Situation: BU at C position during junior legion
Third base (Blue Team) coach was yelling to R2 "off" when the pitcher made to motion to go home, about the 3rd or 4th pitch the Red Team coach storm onto the field to talk to a partner (1st year and third game behind the plate) and states "He can not do that!" They looked confused so I walked into the conversation to help my partner and realized at was battle of wits and no one was winning. They looked at me and he repeated "He can’t do that!"

"Do what?", so he explains the he can not yell "BALK" well by this time the third base coach (Blue Team) was there who started to defend himself from what he thought would be an ejection. So I asked the Red Team coach who are talking about and what do think he is doing, and why can’t he do what every it is he doing and why do think you get to come onto our field and make statements. Well, by this time his manager (Red Team) comes running to get him off the field.

So I tell the manager and coach (Red Team), "He did nothing illegal and if he does I’ll eject him" Third base coach (Blue Team)looks wild eyed at me and before he said a word I asked "Did you do anything illegal?" He said no, then I tell then we have nothing to worry about, Red Team’s manager listened quietly then apologized for his coach and promised to keep him off the field.

Three pitched go by then Blue Team third base coach says OFF! to R2, then the Ted Team coach comes out on to the field and begins to complain, the Blue Team third base begins to explain he did nothing wrong as they both walked to me like two kids caught with their hands in the cookie jar. So I looked at the Red Team coach , and said "You are the one making the issue out nothing, let talk between innings and keep the game moving" He says "NO!" so the Red Teams’s manager tries to pull him off the field and I’m feeling kinda’ squirrelly at this point. I realized he is an idiot. So I said "Coach you need to……, " He cut me off an actually said "Are you putting ME in time out!"

Well, I’ve got an odd sense of humor and said "YES, if you leave time out your gone, not a word, nothing!" The look on his face was priceless!

The manger, third base and myself walk away laughing.

toss him. who is an assistant coach to do or say anything like this to an umpire in this, or pretty much any situation?

i'm not so sure about saying this unless you actually do plan to throw the coach out immediately when he breaks a rule or does something illegal.

toss the red coach, he has no place on the field at this time or point in the game, or probably any game. suggest that the blue coach hold up a second, you really have nothing with him and just deal with the ejection and then tell him nothing is wrong and that hes alright

toss him after saying no, and then toss him again when he needs to be pulled off the field

id say so, hes overstepping his boundaries quite a bit. i hope assistant coaches dont normally pull this crap in your area




the time out thing was kind of funny

The assistant coach do not, however, I was working with new umpire and doing a lower level crap baseball game. I let him run the game, that his job as the Plate Umpire. The other aspect of the game was that the Blue team coaches played for a local JUCO team I umpire in the spring and we knew each other.

When I'm the field umpire I rarely say a word, except with this idiot from the Red Team. I still laugh about this man.

One of the first things you learn at most schools:

NEVER ARGUE WITH ASSISTANT COACHES!

Assistant coaches? I've heard tell of these mythical creatures, but I can honestly say I've never seen one.

I heard they do not exist :)

I can tell you that they do exist, and from my experience, their natural habitat is the parking lot.

Ahh ok, thanks for clearing that up :D

Thomas,

Was the reason you called "obstruction" because the base coach was assisting the runner? :)

Funniest aftermath
 

First off the ejection....

Working a PONY level (13-14) tournament late in the game, a player chops at a ball and dribbles it a few feet in front of the plate.....I saw no contact with the batter and signal fair ball......Batter stands in the box and never runs.....Catcher easily fields the ball and throws to first ....Partner rings up the out...

Batter looks at me blinking.....never moved, says the ball hit the plate.........yes...it did....and its a fair ball...a small older "assistant coach" storms out on the field now saying that the ball hit the batter in the box...Needless to say, he goes ape and gets ejected....

now the funny part....

2 weeks later I am in the umpire dressing room at the 2003 PONY World Series changing in between games when the umpire attendant and a number of PONY zone reps come in grinning at me.....all of them want to meet the guy who ejected a PONY Field Director.....

Stan

I once heard someone say, "an assistant coach's job is to stand at first and tell runners when to turn left".

They occassionally hand me new baseballs, but rarely bring water. Beyond the exchange of social pleasantries, they do not get spoken to. Assistants do not get to run out on the field to discuss anything.

Except, of course, when the head coach has been ejected.

I had a humorous ejection during a Pony game. During the pre-game the Manager of Team A proudly proclaims that he got to watch the "Jim Evans Balk Video" (thats what he called it). I said to my partner after the Managers left the plate area, "this will be fun".

First inning, Team B gets a lead-off runner on first. Team A righty pitcher looks to his Manager(his dad, I later found out)and they both are smiling like Chesire cats. (Jim Evans Balk video has that affect on people). Pitcher proudly places his lead foot directly on the imaginary 45 degree line. He then proceeds to confidently turn his hips, without a step, and throw to first. "THATS A BALK!" I (in B) yell (grinning like a Chesire cat), "you Second" to the runner.

Now, let the games begin. My partner is looking for a kleenex or a napkin or something to dry his eyes, because he's laughing and trying not to let anyone see. I am glued in the spot I was during the call, expecting the Manager to meet me (I do not walk to talk). The manager runs out yelling "Thats not a BALK!!" repeatedly, but for some reason this manager walks to the foul line and stops (Little League phenomenon I suspect), and proceeds to demand my meeting him there. I calmly beckon him to join me in B. He is dancing in his shoes, much like a child who has to visit the bathroom, he is coming out of his skin. I love it. He sprints to where I am and proceeds to start jumping and waving his hands and yelling, "you can't call that, you don't know what you are doing,you are awful". Well, he said "you" one too many times and is becoming a nuisance, so I EJ him".

I then add, "Coach, the pitcher must step to the base he's throwing to". "Did you watch the whole tape?", His response, "NO".

BOB

Thomas,

Perhaps I need to be more clear. No one gets the opportunity to tear out of the dugout and scream at me or my partner(s), I don't care if its the Head Coach, Assistant Coach, AD, Field Director, or whoever. That does NOT happen in my world. Thats an EJ before the culprit reaches me. I turn and walk away, no discussion. I hope my partner(s) then take over and escort the offender from the field.

The Head Coach has the responsibility to represent his/her team on the field, therefore, he/she gets the opportunity to come onto the field and discuss interpretations, rulings, base awards, etc. Those discussions are sometimes heated, but rarely lead to an EJ. An assistant coach does not get that opportunity. If we allowed assitants to argue, then where do we draw the line? We argue with one assistant, then the pitching coach and finally the Head Coach shows up?

I am approachable and courteous. I enjoy what I do and it shows. I will explain, interpret or otherwise discuss calls with assistants between innings, as long as the we are discussing not arguing.

Thomas, how do you interact with coach's?

Bob

Coachie
 

A treat coachie like a co-worker that can't quite be trusted. For that reason I haven't had a funny ejection yet. The fun part is the baseball, overcoming the pressure and getting out alive.

We got guys who get sooooo chummy with the coaches. Gawd, when you walk on the field with one of them and they start making out with the coach, right off the bat you know you are going to be "bad cop".

I've had funny calls and falls but no funny ejections.

D

Copied, pasted and edited from another thread (since it is my "funniest" ejection)

Once, I had a little "banty rooster" type HS coach charge out to "B" to argue. Man was he quick, too. When he got to me I said, "coach, did you ask for time before coming out?", and he turned around and ran just as fast back to the foul line. He did a military style about-face, said "time?", I said "time!", and he ran right back as fast as he could and starts ripping me a new one. I listened for a bit while he was in my face, then I turned 90 degrees to my right. He quickly got in front of me again and kept screaming. I turned another 90 degrees to my right, same thing happened. I kept turning, and he kept stepping in front of me. By the time I was facing the original way, I had had enough and I tossed him, much to the delight of the crowd. My partner told me later that he couldn't believe the patience I had shown the coach, and that he would have tossed him much sooner. This guy was just too comical to throw out quickly.

Thomas,

If you don't let the coaches cross the foul lines, where do they go to discuss calls with the base umpire? Do you come over to them? I think it looks a whole lot better if you make them come all the way out to you. Don't you?

Cross the lines? You mean the foul lines?

So, you're in A and the coach from the 3rd base dugout wants to discuss something with you, he can't go past the 3rd base foul line to talk? He must walk all around the diamond to get to you in A, while remaining off the playing field, not crossing the 1st base foul line?

Or are you saying that from A you trot across the diamond to engage this coach in a conversation, in the 3rd base coaching box? Sounds like Tee Ball (the program, not the ump) to me.

This makes no sense. :confused:

Bob

I'm having a real hard time believing you are as old as you claim, based on how absolutely juvenile you act.

4,000 games in 40 years of umpiring? Bullsh*t!

I'll take this one.

PWL,

The pitcher set up on the mound with his pivot foot on the rubber and his free foot right on the imaginary 45 degree line between home and first. Then the pitcher, without stepping, rotated his hips toward first and threw the ball to first. An obvious balk.

Did that help?

Thanks Steve for the assist!

I'm still having trouble with how Thomas is describing this situation. It seems almost contrived for our benefit. I can't believe that someone actually thought up this nonsense.

Am I alone in this? If I am, I'll just go back to my corner and be quiet.

Bob

PWL,

Yes, his free foot. That is the baseball term for "not his pivot foot." It was self-explanatory.

No, you're reading too much into it. He got on the rubber. He set up with his free (yes, left) foot at the 45 degree line. He then threw to first with no other movement, including no step. That is a balk. The coach argued that it was not a balk. The pitcher did not step toward first base, he merely lined up toward first base. Not the same thing.

Did that help?

Not so much the funniest, but the way he got ejected, and how it ended up. Wish I could say this was an original, but borrowed it from the legendary So Cal umpire Dave Davies, who lurks on here frequently, who posts on here occasionally.
Coach came out to argue a call at the plate. Standing about 15 feet up the first base line. Was being a jerk, but nothing over the line. The ones that know just when to pull it back a little.
He had been doing some chirping during the game, so this looked like it was going to be one of them accumulative ejections. It had reached the point, I was going to toss him, so I pulled this one out of the bag. And you got to understand, it was the "right" moment, with the "right" coach.....have to pick your spot...
I said...."Coach, we're done, if I turn around and your still here, YOUR done." I turn around and start walking toward the plate, which by coincidence (shocking) is toward his dugout.
He has to walk this way to get to his dugout.I take about 5 steps, turn around , and there he is walking right behind me.
I gave him the look,like "what are you still doing here"...and said "Coach, I told ya, your gone."
He looked at me, mouth wide open, started to say...."but I was going to my........" Paused for about a second, realized what happenned. Gave me kinda a mischevious, yet respectful grin. Priceless. We havnt had any problems since. One of the best coaches Ive encountered, in running his teams, and dealing with umpires. Something Ill never forget.

Well, I thought it was explained well enough 3 times. While in contact with his plate, the pitcher failed to step towards first base when throwing there. Balk NCAA, Fed, OBR, Jewish Defense League, Old Mother Hubbard Association, anywhere. It had nothing to do with disengaging or stepping back.

Funny how I can picture exactly what Bob was saying, but you are having a hard time with it. Is it any clearer now?

I feel like an optometrist, better, worse, or about the same? :D

Let's talk about the balk call on this, and not worry so much about the EJ.

The key to this balk call is NOT whether the pitcher disengaged or not. The balk was for failure to gain distance and direction toward the base the pitcher was throwing to.

To be a legal pick off move, the free foot (non pivot, the one not on the rubber) must not end up in the same place it started. The pitcher cannot pick the free foot up and place it back down. Thats a balk.

In my situation, the foot was'nt even picked up and placed down.

Hope that helps.

The confusion between FED and OBR has been lessened greatly since the "shoulder turn" rule in FED has been changed. I still get in trouble by killing the ball in OBR games though. In my experience, most common balks are failure to come to a complete stop, failure to step to the base, and failure to disengage on the fake to first. I still get a few right handers on the knee break, and a few lefties on the free foot crossing the plane of the rubber.

And for Carl, I called a balk on a pick at second, when the pitcher's initial move was toward the plate. He moved his glove and free foot forward toward the plate, prior to his turn toward second.

Bob

[QUOTE]Originally posted by PWL






Kryptonite, what is kryptonite a piece of green glowing rock. Looks likes ordinary piece nueclear waste.

I thought I might comment on this just for fun. It's a common misconception that radio active material has a green glow.

Too many cartoons and comic books continue to support this myth.

The fact of the matter is that highly radio active material such as a spent fuel rod, taken from a nuclear reactor for example, has a purple hue to it.

The color used when describing a radio active particulate is Magenta.

Every time we go into a re-fueling outage at the plant, I have to go into the containment building and watch the crew pull up the spent fuel rod bundles. I have to ensure that proper safety procedures are being used around the reactor cavity.

Prior to the reactor head being pulled, the surrounding cavity is flooded with water to provide a shield around the fuel bundles.

When these bundles come up out of the reactor core into the surrounding cavity, they have the most incredible purple glow to them. It is one of the most facinating thing's I've witnessed, other than watching my wife give birth to our three sons.

Tim.
http://www.volnation.com/forum/style...ault/bump3.gif 56

[Edited by BigUmp56 on Dec 10th, 2005 at 03:07 AM]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by BigUmp56

Quote:

Originally posted by PWL Kryptonite, what is kryptonite a piece of green glowing rock. Looks likes ordinary piece nueclear waste. I thought I might comment on this just for fun. It's a common misconception that radio active material has a green glow. Too many cartoons and comic books continue to support this myth. The fact of the matter is that highly radio active material such as a spent fuel rod, taken from a nuclear reactor for example, has a purple hue to it. The color used when describing a radio active particulate is Magenta. Every time we go into a re-fueling outage at the plant, I have to go into the containment building and watch the crew pull up the spent fuel rod bundles. I have to ensure that proper safety procedures are being used around the reactor cavity. Prior to the reactor head being pulled, the surrounding cavity is flooded with water to provide a shield around the fuel bundles. When these bundles come up out of the reactor core into the surrounding cavity, they have the most incredible purple glow to them. It is one of the most facinating thing's I've witnessed, other than watching my wife give birth to our three sons. Tim. http://www.volnation.com/forum/style...ault/bump3.gif 56 [Edited by BigUmp56 on Dec 10th, 2005 at 03:07 AM]

Hey Homey,

Thanks for the nuclear power lesson. Say hi to Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie for me. Doh!

Flanders

PWL,

Why do insist on posting on this thread when you have absolutely zero credibility on the subject?

You don't have a funny ejection.

You don't have a serious ejection.

You don't have an unusual ejection.

You don't have a routine ejection.

Quit posting in threads concerning ejections.

Thomas,

I merged two trains of thought into one post. I was referring to your associations method of interacting with coaches, not the balk discussion.

Perhaps the merged trains caused a derailment?

Bob

You can. Buy it.

http://redwing.hutman.net/~mreed/Assets/jerk.jpg


Tim.
http://www.volnation.com/forum/style...ault/bump3.gif 56

Seriously, Tim: On this site you've posted a photo of a male crotch and bare butt, another of one of the Village People posing in an open shirt, and the URL to a cartoon of a limp-wristed character. At another site you posted a photo of a drag queen party.

Is there something you're trying to say? ;)

Sure there was a message in those post's, Garth. They were to make a statement about how ridiculous the questions were that were presented to this board. Don't you think questions about what type of cup others use, or what type of vehicle someone drives to their games, or what color shirt they wear is a little childish?

If you want to know how I found those pictures, I'll tell you. It's not that hard to figure out. On the stupid supporter picture, I simply entered "protective equipment" into a Google images search. For the shirt photo, I entered "white shirt" into the same images search engine. I found the cartoon charicature this morning by entering "jerk."


Now, the horse you tied your saddle to is copying post's from some of the boards members and re-posting them here.
What do you suppose that's all about? He's acting like a child. This time I'm absolutely in agreement with Windy and others. This "man" claims to have 40 years experience and does not know the difference between interference and obstruction. If he is an umpire, he's a rookie at best. I envision him sitting at his computer looking exactly like the cartoon charicature I posted a link to as he makes his post's. Right now, he's reading this and laughing at both of us, Garth.

I'm surprised you don't see the humor in the picture of the umpire dressed in female madrigal attire at this time of year. I thought it was funny as hell.

Tim
http://www.volnation.com/forum/style...ault/bump3.gif 56

A matter of taste
 

Garth,

I found each and every picture Tim posted to be funny as hell. On the other hand, your boy posted a link to a picture of a dropped-dead John McSherry, which I think everyone would agree was in very poor taste.

Tim posted pictures to illustrate how ridiculous Tommy's subject matter was. Poking fun at dead legendary umpires is not appreciated.

sounds like u r a little league ump.
Coach wants to talk to me he is coming to me. If it is an assistant - well, managers have earned the right to speak to umpires, coaches are present to coach.

Dear Tim and "me,too" Steve:

As I have posted at least three times, I have no horse in this race. What I have is appreciation for the show that you two, thomas and others have provided. I had hoped by now that you would have learned the lesson that even Windy finally figured out. If you don't want a dog yapping, stop poking him with a stick.

As far as your choice of graphics to display your distaste of certain posts (nude male butts and drag queens): "different strokes for different folks."







[Edited by GarthB on Dec 11th, 2005 at 05:05 PM]

Garth,

Did you like the picture of the woman in the bikini though?

Tim.
http://www.volnation.com/forum/style...ault/bump3.gif 56

Never saw it. But generally speaking I do appreciate a woman's beauty more than a man's. Some might find that strange, hey, it's just the way I am.

I'm sure a (serious) discussion of each of those is at least as interesting to some posters as any of the other "little league" questions that appear from time to time and that you so vigorously defend.

For example, I buy a new cup every now and again. If there's a better mousetrap (okay -- poor choice of words), I'd consider it when making my decision. It will affect my life more than a discussion of whether the hands are part of the bat, or exactly when the batter is out if he heads straight to the dugout after hitting a pop fly that's not caught.

Sure you saw it, Garth. How can you say that you didn't? You made a post immediately after it claiming it was your wife.

Someone made a post after your's saying it was their girlfriend. Then Bob decided to delete it. I still don't know why, but he did.

Tim.
http://www.volnation.com/forum/style...ault/bump3.gif 56

I'm sorry, I thought you were referring to something more recent. If you meant the photo of my wife you should have said so. I always enjoy photos of her. ;)

Bob,

Questions asked by a newer umpire on rules, mechanics, etc..., are not interesting, right?

If that's the case, maybe you should convince the heirarcy at Right Sports to re-name this forum to " The Official Forum for all discussions about officiating baseball that we the Big Dogs deem worthy." That would leave several members here to discuss a few rules changes each year and new equipment coming out. Other than that, what else would you have to discuss other than the telling of war stories.

I can assure you that that is not the intention of this forum. This forum is here for the sole purpose of generating additional revenues for the domain owners, by moving people to subscribe to the paid side of the Web Site. In order to accomplish that, they need to attract and welcome all comers to the board. Each new registration is a possible $50 subscription for the board's owners.


If you want to chase people away for not measuring up to some pre-determined qualification level, then you go right ahead and allow it. Eventually, this forum will suffer for it.


Regardless of what you thought about the abandonment ~vs~ desertion thread, it sparked some great dialog between some of the more prominent members of this board.

However, you are mistaken if you believe that umpires come here to read a discussion about what cup a new guy wears, or how big his vastis medialis are, and how his old cup rubbed them "raw."

What's next. New threads on bullet pencil prefferences, or stronger shoe laces?

Tim.
http://www.volnation.com/forum/style...ault/bump3.gif 56

<b>If that's the case, maybe you should convince the heirarcy at Right Sports to re-name this forum to " The Official Forum for all discussions about officiating baseball that we the Big Dogs deem worthy." That would leave several members here to discuss a few rules changes each year and new equipment coming out. Other than that, what else would you have to discuss other than the telling of war stories.

I can assure you that that is not the intention of this forum. This forum is here for the sole purpose of generating additional revenues for the domain owners by moving people to subscribe to the paid side of the Web Site. In order to accomplish that, they need to attract and welcome all comers to the board. Each new registration is a possible $50 subscription for the board's owners.


If you want to chase people away for not measuring up to some pre-determined qualification level, then you go right ahead and allow it. Eventually, this forum will suffer for it.
</b>

Actually, this board didn't suffer before the LL and McGriff hordes found their way here and it won't suffer when they leave.

As far as Bob attempting to convince the owners to design the board to his conditions, unlike some others, he understands that those who own the board are free to run it, or allow it to be run, as they choose. I don't believe Bob would ever threaten a board owner to accept his conditions.

I've been visiting umpire sites since 1996. In that time I've seen a number of individuals pop in, try to setup a new agenda and later pop out. It runs in cycles. The only constant is T. Alan.

I understand there is a new board that <i>"is a forum for baseball umpires from all youth baseball organizations to discuss the rules and regulations of baseball. We will discuss the mechanics involved in umpiring as well. Keep it clean. Remember, this is a public forum. It can be read by anyone, including children. </i>

You should try it out. It appears to be designed for your level of ball. But since children may visit, the owner may not want the type of graphics you prefer. Better check with him first. You can find it at http://groups.google.com/group/Youth-Baseball-Umpire




[Edited by GarthB on Dec 11th, 2005 at 10:42 PM]

Tim,

I think you are mistaken if you believe that people come here because we subscribe or that we might subscribe. Many of us realize what this place is and come here anyway. So if you do not like the site and the rules, go find another place to spend your time. I have never subscribed to the paid portion for my own reasons. I do come here to talk officiating and read some other "off-topic" issues. This is a free place for anyone to come. It is not your right or an obligation for you to be here. You are not the first person to take issue with the rules and you will not be the last. Life will go on with you here and when you leave.

Peace

I know Bob, get with it. Remember that time Rollie wrote that article about a play which happened to him durring a T-Ball game? Officiating.com was trying to appeal to all the T-Ball umpires on the forum, and no one should chase them away...

There is a difference between quality and quanity, if this site turns into eteamz, many members wouls stop posting.

No, Jeff, I think it might be you who doesn't understand the economic aspects of maintaining a web site like this. This is not a philathropic enterprise, Jeff. They're here to make money.

I can understand that you don't subscribe to the paid side, but this forum is a huge piece of eye candy that enters into the equation that may convince others to subscribe.


Tim.
http://www.volnation.com/forum/style...ault/bump3.gif 56

I have been on this site for almost 10 years as well (somewhere around 97 or 98 to be specific). My original
name or identity was deleted when the site went through a transformation. So I have been around almost as long as Garth stated.

I have seen many people come and go. The reason I have so many posts on this site is because I have been around and others have decided for whatever reason to leave. As I said before, people have come and gone that agree or disagree with the way this site if run. If you do not like what the moderators do, do not let the door hit you on the way out. Of course they are here to make money, but all of us here do not even want to subscribe. I have never subscribed and probably never will. If this place folds I am sure I will find another place to go. Life is too short to worry about what is done on a site that I am not paying a cent to come to.

Peace

You're missing the point big time, Timmie.

You don't get to decide what's ridiculous or not. The people that own this site and their moderators get to do that. The last time I looked the only persons here that you get to tell what to do are yourself and StevieSuperman.

Iow, quit trying to damnwell tell people here what to post or not post. Whointhehell do you think you are anyway? God?

You obviously have a reading comprehension problem. I've never, I repeat, never told anyone what to post or what not to post on this board. I did suggest to Thomas that his copying of other peoples post's and re-posting them had the appearance of a scorned child making a post, but I certainly didn't tell him what to do.

Just because I posted a picture to mock the absurdity of Thomas's post's, does not mean I'm telling him or anyone else what to do. I let the mockery of his post speak for itself.

I never asked any of the moderators to censor anything posted by Thomas. I think the moderators of this board do fine job of policing objectionable post's. The comments I made to Bob were as one poster to another. They had nothing to do with Bob being a moderator. You're reading more into it than what was there.


You're wrong there, JR. I most certainly can decide what I feel is ridiculous, and comment on it if I feel the need to.
By the same token, I can also decide what information I feel is of value and extract whatever I want to from it.


Iow, quit trying to damnwell tell people here what to post or not post.

This comment wreaks of irony, JR. You're telling me what to do, as you're telling me I don't have the same right you do what you're now doing. That's priceless hypocrisy!

This is especially specious as I've never told anyone here what to do.

I apologize for not figuring you out sooner, JR. When you made the post mocking Steve for leaving the board, you let your slip show. I now know the reason you're so upset with me. It's because the forum you liked to frequent as Curious, Watch Out, and what other alias you felt inclined to post under, has been purged.


Let it go, man. Let it go.....

Tim.
http://www.volnation.com/forum/style...ault/bump3.gif 56

[Edited by BigUmp56 on Dec 12th, 2005 at 06:42 AM]

I'll stick with my evaluation of you. This forum has now become McGriffs <i>Redux</i>.

<font color = red>Edited to add: I just finished reading all the posts made after your response at 10:32pm last night. I changed my mind. You and Steve aren't the only problems on this forum now. Unbelievable. You're only part of the problem. And I shouldn't be adding to the problem. Or be a part of the problem <i>Adios</i>. Back to the basketball forum with me.</font>

[Edited by Jurassic Referee on Dec 12th, 2005 at 06:20 AM]

Not interesting to whom? No, they aren't interesting to me. They are (presumably) of interest to others. I have not deleted or closed any such thread that stayed (reasonably) on topic and remained free from the whining, snoping and trolling that has become all too frequent.

Quote:

I can assure you that that is not the intention of this forum.

Tim, you've been here for only a couple of months. I don't think you can "assure" me of anything regarding the intention of this forum. To be clear, you might be right about the intent of this forum -- but you could be a little less antagonistic or condescending.

Quote:

If you want to chase people away for not measuring up to some pre-determined qualification level, then you go right ahead and allow it. Eventually, this forum will suffer for it.

I don't think I've chased anyone away, and the number of posters I have requested Brad to remove can be counted on one hand.

Quote:

Regardless of what you thought about the abandonment ~vs~ desertion thread, it sparked some great dialog between some of the more prominent members of this board.

Agreed. And, while I don't recall the current status of the thread, it remained open (and may still be open) for quite a while, while the discussion was taking place

Quote:

However, you are mistaken if you believe that umpires come here to read a discussion about what cup a new guy wears, or how big his vastis medialis are, and how his old cup rubbed them "raw."

Reference, please. How are you omniscient about what all umpires come here to read?

Quote:

What's next. New threads on bullet pencil prefferences, or stronger shoe laces?

If that's what gets posted and discussed, then, sure. Why not?

Tim, when someone posted a complaint about one of your early threads, you responded with something along the lines of "it's related to umpiring, I can discuss it." Yet now, there are posts that you find uninteresting and you (apparently) feel the need to whine about it. Don't you find that a little ironic?

The solution, if there is a problem with this forum, is for those that find the sniping, whining, name calling and nonsense offensive, don't contribute to it by posting the same.

If you find a thread not interesting or relevant to you, then simply ignore it. Don't presume to know what others would want or need to read.

Its like a little kid having a tantrum. What do they really want? Attention. I suggest we stop giving it to them.

Bob

Well said, Bob - or rather, well written.

As umpires, we should be used to some sniping, name calling and tickery to make us look inept. One of the first things that veterans impart on rookies is how to handle an irrational coach. Your response often dictates the level of meltdown.

What we've witnessed is not complete, but it looks like it soon will be.

PWL

I'm not trying to be critical here, but why do you feel the need to post something 6 months old, and then to tell him to "let it go?" It seems as though you are the one having trouble letting go.

Tim's beef here was with a total psycho who was causing trouble in real life for him, and he had every right to step on that cockroach.

We come on this board to have fun, share, and learn from each other. We really were just bustin' your chops back when you thought we were picking on you. We truly were trying to help you in areas which you were admittedly a bit weak.

I am probably guilty of going a bit over the top in my criticism. I was trying to illustrate that repeatedly warning coaches is not correct. No doubt, I took it too far. For this, I apologize for offending you to the point you felt you had to lash out at me. Please accept my apology as an olive branch of peace in the brotherhood of umpiring.

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/11/11_12_5.gif

Getting back to the topic...
 

Sorry about bringing this back to the original post.

Anyway...

Was working a LL game a couple of years ago. I was BU & was in C. Hit to shallow center. R1 on 3 breaks for home. F2 about 4 feet right & slightly back of HP. R1 crosses HP & then flattens F2. Partner dumps R1 then all hell breaks loose between coaches on both sides. I should add here that my partner and I are both bouncers for concerts and such. We get between the coaches and start breaking things up. When all said and done between us we had dumped 5 coaches and the kid that sarted it all.

When it was time to play ball again I said to the pitcher "You Ready?" Pitcher kid who had been playing catch the whole time simply said "Yea Blue, we were just waiting for you to get everyone out of the way." I about fell over!

Classic case of get the coaches out of the way so the kids can play & have fun!

Forfeit?
 

After ejecting 5 coaches, how'd you continue a legal game? You had to eject 3 coaches from one team, leaving none.

The LL I was working used to allow 4 coaches in the dugout as long as one of the coaches was the scorekeeper. They have since changed that which means one less coach to mess it up for the kids!:)