The peril of officiating

[heavyd8266]

I Think The Presidents Or School Officals Should Have Some Reliable Person , That When A Problem Comes Up They Should Remove That Person Then. I Remenber A Time My Partner Ejected A Coach And This Was I Rec. Leauge The Person Over The Leauge Asked Him To Leave.he Walkrd Away Toward The Gate. The Next Think You Know He Is Standing Behind The Back Stop. We Stoped The Game And Waited On The Police To Get There Which Took 1 Hour. When He Left We Started The Game And Finished The Game. Come To Find Out He Was Over That League.

[LMan]

That Seems Like A Good Idea. I Like Reliable Persons.

[ncump7]

tmp..
As far as talking to the parent I had ejected, he seemed to have calmed down and seemed to be reasonable. I told him I would answer his questions as I changed clothes. I realize now, that was a mistake. Sometimes, I think I try to be too nice. As he began to talk, he began to get madder and madder. He seemed pretty unstable and began to rant. He recalled several situations that occurred in the game which he viewed very differently than I did. By the time I got my pants on, I got in my truck and left him there. This was the first time anything like that has happened. Last night, at a Varsity doubleheader, there was an officer there who met us when we arrived and escorted us to our car when it was over. I think eventually, all schools will be required to provide security at games. We are told in basketball to not start a varsity game if there is not a security officer there. Baseball will soon have to do the same.

[Rcichon]

I would reconsider doing games for a League/Assoc. where I felt threatened enuff to have to carry a cell into the game. That said, if it's a small enuff cell, shut down, no one knows you have it but you.

And as for talking to a parent waiting on me: the moment I see him/her waiting, I turn on my heel and get an admin/official. That parent is no longer just an irate parent but is stalking you and needs a short ride to a small cubicle with some pretty bracelets on.

All the good intention of defusing him/her by listening will not work!

JMHO

[IceGator8]

I did high school ball for over ten years and never carried a phone. However due to a job change I had to quit doing high school ball (it starts too early in the afternoon). I'm also required by my employer to carry my phone at all times.

These days I'm doing Babe Ruth and Pony baseball. My phone is with me at all times. I have a special slot in my ball bag that fits it perfectly. My phone is set to vibrate and cannot be heard. My employers emergency communcation happens via text message so about twice a season I'll get a text to which I must respond. I respond via text which takes about ten seconds between innings.

My association has a strict no phone on field policy. However, they understand my situation and I have an exemption. They have trouble covering all the games as it is and aren't dumb enough to argue over such a piddly thing. I also do not take advantage of the situation. Things are working out great and I've been invited to umpire the regionals two years running.

Having a phone with me has come in handy on several occasions. It's been used to call cops when there wasn't any other security nearby to handle a situation and also call the paramedic a couple of times. I also like the fact that I can keep game time on my phone instead of carrying a watch.