Dumb Athletic Directors.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Dave Reed

If you really don't want to answer any questions about the ejection, notice that you aren't required to state a reason for the ejection. So you can make it even shorter.

But why on earth are you unwilling to answer some questions about the ejection?

You really think it's appropriate for the AD to second guess the umpire here? Dress it up any way you want, but that's what he was doing by trying to paint him into a corner. MTD absolutely did the right thing by keeping the discussion on track and ending it when the AD made it clear he was second guessing him.

Whatever the AD thinks of MTD, he was already thinking it and MTD's answer was not going to change it. In essence, he was trying to coach MTD.

[Rich]

It's a ridiculous policy. Every time I've had to deal with an AD over a situation, the AD has gotten defensive or tried to make the official culpable. In WI, we send a report to the state and the state informs the school of the suspension. I had an athletic director call me after I threw an USC flag on his head coach during a football game and eventually I had to hang up on the guy, too, as he tried to spin the situation into it being my fault for having thin skin. Finally, I told him I would include our conversation in the report I was sending to the state and hung up.

That said, there's no way I would eject a player for Mark's situation. I'd probably just tell him to watch his language. Making a kid sit 1+ games for dropping a single f-bomb in frustration simply doesn't meet the spirit and intent of the rules, IMO. Making him sit the rest of the game doesn't meet the spirit and intent, either, IMO.

On the topic of language: The F4 and F6 in last night's ballgame were engaged in a colorful conversation while I was in the B position. Some of words used were the same types of words I used when I was 16-18 years old. Finally, I turned to the F4 (who was genuinely a nice, funny kid) and said, "My innocent ears can't handle this." He laughed and they continued the conversation by replacing those words with nonsensical ones -- just kids being kids. Of course, anyone who's followed my postings knows how I feel about profanity -- as long as it's not directed towards me or an opponent or not done in an unsportsmanlike way, I really don't care too much. I'll stop it if it's overboard, but in the way I did last night -- certainly not with an ejection.

[David B]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

That said, there's no way I would eject a player for Mark's situation. I'd probably just tell him to watch his language. Making a kid sit 1+ games for dropping a single f-bomb in frustration simply doesn't meet the spirit and intent of the rules, IMO. Making him sit the rest of the game doesn't meet the spirit and intent, either, IMO.

On the topic of language: The F4 and F6 in last night's ballgame were engaged in a colorful conversation while I was in the B position. Some of words used were the same types of words I used when I was 16-18 years old. Finally, I turned to the F4 (who was genuinely a nice, funny kid) and said, "My innocent ears can't handle this." He laughed and they continued the conversation by replacing those words with nonsensical ones -- just kids being kids. Of course, anyone who's followed my postings knows how I feel about profanity -- as long as it's not directed towards me or an opponent or not done in an unsportsmanlike way, I really don't care too much. I'll stop it if it's overboard, but in the way I did last night -- certainly not with an ejection.

I see your point and completely agree with that. Kids are gonna be kids, and as you stated, if not done in an unsportsmanlike way, its not that big a deal. Easy to tell them knock if off etc.,

Thanks
David

[jicecone]

MTD, Sr.: Good morning Mr. Xxxxx, I am Mark DeNucci, Sr., and I umpired your school's jr. varsity baseball DH with Xxxxx H.S. yesterday. I am calling to inform you that Player Xxxxx Xxxxx was ejected in the bottom of the second inning for dropping an F-bomb after failing to throw out a runner at third base.

AD: Do you always eject a player for swearing?

No Sir, not in all cases. If it is "judged to be of a minor nature" (NFHS3-3-1g2 penalty), , I will properly warn the individual player one on one and let the coach know about it. However, in this case the profanity was loud enough that everyone on and off the field clearly understood what was said and could be offended by its use.

You just controlled the conversation and let the AD know that not only do you know the rules but, have a very good understanding of them and used discretion in the application of them.

By not answering the question , the AD probably went away with the opinion that you may be intolerant in your interpretation of the the rules and unapproachable. They are literally to be taken in a "Black and White" nature. Further punishment by the school was not requred.

This does not sound like your posts here however, its just my opinion. If the AD wanted to carry on from there, then he was just showing what a Ahole he was.

[Rich Ives]

Meanwhile, over on the AD board, the AD is griping about the umpire that refused to help him understand what constituted swearing so he could counsel his players.

[DG]

Generally, I think of an F-bomb, as one that EVERYONE can hear. With that I have no choice but to EJ. If it is something said that I don't think anyone but those near can hear, I would generally ask the player to watch his language.

I really have not choice as the state lists 6 things to EJ on, fill out forms, etc. Everything else is a restriction to the dugout for that game only, no forms. Since profanity is one of the 6, it would not sit well with the state if I did not eject for something loud and heard by all.

[johnnyg08]

Seems to me like you could've answered the question w/o coming off as unapproachable.

It's a pretty simple question really. I think you made a mountain out of a mole hill.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by johnnyg08

Seems to me like you could've answered the question w/o coming off as unapproachable.

It's a pretty simple question really. I think you made a mountain out of a mole hill.

I do not think Mark is making a big deal out of anything really, rather I think the people here are. And I am also going to take a wild guess that this is not common for an AD to ask much of any questions during this process, at least not in the situations that Mark is familiar. If he answered the questions then what? Was he going to change his opinion either way?

AD should not be having conversations with officials (IMO) about any call. The AD should have taken the information and moved on too. I am assuming they have some things to do with the information. I doubt they have any it matters "why" the ejection took place.

And if he thinks he is unapproachable, so what? He does not have to approachable to any coach about what he does on the field. The ADs job is to make sure that the officials are there and pay them or file all the proper paper work. At least that is their job where I live.

Peace

[jicecone]

"I doubt I am alone in that standard because all Mark could have done is made the situation worse by telling everyone what was typical for him personally.'

And I repeat:

AD: Do you always eject a player for swearing?

No Sir, not in all cases. If it is "judged to be of a minor nature" (NFHS3-3-1g2 penalty), , I will properly warn the individual player one on one and let the coach know about it. However, in this case the profanity was loud enough that everyone on and off the field clearly understood what was said and could be offended by its use.

You just controlled the conversation and let the AD know that not only do you know the rules but, have a very good understanding of them and used discretion in the application of them.

And again, if the AD had a problem with that, then he is an Ahole.

Stick to the rules and facts and leave your opinions and emotons at home. Thats the part of officiating that is hardest to learn.

[FTVMartin]

MHSAA does not require a phone call any longer. Simply log on to MHSAA.com and fill out the officials report. The state and both schools are notifed.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by FTVMartin

MHSAA does not require a phone call any longer. Simply log on to MHSAA.com and fill out the officials report. The state and both schools are notifed.

You are incorrect. I received a telephone call on Tuesday afternoon from MichiganHSAA Assistant Director Mark Uyl. He wanted to make sure I had contacted the Athletic Director the first school day after the ejectioni, because the school's AD had contacted him to request information about how to complete the his school's game report response.

MTD, Sr.

[MikeStrybel]

Mark's responses have always struck me as reasoned. I'm not sure what trouble he could have been in had he simply answered the AD's question with a "yes" and moved to terminate the call. I recognize that had he answered in the negative the AD had baited him, but it's not like the AD can prove he doesn't eject when he hears a player curse at him. It seems like the AD could have been shut down right there.

[DG]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

You are incorrect. I received a telephone call on Tuesday afternoon from MichiganHSAA Assistant Director Mark Uyl. He wanted to make sure I had contacted the Athletic Director the first school day after the ejection, because the school's AD had contacted him to request information about how to complete his school's game report response.

MTD, Sr.

School has to respond? Wonder what they say? "We obviously agree with the umpire's decision." I wonder what the point of responding is, unless the want to disagree?

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

Meanwhile, over on the AD board, the AD is griping about the umpire that refused to help him understand what constituted swearing so he could counsel his players.

Then the AD is pretty stupid because the first thing Mark stated was the use of the f-bomb if what caused the ejection.

Here in CT, we just file the report, we do not contact the AD's.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

Then the AD is pretty stupid because the first thing Mark stated was the use of the f-bomb if what caused the ejection.

Here in CT, we just file the report, we do not contact the AD's.

If it's stupid to try to learn the parameters then you have a pretty stupid definition of stupid.