All;

In case Little League umpires feel that they are the only ones that have to listen to stupid things that coaches say, read the following:

Last night I was working a game in the Valley League. This is a league of excellent college players played in a professional environment. There were about 600 paid attendance, numerous minor league style promotions, and all manner of bells and whistles. (No umpires' dressing room, yet. We aren't that high on the food chain!)

The home team came into the game with a record of 2-13 and the visiors had a record of 13-3 so we were expecting a blowout.

Lo and behold, the home team is miraculously up 2-0 in late innings when one of the visitors steals second. At this point in the game there had been absolutely no controversy about anything. Anyway, I called him safe and the home team coach came running onto the field and yelled:

"You wanted him to be safe. You are determined to help the other team."

I had had no close calls up to this point (and I had no close calls afterward) so I was surprised at his comment. It was so absurd that I had to stifle a laugh. I said. "That's one of the most riduculous things that I have ever heard. All umpires want outs. Furthermore, if the home team wins, that's 3 fewer outs that I have to call."

He turned around and went back to the dugout and the rest of the game was played without any further ado. Home team prevailed 2-1.

He was just putting on a show for his team and the home team fans. At least he could have said something more intelligent.

Oh well!

Peter

I agree completely: my kind of game is a no hitter, shut out for both teams, until the last inning, when the team that makes the least number of mistakes wins the game!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~`
I work a few of those types, called semi-pro here, last years opener, I get a late phone call, "ya wanna work, get out here".First game, 9 innings in just under 1:45, I had third in a three man. Second game, scheduled 7, we worked 2 man, I again on sacks. Visiting team from South SF area is very good as are the local guys. Visitors maybe rolled 2 DP's the first 1/2 of the second game, seemed like home had better middle infielders, they musta rolled bout 10 DP's(game went 17). After the 4th or 5th DP by home, Visiting skippy comes running out, stops at foul line and asks for time...granted...He then casually walks to me and sez, "GODDA###T, Chris, you can't make it automatic!!!(the back 1/2 of the DP)YOU JUST CAN"T". I sez, "What is <i>automatic</i>? The outs that ARE outs?" Then, before he really blows a gasket, "Mike(or whatever his name was)this is kids nite here, they all got in free, look around..." Then under his breath, "Goda### Chris, awww....F##### it"


Really amazing part, home had an ace on the hill, side-armer I used to work in FED ball, they couldn't touch him. Home got the lead-off batter on the last 5 innings and would bunt him to second. Then visitors would IBB the next guy and roll 2. Finally in the 17th, visitors F7 made a lousy(I wanna go drink beer) effort on a lazy fly..game over

Coach: HOW DID HE STRIKE OUT!? BLUE!
me: uh...coach, he swung...
Coach: oh

"You wanted him to be safe. You are determined to help the other team."


to the moon, skip. "you're done." too much of a personal attack to me, later on.

Ridiculous things that coaches say
 

I posted this earlier this month on a different forum and I'll share it here also:

"Another "Coachism"

Here's one for you.....Slight drizzle and when the pitcher releases the ball toward the plate it slips from her hand and hits the on deck batter, Ive got ball one. As F2 is returning the ball to F1 the offensive coach requests time saying she doesn't understand how I could call a ball on this pitch, the coach is beside herself with anger. I explained the ball crossed the foul line out of the strike zone and was a ball. Offensive coach asks me if I saw the ball hit her player and when I responded yes, she insists that I award the player 1st base. I finally get her back to the dugout and I get back behind the plate, as I'm about to put the ball in play, out comes the defensive coach wanting to know what's going on. I tell him that I've got ball one on the batter. Now the defensive coach goes nuts, he wants the player who got hit called out. His logic was that since F1 threw the pitch to the on deck batter, she was batting out of turn and should be called out. I finally get him back to the dugout and resume play.

Michael

Re: Ridiculous things that coaches say
 

Now that's the funniest, and most ridiculous, exchange I've read since I've been involved in umpiring! Well done, Michael.

ROTFLMAO

Good line
 

I got a good line from a pretty funny dad back behind me. There had been some questions on my strike zone already because these guys were all about 4 foot tall...so after a slide in at home plate I call time and brush off the plate and hear "Thanks blue, I just knew you'd find it" I got a good laugh and the guy was almost irritated that it didn't get to me.

"You wanted him to be safe. You are determined to help the other team."

"Keep on going, all the way to the parking lot. No one impugns my integrity."

Bob

Too stunned to eject this bozo, Peter, or would that have not been the right thing to do politically?

My most recent one came from a coach in the Seniors division of Little League.. I had called out there a few times already this season but this was the first time I had called his team. When a forth or fifth call didn't go his way, he started ranting that it's no wonder I had never been out there before and then accused me of being the traveling umpire for the opposing team. I was trying so hard to not laugh that I didn't even think about tossing him for questioning my integrity.

Rich;

Mostly, I was trying to hard to supress a laugh. Usually that kind of comment will get an instant ejection but since only me and the infielders heard the coach, I let it pass.

Our assignor is of the opinion that if you can make the coach look like an a$$, that is better than ejecting him. And finally, I have to write ejection reports when I throw a coach out and since I don't get paid for those reports, I usually won't waste my time ejecting someone unless it is absolutely necessary.

Peter

I remember one this one game a couple years ago when I had to throw out an entire bench, stands and eventhe people behind the 300 fence.

I mentioned this before, but a kid dropped his shoulder, and flipped a runner stealing home. The kid went home in an ambulance, and I threw out the football player. Parents went wild when I threw the catcher out. Then the coach tried to calm them down, but too late...I pointed to three people and said "You, you, you, go!" Then there was a small family behind the 300 line that kept yappin at my partner, so I told them "you, you AND you, out!"...eventually I called the game because the coach couldn't control his players,parents or fans. (they were losing 10 - 1) and were in the bottom of the inning.

My partner was gettin antsy, since it was his first season, and to take any heat off him, I played the "bad cop." (and he actually WAS calling a decent game)

The commissioners for our leagues came out of the concession stands and took the coach and had a "chat" with him.

It was like a ticker tape parade when we left the field out the homeside! :)

But since then, i've learned to have a "thicker skin" and ignore some of those comments. But whenever they attack my partner that day, all he has to do is give me a thumbs up, and I get trigger happy.

Wolf -
Many things are missing from your statement.
What did the kid stealing home do? Was he preparing for contact? Did he drop his shoulder first? etc...
As best as I can tell, if a catcher has the ball and is waiting for the runner, he can not initiate contact. The runner can chose to slide, retreat, attempt to go around, or bowl over the catcher. If the runner choses any of the first three, there is no ejection required for anybody, unless the runner comes in spikes up. If he has chosen the fourth option then who has initiated the contact and how can you toss a catcher for protecting himself?

Kid was trying to slide, other kid lowered his shoulder and flipped him over (catcher did)...my previous post left out the words "your out fatboy!" The Catcher knew what he was doing, infact he balked I believe by getting OUT of the catchers box and stepping infront of the batter.

In Youth ball, there is no "contact" of that sort. It was clearly listed in the leagues rules. We call it the "MUST SLIDE RULE"

And the catcher was NOT protecting himself, if he wanted to protect himself, he could move out the way and tag him at the same time. In either case, if the catcher WANTED to protect himself, it is foolish to step infront of another player who has a 32inch bat.

I apoligize for the ambiguity

I believe the decision to throw him out was unsportsmanlike conduct, which it clearly was, the coach agreed (the only person on that team to see our point of view, he was calm throughout the game, but just couldn't control his team or fans...)...and so did the league commisioners.

But yes, otherwise, I would agree with you, in the situation where the Runner and Catcher were just doing "thier jobs"

[Edited by Lonewolf986 on Jul 7th, 2003 at 01:27 PM]

Wolf -
Okay. So you had the catcher moving out to contact, changes things a bit.
How did catcher get the ball? Catchers can't balk. They can interfere with batters or obstruct runners. Catcher is entitled to be in basepath if he has the ball. He doesn't have to "move to the side to make the tag". Runner still has choices to avoid contact.

As for the "You're out Fatboy" comment.Just plain stupid. I hear that comment as a coach and you've just opened the door for tons of abuse that day. And you will get it. Stick with the basic"Out or Safe; You're out or You're safe".

Hey Wool,
I don't think Wolf was saying he said "you're out, fatboy".
He means the catcher said that to the runner coming in home.

I would think that any umpire worth his salt would never make any kind of derogatory statement like that to a player.

BTW...a catcher can balk. One instance: on an intentional walk, if the catcher steps out of the catcher box before the pitcher releases the ball, a balk can be called on the catcher.

"A balk is an illegal act by the pitcher ..."

The balk you refer to is on the pitcher for pitching when F2 is out of the catcher's box. IT's no different from F1 throwing to F3 not on the bag (nor in position to make a play). We don't call that "a balk on the first baseman."

Thanks Bob...you're right. I stand corrected.

Ah, thats good to know. But the only thing I can think that the catcher did illegally, other than sportsmanship would be "catchers interference?"

And no, it was NOT ME who said "you're out fat boy!"

haha, sort of funny that if I did say it.

Did the catcher interfere with the batter's attempt to strike the ball? If not, no interference.

How did a catcher manage to get under a runner attempting to slide ?

Good to hear it was not your comment.

Ya know, you're really gettin too detailed into this thread. But, for your enjoyment...the runner was in the process of sliding, body sort of in mid air (feet just left the ground)...catcher (doing what he SHOULD do) has glove on the ground...however, catcher does what he SHOULDN'T do (in YOUTH basebal mind you)...and pops the kid over his shuolder and flips him.


sequence of events:

Runner on third
Pitcher in motion to pitch
runner starts for home
Catcher, sees runner, jumps infront of batter to catch ball,
runner goes down line
catcher runs towards third

details aforementioned ensue.


I will end with saying, I made the right call, in the interest of the game. I threw a kid out who was damaging to the game. IMO, Umpires shuold look out for the players as well as the game (im YOUTH ball, that is...dont want to frazzle any Umps of the Big Show). I was looking out for both. If you want some more info for SNG's, then I can provide you with some, down to the players uniform pattern. But the fact remains, I made a call, and stuck with it. End of Story...

Settle, petal! *HUGE grin* It sounds like you're gettin' a might peeved at all the questions. That's par for the course on discussion boards, believe me.

FWIW, umpires "should look out for the players" no matter what the level. Consider the Maddux broken bat throwing incident as a prime case in point. OBR 9.01(a) lists not one but TWO distinct responsibilities for the umpire:<ol><li>Conduct of the game in accordance with the rules, and<p><li>Maintenance of discipline and order on the playing field</ol>If you <i>don't</i> take action over blatent foul play, the players and coaches probably will. It may be as subtle as a ball in the ear of the next batter, or it may be as brutal as an all in brawl. It is your job to ensure those things don't happen. Too many umpires don't realise that. They think their responsibilities end with enforcement of the rules. If that were so, there would be no need for OBR 9.01(b) or (c).

The only comment I might make on the call is that it was probably catcher's interference - OBR 6.08(c) - so the batter should get 1st base and all other runners should be advanced if forced or stealing. If your partner really wanted to stick it to the defense he could have elected to enforce OBR 7.07 instead, charge a balk to the pitcher and advance ALL runners whether stealing or not. That's really not in keeping with the spirit of the rules, since there is an argument that OBR 6.08(c) was probably intended to supercede OBR 7.07. What you guys did with the offending catcher for unsporting conduct was just fine and dandy by me. *grin*

Hope this helps

Cheers

[Edited by Warren Willson on Jul 9th, 2003 at 08:00 PM]

haha, nah, I was gettin just a leeeeetle annoyed. I thought I had explained it well enough, but maybe I didn't.

All in all...the thing that drove me in this thread was seeing the kid sit the bench the next game like Tiny Tim at Christmas Dinner.

heartbreaking. Funny in the fact that he was bragging about getting roughed up...but overall...*tear*

ha

This happened a couple of years ago. Texas High School 4A Baseball, visiting team ahead 3-1 6th inning. The whole game visiting team catcher would set-up on the outside corner when the pitch came he would reach out a few inches and catch the pitch. Ball: all of the fans wanted a strike called. Every time he did this I'd call the pitch a ball and the fans started the HOMER chant. After the top of the 6th the visiting coach approached me and I assumed he was going to give me line-up changes. He asked "Don't you hate these fans! I have the worse fans in the state, I think you're calling a great game you can call for me anytime." I laughed and said "The funny thing is I am from XXXXXXX." (A town that is an arch rival of the home team) The coach knew of the rivalry (as does everyone in the state)and started laughing. He then walked over to the backstop where his fans were and told them "you guys are so f@#%$#g stupid that ump you call homer is from XXXXXXX." Didn't hear another word the rest of the game the fans!

Homer
 

Ok tasoump...I don't get it...What is the HOMER chant?

Does it have anything to do with "The Simpsons" or with a 4-bagger?

HOMER: Fan of the Home team, i.e. all calls go to the home team, How much did the home team pay you? What position does your son play?

Not to be confused with Homer Simpson DOH!!

Situation,

Coach starts questioning my partner's call.

I tell the coach:
"You can't appeal to the Umpire NOT making that call...if you want an appeal, go to him."

Coach says:
"Son, I've been playing MLB for 17yrs, I know more baseball then you'll EVER know!"

I says:
"Thats great!....so how many years of Umpiring?"

Coach walks away looking puzzled...


P.S. If anyone can find a Ball player in the Major Leagues named BILL (William) Harding. That would be great. I've looked for a couple days now, and so far, no dice. I guess he was just talkin some jive!

Exchange with coach
 

Top of 3rd, 100+ degrees out, 1st game of doubleheader. Senior ball (semi-pro).

Catcher of home team comes out and says "Be careful this half, Rich (home team manager) wants to go."
I assumed that he 'go' like fight, or argue, but he wanted to LEAVE.
Pitch for pitch, his gafaws and harumhs grew louder from the dugouts.
Finally, after a clear ball, he stormed out and got in my face screaming and yelling, questioning my lineage, and insinuating things about my mother. I took it all, every word, every drop of spittle, everything- When he had worn himself out, and was standing infront of me winded and heaving, a leaned into him, still having not said a word, and whispered "If I have to stay, you have to stay."
With that he fired his hat into the dugout and them marched back in.
Every inning after that he would scream some sort of excuse out onto the field- "C'mon Bain, I've got a wedding to go to...", or "My wife is going to kill me if I'm not home in the next 45min.", etc.
The saddest part was that in the 6th inning of the second game, he legitimately argued a play at 3rd, and our 3rd base umpire ejected him.
On his way off of the field he walked past me and said "There's not much you can learn from that idiot...but see how he ejected me? Why couldn't you do that five hours ago?"


Bainer.

Exchange with coach
 

Top of 3rd, 100+ degrees out, 1st game of doubleheader. Senior ball (semi-pro).

Catcher of home team comes out and says "Be careful this half, Rich (home team manager) wants to go."
I assumed that he meant 'go' like fight, or argue, but he wanted to LEAVE.
Pitch for pitch, his gafaws and harumphs grew louder from the dugouts.
Finally, after a clear ball, he stormed out and got in my face screaming and yelling, questioning my lineage, and insinuating things about my mother. I took it all, every word, every drop of spittle, everything- When he had worn himself out, and was standing infront of me winded and heaving, I leaned into him, still having not said a word, and whispered "If I have to stay, you have to stay."
With that he fired his hat into the dugout and them marched back in.
Every inning after that he would scream some sort of excuse out onto the field- "C'mon Bain, I've got a wedding to go to...", or "I've got tickets to the Tigers game", or "My wife is going to kill me if I'm not home in the next 45min.", etc.
The saddest part was that in the 6th inning of the second game, he legitimately argued a play at 3rd, and our 3rd base umpire ejected him.
On his way off of the field he walked past me and said "There's not much you can learn from that idiot...but see how he ejected me? Why couldn't you do that five hours ago?"


Bainer.