Ejection Fiasco - Need Comments
 

Hey Everyone...

Sorry for the long post... The following incidents took place during a Varsity game. Please comment and make suggestions about what I did right/wrong. Any constructive criticism is greatly appreciated. We will call the Home team – Red and the Visitors – Blue. The names have been changed to protect the innocent. (or guilty ;P )

Out of Play Throw Incident:
During the beginning of the game, the pitcher threw a ball over the first baseman’s head and landed into dead ball area beyond first base. I ruled “time” and awarded the runner second base. In my judgment, the pitcher threw the ball from the rubber and therefore awarded him only one base. After both base coaches were screaming that he stepped off, my partner awarded him third base. For every throw from the rubber from that point on, there was an argument/discussion that the runner should be awarded third.

“Double Play” Incident
In the bottom of an inning, with a man on first, the ball was hit to the shortstop. He proceeded to attempt a quick 6-4-3 double play. As I was in a standing set and second, the ball was thrown to the second baseman who was a good foot away from the bag and never made an attempt to touch second base. I ruled the first runner safe. He proceeded to throw the ball to the first baseman for the force out - in which he was out.

As I turn around to bounce ahead of the runner, the runner - now safe at second, is about three feet off the bag towards the pitcher. His coach screams at him that he is safe and then returns directly to the base.

Time was called by the Blue coach met me at the mound to discuss the call. He wanted to know why that runner was safe at second, “He failed to touch the bag coach”. Then he inquired why he wasn't ruled out for being out of the baseline. I asked him to clarify his question, upon that he wanted to know why the runner was allowed to return to the base if he walked three feet off it. I informed him that each runner makes his own baseline from the starting point to the base. He persisted that it was a straight line between the bases. We discussed the rule about baselines and the development of them. Then after about a three minute conference, I informed him that we need to get the game back underway. He acknowledged and returned to his dugout.

Balk Incident
Immediately following the “double play” at second, the pitcher from the Blue Team proceeded to balk. Before I could pop up and declare the balk, both Red coaches proceeded to scream, “THAT’S A BALK!” I gave the stop sign to both coaches in their boxes. After I awarded the balk the coach then came out again to discuss that call. I informed him that the coaches were not calling the balk and that I was in the process of calling it. He returned to his dugout.

MAJOR Incident
In the top of the seventh inning, two out, full count on the batter, I believe there was a man on 1st. My partner rings the batter up on a debatable pitch for a called strike three. As he was walking away, the batter threw up his hands, flung his bat into dead ball area and threw his helmet into the air a good ten feet. At first I ejected the batter for this display.

As the players took the field to start the bottom of the seventh, I noticed the player was still in as the catcher. I jogged down to home plate and told my partner that he was ejected. I briefly told him what occurred and what caused the ejection, then he informed the coach of the ejection and disqualification of his senior catcher.

The head coach from Blue then proceeded to leave his dugout and come after me. I informed him that # x was ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct. I started walking towards first base (from the plate area) and he “cut me off” somewhere around the forty-five foot line.
He proceeded to touch my shoulder and I shrugged him off. He then told me that “I don’t know what I am doing, I don’t understand, He is a senior who has never been into a high school playoff game and I am running his high school career.” I then informed him that “Coach, he ejected himself when he threw the bat.” He came back at me with “you really don’t know what you are doing, why are you doing this to the kid.” We literally went back and forth like this for about five minutes… During the discussion, I gave the coach three specific warnings.

I told him once, “Coach we have to get the game back underway, we have a game to finish.” After another round of him accusing me that I am ruining his high school career, “Coach, I hear what you are saying, but we have to get the game back underway.” Then it has been about seven minutes and I have given him two specific warnings already. I have attempted to move towards the outfield but he has cut me off repeatedly.

Then I told him “Coach, we are done arguing and we will get back to the game.” As I started to walk away he literally cut me off again and stated “What if I want to argue this! You are ruining his high school career! You have seen some bad calls and made some today. You have seen a lot worse then this on the diamond, we cant eject him.”

After three specific warnings, delaying the game about ten minutes and him cutting me off repeatedly I told him that “Coach, I hear what you are saying but we have delayed this game long enough, I am going to walk towards the outfield, we will discuss this later if need be but we need to get the game underway. If you are standing here when I turn around, you will be joining your player.”

As I walked toward the outfield, to take my position I heard footsteps behind me. When I got near the edge of the grass I turned around and there was the coach who chased me down and was still arguing the call. I ejected him at this point. Once he left, the assistant coach took over (JV coach) and that was it until after the game.

Post Game Conference

Upon leaving the field and being escorted out by a few “larger” parents of Red’s kids; My partner went back to the field to discuss the ejections with both coaches. When he came back he wanted me to “eat” the ejections and not report them because neither the kid nor the coach knew what they were doing and that the opposing coach would not object.

As the Red coach was leaving he talked to me and personally asked me not to report it because of the personal situations of the team and player. I told him what the consequences were and that it really should be reported. He told me that he wouldn't say anything and that we shouldn't report it. Then the Blue coach apologized to me and admitted that he was wrong in charging me down on the field.

As I waited in the parking lot - I thought things over. Then my partner said, lets not report it and you'll owe me one. I really wanted to report the coach but I couldn't report the coach and not the kid, because the coach was ejected for delaying the game and coming after me about the kid.

After all four coaches were consulted the “ejections” were changed to “dugout restrictions”. I would not have even considered the fact of not reporting this incident if it were not for my partner and the home team’s coach APPROACHING ME to discuss the matter.
************************************************** ********
I know what I did *(failure to report) was wrong and I have learned my lesson from it. Now that I look back on it, once you toss (and both - I think - had a valid reason to be) I should have “manned” up and written them up for their suspensions. Regardless of the situation for the following weeks to come.

Please let me know what you would have done...

Wow, tough game. Although it sounds like everyone had good intentions about not letting the kid get suspended, not reporting would get most umpires I know in hot water if their assignor ever found out. I would have written them up, sorry for the kid, but dont be so stupid to get tossed for throwing equipment. A senior should know better. Also, 7 minutes for a coach to argue seems like an awful long leash to give the guy IMO.

A three minute conference over something this ridiculous is an eternity. It suggests two things. First, the coach obviously doesn't know what he's doing, and second, you are too patient--a trait that, while good for fishermen, can bite an umpire in the butt when dealing with irrational people. Listen to his gripe. Explain yourself once. Play ball. If he keeps talking, play ball. If he keeps talking, he's gone--45 seconds after he first appeared. And NEVER neglect to write the report. It will look like you are admitting that you are wrong and will only make things worse next time.

Oh, and get a new partner. Anybody who would return to the field to explain a call to a coach after a game is not someone I would *EVER* want to work with.

Basically:

1. Your partner threw you under the bus. Get a new one.

2. You talk too much. Three minute and five minute conversations are ridiculous and unnecessary. Responses should be five words or less. "Fielder didn't touch the bag." "Pitcher didn't come set." We're not discussing judgement calls." etc.

3. Coach grabs you...he's done for the day. No need for the following crap to take place,

4. You do not "un-eject."

5. You do not lie on reports.

keep answers 5 words or less, warn, eject. Repeat as necessary.


you took a TON of shinola - those coaches ran all over you like a cheap carpet.
Wow. THREE MIN discussions? Wow.

This was a playoff game? You must be kidding. how long have you umpired? I smell a rat.

GarthB
 

Why can one not uneject someone? An ejection is a judgement call, and judgement calls can be reversed. I wouldn't usually do this, but I'm just saying it is possible to uneject someone, so long as another pitch is not thrown before this happens.

hush, troll. You have exposed yourself too far this time. No umpire who lives would believe this. Thanks for "coming out", as it were.

Well he's no longer "Trapped in the Closet" I guess you could say...

Pat, you took way too much garbage from the coaches and unfortunately, your partner left a knife in your back. Sorry to hear about the rough game.

I have to go with LMan on this one. What a boneheaded statement, man. Are you just jackin' with us here? Once you toss someone, they're history. You should not unring this bell. If you get talked into reversing your ejection, you are telling everyone that you are a very weak, gullible umpire, who deserves to get walked all over.

PAT THE REF,

As others have said, you took way too much from the coach. I don't need to rub that in any.

First, when you awarded the runner second base on the ball thrown out of play, you judged that the pitcher was on the rubber when he threw it. That, as the base umpire, is your area of focus, the feet. At least that is the way I was taught. Both umpires are to be aware of the entire pitcher, but the BU focuses more from the waist down, and the PU has from the waist up. You made the call, and your partner caved to the pressure from the coaches. He did this crap after the game too, which was inexcusable.

Secondly, you are under no obligation to discuss the ejection further with the coach, and the second he chased you down and touched your shoulder, you should have dumped him. You don't allow him to get physical at all. Once he got away with that, he knew he could go after you.

Anytime I hear the coaches yell "balk," I let them know in no uncertain terms that we (the umpires) will do all the calling of balks, and they are to refrain from using the term balk while the ball is in play. You need to shut that stuff down immediately. If the coaches are allowed to do this, they will eventually yell "balk" and cause a pitcher to balk, then you'll have to run them for yelling it, etc.

One last thing. I see where you said that you learned your lesson on not reporting ejections. I had to learn that lesson myself, as I decided to be nice and not report an ejection when begged by a coach. Of course, anyone at the game can mention this to your association president, then you're in big trouble. Our president warns everyone at the start of the season now, that if you eject someone, and you don't call it in to him, and write out the report, that you will be brought before the board, and likely suspended.

Remember that these people ejected themselves, and don't feel guilty for doing your job and enforcing the rules.

Now put this game behind you, and scratch/blackball that traitorous partner of yours.

I couldn't have said it better. Pat, you really need to "pull the trigger" sooner. If a coach or player puts his hand on you in an argument, they're gone!

No, ejection is not a judgment call, you miserable Troll! Ejection is a penalty for a violation of a rule. You never, ever un-eject someone for any reason because you never eject unless it is called for! No self respecting umpire would ever do this!

Bad situation
 

It has already been stated, but I'm going to assume that you are a young official.

My experience shows me that younger officials tend to talk too much.

If I'm wrong, then you simply did not have good training on how to deal with a coach.

On any play that a coach wants to discuss, you need to learn to state the rule. Example, play at second. "Coach the runner did NOT run out of the baseline, his baseline is established from where he is to the base. That's rule 8."

End of conversation, coach wants to keep on. Listen, then no sir that's not the rule. Let's play and then walk to your position and play.

On the overthrow, and your partner wants to change the ruling, at that point you go to him and discuss it. Find out what's going on.
If he wants to throw you under the base, don't EVER call a game with him again and let someone know about it.

You have to stand up for yourself and the calls you make. A discussion should never last more than a minute or so. If it goes further than that then an ejection is going to be part of it. (that's just the way it goes)

Best of luck, learn from this and don't let it ever happen again.;)

Thanks
David

canadacoach6 - you've had some ridiculous statements here before ... bu this one takes the cake. Crawl back under the bridge now please.

Holy cow, Pat... 10 minutes?!?!?!

I won't rehash what others have said (WAY too long on the trigger with the coach), but I will say this.

You warned him. What is a warning for? If you cannot follow through on your own warnings, you are carpet, and word WILL get around amongst the coaches. Ignore/Inform, Warn, Eject. Not warn, warn, warn, warn, warn, warn, eject. A coach gets ONE "Coach, that's enough" or "Coach, we're going to play ball now." 2 minutes is ridiculously long for a discussion with a coach - 10 is amazingly unheard of, we should call Guinness.

PS - ok, I will rehash one thing ... if they earned their ejections, they NEED to be written up - now this coach knows he got away with berating you for a full 10 minutes, with no repercussions at all. I REALLY feel sorry for the next umpire.

I completely agree. The thing that stuck out most for me is that "three specific warnings" were issued. That's at least two too many.

In my opinion, a warning is only warranted when an ejectionable violation has not yet occurred but seems likely to occur if not redirected. If the warning is not heeded, then he's gone. But in this example, the coach could/should have been ejected earlier whether or not a warning was issued (he physically touched the umpire).

One of my pet peeves is players/coaches who think they can get away with anything until they get a warning. I've tossed guys for swearing at me, and they then go ballistic and demand that they were entitled to a warning. They're not. If they haven't crossed the ejection line, I may issue a warning, but if they've gone too far, it's good night.

But I can sympathize with you, Pat. Assuming you're a relatively new umpire (as am I), one of the school-of-hard-knocks lessons is learning where to draw that ejection line. I'm still learning it. And it's much easier to sit here and analyze someone else's situation after the fact.

Let's simplify that one even more. The basepath/baseline is irrelevant until/unless there is a tag attempt. There was no tag attempt.

if you dump somebody...make sure you tell the coach...and don't give him a pedestal to make a scene...you gave in way to much...eject, then file the paperwork. Sometimes you have to be seen as the bad guy in the eyes of a coach...simply because it goes with the territory...let us know how good you feel after you eject your first coach!

What IS it with these whining babies demanding that we give them warnings for everything? I'm not a traffic cop. I don't issue warnings except when a specific "warning" rule states I should (eg.: throwing at a batter, going to mouth, or similar rules that have warnings). And I'm not talking Little League, either! You wouldn't believe how many times coaches in NCAA D1, D2, or D3 think they or their players are entitled to some warning rather than an ejection.

You want a warning? Fine. Here's one: you swear at me again and I'll eject you again.

Idiots.

Ok everyone... Yes I am fairly new at this.. First "real" year of varsity (10 games), second carded year and seventh year overall. Never had real official training but did attend Evans Fl Classic this past year. Learned a great amount and tried to use it here. I know I gave too many warnings..

A few clarifications:
1) It was not a playoff game. This was a make up game that really didnt mean anything
2) My assigner just called me to discuss the matter. He told me what hot water I could be in and I will have to live with that.
3) He also told me that this is not the Major leagues, Minors or professional baseball. That I need to learn somethings about HIGH SCHOOL game management that are not the professional game. (Like ignore the kid throwing the bat)

Thank you for your comments and again I know that I should have written him up and the whole nine yards but my partner really threw me a loop during this one.

-- Pat

First off, playoff game or scrimmage game, doesn't mean that coaches and players can do what they please!

Second, you cannot get in hot water for going by the rules - you get in hot water by not following the rules!

Third, ignore a HS player throwing a bat (in anger)? Your assigner forgot to tell you one more thing - the fact that he is an a$$hole!

I'm VERY sorry you have to work for someone who thinks that a player throwing a bat in anger is something you should ignore. Please take it from the rest of us that he is wrong over the rest of the country.

Similar to my line, "A warning? Okay, next player or coach who does that will be ejected too!"

I really don't care anymore if you guys respect me or not. Many members of both this board and the Amateur Baseball *******s Association decided to treat me like garbage for no reason whatsoever. If you guys are going to treat me like a joke, I'm going to treat you like a joke in response. I think a big part of my being disrespected is the whole ageism thing that older umpires have going on. They believe that because they've been in the game for so many more years than some of the newer umps they are entitled to bad-mouth them. But trust me when I say that these people are usually the ones who talk a big game but cannot call a ballgame nearly as well as they claim they can.

Oh and by the way Ozzy, I emailed the link of that conversation of ABUA that we recently had to my assignor. He had some not so positive things to say about you.

if the guys in your associaion are to wimpy to stand up and officiate a game w/o integrity for the thoughts that a particular coach or AD will pull playoff games or something stupid like that...officials who are afraid to eject when players/coaches eject themselves, is just plain Chicken Sh in my book...I'm not saying that you go hunting for reasons to dump players/coaches, but when it warrants, that's why it's in the rule book...if that's how the assn wants to run, then find another group...it's not worth your time dealing w/ that BS.

This is where your partner threw you under the bus. The discussion with the coaches after the game only backed the bus over you again.

From this point on, your credibility was zero, which led to all of the other arguments, discussions, ejections, etc.

Yes, there were lots of things for you to learn from in this game, but the first one is get a new partner.

JMO.

He is right, but totally off target. You are doing HS, not the pros. Anything that deserves an EJ in pro ball deserves one in HS ball as well. However, there are a lot of other things that can happen in HS ball to earn an EJ that do not lead to an EJ in pro ball.

Also, you have no choice but to listen to a coach in pro ball. In HS ball, if I talk to a coach about a call for more than 2 minutes, the game is over because I have just forfeited the game to the opposition.

I take more (a little bit) from adults than I would from a 16 yr old kid.

Pat what kind of umpire association do you work for?

First and foremost the association should "have your back"

Garth said it best

What kind of partner was this?

If memory serves this is the second thread in which you had problems.

The PU is the one who should have tossed this kid to begin with but he did nothing. It sounds like the umpires in your association let the "inmates run the asylum"

Also, you said a coach "touched you" That should be reported in a heartbeat.
Something sounds terribly wrong with your association as told by you anyway.

Pete Booth

Pat, I had a feeling that your assignor wasn't going to have your back on this. I can't put my finger on it, but it didn't seem right reading your post. I honestly think you need to find a new association, this one sounds questionable at best.

http://www.myconfinedspace.com/wp-co...hambulance.gif

I hope you went and had a really nice, cold one after that game. Here are my thoughts.

Did you and your partner discuss sending the player to third when you only gave him 1 base?

Great ejection on the kid for throwing the bat and you had the exact right thought afterward, the kid ejecting himself.

Make sure everyone in the area, especially the coaches know when you toss someone.

Once you warn a coach, either stick them in the dugout or dump them. Giving more than one warning got you in trouble.

Never fail to report ejections. Umpires should not care or even really know about whatever "personal issues" are going on with the player and coach. You tossed the player, you write the report.

Find a different partner to work with.

Find an assignor that follows NFHS rules rather than whatever rulesbook he's using where throwing a bat and a helmet are considered OK.

Above all, take this ugly situation and learn from it. It sounds like a really tough night and everyone has those on occasion. Learn from it and get better.

I also ejected a player the other night for throwing his helmet after getting picked off at third base.

Before I ejected I waited a second or two to see the coach's reaction. I remember when I was coaching one of my player's threw their glove after not liking a call. As head coach, I immediately yelled, "Time Blue. I'm removing # X from the game and replacing with #Y." The turned to my bench and said loud enough for EVERYONE to hear that his reaction was NOT acceptable and would immediately result in benching.

Had the coach done this, I wouldn't have ejected because the message had been passed and the result would have been the same. However, the coach did nothing so I ejected.

Some of you may take exception to the fact that I didn't eject regardless of a coach's reaction but in this case I think it is acceptable. If it was something like malicious contact or verbally abusing an official I don't care what the coach does, I'm ejecting. I guess my line for immediate ejection is somewhere after thrown equipment (again depending on coaches reaction).

I understand what you are trying to do here, and I agree that the message was sent to the player that throwing a helmet is unacceptable, but what are you going to say to the opposing coach when he comes and says, "I thought throwing the helmet was an ejection?"

It's never happened but I think my reaction would probably be something like, "It's up to each umpire what warrants an ejection and I don't see the necessity in this situation."

I look at some of the "discussions" that takes place at Major league level and there is no way I would put up with the language some of those guys put up with.

Personally, I never swear and don't tolerate it in any game that I officiate. If I hear someone swear (and isn't directed at me) both benches are warned and that ends it. If a coach comes out to discuss something and swear, if they haven't already been warned they get one, very clear warning that their language is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. If the swear is directed at me or at a call then I eject immediately.

Each umpire is different and it is up to the coaches to live within those limits.

SECTION 3 BENCH AND FIELD CONDUCT
ART. 1... A coach, player, substitute, attendant or other bench personnel shall not:
m. deliberately throw a bat, helmet, etc.;
PENALTY:The umpire shall eject the offender from the game.


That seems to be more of a rule that an umpire's judgement.

Good point.

This must be a FED rule. In Canada we only use OBR.

It is FED. Is the OBR different? Sorry, I only work FED, I'm not trying to be an a-hole rules know it all. :D

Well Junker,
I'm too young to drink (20), but I did enjoy a frosty Gatorade :). We did not discuss the play and he just "big leagued" me and wouldn't talk about it. As for another assc., I could but the guy I work for is trying to / promised me that within three years I could be working Juco ball. He has connections so I will prob. stick it out.
***************************************
Pete,
Yes, lately I have been having problems with some varsity partners... I dont know if it is me or them. I try to umpire the best I can all the time and sometimes, it backfires. I did a game this year and a veteran told me I was too "robotic" with my pivots, getting set too soon etc... And he was your typical smitty. In fact he told me to get set when the ball leaves the pitchers hand.
***************************************
To add to the confusion,
Tonight is the first night of a three night tourn. here in NJ for Memorial Day. For my 6 and 8 pm game tonight I was assigned the same partner that the above events took place (orig. post game). We will see about tonight.

I am already planning on attending Evans school this Jan. To see if I "have what it takes" to get into PBUC/Rookie Ball. There is really no "real" training here that can help me out.

Thanks,
Ill let everyone know how it went tonight

Pat

Not sure if he'll be at all receptive to it, but you should try to have some sort of pre-game with this partner. Discussing the previous game's situation will hopefully help somewhat, even if only to let you know to watch out for this guy during tonight's games.

go get 'em...give us an update...

I don't care what you or your assigner has to say. You have proved over and over that you are lazy, ignorant and downright stupid. It's not the age; I deal with young umpires all the time. You are a Troll and that is all there is to that!

Peace!

Writing a post like a 12 year old in a snit really doesn't do much for your cause.

A problem that you're running into is that most of us here have worked with good 19 year old umpires who understood the game, the rules and umpiring. Age is not an issue. Maturity and competence are.

It's not clear to me from description whether this is "carelessly throw a bat", which warrants a warning, or "deliberately throw a bat", which is ejection offense, except in my state where there are only 6 things that mandate ejection, the rest are bench suspension for the rest of the game. If this was deemed "deliberate" then it would be bench suspension, no paperwork to writeup and less severe than an ejection.

Every bat throw could be construed as deliberate but I tend to think of deliberate as throwing it at an opponent, which might lead to a fight, which would be one of the 6 things to get ejected, paperwork required.

On the subject of ejections, I follow the 3P's, personal, profane, or prolonged. It appears you allowed the coach to prolong by a wide margin. A calm discussion that lasts 45-60 seconds might be tolerated. A tirade would last less than 45 seconds. If there is a warning, it would be only one and it would be along the lines of "coach, you have 10 seconds" and if he don't get the message he's a dumb rat and can watch the rest of the game from the bench (suspended remember, it's not one of the 6 things to get ejected).

And your partner sucks.

Pat, If a guy throws a Bat in Fed:
 

Pat,

Your assigner is wrong, wrong, wrong.

If you thow a bat unintentionally/acccidentally, it is a team warning with ejection the next time it happens. Note that coaches know the difference or the rule here at all.

If you throw a bat intentionally, he is ejected, period.

This is in Rule 3 of the Fed book, but my books are not with me. FED has rules coverage for this situation, and I feel for you with your partner not doing his job.

I see someone quoted the rule ahead of me, and this is one place where FED has done a good job with the rules. IN HS baseball this needs to be an ejection.

I won't repeat everyone else's points here, but now might be the time for you to put this thing to bed, and learn from it. Gamemanagement is an art and science, and takes some time to learn. At least you have the guts to expose youself on a tough situation and get some heat for it. You show you got what it takes to become a good umpire.

Go get 'em.

Ozzy
 

I just got back from a game. Got creamed in the mop up inning I pitched. Thus I'm really not in the mood to hear you call me names or put me down. Give it a break for a day guys.

Garth, I thought you wanted to see me umpire.

We don't badmouth you for your age, or experience level. We badmouth you when you say stupid things, especially things like criticizing or ridiculing a stance which is picture perfect, or suggesting things like "Ejections are judgement calls, and you can take them back." Learn FIRST, Ask questions ... then you'll know when you have enough background to criticize or suggest something ... and you will know what not to criticize or suggest.

Co-Ed 3-pitch?








Sorry, I couldn't help it. The devil made me do it!http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_1_15.gif

You're a better man than me, Steve. I was thinking machine pitch myself.

The sad part is, any newcomer asking for honest, decent umpiring advice has to suffer and slop through X number of his troll-posts before they figure out that his true home is on the ignore list.

It can only be hoped that the damage caused before that point is not irreversible.

A little like life, isn't it?

True. One can't save them all :D

Gone
 

I'm going to be leaving this forum for a while. It'll be at least a couple weeks, one month maximum. I think it's time I left as I need to get my post count down below 1 post per day, and I made a not-so-smart comment about TimC's Jerry Davis stance which I would have been better off not saying. I said what I did because he was harassing another poster, so I mentioned to him that TimC gives myself and other posters problems as well. Then I mentioned that he didn't know how to do the stance, which turned out to be wrong on my part. I was trying to be helpful to a new poster, and it ended up with me getting jumped by at least 5 umps on here, so frankly I'm fed up and you won't be seeing me for 2 to 4 weeks. After that I'll come back, if things don't go well I may go for longer.

i am at a loss, you mean that canadaump6 has been wrong, what am i to do, everything he has taught me, his vast knowledge on everything and anything. i may turn the games i have back until his return, how can i function properly without his expert guidance. can someone, anyone fill this huge void?

While you're gone, read a rulebook, grow up a little and maybe things will be different. And it's Gerry Davis, not Jerry Davis - try to get it straight!

Wow! In a word. Here is my take.

The awarding of bases on the pickoff has got to be yours and only your call.
Your read is the feet. The PU is the hands therefore its your call. Get together tell him what you saw and that it will stand.

The DP at second...I would be inclined to call him out on the front end of any DP unless the SS or 2nd baseman is taking a throw like a firstbasemen.

The last incident...I can only ask where the hell your partner was. Once a coach touches me, he is gone. I don't care. Once he has made his point in a short period of time, the response is--coach I heard you...the call stands.
Your partner has got to come in---step in between you and say we are done.

As for the line that "you are ruining his career" --Self imposed hardship is not a hardship. If the guy acts like a jerk--what ever you respond with ---he earned. Previous responders got it right...once you eject someone thats it. Thats why you need to get with your partner and discuss what happened and be sure thats what you want to do. In my game...thrown bats and equipment and performances earn you an early shower.

If the federation is eager to insure than sportsmanship of the game then we enforce it even when coaches can't figure out why.

Nullifing Ejections ?
 

Once someone is tossed, there is no turning back. You said this was a HS Varsity game. In Florida and NJ, when you dump someone, you call the assignor immediately following the game, then compose your report. Failure to do this will result in your Organization and yourself being fined. Not to mention the damage it does to your reputation. Finaly remember this important quote: " Umpires don't eject players or Managers. Players and Managers eject themselves." Be Fair, yet Firm. Your in charge, Be in charge.

Use your time wisely. And when you come back, when "trying to be helpful to a new poster", try to be RIGHT first, and make sure you're right. There's nothing worse than seeing a newcomer's post get answered incorrectly 3 times quickly before someone can answer correctly ... and then wondering if that new poster came on, got his (incorrect) answer, and went away ... then using the wrong answer on the field, and quoting "I checked it at officiating dot com, so I know I'm right".

The sad thing here is that you seem to think we'll all be upset by your absence, and threaten us with more absence if we don't behave next time. Truly scary.

Can someone send a url for the Warning poster?

Just go to Google, select Images, then type in the word sarcasm. You will get many funny sarcasm items. Click on one then view it in full size. Save it to your My Pictures file. Then go to an image hosting website such as imageshack.us or other hosting site. Then upload your image by clicking on "Browse." Us the direct URL with [img] and [/Img] on the ends of the URL.

Voila.

Quote my post of the picture for an example.

Steve you must have lots of time on your hands. No games lately?

:p

No games this season. I am doing something more productive. I am furthering my education, and embarking on a new career. I still like to talk umpiring though. I may or may not return to the field, I'm not sure what the future holds.

Canadaump6 I am wondering what province you are in? As well if you are in Ontario what area?? I have never heard nor experienced any type of age discrimination anywhere in Canada, nor on this or any board.

Hey SDSteve - in what field are you enhancing your education? An excellent pursuit, whatever it may be.

AND, the itch to get diamond dust in your face won't go away - that's why God created summer breaks!

I get no breaks for summer. I am in an accelerated Graphic Design program at a nationally recognized design school. It is broken up into six 10-week mods, 4 hrs. a night, 4 nights a week, including one 4 hour lab night. I am kind of bummed because I just got an A- in a class, and it lowered my GPA to 3.95. Oh, well, I may have to settle for magna cum laude instead of summa. Bummer:) . I am just starting mod 3 (out of 6).

JK,

I think I made this way too complicated. Just do this part here:

Find the jpg or gif image you want to post and. . .

Use the direct URL with [img] and [/Img] on the ends of the URL.

I was accidently giving instructions for uploading personal photos. jpg files can just be directly posted.:o