Saturday...in the park....

[Jim Porter]

So this team had an obviously blown call go against them thanks to your partner in the first game. Then they had another likely blown call go against them in the second game -- a call that, by your admission, you anticipated. Then pile on two additional whackers that both went against them too, just for good measure.

So is all that justification enough to keep a kid in the game who mutters under his breath, "You're horrible," and no one but you hears it?

Yes, I think so.

[mattmets]

Originally Posted by Jim Porter

So this team had an obviously blown call go against them thanks to your partner in the first game. Then they had another likely blown call go against them in the second game -- a call that, by your admission, you anticipated. Then pile on two additional whackers that both went against them too, just for good measure.

So is all that justification enough to keep a kid in the game who mutters under his breath, "You're horrible," and no one but you hears it?

Yes, I think so.

Different teams in the first game. If they aren't going to say anything when the first bangers go against them, they can't use it later in my mind. If they want to come out and discuss it and find out why I ruled the way I did, that's fine. But sitting on their hands and then complaining about it later is wrong, IMO.

[GarthB]

A 14 year old KID says "You're horrible?"

Gone...done for the day. No regrets, no looking back. Just taking care of business.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by GarthB

A 14 year old KID says "You're horrible?"

Gone...done for the day. No regrets, no looking back. Just taking care of business.

Not only this, but the fact that they only had 9 players to start with should have been a clue for them to keep their little yaps shut for the duration of the game. It always seems like the shorthanded teams cause the most problems, and flirt with ejections more than their fully stocked counterparts.

[mattmets]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Not only this, but the fact that they only had 9 players to start with should have been a clue for them to keep their little yaps shut for the duration of the game. It always seems like the shorthanded teams cause the most problems, and flirt with ejections more than their fully stocked counterparts.

I'd like to think that had a player been injured like in game one leaving his team with eight, the coach wouldn't have been so quick to pull his players and head home.

[Jim Porter]

Originally Posted by mattmets

Different teams in the first game.

Oh, okay, that's a bit different then. I thought it was borderline before, but now I have no problem with the ejection.

As far as I'm concerned, if both you and your partner have been horrible, I can't see ejecting a player for telling you the truth. Screaming it, dropping F-bombs -- those are a different animal.

[mattmets]

Originally Posted by Jim Porter

As far as I'm concerned, if both you and your partner have been horrible, I can't see ejecting a player for telling you the truth. Screaming it, dropping F-bombs -- those are a different animal.

So would you say it's acceptable for me to tell a pitcher he's been God awful after he gives up 5 or 6 runs in an inning and walks the ballpark?

[Jim Porter]

Originally Posted by mattmets

So would you say it's acceptable for me to tell a pitcher he's been God awful after he gives up 5 or 6 runs in an inning and walks the ballpark?

Certainly not. You're the official -- you're the one whose behavior is expected to be beyond reproach. Your conduct should always be exemplary.

If you want fair and equal treatment, you ain't gonna find it working as an official.

[BigTex]

Originally Posted by Jim Porter

So is all that justification enough to keep a kid in the game who mutters under his breath, "You're horrible," and no one but you hears it?

NO! I dont care if an umpire just got done pi$$ing down his leg, there is never justification for a rat saying that to you. I don't care if he says it under his breath or not, if he says it to you, and you hear it....see ya later.

[TussAgee11]

Its clear this player is toeing the line of what is acceptable. I wouldn't give a 14 year old credit for doing it on purpose though.

If a coach said "you're horrible" under his breath, well he's probably seeing what he can get away with (especially if you haven't worked a game with these teams before), or has lost control. If you suspect that he's lost control, obviously he's gone. But if he just toeing the line, then he's probably trying to get a word in without anyone noticing and making you look like the a**hole who wanted to pick a fight. The second a Coach starts to toe the line in this manner, IMO, he's already passed it.

That being said, perhaps you can jerk him back very quickly to the correct side. I've found that saying something back to him along the lines of buttoning it up, and then running to your next position, can give him a second decision to make. Something along the lines of "Coach, that play is over" sternly (but polite with your words in the pure verbage) should do it. Also, the stop sign can be a good way to show the serious tone you are taking while addressing him. Then the key is getting out of there. Don't let him have a chance to say anything back to you. If he wants to continue, or worse, chase you, he's chosen to have himself ejected. Not my decision, his. And also, every parent, player, and coach on his team can see that he lost control, and you'll have less problems the rest of the game. You tried to squash a problem, coach wouldn't let it go, and now its visible to every body in the park, making your ejection smoother.

If he stops his behavior right then and there, I'm simply on alert to his behavior the rest of the game.

If he mutters something back while you are running away, and its not personal, profane, prolonged, just keep running. Most coaches always need to have the last word. Be a professional and let him have it, assuming it doesn't break PPP.

Anyways, those are my thoughts on the situation.

[DG]

Assistant coach saying "that's a horrible call" - ignore him.

Player saying "you're horrible" - goodbye.

Assistant coach throws his hat to the ground and hollers loudly "damn, that's a horrible call" - goodbye. My son tossed him in a game we worked together on Thursday. Head coach calmly walks out to ask what happened and calmly walked away. Between innings he asks me "he can't throw him out for saying damn?". I said "coach, I don't think it was as much for the word as for the delivery. I would have done the same."

[Jim Porter]

Originally Posted by BigTex

NO! I dont care if an umpire just got done pi$$ing down his leg, there is never justification for a rat saying that to you. I don't care if he says it under his breath or not, if he says it to you, and you hear it....see ya later.

It wasn't often that my game was so bad that I tolerated back-talk from anyone. It was an extremely rare circumstance. But over the course of 20+ years, a bad game or two is inevitable. And the few times I did stink up the joint, the only rat on the field was me.

I wouldn't tolerate yelling insults at me or cursing, but a quiet reminder of how badly I was stinking was not something I would've ejected for. If I'm blowing multiple calls, I AM horrible.

And not only have I shown I can blow calls, but ejecting over small behavior shows I can also be an intolerant ninny after I do it, thus completing the picture of my incompetence. That's what turns a couple of bad calls into a big ugly ejection-fest where you have spectators insulting you as you walk to your car.

Admittedly, I don't approach such occasions with the bravado of some of my fellow umpires. I know I'm not alone either. That doesn't mean I lack the cajones to take out the trash. It just means I choose what to throw away very carefully.