Base Brawl

[etn_ump]

The biggest problem was you had a 14U game with no mercy rule.

If you had the mercy rule for the rest of the tournament, why wouldn't you have it for the championship game.

And calling 911? How did you do that from the field?

[njdevs00cup]

I was in the stands, in between games watching the game. As soon as the five fathers ran from the stands onto the field, I was dialing. I agree with your point regarding the mercy rule, however this unfortunate situation did take place during the 5th inning which still would have had to played.

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by njdevs00cup

I was in the stands watching a 14U tournament game in between my games.

Originally Posted by etn_ump

And calling 911? How did you do that from the field?

Whoops

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by etn_ump

The biggest problem was you had a 14U game with no mercy rule.

If you had the mercy rule for the rest of the tournament, why wouldn't you have it for the championship game.

And calling 911? How did you do that from the field?

Another example of Reading Is Fundamental.

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Another example of Reading Is Fundamental.

I remember the advertisements in the 60's - it was called RIF (reading Is Fundamental)!

I see it still hasn't quite caught on, has it SDS?

[Blue37]

Originally Posted by etn_ump

And calling 911? How did you do that from the field?

I look at "do not have a cell phone on the field" much as I do football's reluctance to allow sunglasses. Using the cell phone during the game, even between innings, should be reserved for emergency situations, but I see a brawl with fans involved as an emergency situation.

My youngest son is just getting into umpiring and he carries his for emergencies just like this. I have stressed to him that it is to remain in his pocket turned off from the first pitch until the last out, unless he needs to call the police. He understands that ANY use of the phone during the game for any other purpose will result in the loss of it for a week. So far, no problems.

Personally, I do not carry one and doubt I ever will, but I will not criticize someone who has one in their possession, as long as it is not used except for emergencies.

[johnnyg08]

I've worked with umpires before who have carried their phone with them due to the upcoming birth of their child. Fortunately, I've never had them "get the call" but as my wife progresses into her 8th month, I'm considering having mine with me...because if I get the call..."I'm outta there!"

[Welpe]

Congrats on the upcoming baby, Johnny!

[johnnyg08]

Thanks! It's exciting, our first. August is not that far away!

[GerryB]

I'm pretty old school, but had two incidents in summer ball last year that are making me change my mind. One, an assistant coach took a line drive just above his eye. KO, split forehead, much blood. Incredible, but his (adult) team dragged him to the bench and said "play on!" refusing help for him. We prevailed on a passerby to get 911 and had him transported. Later that week at another game an outfielder had a seizure during warm ups...no one had a phone. He dropped as we were taking the field...very scary. Both situations seem like big liability issues for us, the umpires.

So I think in those games that lack league/school representation, i.e. summer ball, I'm going to stick my phone in my back pocket

[Forest Ump]

I too thought about keeping a phone on the field just in case of emergency. I contemplated buying a pay by the minute phone i.e.; Trackphone. It would be small enough to keep in my left ball bag or pocket. I could program in local emergency numbers just in case I had a medical problem or an out of control fan that needed police persuasion. No one would have the number, so I would not get calls. Actually, I would just leave it off. I haven't done this yet, but I do like the idea of being prepared (life long scout here).