Was it a strike?

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by Al

I wonder if he plans to come over to offer an apology, as he told the administrator he would do if I let him coach the game after the ejection? I wonder if I should just let it go if he doesn't and let him coach anyway? Or would it be better for me not to let it go and remind him that without an apology he must leave the field? ...Anyone want to comment? Must do so within a few hours. Thanks, ... Al

I don't carry over behavior issues from one game to the next.

Suspensions after an ejection are a league issue, not an umpiring issue. (I know from earlier comments you were put in this position, but, still...)

With these two principles as a guide, I would ignore the whole thing. Let tonight's game stand on its own. In fact, if the coach does come over to apologize, I might be tempted to say something like, "Thanks, coach. But tonight is a new game; clean slate. Let's just play ball."

PS: If he does NOT apologize, I would still play the game, not bring it up at all, but then report to the league admin that the coach did not apologize. Let them deal with the ramifications, if any.

[mcrowder]

Al - if he comes to apologize, the best thing you can do is say something like - "Coach, I umpire so many games that I don't even remember the incident you are referring to. I appreciate the apology, but I assure you it's water under the bridge."

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by mcrowder

Al - if he comes to apologize, the best thing you can do is say something like - "Coach, I umpire so many games that I don't even remember the incident you are referring to. I appreciate the apology, but I assure you it's water under the bridge."

Why lie, even if it didn't undermine your credibility? Accept the apology in a polite manner and say nothing else.

[Al]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

Why lie, even if it didn't undermine your credibility? Accept the apology in a polite manner and say nothing else.

Hey Cecil,

Well, as the teams were warming up I told the coaches "a couple more warm up minutes then bring your girls in it's almost time to get started. Then about a minute later coach 'Richard' came over to me with his hand out and said "I got a little carried away last week and I was wrong" He started to say more when I said "Hey Rich, it's almost time to play ball, last week is over, gone and forgotten...Then he said "thanks Al" while tightly squeezing my hand. I could tell he really appreciated the way I handled this somewhat difficult situation. Anyway, the game went very well but his team got swamped 21 to 2...Those Twisters are really good, and fun to watch. But I understand how the other teams feel about getting beaten badly every time they play the Twisters. They placed 3rd a couple weeks ago in an 8 team tournament series against some of the best teams in the state. One girl who was telling me about the games said an Umpire made them lose one of the games...with a terrible call! Nothin like fun at the ole' ball park! ...Later, ...Al

[DKDsMom]

This is the original poster. I thank you all for your patience in dealing with a novice like myself. I realize I am only a parent and not a professional as all of you but I like to know and understand the rules of the sports my kids are involved in. I have read your responses to the best of my ability. Now if someone can put this into layman's terms, can a pitched ball be considered a strike when the batter does not swing and the ball hits the plate? Remember these are 5th -7th grade girls (not travel) with a pitcher (my daughter) who is 10 years old and just starting to windmill pitch (which at times can mean a high arc). The batter also may or may not be standing completely adjacent to the plate (either more forward or back).

Again, to all the experts thank you for your time.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by DKDsMom

...Now if someone can put this into layman's terms, can a pitched ball be considered a strike when the batter does not swing and the ball hits the plate?

Speaking ASA.
No. If the pitched ball not swung at hits the plate, it is by definition a ball. Arc or no arc, doesn't matter. Position of the batter, doesn't matter. Age of the players, doesn't matter.

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by DKDsMom

Now if someone can put this into layman's terms, can a pitched ball be considered a strike when the batter does not swing and the ball hits the plate?

To put it as simply as I can, no.

[Igotthetag]

Reading your reply you legally could be calling strikes at the players ankles. You'd also be leading the league in ejections LIIRISHMAN

You're probably correct about calling some strikes at the ankles. I've seen some pitchers who could do that and also I have hit against some in my much younger years...Ejections, I don't think so...What was that pregame discussion that we had about balls and strikes, sir/madam(whichever the case might be)?

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by DKDsMom

This is the original poster. I thank you all for your patience in dealing with a novice like myself. I realize I am only a parent and not a professional as all of you but I like to know and understand the rules of the sports my kids are involved in. I have read your responses to the best of my ability. Now if someone can put this into layman's terms, can a pitched ball be considered a strike when the batter does not swing and the ball hits the plate? Remember these are 5th -7th grade girls (not travel) with a pitcher (my daughter) who is 10 years old and just starting to windmill pitch (which at times can mean a high arc). The batter also may or may not be standing completely adjacent to the plate (either more forward or back).

Again, to all the experts thank you for your time.

Have we now answered your question clearly?

[Al]

Originally Posted by Dakota

I don't carry over behavior issues from one game to the next.

Suspensions after an ejection are a league issue, not an umpiring issue. (I know from earlier comments you were put in this position, but, still...)

With these two principles as a guide, I would ignore the whole thing. Let tonight's game stand on its own. In fact, if the coach does come over to apologize, I might be tempted to say something like, "Thanks, coach. But tonight is a new game; clean slate. Let's just play ball."

PS: If he does NOT apologize, I would still play the game, not bring it up at all, but then report to the league admin that the coach did not apologize. Let them deal with the ramifications, if any.

Thanks Dakota,

Sounds right to me! But if that's the way it works out I don't think I'll say a word to the administrator unless he asks.

And thanks to Mcrowder as well...Glad I asked you guys! ... I'll let you know what happens. ...Take care, ..Al