umpire99 I had a pitcher who didn't seem to like my strike zone the other night. I called time and moved around to the plate. While cleaning the plate, I told the catcher to go tell his pitcher that if he didn't like the way I was calling, I would squeeze him so tight his balls would hurt. When I turned around, I saw that the coach was on his way to the mound to remove the pitcher because of his actions. Later in the game, the coach asked me about my comment to his catcher, but I couldn't recall saying it at that time.
johnnyg08 Gutsy...personally I wouldn't do it that way...I'd simply eject him if it got to the point of me feeling like I had to say something like that.
PeteBooth umpire99 wroteI had a pitcher who didn't seem to like my strike zone the other night. I called time and moved around to the plate. While cleaning the plate, I told the catcher to go tell his pitcher that if he didn't like the way I was calling, I would squeeze him so tight his balls would hurt. When I turned around, I saw that the coach was on his way to the mound to remove the pitcher because of his actions. Later in the game, the coach asked me about my comment to his catcher, but I couldn't recall saying it at that time. You did not say what level of ball but generally speaking a comment like the one you made could get you suspended in my HS association. Give the coach "his due" FIRST. The coach saw what was going on and went out to take care of it, so you just added "insult to injury" by what you said. I know coaches can be a pain in the you know what but sometimes especially the good ones "take care of business" ahead of time. I had an instance where the batter didn't care for my zone. Said a few choice words (nothing to get him tossed) but the coach heard it and said "Blue I have a substitution for you" In Summary: Give the coach a chance, then if the coach does NOTHING toss the kid. It's better then saying derogatory remarks which can get you in trouble. Pete Booth
GA Umpire I would not have said anything. When you call a couple of them in a different tone and maybe shoot a glance over to the HC, you should get your point across if he has any clue. If he doesn't, simply just tell the catcher to tell his pitcher to quit. But, don't go any further with details. The catcher should know what to do or what could happen.
JR12 If he was making expressions and gestures and I felt he was "showing me up" I'd take my mask off and say "do you want to stay in this game? Well knock it off!" Then if it continued, he's gone! A good HC would't let it get that far!
Jimmie24 It is a lot easier to fill out an ejection report than to defend a comment like that. If it is to the point that you are going to say something like that, just point him out of the ball park. Not only will your point be taken, the next ump won't have to deal with the attitude as well. You could have just told the catcher to have him stop. That gives the coach time to act. My guess though is that this isn't the first time the pitcher had behaved in this manner.
SethPDX Jimmie24 wroteMy guess though is that this isn't the first time the pitcher had behaved in this manner. Nor the umpire, probably. Unless this is just a funny story that didn't actually happen (I hope).
waltjp umpire99 wroteI had a pitcher who didn't seem to like my strike zone the other night. I called time and moved around to the plate. While cleaning the plate, I told the catcher to go tell his pitcher that if he didn't like the way I was calling, I would squeeze him so tight his balls would hurt. The closest I've come to anything like this is to ask the catcher to go talk to his pitcher before I have to.
ManInBlue umpire99 wrotebut I couldn't recall saying it at that time. You should have a CAT scan. Short term memory loss could be a sign of a concussion. Glad to see it came back to you. Not the smartest comment that could have been made. Good timing on the selective loss of recollection.
KJUmp umpire99 wroteI had a pitcher who didn't seem to like my strike zone the other night. I called time and moved around to the plate. While cleaning the plate, I told the catcher to go tell his pitcher that if he didn't like the way I was calling, I would squeeze him so tight his balls would hurt. When I turned around, I saw that the coach was on his way to the mound to remove the pitcher because of his actions. Later in the game, the coach asked me about my comment to his catcher, but I couldn't recall saying it at that time. Flat out bad umpiring.
johnnyg08 I'm going to call bull on this...I suppose it could be real...but it seems like something from the chapter of Please Don't Kill the Umpire...the fantasy chapter.
ozzy6900 umpire99 wroteI had a pitcher who didn't seem to like my strike zone the other night. I called time and moved around to the plate. While cleaning the plate, I told the catcher to go tell his pitcher that if he didn't like the way I was calling, I would squeeze him so tight his balls would hurt. When I turned around, I saw that the coach was on his way to the mound to remove the pitcher because of his actions. Later in the game, the coach asked me about my comment to his catcher, but I couldn't recall saying it at that time. Total BS! I would recommend that no one follow the advice of this troll!
JRutledge waltjp wroteThe closest I've come to anything like this is to ask the catcher to go talk to his pitcher before I have to. This is pretty much all I do. I will tell the catch, you better get him before I have to take action. I would not say how I will call the game or suggest that he must listen to me. Peace
SanDiegoSteve umpire99 wroteWhile cleaning the plate, I told the catcher to go tell his pitcher that if he didn't like the way I was calling, I would squeeze him so tight his balls would hurt. My balls hurt just from reading such total BS.:rolleyes: I know that if I had ever said something like that, my association would have quite cheerfully given me the boot!
JRutledge SanDiegoSteve wroteMy balls hurt just from reading such total BS.:rolleyes: TMI, TMI, TMI, TMI, TMI, TMI, TMI, TMI, TMI, TMI, TMI, TMI, TMI, TMI, TMI, TMI, TMI, TMI, TMI, TMI, TMI, TMI, TMI, TMI, TMI, TMI, TMI, TMI, TMI, TMI!!!! Peace
dash_riprock GA Umpire wroteWhen you call a couple of them in a different tone and maybe shoot a glance over to the HC, you should get your point across if he has any clue. Do that and you have just confirmed that the pitcher is correct in his assessment of your strike zone.
cardinalfan I won't call BS on the OP. I was working the bases in an American Legion tournament game a couple of years ago when the coach sprinted from the dugout between innings & got in the PU's face. I had to physically separate them. Turns out PU had told the catcher, "Tell the pitcher to shut his d@mn mouth & throw the ball or there won't be anymore strikes." PU didn't deny the comments & got suspended for the rest of the year. There's better ways to handle these things.
aceholleran JR12 wroteIf he was making expressions and gestures and I felt he was "showing me up" I'd take my mask off and say "do you want to stay in this game? Well knock it off!" Then if it continued, he's gone! A good HC would't let it get that far! I try to eliminate any questions posed to players or coaches during a dispute. I learned this watching a newbie ump go up to coach and ask, "Whatsamatter, you don't like my zone?" And the, the sh!tstorm ensued. Ace in CT
jicecone Make it simple, sweet and to the point. 15-16 year old game. First two innings pitchers is moaning and groaning slightly, I ignor it. Third inning I send catcher out and ask him to calm his pitcher down. End of the inning I speak to the coach and ask him to speak to his pitcher. He defends his pitcher of course, and I explain to him that it's battle his pitcher is going to lose and walk away. Second pitch of next inning, pitcher moans about call and I call time, "Coach please replace your pitcher. So ends the lesson. You see gentlemen, when your the official, you have the final say in the game. There is no need to get in a frenzy about anything and no need to show anyone who is in charge. Competency can be measured by confidence. Confidence can be displayed by your demeanor. Your demeanor should never be anything less than professional at all times. Enjoy what your doing.