Do you toss this coach?

[UmpJM]

Steve,

Now that is a valid point, and is along the lines of what I was trying to suggest.

Had the umpire, in fact, instructed the remaining coaches/players to refrain from communicating with the ejected coach, and they (willfully?) failed to do so, that would be grounds for a forfeit and the umpire would be within his authority to declare it so.

By my read of Bainer's situation, that didn't happen.

Also, I think it would be better umpiring, given the context, to do as I suggested.

JM

[SanDiegoSteve]

I believe you have a point, John.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Now as I reread Bainer's original post, I see that he did warn the assistant not to permit the players to go into the stands, and neither that coach nor his players heeded that warning. He was well within his rights, in fact absolutely should have run that second coach the moment that any players went back to the stands after being warned.

[UmpJM]

Steve,

...As we make the swap, I warn him that his players better stay out of the stands...

I see what you mean.

I still think it would have been better umpiring to do as I suggested in my reply to Bainer. What do you think?

If the team/coach absolutely refuses to comply with the umpires' instructions, I certainly agree that the umpire has the authority to declare a forfeit.

In my opinion, it is better umpiring not to let it get to that point. It seems to me that there was one a$$hole at this game. Bainer properly, (maybe a little later than he could/should have) ejected him. I would be more favorably impressed with an umpire that simply made him leave (if he could) than one who let it get to a forfeit situation.

JM

[SanDiegoSteve]

I agree, and I think Bainer would agree also. I did not advocate forfeiting the game. I don't like that idea at all. It would be a last resort type of thing.

[BlueLawyer]

If I read the post right:

(1) EJ, then (2) warning not to go into the stands. The purpose of an ejection is punishment to an offender for violation of a the rules/decorum of the game. OBR 4.15: (a game may be forfeited to the other team when) (e) After warning by the umpire, willfully and persistently violates any rules of the game.

The violation is willful and persistent. Shut the game down. Find the scorebook and sign it- 9-0 and let the EJd coach explain to the league president how unfairly he was treated.

Strikes and outs!

[LMan]

I would suggest stopping the game and finding the TD, and informing him that the game will not resume until the ejected coach has departed sight-and-sound range of the field. Then let the TD earn his pay. The ejected coach can decide if his continued presence is worth a forfeit and the ire of the parents around him who came to see their children play ball, not watch an idiot coach throw an extended hissy.

The AC consulting with the ejected coach, warning then eject. If thats all the adults they have on the bench, then your issue has solved itself.