The peril of officiating
 

Being a college student, I can only really work real baseball on the weekends. During the week, I officiate intramurals for our school. Its softball time of year, but the sport is not important. Last night there was a pretty serious altercation that involved the police and potentially my safety.

My point of posting on the Baseball thread here is because I am a baseball umpire. I'm thinking of not doing this intramural stuff because it probably isn't worth it to get paid by the hour minimum wage to potentially get seriously hurt by a participant. I've heard war stories.

Now, on the point of BASEBALL: do you think it appropriate to, especially when working by yourself or on a field where there isn't a site supervisor/tournament director, to carry a cell phone for safety purposes? Thank god we were able to use one last night. Made me think about whether I should put one in my pocket for real baseball, just in case. It may be years until I need to use it, but it may be worth it.

Thoughts?

I wouldn't carry one.

Never dream of it.

I wear two ball bags so I can keep the cell phone, OC spray and the Kel-Tec P3AT in the left one.





sheesh, just kidding.


I'd never carry OC spray on the field.

Well, let me add in another question.

Have you ever had to get somebody to the field (police) to get control of a situation and if so how did you go about doing it? What other measures of control can be used if you have people waiting for you in the parking lot, quite literally, not just saying that they'll be there, but actually waiting?

thanks

Don't forget where this guy is coming from.

Most of the quick, "I would never carry one"'s are coming from guys who have some sort of facility presence on hand, and possibly a rather short walk to the car and even possibly locker rooms.

I also would never carry one to my NORMAL games. I bring it with me and leave it in the car (although if there's a locker room - it's in my bag in the locker room).

I do, however, remember the intramural setting. Literally hundreds of yards between you and any sort of facility presence (if that even exists) and just as far to your car - and likely any proximity to a phone is iffy as well. I think that in this setting, it would not be unheard of for me to put a cellphone in my bag (if I had my bag with me at the field) or possibly even in my pocket. Turned off, of course, during the game... but nothing wrong with having one at hand.

I apologize for the flippant response. I've been on some fields where I was a lo-o-ong way from help if things went south. I often, though not always, have a phone with me in my field bag, too (also turned OFF). If nothing else, it might make for quicker summoning of EMS if a player suffers a serious injury.

A Kel-Tec? Oh, I understand, a disposable gun.

Get a Glock.

In reponse to Mcrowder - I'll always have access to something in the intramural setting. However, since this is a baseball board, I was interested in hearing reponses regarding the AAU games that are at schools, with no sort of administrative presence, and other baseball situations like this. Didn't want to turn this into an intramural thing, cause this is a baseball board.

Just wanted to clarify

On Monday, at a middle school game, I had to eject a parent who was standing behind the screen yelling and pointing at me. I told the home coach we would not continue the game until school administrators escorted him from the game. It only took less than a minute before an assistant principal led him out. After the game, he was standing behind my truck waiting for me in the parking lot. He said he had a couple of questions, so I told him to go ahead while I changed clothes. As he talked, he became more upset. At one point, I picked up my mask as he came within 10 feet of me. I really thought I might have to use it on him. He backed off, I got in my truck and left. As of right now, my assignor is talking with the school superintendent in charge of athletics to determine what happens next. Some counties I work in have officers at every game, even middle school. I do not know how this will turn out, but I am considering giving up middle school games.:mad:

Why would you even consider talking to a parent, waiting for you at your car, that you not only ejected, but had to wait until school administrators came to escort him away from the field?

No cell phone on the field.

Same concern I have after the game as I do on any given street, or any given parking lot. There are nuts out there and you have to be prepared to deal with them.

I have gotten in my car fully dressed with plate gear and driven to a local convenience store to change. I made sure my partner knew what I was planning to do.

I would agree that talking to a parent no matter whether you ejected them is not always a good idea. But having said that, I am glad that I am at the point of my career I do not have to work that crap anymore. Those parents think their kid is the "next......." and no matter what you do you will constantly be wrong. Giving up that level might not be a bad idea. If it comes to a point when it is not fun, then I would suggest moving on to bigger and better things.

Peace

Well unfortunatly I have not reached that level in my career yet. One day I hope to work Varsity ball, no plans for NCAA or pro ball yet. I want to get out of the "parents realm" one day, but at age 20, I don't see much hope of that happening, at least at my stage, for at least another 5-10 years. I want to move up, but am too young to do so. And I don't blame assignors; what assignor is going to assign a 20 year old to do 17-18 year old games, if not higher? I've done one adult game in my life that I worked the plate with no problems. I have yet to be observed, critiqued, or evaluated at any level of ball I do. The system is seemingly failing me because of my age, but I guess that comes with the politics.

Any thoughts on what I could do? I'm sure that there are others (LL Dan aside) that "feel my pain."

what next?
 

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.

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

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.

This is a good way to get yourself into some real trouble. Don't EVER discuss things with a fan in the parking lot. ESPECIALLY one you tossed.

Ditch the cell phone, carry a Glock. Much more effective. :D

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

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.

Cell phones??? :confused: :eek: :cool:

Just when you think you've seen it all?

During a semi pro game last Sunday... The first baseman is on the phone while holding a runner on the base...

I empathized with the personal issues but had to relieve him of his duties in favor of someone else on the bench... not before he uttered many expletive deleteds in English & Spanish at me...

Am I missing something in all of this nonsense???

Tuss, do you have supervisors on site? The reason I ask is that I used to be an intramural official and am now a supervisor for the same intramural program. One of our main roles as a supervisor is to help maintain order throughout the games. Now granted, there's only so much we can do but having a presence outside of the on-field officials most certainly helps.

Our intramural teams are kept on a pretty tight leash and for the most part, they know we don't have any problem removing a team from the league if there are major problems. If things go south on-site, we have the ability to contact the University Police department and their response times are usually pretty quick.

If you do not feel there is an adequate supervisor presence, that is a concern you need to share with the manager(s) of your intramural program. If you don't have the upper level support, I'd strongly consider no longer working intramural games.

As a side note, it's amazing how worked up some people get over a lousy t-shirt.

..when enough umpires (or at least reasonably-competent umpires) quit taking these high-risk games, then something gets done. But not before then.

Umpires who have close calls, near-death experiences and yet still continue to take games in those situations for the piddly fees they pay, well..... *shrug*

we have a "supervisor" on site, but it is a student who just keeps the score and lineups. Sometimes there will be an adult presence out on the field, but not often.

I spoke with the head of our intramurals department about this (he is a very good basketball official and is the scorekeeper for varsity games). He told me some stories about his brothers and uncles, and even himself that shocked me, from minor to serious assult. He reminded me of the 2 idiots that attacked the umpire in Kansas City several years back. His overall response: there will always be idiots, be ready to get the hell out of there at any point, especially at the intramural level. You don't think an NBA ref is worried about someone slugging him over the head from behind when he walks the baseline?

While not being too supportive, he has handed these individulals over to the judicial board for action, and supports our game decisions.