Worthy of Ejection?

[njdevs00cup]

Men's league: Batter takes a called strike two. He steps out, gives me a stare and steps back in. Batter swings at a fastball for strike three. While in the batter's box, he looks at me and says for all to hear, "That F***ing pitch was inside!"

I tossed him from the game and was later told I shouldn't have by my assigner! Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated!

[UmpJM]

njdevs00cup,

To me, that's a HTBT sitch.

I can imagine, replying "You're entitled to your opinion, but you're still out" or, dumping him as you did.

The "F" word in that context doesn't really bother me very much (whereas, "F@#k you" would be no doubt about it, automatic). A lot would depend on tone, body language, etc. If he were "lingering" in the box, I might be more inclined to eject.

JM

[DonInKansas]

I thought this was normal behavior in men's leagues?

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by njdevs00cup

Batter swings at a fastball for strike three. While in the batter's box, he looks at me and says for all to hear, "That F***ing pitch was inside!"

I tossed him from the game and was later told I shouldn't have by my assigner! Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated!

I probably would have just asked him why he swung at it.

[Cub42]

Anyone who has played the game at the HS level or above knows that directing the F bomb at you is an automatic ejection. The problem is that people like your assignor and other Umpires allow that to happen. You did the right thing, and you showed both teams you won't put up with that kind of behavior.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by Cub42

Anyone who has played the game at the HS level or above knows that directing the F bomb at you is an automatic ejection. The problem is that people like your assignor and other Umpires allow that to happen. You did the right thing, and you showed both teams you won't put up with that kind of behavior.

Not really, but I'll let you think that.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by Cub42

Anyone who has played the game at the HS level or above knows that directing the F bomb at you is an automatic ejection. The problem is that people like your assignor and other Umpires allow that to happen. You did the right thing, and you showed both teams you won't put up with that kind of behavior.

You'd have empty benches in a hurry in pro ball.

[tballump]

Tell him he needs 2 things. A "tee" so he can put it where he wants it, and a "pacifier" for when he still makes an out.

[tballump]

I believe I read a story once about a batter who asked, "where was that pitch". The umpire said, right down the f---ing middle. The player said f--- you and was ejected. In his defense the player said he had never heard the f word before nor did he know what it meant, and just said it because the umpire did. The ump was fined $25 and the player nothing.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

You'd have empty benches in a hurry in pro ball.

I'll remember than if and when I work pro ball. Thanks.

[Umpmazza]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

You'd have empty benches in a hurry in pro ball.

In college as well...

[DG]

Originally Posted by Umpmazza

In college as well...

Not around here. Saw a game his year where batter said something to plate ump after a called strike 3. Don't know what he said because it was not loud enough to be heard. He was tossed and he left quietly. The HC came running down the line to give PU his 2 cents worth and after a brief argument he was tossed.

No one else was tossed that day and no one else argued balls and strikes with the PU.

[njdevs00cup]

Originally Posted by MrUmpire

I probably would have just asked him why he swung at it.

I actually enjoy the men's league games most of the time! I'm a high school official, so I appreciate the fact that many of the players were ex-college or minor league players. I have quickly understood that one questionable pitch, in their mind, is the cause of all negative actions following the pitch!

[DG]

Originally Posted by njdevs00cup

Men's league: Batter takes a called strike two. He steps out, gives me a stare and steps back in. Batter swings at a fastball for strike three. While in the batter's box, he looks at me and says for all to hear, "That F***ing pitch was inside!"

I tossed him from the game and was later told I shouldn't have by my assigner! Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated!

You don't say where the 3rd strike was, or the 2nd called strike. If the 3rd was inside then he is right and his comment was about himself swinging at an inside pitch. For that he is not complaining about calls. If it was not, and the 2nd called strike was inside then he is retroactively complaining about a call and using the F word to do it and deserves to be tossed.

If the 3rd strike he swung at was inside, I would say "yep", in an adult game.

[njdevs00cup]

Originally Posted by DG

You don't say where the 3rd strike was, or the 2nd called strike. If the 3rd was inside then he is right and his comment was about himself swinging at an inside pitch. For that he is not complaining about calls. If it was not, and the 2nd called strike was inside then he is retroactively complaining about a call and using the F word to do it and deserves to be tossed.

If the 3rd strike he swung at was inside, I would say "yep", in an adult game.

The comment the batter made was about the strike two pitch, looking. It was a cutter or slider from a right handed pitcher to a left handed batter. Strike three swinging was on a fat fastball. Of course my call on strike two caused the batter to swing and miss strike three!