Where to Draw the Line With Fans

[PeteBooth]

Ignore them. If they start threatening, address it. But other than that, ignore it.[/QUOTE]

First off IMO we need to take a look at the Game itself.

This is not some High level College Game, HS playoffs etc. It is an adult mens league game no more no less. There is no security.

Therefore, the problem I have with the aforementioned is:

Why should we have to wait until threatened? By that time it might be too late. We do not know if the guy was drinking , doing drugs etc. Also, when a fan SHOUTS obsentities at the umpire for all to hear you never know when the ENTIRE crowd can become hostile especially in todays society. BTW I have seen it.

WE are not PRO Umpires at least I am not, meaning we do not get paid the BIG bucs to put up with fan obsentities.

It's one thing for a fan to say "hey Blue you cost us another one" or something along those lines, it's quite another when they start Cussing at the Umpire as in a major league ballpark.

Your association sounds different from mine because over the past 2 years our association has made it a point of emphasis not to take the kind of grief that was described in this thread. The "old" days are over at least in my area, so your statements about not moving up in your association etc. would not "hold water" in mine.

We are there to work a game not be a "punching bag" for some obnixious fan who may had a few too many and does not know how to control himself.

Umpiring is not my profession, it's a hobby.

Pete Booth