Rat Tales
 

Last night. Regional playoff game. Liner off the pitcher who recovers in time to make a bad throw to first.

The ensuing dialogue:

King Rat: "Can I check on my pitcher?"

Me: "Sure."

KR to F1: "I don't care if you're hurt or not. You need to make a good throw. Take your time, set... yadda yadda."

Me: "Coach, that's going to be your first trip."

KR: In a grumbling tone: "I don't care." [Exeunt.]

Scene II. The dugout.

KR: "He charged me with a trip."

Miscellaneous Player: "Oh my God. He [F1] just got hit with a line drive. Aren't you allowed to see if he's OK?"

KR: "He [i.e., PU] just likes to show that he's in charge."

Okay, so King Rat took an injury trip (which is a freebie) and turned it into a "coaching" trip. You did right by charging him. Some may think that you should give a warning but that is not needed. The Rat screwed up so he pays.

As far as the dugout conversation goes ----- who cares?

Exeunt?

Who left other than King Rat?

The conversation happened at the mound. KR went to the dugout and I went back to the plate.