This sent the wrong message.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Steven Tyler

I must be reading something wrong. You say suggesting your partner didn't have his gear might create a stir up. You say you were truthful with the coaches except for reason c. It also sounds as if the coaches accused you of being less than truthful. Are you being truthful now?

There is no right way to do anything wrong.

They could have told them they had a family issue and that would have been fine with me. It is not the business of the league to know every little detail of why someone does something or not. If they want to change the schedule at the last minute and expect umpires to just fill in without consequence that is the league's problem. What they tell them is more of a moral issue than an ethical issue. Not everything needs a complete and total explanation.

Peace