Malicious Contact

[harmbu]

We were playing in a FED JV game the other night. My catcher had caught a throw from an outfielder and was waiting to apply the tag on the incoming runner. The runner then lowers his shoulder into my catcher and proceeds to raise his arm and drive my catcher into the ground. I watch the PU signal out and wait for the ejection signal which never happens. This was the third out of the inning, so I stop to ask PU on my way to coach first base why the player was not ejected. He said, "Why should he be?" I said, "Because he lowered his shoulder and threw my catcher to the ground. This is malicious contact." PU seemed stunned by this. He said, "Sorry Coach. I didn't see that. I was watching the play at the plate." I dropped it there because I knew that I was not going to get anywhere with this guy. After the next inning ended, his partner approached me and said he would talk to his partner and explain to him about malicious contact. He said that he was new and he maybe didn't realize what was going on. I told him that my catcher was not hurt, but this PU is asking for trouble from some coaches if he is going to allow things like this to happen.

[Cub42]

You handled it right by not continuing the discussion when you got that ridiculous answer about watching the play. MC has to be enforced strictly to prevent injuries, and retaliation. Obviously he needs to spend some time with the Fed rulebook

[tcarilli]

Originally Posted by harmbu

After the next inning ended, his partner approached me and said he would talk to his partner and explain to him about malicious contact. He said that he was new and he maybe didn't realize what was going on.

Beep...beep...beep...beep

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by harmbu

"Sorry Coach. I didn't see that. I was watching the play at the plate." I dropped it there because I knew that I was not going to get anywhere with this guy.

Coach, respectfully ask the PU to check with his partner or express your desire to protest the game. Malicious contact involves some judgment but from your description is sounds like the appropriate call. As soon as you mention 'protest' the umpires should be getting together to discuss the rule.

[TussAgee11]

Mr. Harmbu...

Normally, I'd give you a good solid answer here. I was just wondering if you wished to change your story again before I did so. If you were a manager, which you aren't, you'd know that us umpires don't really forget much.

So go coach 1st base and leave the umpires up to your manager. I'll have a couple of laughs at the bar after the game over your typical assistant coach shenanigans.

Some coaches that post here say it how it is (Coach/UMP JM comes to mind). You say it how you want us to hear it. So I'm not going to be baited in.

Unless you want to change your situation that is. Sure you told it right?

(Edited to add): 700 Club!

[harmbu]

I am the head coach (or manager, if you wish) of the team. This was a JV game which followed the varsity game. In the JV game, my assistant coaches third and I coach first. If you want to nitpick, I guess I could be considered the assistant coach for this particular game. I will point out that earlier in the game, the PU had asked me a question about our lineup as I was on my way to coach first base. This tells me that he still saw me as the head coach and not the assistant whom we all know does not exist in the mind to umpires. Even though I hold my assistant coach in high esteem, I do realize that I will sometimes run into umpires who are above speaking to them. When that is the case, I simply have my assistant refer them to me any time they have something to say/ask.

Also, thanks to TussAgee11 for taking the time to go into the archives and read my posts from long ago. It has been quite some time since I posted. You really don't forget much. I had forgotten how I always, "say it how you want us to hear it."

Thanks to all of the serious replies. I appreciate all of the help I get from simply reading this site.

[SAump]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gY-f3...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0p-Zus-MzXo&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHj2AnsHaHo
What's up w/ that shirt?

[jicecone]

Greatest Umpire shirt I have ever seen.

What color undershirt would you wear with that and where is his camoflage hat?

[DG]

Originally Posted by SAump

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gY-f3...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0p-Zus-MzXo&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHj2AnsHaHo
What's up w/ that shirt?

None of these are MC. 1st and 3rd are hurdling, not allowed in FED. 2nd is FPSR.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by TussAgee11

Mr. Harmbu...

Normally, I'd give you a good solid answer here. I was just wondering if you wished to change your story again before I did so. If you were a manager, which you aren't, you'd know that us umpires don't really forget much.

So go coach 1st base and leave the umpires up to your manager. I'll have a couple of laughs at the bar after the game over your typical assistant coach shenanigans.

How did you manage to assume that because he's coaching first that he's not the head honcho? Many HS head coaches coach first base. Several prominent Varsity coaches here come to mind.

Originally Posted by TussAgee11

(Edited to add): 700 Club!

I didn't understand this referrence. Could you explain what you meant by it? Thanks.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

I didn't understand this referrence. Could you explain what you meant by it? Thanks.

Don't worry, it's nothing about cults. Tuss just hit 700 posts.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Oh, then congratulations on you joining the 1500 club!

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by mbyron

Don't worry, it's nothing about cults. Tuss just hit 700 posts.

I don't think the forum needs any more livening up with religious flame wars.

[w_sohl]

Originally Posted by TussAgee11

Mr. Harmbu...

Normally, I'd give you a good solid answer here. I was just wondering if you wished to change your story again before I did so. If you were a manager, which you aren't, you'd know that us umpires don't really forget much.

So go coach 1st base and leave the umpires up to your manager. I'll have a couple of laughs at the bar after the game over your typical assistant coach shenanigans.

Some coaches that post here say it how it is (Coach/UMP JM comes to mind). You say it how you want us to hear it. So I'm not going to be baited in.

Unless you want to change your situation that is. Sure you told it right?

(Edited to add): 700 Club!

that most of the times during JV games there is only one adult/coach figure available and I usually see them coaching at first. Besides, does it say in the rule book that the head coach has to coach third base? Don't jump to conclusions, it is unthought out smart azz answers like this that make us look like we don't care and are unapprochable.

[jdmara]

Originally Posted by harmbu

We were playing in a FED JV game the other night. My catcher had caught a throw from an outfielder and was waiting to apply the tag on the incoming runner. The runner then lowers his shoulder into my catcher and proceeds to raise his arm and drive my catcher into the ground. I watch the PU signal out and wait for the ejection signal which never happens. This was the third out of the inning, so I stop to ask PU on my way to coach first base why the player was not ejected. He said, "Why should he be?" I said, "Because he lowered his shoulder and threw my catcher to the ground. This is malicious contact." PU seemed stunned by this. He said, "Sorry Coach. I didn't see that. I was watching the play at the plate." I dropped it there because I knew that I was not going to get anywhere with this guy. After the next inning ended, his partner approached me and said he would talk to his partner and explain to him about malicious contact. He said that he was new and he maybe didn't realize what was going on. I told him that my catcher was not hurt, but this PU is asking for trouble from some coaches if he is going to allow things like this to happen.

Sounds like you handled it correctly. I know it's difficult to believe but all umpires had to start somewhere. Hopefully this young umpire realizes his apparent mistake and, in the future, "sees the whole play".

Originally Posted by harmbu

After the next inning ended, his partner approached me and said he would talk to his partner and explain to him about malicious contact. He said that he was new and he maybe didn't realize what was going on.

I question the other umpire throwing him under the bus though. Not a good thing for an experienced official to do either. He should know better.

Keep up the good work coaching!

-Josh