Game Management

[SanDiegoSteve]

This from today's San Diego Padres/Colorado Rockies game:

SAN DIEGO -- This qualifies as bizarre, even for San Diego outfielder Milton Bradley.

Bradley, who has earned a reputation as being temperamental in his career, was ejected during the eighth inning of Sunday's 7-3 loss to the Rockies by first-base umpire Mike Winters after the two exchanged words.

Only it's not that simple, said Padres first-base coach Bobby Meacham, who witnessed the incident and said it is Winters and not Bradley who should bear the burden of guilt after what occurred in front of a crowd of 37,984 at PETCO Park.

"Everyone is going to make a twist that Milton Bradley blew up again," Meacham said. "This kid [Bradley] is doing a great job holding it together. He's not going to get thrown out because he knows his team needs him. But there's no possible way a man is going to stand there and take what he said to Milton.

"In 26 years of baseball, I couldn't believe my ears the way that he spoke to Milton. [It] was so disrespectful, so angry, so vindictive. The boiling point is when he called Milton a name. Milton did not saying anything to him to get him to do that."

The incident didn't begin with what happened in the eighth inning after Bradley reached base after a single, which was about the only thing the Padres and the umpire crew were in complete agreement on.

Bradley was called out on strikes to end the fifth inning. Plate umpire Brian Runge told the Associated Press that Bradley "... flipped the bat right in front of me, about 5 to 10 feet in front of me."

Runge asked Bradley before his eighth-inning at bat if Bradley had flipped his bat in the direction of Runge intentionally.

"He said 'no,'" Runge said. "He said, 'Did he [Winters] tell you that I threw at you? He started to point at Mike. I said 'no, no.' I even threw my hands up and told him to calm down."

Once Bradley arrived at first base, he engaged in what essentially appeared to be a tame conversation with Winters, who was standing behind him while play continued. That's when things got strange.

"I get a hit and I go to first base, and I asked him [Winters] 'Did you tell him I threw my bat at him?'," Bradley said. "He said, 'Yeah, you did.' I said, 'Are you kidding me? That's completely ridiculous. Why would you do that? Why were you even watching me? If I strike out, the inning's over, why are you even looking at me.'"

It was about then, when, according to Meacham, a fan in the seats down the first-base line yelled something from the stands directed toward Winters.

"Someone from the stands booed the umpire and Milton pointed to the guys in the stands. He didn't say anything, [he] didn't look at him. Then the umpire went off on Milton and called him a name," Meacham said. "If he had said that to me, I would have charged him."

The crew chief, Bruce Froemming, said Winter's actions were justified. Winters was not made available for comment after the game by Froemming.

"He got grumpy with Mike Winters," Froemming said. "Winters told him to knock it off and he continued it. There is no covering up what he did. He had to be physically restrained. We're not going to put up with that."

Bradley suffered an injury to his right knee when Padres manager Bud Black separated him from Winters. Bradley fell to the ground and clutched his knee. He then had to be helped from the field and complained of soreness in his knee after the game.

"It's killing me," Bradley said before leaving to have an MRI to assess the damage.

Meacham said that he was incensed further when the rest of the umpiring crew came over to where the incident occurred and Winters explained to Froemming what had happened.

"When he explained it to the other umpires when Buddy came out [it was a] straight lie," Meacham said. "I heard what he said and asked him why he was lying. He explained it to me again what he said and I said, 'That's a lie. You're wrong. You made a mistake. You lied.'"

Bradley said this was another case of him being unfairly maligned for past incidents. He shared that same sentiment earlier this month after he was ejected from a game against Arizona by home-plate umpire Phil Cuzzi for not leaving the batter's box quickly enough. Bradley never said a word in that incident before being ejected.

"All I do is try go out there and play baseball hard. I've done everything in my power to do things the right way," Bradley said. "That guy, Mike Winters, no reason for it. There is no reason for that. You don't ride people. He kept talking to me. He wouldn't stop. If he tries to say I did anything wrong, it's completely ludicrous.

"It's terrible, and now because of him my knee's hurt. If he costs me my season because of that, he needs to be reprimanded. I'm going to take some action."

END OF ARTICLE

It was also reported on the local news that Winters made a racist remark (the name he called him) to Bradley. There's your game management, I guess!

[GarthB]

Before making any judgment, it would be nice to have sources other than rats and reporters.

[reddevil19]

Hello all. First, I'd like to start out by saying I have never been an umpire for anything beyond a pick-up baseball game (I'd like one day when I am able to in my job to perhaps get into umpiring), but I have found this site useful for finding out rules interpretations and I do enjoy the discussions I have read here.

I was at the Padres-Rockies game this afternoon and unfortunately, I could see a problem between Bradley and Winters coming from the moment Bradley flipped his bat. Brian Runge went to talk to Bud Black for a pitching change and I do not believe he saw the bat flip (from my angle, it didn't look like Bradley flipped it AT Runge, it was more towards the dugout, but definitely in disgust). At that point, Winters took a few quick steps towards home, but instead looked to Froemming and then went and talked to him at second. Winters was obviously talking about Bradley, because he kept pointing at Bradley and mimmicking throwing a bat. After the Top of the 6th, Winters went and had presumably the same conversation with Runge, again with the pointing and mimmicking. When Bradley reached first in his next AB, Winters came in closer to the bag as usual, but you could see he was already talking, and at that point, I knew Bradley wasn't going to be in the game much longer.

I don't know what was said and by whom since I'm not priviliged enough to sit that close to the game. I don't condone Bradley (or any ballplayer) when he does something stupid, or make excuses when they deserve to get tossed (e.g. Bradley v. Cuzzi). In this case, I can't say I blame Bradley, and I don't think Winters is being totally truthful. Bobby Meachem has no reason to lie and does not argue, and Bruce Froemming certainly isn't going to come out and say Winters was wrong, even if he was, to the public. It was a sad situation for all (although I suppose many of you will think it was hilarious that Bradley got injured in the whole thing).

Hope I didn't ramble too much.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Thanks reddevil for your comments. You did not ramble in the least bit.

I certainly don't think any ballplayer getting hit is funny, especially a player for whom I am rooting like Bradley.

Unfortunately for Bradley, his reputation precedes him. No matter what kind of fresh start he has made here, he has a reputation of being a pain in the butt toward umpires, and umpires (much like elephants) don't forget.

Just as we can say that Meachem has no reason to lie (besides the fact that he is a rodent and can't help it ), Mike Winters is not the kind of guy who goes around acting this way. I know Mike and he is a very nice man. I've watched him umpire for years, attended classes that he has taught and have had several conversations with him. I would never believe him to act the way it has been reported.

There must be something more to this than just this one incident. I would venture to say there is a history between Winters and Bradley that goes back to before the Padres acquired him.

[Steven Tyler]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Thanks reddevil for your comments. You did not ramble in the least bit.

I certainly don't think any ballplayer getting hit is funny, especially a player for whom I am rooting like Bradley.

Unfortunately for Bradley, his reputation precedes him. No matter what kind of fresh start he has made here, he has a reputation of being a pain in the butt toward umpires, and umpires (much like elephants) don't forget.

Just as we can say that Meachem has no reason to lie (besides the fact that he is a rodent and can't help it ), Mike Winters is not the kind of guy who goes around acting this way. I know Mike and he is a very nice man. I've watched him umpire for years, attended classes that he has taught and have had several conversations with him. I would never believe him to act the way it has been reported.

There must be something more to this than just this one incident. I would venture to say there is a history between Winters and Bradley that goes back to before the Padres acquired him.

Mike Winters stuck his nose where it didn't belong. If Winters lets things linger, he shouldn't be wearing the uniform.

[fitump56]

Originally Posted by GarthB

Before making any judgment, it would be nice to have sources other than rats and reporters.

Such as upper level spectators and Tim McCarver? Jesus and Moses? Who are these definitive, unbiased sources you seek?

[fitump56]

Originally Posted by rei

Do you actually do games at age levels where they shave?

All my games are at levels that do not require shaving. It's optional. You want to tell a 25 yo ex Minor leauger throwing at the 90s to shave, be my guest.

On to game management, it's simple, get out your LL scratch pad.

1) Complaint
2) Coach not allowed on the field. If he is,
3) "Coach, we can have this discussion outside the lines"
4) Coach no go -second warning, ejection follows.

Too fast? Pencil break? Print this response.

5) Outside the line. You hear the Coach through, hands behind your back at a distance longer than either of your arms.
6) If he is ranting, you say "Coach, come to your point."
7) If he refuses, warn/eject
8) Once he stops, you explain your call.
9) Let him make comment.
10) "Thanks, Coach, but this is the way I saw it or
10(a) "this is the rule that and this is why the play stands."

11) If Coach begins to rant rather than discuss,

12) Two hands up in a "Stop" mode
13) "We're through here, Coach. Turn and take your position"
14)Eject on any continuation.

By goind through these simple(ton) Rules of Engagement, everyone can see you kept your distance, you allowed Coach his say, you warned, you exited and you hit the point of no return.

Questions?

[fitump56]

Originally Posted by bossman72

The more important question: does he actually teach at clinics???

Better than that. We are hired to setup game management policies for all participants and fans. This is a strict set of well definrd rules where the line of demarcation and unacceptable behavior is clearly understood.

And you?

[mbyron]

Well, I agree with Garth. "Nice men" don't use racial epithets; smart ballplayers don't attack umpires. Who knows what really happened?

[Rich]

Originally Posted by reddevil19

Hello all. First, I'd like to start out by saying I have never been an umpire for anything beyond a pick-up baseball game (I'd like one day when I am able to in my job to perhaps get into umpiring), but I have found this site useful for finding out rules interpretations and I do enjoy the discussions I have read here.

I was at the Padres-Rockies game this afternoon and unfortunately, I could see a problem between Bradley and Winters coming from the moment Bradley flipped his bat. Brian Runge went to talk to Bud Black for a pitching change and I do not believe he saw the bat flip (from my angle, it didn't look like Bradley flipped it AT Runge, it was more towards the dugout, but definitely in disgust). At that point, Winters took a few quick steps towards home, but instead looked to Froemming and then went and talked to him at second. Winters was obviously talking about Bradley, because he kept pointing at Bradley and mimmicking throwing a bat. After the Top of the 6th, Winters went and had presumably the same conversation with Runge, again with the pointing and mimmicking. When Bradley reached first in his next AB, Winters came in closer to the bag as usual, but you could see he was already talking, and at that point, I knew Bradley wasn't going to be in the game much longer.

I don't know what was said and by whom since I'm not priviliged enough to sit that close to the game. I don't condone Bradley (or any ballplayer) when he does something stupid, or make excuses when they deserve to get tossed (e.g. Bradley v. Cuzzi). In this case, I can't say I blame Bradley, and I don't think Winters is being totally truthful. Bobby Meachem has no reason to lie and does not argue, and Bruce Froemming certainly isn't going to come out and say Winters was wrong, even if he was, to the public. It was a sad situation for all (although I suppose many of you will think it was hilarious that Bradley got injured in the whole thing).

Hope I didn't ramble too much.

Calling Bradley a rat would be an insult to garden-variety rats everywhere.

I watched this game (as I'm a Phillies fan) and I saw the ejection coming a mile away. Bradley has the reputation he has for a reason -- he can't control himself, ever, and there's no reason the umpires should stand there and take that kind of crap from him.

Yes, I thought it was hilarious that Black tackled Bradley and injured him. Look back on the situation -- Winters never once lost control and was calm throughout the whole incident. Bradley was the one to seek Winters out and start **** with him.

Not coincidentally, the aluminum foil hats were out in Milwaukee yesterday, with Ned Yost ripping the umpires in the press. Two teams that choked away the weekend - let's blame the umpiring.

[UmpLarryJohnson]

Originally Posted by mikebran

Notwithstanding some of the good points being made, may I offer this truism?

The key to IMPROVING Game Management Skills of many individual umpires is to have them find a way to remove the 2x4 from their Asses. (can I say that.. if not, replace with Butts)... but not nearly as effective.

nice idea--let us know when you try some 90-foot games and let us know how THAT went

squirt ball "Game management" -- har

[Rich]

Originally Posted by UmpLarryJohnson

nice idea--let us know when you try some 90-foot games and let us know how THAT went

squirt ball "Game management" -- har

I'm sure mikebran will let you know when he gets his college schedule next season.

[gordon30307]

Originally Posted by fitump56

All my games are at levels that do not require shaving. It's optional. You want to tell a 25 yo ex Minor leauger throwing at the 90s to shave, be my guest.

On to game management, it's simple, get out your LL scratch pad.

1) Complaint
2) Coach not allowed on the field. If he is,
3) "Coach, we can have this discussion outside the lines"
4) Coach no go -second warning, ejection follows.

Too fast? Pencil break? Print this response.

5) Outside the line. You hear the Coach through, hands behind your back at a distance longer than either of your arms.
6) If he is ranting, you say "Coach, come to your point."
7) If he refuses, warn/eject
8) Once he stops, you explain your call.
9) Let him make comment.
10) "Thanks, Coach, but this is the way I saw it or
10(a) "this is the rule that and this is why the play stands."

11) If Coach begins to rant rather than discuss,

12) Two hands up in a "Stop" mode
13) "We're through here, Coach. Turn and take your position"
14)Eject on any continuation.

By goind through these simple(ton) Rules of Engagement, everyone can see you kept your distance, you allowed Coach his say, you warned, you exited and you hit the point of no return.

Questions?

Wow, to many steps for me to remember. If only it was that simple I'd take the time to memorize them. No two situations are the same. All require people skills. Sometimes (doesn't happen often) the Coaches have a point. When they do I"ll cut them some slack up to a point. Other times I'm on their a** from the get go. First pitch of the game Coach yapping about the strike zone. I'll nip that in the bud. Middle of the game maybe I will maybe I won't it just depends on how things are going.

My point too many variables to have rigid rules.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Steven Tyler

Mike Winters stuck his nose where it didn't belong. If Winters lets things linger, he shouldn't be wearing the uniform.

And you know this because you were there?????? How do you know what really happened? Winters is a damn good umpire and Bradley is a known trouble maker. My money is on Winters.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

And you know this because you were there?????? How do you know what really happened? Winters is a damn good umpire and Bradley is a known trouble maker. My money is on Winters.

I think it's entirely possible that Winters baited him. I also think it's entirely possible that Bradley deserved it. But, both of those statements are just supposition.