Staying to watch the handshakes

[Justme]

Originally Posted by greymule

I learned something new a few days ago. A colleague was recounting a post-game (Fed) incident (of the loudmouthed-spectator variety, I think) that occurred as he was standing on the field watching the players shake hands. I haven't done a Fed game in years, but I asked him what he was doing hanging around and not driving away. He told me that today Fed umps in NJ are supposed to observe the handshake line and not leave until it's over and the teams have separated. Apparently fights have broken out, so NFHS now wants the hand-shaking supervised.

So I wonder if the umpires are required to attempt to break up the fight? I would just stand back and write down jersey numbers.

Around here as soon as the game has ended we saddle up our horses and ride out together ASAP.

[orioles35]

What a shame...a game that permits fighting like hockey can have post game handshakes, but baseball can't?

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by orioles35

What a shame...a game that permits fighting like hockey can have post game handshakes, but baseball can't?

I guess if we allowed fighting in baseball games, then we too could have civilized handshakes later on.

Hockey players get to vent their frustrations continuously throughout the game. Ball players have to behave nicely to avoid ejection, and have pent-up hostilities building during the game. And instead of a good hard body-check into the boards, they have the Force Play Slide Rule. Wouldn't you be frustrated too?

[greymule]

What chapter is your friend from?

Mercer County (Delaware Valley).

Funny, I partner with him in ASA and NCAA (ECAC) softball often, and after one college doubleheader, we left the field immediately but, the game being rather uneventful except for one loud dispute within the visitors' dugout, remained in the parking lot changing rather slowly and discussing an upcoming tournament that he runs.

Wouldn't you know it, as the visitors made their way to their bus, one of the players spotted us and quickly approached with the following:

"I need your names, please."

"Why?"

"I have a federal discrimination lawsuit pending against my college and the athletic department, and I might need your testimony." [This was regarding the dispute in the dugout, which my partner and I heard but didn't get involved in. My partner had warned one of the players for a USC remark that apparently had its root in whatever dispute was going on.]

I wasn't sure how to answer, but my partner said simply, "All the information is on the ECAC web site." [That is true, sort of . . .]

After the player boarded the bus, my partner and I looked at each other as if to say, "We know we should get the h3ll out when the game's over. Why didn't we?"