Umpiring Politics

Matt

johnnyg08 wrote
Well fellas, I just found out that I have been pulled from the championship game of a local upcoming, important tournament because I had to enforce the rules of baseball the way they're supposed to be enforced. Due to local politics, the team that might get to the championship might make the tournament and they didn't want to ruffle any feathers by having me work the game. My question to you is that have you ever felt that you did the right thing when umpiring and then either not receive or get pulled from a future big game due to ejecting participants/coaches rather than simply taking the BS from participants? As I look back on it, had I not ejected and simply took the BS, I'd still be working the game.

What are your stories?

Let's see...I was in the same boat, but based on mutual agreement between the assignor, the TD, and I, I was assigned to every game of the problem coach.

When I was young and stupid and did softball as well, I tossed the same coach in the regional finals two years in a row.

So, who's got an issue with you?

JRutledge

I would need more of the story, because that does not sound like politics that sounds like someone was not happy with something you did (right or wrong). That being said, I do not get worked up about these things. I have learned you do the best you can and if someone does not like it, so what. You can only control the things you control.

Peace

cc6

JR12 wrote
The only ejection you regret is the one you did'nt make!

What about the one you made but think you shouldn't have made?

Matt

cc6 wrote
What about the one you made but think you shouldn't have made?

What about unicorns?

cc6

Matt wrote
What about unicorns?

What about them? If an ejection you fail to make does exist, then surely an ejection you shouldn't have made but made also happens from time to time.

Rich

cc6 wrote
What about them? If an ejection you fail to make does exist, then surely an ejection you shouldn't have made but made also happens from time to time.

I'll let you know when the first one of these has happened.

Perhaps on other days I would be slower to eject someone, but the one thing in common with ALL my ejections is if the coach hadn't come out of the dugout and acted like a jackass they wouldn't have happened.

Of course, I have a grad total of one ejection the entire season.

Rcichon

JRutledge wrote
I would need more of the story, because that does not sound like politics that sounds like someone was not happy with something you did (right or wrong). That being said, I do not get worked up about these things. I have learned you do the best you can and if someone does not like it, so what. You can only control the things you control.

Peace

Ditto

mbyron

JRutledge wrote
That being said, I do not get worked up about these things. I have learned you do the best you can and if someone does not like it, so what. You can only control the things you control.

Thank you, Epictetus.

JR12

cc6 wrote
What about them? If an ejection you fail to make does exist, then surely an ejection you shouldn't have made but made also happens from time to time.

Not so far, after 18 seasons. They actually all eject themselves. I have had many a time when I kicked myself all day for not giving a coach or player the early exit they were trying for.

JR12

Matt wrote
What about unicorns?

Lol!!!

johnnyg08

Ejection #1 - I was talking w/ head coach about what he thought was an "offer" on a bunt attempt. From the bench assistant coach yells "you're terrible"...after listening to the head coach who left his position in the dugout to argue balls and strikes after being warned by me to not go to the batter's box to act out the play, he goes to homeplate to act out the play, ejection #2. Then later in the game, a hitter was holding the bat out in front of the plate to attempt a bunt and the pitch was thrown behind him...the young catcher asked me if he offered, I said no...the batter heard the catcher tell me that "I was throwing the game," ejection #3. There were other incidents from F2 in the game which I was no longer going to tolerate the BS from a kid who clearly has no clue about the rule, shaves once every three weeks and wanted me to call a strike on a "bunt attempt" when the pitch was thrown behind the batter. Yes this was a political decision. Had I stood there and taken the $hit from this particular team, I'd still be working the championship.

LakeErieUmp

No, Johhny - you wouldn't be "working" the championship. If you surrendered your professionalism and pride you'd simply be present there.

You worked that game, you did what needed to be done. YOU can sleep tonight.

SanDiegoSteve

cc6 wrote
What about the one you made but think you shouldn't have made?

That is preposterous. Never have I regretted an ejection I made. Every one was well deserved. I have regretted some that I should have ejected but didn't, but never one that I did make.

Kevin Finnerty

Boy, is this ever the truth as I see it.

I seldom eject, so when I do, it's always a no-doubter.

jicecone

Whenever you give them enough rope to hang theirselfs, and (it certainly seems as though you did), and they still hang theirself, then there are no regrets.

Stick to your morals and professionalism and if your not backed up by your assignor, then he probably isn't worth working for.

See Ya.

cc6

SanDiegoSteve wrote
That is preposterous. Never have I regretted an ejection I made. Every one was well deserved. I have regretted some that I should have ejected but didn't, but never one that I did make.

It sounds like a lot of people regret not making an ejection, but do not have an ejection they regret making. This suggests that you have a long leash, so that you will not have an unnecessary ejection, but this comes at the cost of taking abuse from time to time.

budjones05

Does anyone know the automatic word for an ejection?

JRutledge

budjones05 wrote
Does anyone know the automatic word for an ejection?

What ever you decide it to be. 😉

Peace

SanDiegoSteve

cc6 wrote
It sounds like a lot of people regret not making an ejection, but do not have an ejection they regret making. This suggests that you have a long leash, so that you will not have an unnecessary ejection, but this comes at the cost of taking abuse from time to time.

Did you learn all this in psychology classes? Sounds like excrement and fecal material of a bovine nature to me.😉

I don't take abuse. Abuse will get you ejected. I will eject when necessary, and when called for. If ejection is not warranted, I don't eject.

I have never lost an argument on the ball field as an umpire. I always get my way, somehow.

Ump Rube

budjones05 wrote
Does anyone know the automatic word for an ejection?

Y-O-U. You.