ASA - 1B Coach runs out on field during live ball to argue a call at 2B

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by teebob21

Championship play. The situation is not really relevant, but for context it was a banger non-routine force play at 2B. Three umpire system, I am U3 making a call at 2B on an infield ground ball (this is NOT the same play with the INT that I posted earlier). The throw from F6 was high and F4 jumped off the bag to make the catch, but landed with her foot on the base before the runner arrived. It wasn't all that close, but enough to sell it with a point, verbalize "Yes!! It's on!", pause and punch. The BR reached first safely and the return throw from F4 to F1 was overthrown and the ball was loose as the coach met me 45 feet down the 1B-2B line.

For additional context, it was Day 3 of a National and this assistant coach had already been ejected from games on Days 1 and 2. (Edit to add: Not ejected by me.)

In my shoes, how would you have reacted/handled this situation?

Well, I wouldn't have been on the baseline with a live ball and active runner

The moment any umpire sees him on the field, kill the play, all runners return to last base at the time of play being suspended and ask the coach what the hell he is doing in the middle of the field while the ball is still in play? No, that is not baiting, it is a valid question. Maybe he will be embarrassed that he didn't realize the ball was still live, but I wouldn't put too much money on that one.

Selection of words "Yes, it's on" may have been considered a challenge to the coach Or he may have thought you were referring to the runner, not the fielder.

Joking aside, I would listen to what he has to say, dismiss any contention with the call since you were right on top of it, turn and hustle into position for the next play. If he's there when you turn around.......well, you cannot say you didn't give him a chance to withdraw.

BTW, couldn't care less what happened in previous games, it should be completely irrelevant. Knowing how a particular coach or player has been behaving and then acting on it shouldn't happen with a good umpire. Do you want to be judged in game C based on a call you made in game A, especially if you kicked it? Just as the umpire needs to prove him/herself each game, so should the player or coach and that goes in both directions. Trust me, if the coach is that bad, he will earn the ejection for this game just as he did in the previous one.