A.D. problems

[Rich]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

So you have inclement weather and a field going bad. The AD is calling the game for you. Whatever his reason is, let's face facts. If you go against him and wait, then someone gets hurt, who do you think will take the fall?

Best advice - if the AD wants to end it, end it! Just make sure that you are paid the full price for the game.

I was working a brutal, brutal varsity game last year. The only relief I had was the field had no lights and it was starting to get dark.

We got through the top of the 7th and the home team was down by 3-4 runs. It was marginal, but since I played the top half I figured that I'd give it my best shot and maybe we'd get three quick outs.

Home coach (losing, mind you) came to me and said "it's awfully dark, don't you think?" I was, in a word, confused. I know the state doesn't have an adaptation to this and if I called the game the home team would lose (it was a 3-4 run leading heading into the top of the inning). In a moment of stupidity I mentioned this to the coach. He came back with "no it wouldn't be over, it would be suspended. I've been coaching for [blah, blah, blah]."

It was my ticket. The losing coach wanted it ended and he thought he was smarter than me, so I ended it. By this point it wasn't very light out anyway.

When I talked to the commissioner the next day, I asked him if he'd call the home coach and remind him that the game was official and that they lost. Of course this went up the chain to the state office, who verified this right away. Wonder if the coach learned anything from this. Probably my fault.

[Umpmazza]

If the AD calls the game, im out of here, im not asking anymore questions...LOL i give to chits if he calls it or not.....

[Rich Ives]

The umpire may "own" the game but the AD "owns" the field and he's the boss of one of the coaches. If he says the field is now closed - guess what?

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

The umpire may "own" the game but the AD "owns" the field and he's the boss of one of the coaches. If he says the field is now closed - guess what?

A report gets sent to the state office and the AD gets a phone call and perhaps a reprimand?

[Rich]

If the visiting team is OK with it, I couldn't see myself getting involved at all. Pocket cash, leave. However, the visiting team may not be thrilled with the idea of having to drive to a game and then be told by the home team that the game is now over. Isn't that why umpires have jurisdiction once the game starts?

That said, I probably wouldn't push it. I *might* file the report with the state or the conference commissioner (assignor) if I felt it necessary.

[Pensaump]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

If the visiting team is OK with it, I couldn't see myself getting involved at all. Pocket cash, leave. However, the visiting team may not be thrilled with the idea of having to drive to a game and then be told by the home team that the game is now over. Isn't that why umpires have jurisdiction once the game starts?

That said, I probably wouldn't push it. I *might* file the report with the state or the conference commissioner (assignor) if I felt it necessary.

All this over a rainy freshman game??? File a report??? WTF? Visiting team's feelings???

This isn't the big leagues!!

Bang the game.
Screw the visitors.
Take the money.
Go home early.

If its unplayable field, then what can you do about it?? Play big dick / small dick with the AD???

Totally not worth it. Learn from this and move on!

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Pensaump

All this over a rainy freshman game??? File a report??? WTF? Visiting team's feelings???

This isn't the big leagues!!

Bang the game.
Screw the visitors.
Take the money.
Go home early.

If its unplayable field, then what can you do about it?? Play big dick / small dick with the AD???

Totally not worth it. Learn from this and move on!

I don't work freshman games, so I suppose I lack perspective. I was looking at it from the perspective of a conference varsity game. Does that change the response?

I find it amazing that some people give it the whole "every game is important" attitude and at the same time other say "screw it - it's only a freshman game."

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

A report gets sent to the state office and the AD gets a phone call and perhaps a reprimand?

A reprimand for what? You think the owner (or his rep) of a field can't close it? You'd lose that one in court.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

A reprimand for what? You think the owner (or his rep) of a field can't close it? You'd lose that one in court.

Nope, it's really not his call to make. But who would argue with free money?

[GA Umpire]

What I find odd is those who say "All of this over a Feshman game?" Why send a reply than if you are not concerned with a Freshman game?

Is every game important? Yes it is to my wallet.

Would I argue with the AD? If I think there is a good chance to increase my wallet for the 2nd game, although it sounded like there wasn't a good chance so I would have gone home early.

Does the AD have any say so? No unless local rules or committees say so. Once game commences, the umpire has jurisdiction to prevent any unfair termination of the game such as HT takes lead in bottom of 5th inning. Then, they want to call it in the top of the 6th with a light sprinkle. That is why umpires get full jurisdiction when game starts and not the HT(AD). But, if the league associations agree to this, then AD has say so. But, that is based upon a local agreement and not all associations.

In this case, it sounds like I would have gone home with no problems. But, I would let the AD know I am calling the game and not him. So, he learns that he has no control over the next umpire who comes out and he thinks he can try it again b/c I didn't make that point clear enough.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

A reprimand for what? You think the owner (or his rep) of a field can't close it? You'd lose that one in court.

If they belong to a state association, they play by its rules. They don't have carte blanche to do whatever they want.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

If they belong to a state association, they play by its rules. They don't have carte blanche to do whatever they want.

They sure can close their field if they want. It's their field. Maybe the game gets suspended or forfeited, but you can't make them keep the field open.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

The umpire may "own" the game but the AD "owns" the field and he's the boss of one of the coaches. If he says the field is now closed - guess what?

On what planet do athletic directors have property rights at a high school? They have no more say-so than the coach, the math teacher, or the janitor. I would call the game for my own convenience and profit, but not out of some sense that the AD was some authority over me. He may boss his school's coaches around, but I'll be damned if I let an AD run my business.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

On what planet do athletic directors have property rights at a high school? They have no more say-so than the coach, the math teacher, or the janitor. I would call the game for my own convenience and profit, but not out of some sense that the AD was some authority over me. He may boss his school's coaches around, but I'll be damned if I let an AD run my business.

He's the official representative of the school.

I didn't say he has authority over you. I said he has authority over the use of the field. If you want to continue the game, fine - you just can't do it on that field.

[GA Umpire]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

He's the official representative of the school.

I didn't say he has authority over you. I said he has authority over the use of the field. If you want to continue the game, fine - you just can't do it on that field.

All of this arguing and the game continued(or would have) after the AD tried to call it. Hmmmmmmmmm.... Did he really have authority or just acting like it? Seems to have been acting since the umpire told him game is not called and he walked off mad.