2. Coach bumps me.

3. The F-bomb that can be heard by all (I do nothing under JV)

4. Depending on my mood, if the coach is arguing with me and he hasn't brushed his teeth, I'll dump him! :D kidding!

"I have to deal with my scorekeeper (aka my wife) making snide comments within earshot of the PU."

If the scorekeepers are in a scorebooth, I remind them that they are part of the game officials. Either hold the comments, or leave the booth. If they are in the dugout, I considere them team personnel. "Coach/manager, control your scorekeeper, or she/he will have to vacate the dugout". If the scorekeeper is outside the fence, as long as they're not vulgar, I ignored them.

Bob

Re: Balls and Strikes
 

I'll agree this is a pretty good process. However, most of the time, I just ignore them anyways. But if I acknowledge their comments it's going to be with a warning.

I think Garth nailed my list as well. Only difference (and it's probably true for all states), but bumping me or any official is going to get you an ejection and probably something else from the state.

[Edited by tjones1 on Apr 27th, 2005 at 07:38 PM]

Re: Balls and Strikes
 

In the 6th inning of a game last Friday I call a Ball, and hear "Blue, has the strike zone changed in the late innings" out of the right side dugout. I turn to look and the head coach is 10 feet out of the dugout in my direction. I asked "are your arguing strikes and balls" and he says "well I guess I am". So I say "well you are restricted to the dugout for the rest of the game". This is not an ejection offense in my state, but one to restrict to the dugout. If the coach is on the field eject or restrict, whatever is appropriate for your area.

I tossed a college player in a summer wood bat league two summers ago, when he said to me after making a call on the bases "you are F**king kidding". It was an instantaneouse ejection. So yes, I have some automatics.

I also had a pretty ugly argument after a call at 2B 3 years ago. After making the call I turned to my left and the 3B coach (head guy) was in my face already. He had to have sprinted on the field. It has not happened since but if anyone sprints at me they will be gone before they get there.

[Edited by DG on Apr 27th, 2005 at 11:19 PM]

A "civilian" in the dugout should know better than to open his or her mouth. If I have to address such a person, they're gone.

Re: Re: Balls and Strikes
 

Arguing balls and strikes and then being stupid enough to admit it would probably earn an ejection.

Why would you say it's not an ejectable offense in your state. Were you given specific guidance on this by the state, and if so please tell me where this is so I don't accidentally move there.

AGREED!
 

That would be crazy. The restriction is a good idea but it just don't seem to work. All you are going to have now is a coach sitting in the dugout chirping about balls and strikes.

My BU had a Asst. coach arguing a call at first last week in playoff game. The call was not that close IMO as I was following the BR up the line following a bunt.

I saw my BU motion to the dugout so I knew he was restricting him to dugout. What followed was about as immature display by a coach - thought it was Lou Panella on the field. Needless to say he was history, but just reminds me that all a restriction does it make them mad.

Thanks
David

Automatics
 

I have to agree with GB. I had a pitcher in one game that kept mouthing off about the strike zone ( I was BU), warned him about the language (SH&^, Bullsh__, and others). He kept it up a little more and dropped a VERY LOUD F-bomb as he walked off the mound after being pulled. We got to go home early, because they were out of players (only 9).

The other auto was when a HC accused me of cheating and making up rules. When he called time and brought the book out to discuss, I told him that I was not going to take the time to show him where it was, his next statement was "that is because you are making this SH__ up as you go!" Needless to say that this was a highly rated team that for some reason was getting the snot beat out of them.

Oh well.
 

When people say they have an "automatic" ejection that means to me that there is no thought process that goes into an ejection. I know every ejection I have made had some thought or consideration involved in that decision. As I have stated before, I have never had a player "try me" like that with an out loud profanity aimed in my direction. Maybe I have the demeanor that does not have that happen. I have no idea. It just does not happen to me. When it does I might say it is an "automatic." I just do not have HS and college players trying me like that.

Peace

I've only had to dump one coach. U-12 game, my partner makes the mistake of calling a kid out for accidentally throwing the bat (I'm BU). It was a deep fly to Left Center so I didn't see what happened (we were running the V mechanics so I had the catch), and my PU didn't audbile very well because I had no idea what was going on. After F8 made the catch and threw the ball to second base, I follow the ball in from the outfield to 2nd and as I turn around, I see HC on the field screaming at me that the "call was B***Sh** and that he wanted a God D*** appeal. Mind you...ball is still live. F4 receives the ball from the outfield, I call Time, look at the coach from about 50 feet away, and go, "Coach, I don't know what you want, but I do know YOU'RE GONE!" Only then did I find out what all the hoopla was about.

Thought process
 

I would have to say that I will and do take stock in the sit that I'm in when something starts to happen. But it doesn't take me very long to make up my mind if I have a player or coach running out to me calling me a "Stupid MF" because he didn't agree with my call.

Rut, unfortunately I have not had, and probably won't get the opportunity to work at the level which you do (work schedule varies way too much week to week), that said, I have had the displeasure of having to deal with some jackasses who think they know the rules better than I, or fail to realize that losing a regular season game is not the last sign before the apocalypse comes.

So I will continue to do what I can (restrict/eject) to any player or coach that I feel is doing anything that is degrading to me, the others on the field, or the game.

I think the longer you officiate the more firm these limits become. I used to put up with quite a bit more than I do now.

Back in the days of JV officiating I felt there was a reason I was working that level and also that the coach was working that level - neither of us were very good. Tossed a lot of coaches at that level - particularly in Basketball.

I've now become more understanding of the coach's plight to maintain his employment - need to win. I don't know that my tolerance has changed but my response is much calmer.

I now do a much better job - my mechanics and rules knowledge are far superior than when I began officiating (holy cow 25 years ago!). I'm confident in what I do - this in itself seem to keep me out of trouble. Coaches don't seem to argue near as much as they used to - I think I've changed for the better. Additionally, I've become much more relaxed and personable during games.

Of course in officiating sports, I've been involved in many highly emotional situations (like all of those early ejections). However, my responses have now become much more controlled. Used to be that if the coach wanted to scream and holler, I would be willing to publicly scream right along with him (no more self-imposed public stupidity today). Now I save my emotional response for private release after the game is completed - I'm trying to get past this self-imposed stupidity/burden also. Ejection should be completely emotionless - you have stepped over the boundary and the penalty is ejection. Sorry, it was your choice. You knew the limit (well, maybe) and you chose ejection (now you know the limit).

I still do not tolerate JV ignorance - I believe my last ejection was a JV baseball coach. (Absolute dork! Nearly forfeited the game because the idiot tried to sneek around the dugout, join the crowd, and still watch the game through the backstop.)

I take a little screaming but do my best to remain calm. For myself typical ejections are a result of negative insinuations such as "that's horrible," "Worst call all season," "You're terrible." Refusal to heed the stop sign. Refusal to comply with dictated requirements - "You need to stop," "You need to get off the field now."

well there's my two bits...

Re: Oh well.
 

To my mind, an automatic ejection would be one not preceded by a warning.

Re: Re: Oh well.
 

Exactly. "Automatics" get no warning. That doesn't mean there is no thought process. But what is there really to think about if a coach comes out and bumps you, or yells F@#K YOu?

Re: AGREED!
 

[/B][/QUOTE]

That would be crazy. The restriction is a good idea but it just don't seem to work. All you are going to have now is a coach sitting in the dugout chirping about balls and strikes.

My BU had a Asst. coach arguing a call at first last week in playoff game. The call was not that close IMO as I was following the BR up the line following a bunt.

I saw my BU motion to the dugout so I knew he was restricting him to dugout. What followed was about as immature display by a coach - thought it was Lou Panella on the field. Needless to say he was history, but just reminds me that all a restriction does it make them mad.

Thanks
David

[/B][/QUOTE]Just because he is restricted does not mean he has liberty to go to the dugout and continue to run his mouth. And of course this is direction from the state, you don't think I would think this up on my own, surely. There are stiff penalties for coaches and players who are ejected, so they want to restrict first, unless it is one of the big 6 that will get you ejected immediately. Arguing balls and strikes is not one of them.

Re: Re: Oh well.
 

Then I must have a lot of "automatic" ejections. I do not give warnings for behavior I see as over the line. Especially when we have a sportsmanship statement that is required. To have a coach say f@@k you is not something I see or hear of happening where I am.

Peace

Re: Re: Re: Oh well.
 

[/B][/QUOTE]

To have a coach say f@@k you is not something I see or hear of happening where I am.

Peace [/B][/QUOTE]Thst would be one of the big 6, around here.

1. loud cussing
2. drawing a line in the dirt
3. bump
4. "you ___________"
5. malicious contact
these 5 are certain. Balls and strikes depends on the situation. I usually tell the coach I'm not discussing it if he is just standing next to me talking about it.. If he persists then I will then start to look at a dumping. If he starts sreaming clear accross the diamond then that will get a much faster dumping.

How about using tobacco in a FED or NCAA games? :D

ahhh good point on the tobacco. I kept thinking to myself there was another. I have not had an issue at all with tobacco so it escaped me.

I've never had a problem with tobacoo either. I think if I did, my first thought would be...."You've got to be kidding me..."

My draw a line story
 

The one and only time I had a batter draw a line, I was so stunned, I didn't eject, partly the audacity to draw, but mostly because the line he drew was in the strike zone, I was so flabbergasted I just ignored it. - A big mistake I know now a lot better, but still, I look back and laugh about it.