OT--I didn't like this

bas2456 · #1 (**permalink**) Mon Jul 26, 2010, 11:43pm

This is a Men's League Softball story, but I think no matter what sport we officiate, we can relate.

I play in a Men's 12-inch softball league, and in our game tonight, the umpire did something I never want to see again.

There was a play at first where the first baseman may or may not have had his foot on the base when the throw came from shortstop. Our runner was called out. Apparently someone said something to the umpire from the dugout, because he walked into our dugout, sat down on our bench, and yelled "Play ball guys, apparently there's a better view from in here!"

Now it's not a really competitive league, we're out there to have fun. He was really good all night long, hustled quite a bit, was generally the best ump we've had all season.

That action, though, irked me the rest of the game. I know it's just a fun league, but there is no reason, at any level of sports, do I think an official should show up one of the teams like that. A simple "That's enough guys" would have done fine, in my opinion.

As much as we want to say clever, funny things sometimes, there's a level of professionalism that I think any official should uphold. There's a way to be friendly and approachable without showing up the players.

Nevadaref · #2 (**permalink**) Mon Jul 26, 2010, 11:57pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by bas2456

This is a Men's League Softball story, but I think no matter what sport we officiate, we can relate.

I play in a Men's 12-inch softball league, and in our game tonight, the umpire did something I never want to see again.

Forget the rest of it, I'm just impressed that enough guys can be found who qualify to play in that league.

bas2456 · #3 (**permalink**) Tue Jul 27, 2010, 01:03am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

Forget the rest of it, I'm just impressed that enough guys can be found who qualify to play in that league.

Well, you know 16-inch ball is usually played in Chicago for a reason

GoodwillRef · #4 (**permalink**) Tue Jul 27, 2010, 10:01am

Quote:

Originally Posted by bas2456

Well, you know 16-inch ball is usually played in Chicago for a reason

Easy, we play 16-inch ball in Wisconsin also...

canuckrefguy · #5 (**permalink**) Tue Jul 27, 2010, 12:21am

Quote:

Originally Posted by bas2456

I play in a Men's 12-inch softball league

How the F are you supposed to hit a softball that's 12 inches in diameter?

bas2456 · #6 (**permalink**) Tue Jul 27, 2010, 01:02am

Quote:

Originally Posted by canuckrefguy

How the F are you supposed to hit a softball that's 12 inches in diameter?

Is diameter metric for circumference?

mbyron · #7 (**permalink**) Tue Jul 27, 2010, 10:49am

Quote:

Originally Posted by canuckrefguy

How the F are you supposed to hit a softball that's 12 inches in diameter?

A basketball is 9.5 inches in diameter.

Just trying to find a reference point for the basketball-only folks.

Mark Padgett · #8 (**permalink**) Tue Jul 27, 2010, 11:00am

Quote:

Originally Posted by bas2456

Apparently someone said something to the umpire from the dugout, because he walked into our dugout, sat down on our bench, and yelled "Play ball guys, apparently there's a better view from in here!"
league, but there is no reason, at any level of sports, do I think an official should show up one of the teams like that. A simple "That's enough guys" would have done fine, in my opinion.

But it's OK for a player to show up one of the officials? Remember, in baseball, officials don't have the same ability to penalize teams for unsportsmanlike behavior in a manner that can affect the score like in other sports . I don't think this was out of line considering it was a "fun" league. It sounds like he was just having fun.

bainsey · #9 (**permalink**) Tue Jul 27, 2010, 11:56am

I also umpire a "fun" co-ed softball league, six games per week every summer. There are some things you're going to do that sit right with some, but not with all. I don't know if I would go into a dugout, but that's just me.

It certainly was a weird night last night, though. In my eight years, I've had to toss someone only once. Last night, I had two ejections for cursing at me. Blame it on the full moon, I guess.

bas2456 · #10 (**permalink**) Tue Jul 27, 2010, 12:27pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

But it's OK for a player to show up one of the officials? Remember, in baseball, officials don't have the same ability to penalize teams for unsportsmanlike behavior in a manner that can affect the score like in other sports . I don't think this was out of line considering it was a "fun" league. It sounds like he was just having fun.

[COLOR="rgb(0, 100, 0)"]True. But he could eject the player he felt crossed a line, which was one of our better players.[/COLOR]

Let me rephrase. While it's not the most competitive league, it's still taken seriously. Like I said in the OP, there's other ways to go about doing what he did. I felt it was unnecessary to let the entire park know he was calling us out.

Adam · #11 (**permalink**) Thu Jul 29, 2010, 11:47am

Quote:

Originally Posted by bas2456

Let me rephrase. While it's not the most competitive league, it's still taken seriously. Like I said in the OP, there's other ways to go about doing what he did. I felt it was unnecessary to let the entire park know he was calling us out.

Well, if the whole park could hear the bench calling out the umpire, I don't see much of a problem. Would I do it? Doubtful, but I haven't spent an entire evening listening to a bunch of Jason Giambi never-weres crying about close calls, either.

bas2456 · #12 (**permalink**) Thu Jul 29, 2010, 06:34pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Well, if the whole park could hear the bench calling out the umpire, I don't see much of a problem. Would I do it? Doubtful, but I haven't spent an entire evening listening to a bunch of Jason Giambi never-weres crying about close calls, either.

But I'll bet you have spent entire evenings listening to a bunch of LeBron/Phil Jackson wanna-bes cry about foul calls or non-calls.

The situation is the same. No matter the sport or level, what he did was unprofessional, IMO.

referee99 · #13 (**permalink**) Sat Jul 31, 2010, 10:14pm

... is the proffering of suggested smart-*** comments we so dearly wish we could utter that would just be hi-larious! But alas, they simply remain only in the cranium or uttered under the breath.

Adam · #14 (**permalink**) Sun Aug 01, 2010, 10:52am

Quote:

Originally Posted by bas2456

But I'll bet you have spent entire evenings listening to a bunch of LeBron/Phil Jackson wanna-bes cry about foul calls or non-calls.

No, I haven't spent entire evenings listening to cry babies. I put a stop to it quickly. The T works wonders.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bas2456

The situation is the same. No matter the sport or level, what he did was unprofessional, IMO.

You may be right, but it's also unprofessional for an official to play on a team and spend the evening complaining to the officials. I'm sorry, but while I would probably never use that particular tool, the bottom line for me is it worked. He was able to do it without tossing your teammate, too.

BktBallRef · #15 (**permalink**) Tue Aug 03, 2010, 03:28pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by bas2456

But I'll bet you have spent entire evenings listening to a bunch of LeBron/Phil Jackson wanna-bes cry about foul calls or non-calls.

The situation is the same. No matter the sport or level, what he did was unprofessional, IMO.

Prolly so. The ump seems to have lowered himself to your level. But you seem intent on ignoring the behavior of your teammates. I wonder why that is.