Catcher Bailing Out

[umpduck11]

Originally Posted by fitump56

Not uncommon. You call ball, many times late into the night, you get home later, get up and go to work. An ejection report takes time.

If it's required, you make the time, not excuses.

[ctblu40]

This is the part I'm confused with...

Originally Posted by Jim Porter

"The following is to report the ejection of Head Coach ****** ******** on Wednesday, May 15, 1996 from the Junior Varsity baseball game between ******* and ***** ******* played at ******* Field.

I ordered the catcher’s removal as a safety precaution - my own safety - under Official Baseball Rule 9.01c.

A JV game being played under OBR?

When I get a catcher like this (which, thankfully, doesn't happen much anymore) I just bail with him and say ball each time I do. Soon, I'm mistakenly ballin' some boarderline pitches and letting F2 and skip know that if I could stay with that one it might be a strike. Self preservation is key!

[PeteBooth]

[QUOTE]

Originally Posted by Jim Porter

I thought the following might make for some interesting discussion. It's an old incident report from an umpire in the association where I was once vice president. The names have been redacted to protect the innocent -- or guilty. What do y'all think?

I agree with TEE no thesis on ejection reports.

Most posters seem to be commenting on the use of 9.01(c) I am assuming that this game was played in Massechusets where FED rules are not used otherwise the FED equivalent of 9.01(c) would have been referenced.

I will comment on the following:

After the ejection, he refused to leave the facility. He continued hollering and carrying on as he slowly gathered his things. Once he left the field, he made his way to the scorer’s booth. While I held up the game waiting for him to leave the facility, he continued to yell. He made his way back into the dugout, and in front of his whole team, he congratulated his catcher for having done his part to hurt me, and told the catcher to keep up the good work.

Once the game was over, I hadn’t yet even reached my car when Mr. ******** pulled up to me in the parking lot driving his red truck. As my back was turned trying to ignore him, he started in on me once more out of his driver’s window. I told him he had no business approaching me in the parking lot, and I repeatedly asked him to drive away. But he continued his arguments.

Most HS coaches are teachers. Therefore, my question would be

Would you as a parent want this individual teaching your kid?

Even if you think that the actions of the umpire were inappropriate for using 9.01(c) how about a teacher who first and foremost should be buliding character in his/her students is acting this way.

Why follow the umpire to the car and "keep going"

IMO, suspensions for HS Coaches (teachers) should be stiffer. One way to "cool down" these HS Coaches is to have "tenure" involved meaning if a HS Coach acts ballistic perhaps the way to really "hurt" them is in the pocketbook meaning use the tenure card as a means to keep them in line.

Jim what was the final result of this umpires report and did the coach serve any suspension?

Pete Booth

[Rich Ives]

A JV game being played under OBR?

Probably played in Massachusetts.

[Tim C]

I have never, EVER, considered ejecting a player or forcing a position move because of ability.

Never will.

It is part of game.

Regards,

[Striker991]

Originally Posted by Tim C

I have never, EVER, considered ejecting a player or forcing a position move because of ability.

Never will.

It is part of game.

Regards,

I wouldn't, either. Please note that I was joking with the kid's dad...all in fun! And, I did say that the umpire mis-managed this issue. And, by saying that you gotta do what you gotta do meant that sometimes you either take the beating or find a way to make it less painful.

Sheesh...

It's no fun if you have to explain it....

:-)

[RPatrino]

Agreed Tim. I had a varsity pitcher throwing to a freshman catcher (first time catching due to lack of bodies, kids were taking tests or something) who let almost everything get by, mostly hitting the backstop, some hitting me. As soon as the varsity catcher arrived the coach took the freshman out, with apologies to me.

The coach was satisfied letting all those balls go past the catcher?

[Tim C]

Striker, my bad I WAS NOT referring to your post. Just the general atmosphere of the thread.

Again, sorry.

Regards,

[TussAgee11]

If I'm in Jim's position. All those times he was getting hit, I would have just jumped with the catcher. This way, ball goes to the screen everytime. And automatic ball.

Most pitchers will realize why these are balls, and most coaches as well. If they come out between innings to mention anything tell them "Catcher is taking away strikes".

If he don't take him out, well, its gonna be a long day, but one where my forearms, hands, etc., and integrity, are in tact.

[JFlores]

Originally Posted by RPatrino

Agreed Tim. I had a varsity pitcher throwing to a freshman catcher (first time catching due to lack of bodies, kids were taking tests or something) who let almost everything get by, mostly hitting the backstop, some hitting me. As soon as the varsity catcher arrived the coach took the freshman out, with apologies to me.

The coach was satisfied letting all those balls go past the catcher?

same thing happened here except i got hit in the side of the head, i guess it was part my fault in that maybe i turned my head(dont ask why)...I still have a knot and I have decided to use a HSM for the bigger guys(14+)

[Jim Porter]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

A JV game being played under OBR?

Probably played in Massachusetts.

Nope. Rhode Island. Same thing, though -- high school ball is played under modified OBR.

[Striker991]

Had a coach that was a good friend of mine show up short of players; both catchers had HS games and had to miss this Babe Ruth game. So, he put his son in to catch. He did pretty well, except when the batter swung. He would turn his head and take a stab at the ball, but would miss on most occassions. I suffered through and we both finished the game intact; however, I told his dad after the game (jokingly) that if I ever saw his son even touch the catcher's gear that I would eject them both just on pure principle!

Sometimes, you gotta do what you gotta do. This umpire completely mis-managed this issue.

However, mis-managed or not, the coach's behaviour is totally unacceptable, especially the post-game conduct, and should be reported.

S

[Jim Porter]

Originally Posted by PeteBooth

Jim what was the final result of this umpires report and did the coach serve any suspension?

Pete Booth

The coach was suspended for one game. He was not hired by that school the following year -- he was a bit of a jerk.

The assignor avoided as best she could giving this umpire anything above freshman ball. He quit umpiring within two years.

[Mark Dexter]

Originally Posted by Jim Porter

The coach was suspended for one game. He was not hired by that school the following year -- he was a bit of a jerk.

The assignor avoided as best she could giving this umpire anything above freshman ball. He quit umpiring within two years.

Sounds like a good solution all-around.