The peril of officiating

[TussAgee11]

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?

[bob jenkins]

I wouldn't carry one.

[Skahtboi]

Never dream of it.

[rookieblue]

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.

[TussAgee11]

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

[mcrowder]

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.

[rookieblue]

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.

[etn_ump]

Originally Posted by rookieblue

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.

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

Get a Glock.

[TussAgee11]

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

[ncump7]

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.

[tmp44]

Originally Posted by ncump7

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.

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?

[DG]

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.

[JRutledge]

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

[TussAgee11]

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."

[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.