A First: A Head Coach's Letter of Apology

[UMP25]

I'm truly amazed that in 30 years of umpiring, I still experience "firsts." This year is no exception.

Last Sunday, April 6th, I got my first ejection of the season when I tossed a head coach in the first inning of game 2 of a doubleheader. I was on the bases and, as is typical with bad karma--or whatever one wishes to call it--every single call I made went against the visiting team. Of course, it didn't help that they lost the first game 16-0 and were already losing game two 3-0. Well, after I safed a batter-runner on a play at first, he came barreling out of the dugout and got into one of those face-to-face, vein-popping, usually-only-seen-in-the-major-leagues type of arguments. Admittedly, I was quick to pull the trigger on the ejection (I'm usually pretty patient but on this day had had enough with him), but it was justified nonetheless. Despite this, I labeled it a routine ejection and submitted my report later that day.

Imagine my total surprise when, 3 days later I received in the mail a handwritten letter of apology from this head coach. He apologized for his actions and behavior and stated that he had let his team's poor performance get to him and that his actions were inexcusable. He closed it with a repeat of his apologizing to me.

I had called the gentleman who assigned this game (I work for 6 college assignors including myself) just to let him know, wondering if he had suggested this or knew about it. He did not. So, it appears this letter of apology was totally unsolicited. Now, it's not like I'm going to frame it or something, and it's not like I'm going to add this gentleman to my Christmas card list; rather, I just found it to be a first. I've had oral apologies said to me by someone I've ejected--you know, the typical "Yeah, you made the right call" or similar statements--but I've never received a handwritten letter from a head coach.

Miracles never cease, I guess.