ever have one of these days..

[cbfoulds]

Originally Posted by Tim C

~Sigh~

SDS noted:

"Because I'm not going to have some idiot standing behind me, who's sole purpose is criticizing my strike zone."

Steve, I work at inner-city schools where the screen behind home plate is from 10 to 12 FEET behind the dish.

In games played by shaving aged players I would never consider telling someone they could not stand there or anywhere else in deadball terriitory.

I find it very odd to me that any umpire, working big boy ball, would even consider telling fans to move.

I just don't "get" your position.

Regards,

Well, Tee...
In the abstract, or in general, I agree: HOWEVER---

I have, ONCE, required a "fan" to move in "big boy" [Legion playoff] ball.

At a venue, very much like those you describe, where the "dugouts" are fenced areas directly behind the backstop wings, I called a site admin. and directed him to move or remove a fan who was not only commenting on my zone, parent's marital status and species, but was inciting the home team bench to similar excess. Since I could not be certain if any given comment [each deserving of immediate ejection if made by a "game participant"] was coming from this idjit or those on the bench, I found it impossible to confine my attention to disciplining the players and coaches.

This was also the occasion on which I removed a scorekeeper from the bench area because he replied to my directive to "take control of your bench, or I will" by whining that he was "just a scorekeeper". Fine: if you are useless and intend to remain so: do it from the stands.

Not my finest moment(s); but lacking other, better alternatives; .... you know ?.......