Leaving Partner in the Parking Lot

[aschramm]

I had a situation earlier this week where none of the pitchers after the 3rd inning could hit the strike zone. I was hearing things, from both sides I believe, including "I think he needs a refresher course" and "Wake up Blue". After the second one my partner came to one of the dugouts to inform the coaches that they needed to keep that person in check. Well, after the brutally long game, I am giving the game balls back to the home team coach. He gives me the wonderful "advice" of saying I should stick to being a base umpire. Not wanting to make a scene, I am politely disagreeing with everything he is saying (opening the zone, etc.). Well, after that exchange I'm looking around and my partner is no where in sight. So I start walking and find him about 50 ft from the field already, leaving me to walk through all the upset fans.

Funny thing though, they had no problem yelling when my back was to them behind the plate, but I didn't hear a thing as I walked back to the parking lot.

[alex7]

aschramm,

were these comments coming only from the fans, or the coaches? If it's just the fans, good job ignoring them as best as you could, and move on to my next paragraph. But if it was fans and coaches, why didn't you put an early stop to the coach chirping with a stern warning, following it up with an ejection if necessary? Sounds like you let things go unchecked for the whole game, and the coaches kept it up even after the game, never fearing any action on your part.

Also, I think it's better to just toss the balls towards the home coach's dugout after the game and get out of there, instead of going and actually giving the balls to the coach (at least that's what it sounds like you did).