Varsity Partner Help...

[lawump]

I wasn't at your game, so I won't post in direct response to your situation.

However, I will say this:

Experience has taught me that there are games when one (the umpire) needs to look for an ejection. You know: the type of game where everyone on a specific team is whining about everything...and you (the umpire) are getting more and more agitated. No single argument or whining has been enough to warrant an EJ...but collectively, they are really pissing you off. You notice that one player's whining, just encourages another player to whine, etc.

Its in these games, experience has taught me, that an ejection can do a lot of good. Its amazing the effect that one ejection can have on a team. I've had many a game where one ejection has served notice to the team that "you're not tolerating anymore" and as a result has led to a rather peaceful rest of the afternoon.

However, I readily admit, that this does not always work. (See the thread about 6 EJs in one game) However, it often works, especially on the high school level. (And frankly, if it doesn't work...I just keep EJing until it does work...as the OP did in the 6 EJs thread).

Learning how and when to EJ is very difficult skill to master. With that said, I think that in your game, you needed to find someone, somewhere, and tossed him. Even though no profanity was used by a player/coach...the EJ could simply be for prolonged and continued arguing of balls and strikes.

Sometimes...one needs to put the hammer down.