Player ejection and coach response

[Toadman15241]

If you didn't apologize you shouldn't be posting on a message board. You should be consulting with an attorney.

[RPatrino]

Originally Posted by Toadman15241

If you didn't apologize you shouldn't be posting on a message board. You should be consulting with an attorney.

Are you thinking he should pursue a libel suit?

[voiceoflg]

Originally Posted by RPatrino

Are you thinking he should pursue a libel suit?

I would. Libel is the communication of a statement that makes a claim, expressly stated or implied to be factual, that may give an individual...a negative or inferior image.

This was clearly the case. It certainly appears his intent was to plant a seed in any coaches who read that and doesn't know Tank that he is a substandard umpire.

[JRutledge]

Hold off on the lawsuit for now. File a report as not only was the comment about the umpiring, but it was not true when talking to the media. I would file the report and talk to the supervisor or assignor about this and let them do what they do. Only file a lawsuit if you are harmed and it is not clear that is the case right now. It is too soon. Not everything a coach says is taken seriously for a lot of reasons, even by their own administration. Do your due diligence first and then if something is resolved then maybe then consider something, but that would be the absolute last resort. You do not want to be seen as the guy that sued over what happen on the field and then lose that fight.

Peace

[bluehair]

I would consult with your chapter prez and other members who's opinion you respect before taking the official reporting step. There may be circumstances that you do not know that would lead you to file or not to file. If everything was as you say it was and you find no good reason not to file, I'd file it and let him explain his media comments to the authorities.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by jrutledge

hold off on the lawsuit for now. File a report as not only was the comment about the umpiring, but it was not true when talking to the media. I would file the report and talk to the supervisor or assignor about this and let them do what they do. Only file a lawsuit if you are harmed and it is not clear that is the case right now. It is too soon. Not everything a coach says is taken seriously for a lot of reasons, even by their own administration. Do your due diligence first and then if something is resolved then maybe then consider something, but that would be the absolute last resort. You do not want to be seen as the guy that sued over what happen on the field and then lose that fight.

Peace

+1

[jicecone]

Did you do your job and act in a professional manner at all times?

That is what is important. I know in my state if an ejection took place we are required to file a report within 48 hours. You are to state exactly what took place, what rule was in violation and the penalty assessed. Report all pertinent conversations and STICK to the facts PERIOD. They alone should be sufficient enough for one to discern what was actually said.

This is America, the coach has every right to speak to whoever he feels like and don't ever take a game with his team again if you don't think you can be totally impartial, fair or professional or are going to hold a grudge against this coach. If that is the case you are doing a great disservice to yourself and the umpiring profession.

If you do you job by the book, then you should not blink an eye about what was said unless it causes you to lose games and/or financial damages. Then handle it professionally with a lawyer.

[DG]

I would have a conversation about this with my assignor and ask for his advice on next steps. I expect he would ask me for a report and he would take it from there and coach/school would be fined in our state.

And I would forget about it.

[briancurtin]

Originally Posted by jicecone

If you do you job by the book, then you should not blink an eye about what was said unless it causes you to lose games and/or financial damages. Then handle it professionally with a lawyer.

The coach did not do his job by the book if there is a state rule about not addressing officiating in the media.

There are rules in most professional sports about the same thing, and they do get fined for it. Most of the time coaches/players even know it, saying "I know I'll get fined for this, but that call was bad, blah blah blah." The next day, so-and-so comes out as being fined $10K. Sure, it's pocket change to most, but the rule is there, and the rule is enforced.

Letting this slide isn't good if you as me. Just like the guy who lets certain balks by until you come around, the next person to be talked about in the media faces an uphill battle when the words are even more harsh. They'll come back with, "no one said anything before so they must not care," and then it's open season when they can't control it.

At the very least, I would tell your assignor and/or your association if you don't want to report it yourself. Maybe they'll work up the stack and get the complaint lodged.