Fight during "good game" postgame handshake
 

Hi guys,

One of the umpires in our assn. witnessed a fight in the handshake line after a game was over. Can an umpire eject the players? My question is do we have an OBR rule that states when the umpire's jurisdiction is over? I've looked through the MLB rules and I can't find when the umpire's jurisdiction is over. Please help me out on this...cite a rule that would support an ejection...if there isn't one...then please state that as well...I did consult the rulebook..but the teams play tomorrow and I'd like a rule to support an ejection if there is one.

Thank you,
John

I wonder how he witnessed a fight as he's walking off the field (with his back to the players).

The league should handle the suspensions/penalties after consulting with the umpire(s) witnessing the fight.

I've always been told an umpire's jurisdiction end when the game has concluded and he's left the field.

Quoting from BRD on the subject of EJECTION: POST-GAME: "OBR: No provision"

It would be an even bigger stretch to eject tomorrow for what was done today, that was not ejected today. Advise the league administrators of what happened and let them handle it, and if they don't be aware there may be a flareup and deal with it.

johnnyg,

See Part V in the series of articles linked here:

The Divine Right of Umpires

Oh, and as Rich suggests, when the game is over, leave.

JM

Yes, when the game is over, leave.

However, perhaps the gate was a ways away? I believe that an umpire's jurisdiction ends when he steps outside the field (if they can appeal to us up to that point, that seems like the point of no return). If there was a rucus and I was walking off the field, I would probably give a glimpse over my shoulder to see what was up.

I say make mental notes if you are still on the field of participants and when things simmer down, leave. I wouldn't interject myself into the proceedings. I would be on the horn to the assignor so he could contact the league of who was involved and in what ways.

Yes, the crews back may have been turned. But if there is lots of yelling, I can see them having a quick reaction of turning around to see what was up.

That is basically what happened. It wasn't me...it was one of my umpire colleagues. So there's no provision in the rules...then that is simple. Thanks guys...and by the way, I agree, when the game is over, I'm outta there.

In the NFL, NBA, MLB...there are always suspensions that happened after the fact...even in situations where no penalty was called...but that comes down from the league.

Like you said, league penalty, not something for the umpires on the day after to call.