Pulling My Hair Out Slowly, Press Wrong Again
 

Guys,

I don't know what to say.

I did a small school HS tournament game yesterday, it was an easy game, no problems, home team scored twice to win the game in the 7th. While I checking equipment before the game there was this guy in the dugout, he was a reporter for a local paper. I introduced myself and my partner, and said if you need anything, let me know. Since we did not have any PA, I made it a point to find him and announce subs to him during the game as I call out to a dugout.

Thought everything was fine until I read the paper today.....

Here is the sit: Tying R3 winning R1, 1 out in 7th. Foul tip caught (no kidding) by F2, R1 steals 2B. Some fan yells out "Hey that's a foul ball, he's gotta go back". So, R1 starts walking back to 1B :eek: . F2 doesn't throw the ball and then R1 decides he should go back to 2B.

Some guy is yelling about it, and F2 turns and shouts "I caught the ball, he can run."

Everything is okay right?

http://www.athensmessenger.com/main....ArticleID=3458

"During Josh McCoy's at-bat, Barrett took off for second base on the pitch that was tipped back into catcher Tyler Stiles' glove. Barrett should have been sent back to first on the foul ball but the play stood and the 'Cats had the go-ahead runner in scoring position. McCoy would strike out on the next pitch, bringing senior Jack Craig to the plate."

Has this ever happened to you?

This is like 4 or five times over the years when a reporter writes that I blew a call, when it is a simple fundamental of baseball he missed. Drives me nuts, all he has to do is ask me about it after the game if he is not sure about it. At least he didn't use my name.

UGH.

Why would you announce them to a reporter? It's not his job to make sure the official scorer as them, it's yours.

I also wouldn't advise talking to a reporter after the game if he as something to ask you.

Good question
 

Your answers:

1. When I did the game, the official scorer is the home team book. The press reporter was sitting in a room with open windows right above the home team dugout. It was no problem to make sure he knew who was in the game, I just told him at the same I told the home team, and said to him "got it?" got an ok back, no problem.

If there is no press box or official scorer for the press guy to have access to, it seems to me to be common courtesy to let a media guy know what is going on. If it does not cause me any problem, and I can do it easily in the conduct of the game, why not? It's a favor for a guy writing a game report on kids who do not get much pub.

(Earlier this year, I did a game that was on radio. they were sitting next to a dugout, and asked me if i could make sure they get subs that are replaced between innings. I did it when it was convenient to do so, I don't see anything wrong about it. I've done it before, no problem.)

I had also told the reporter before the game we can't comment on the game for him. But frankly, if he is that confused on a foul tip vs. foul ball, I'd rather help him understand the difference than see his mistake in print the next day.

I know what "no comment" is, having used it before in similar situations when asked. It's just frustrating to know that what he wrote might cause another umpire trouble in a future game.

Write him a note with the correct rules that apply. Had the same problem last season with a local paper and had to correct the record.

I sent them the correct rules and low and behold the next week they printed a correction.

Thansk
David

My philosophy about dealings with the press is simple, "they can't use what you don't say against you".

Here's the reporter's e-mail address.

[email protected]

We could all flood his e-mail box with the correct ruling. Then I'll bet he gets it right next time!

...that's a bit overkill.

one from the inolved umpire should be plenty

I have emailed him.

Reporters need to be in dead ball territory for the entire game and I would not give any more attention than any other fan, unless they don't get out of the dugout.

The email provided did not work.

I think I'll do that Wednesday. I'm doing radio for a high school baseball team and I've always just left the umps alone. Since we are RIGHT behind home plate, I just let them do their jobs without asking them for anything. Thanks.