Game Administration Ejection

[azbigdawg]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer

The AD called our board secretary today and asked him to remove us from the games at their school for the remainder of the year. He said that he would not approve a check for either of us ever again so if we showed up it would be without being paid. What a crybaby! He also told our secretary that we called a "great game" and had no problem with any calls we made EXCEPT the way we handled this situation. We talked about it in a local meeting today and every person in the meeting agreed that it was not a reason for ejection. I'm stubborn enough to keep the game . . . am I being stupid? I'm also calling the WVSSAC and discussing it with them tomorrow - they could make them honor the game. I'll let you know.

Unreal........ no AD should EVER have that power...... you need a stronger statewide association.....

[AtlUmpSteve]

Does your contract give him the right to red-line? If so, does the contract not require him to do so in writing? As the booking secretary here, I would tell him that no other umpires are available that day. Personally, I would keep the assignment on principle, without regard to the threat of no pay; and send a copy of the check request, or whatever document is used in your state, to the school principal, the board of education, and the state association if/when he fails to pay it. If no such formal document exists, I would bring and tender an invoice for services rendered, and keep copies. Would probably also consider taking the school to small claims court, and might even try to file a mechanic's lien against the school property.

[bkbjones]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

Does your contract give him the right to red-line? If so, does the contract not require him to do so in writing? As the booking secretary here, I would tell him that no other umpires are available that day. Personally, I would keep the assignment on principle, without regard to the threat of no pay; and send a copy of the check request, or whatever document is used in your state, to the school principal, the board of education, and the state association if/when he fails to pay it. If no such formal document exists, I would bring and tender an invoice for services rendered, and keep copies. Would probably also consider taking the school to small claims court, and might even try to file a mechanic's lien against the school property.

Steve is right on (IMHO).

Failing all those things, any way the association could somehow boycott the school? They DO require officials...

[Skahtboi]

The advice that Steve gave is good advice. It many areas, the acceptance of a check request invoice, without stating any amendments, constitutes a contract between the umpire and the school.

[Mountaineer]

In our area, our board has a contract with the School Masters Association - the principals. That's who we negotiate our payment with. The schools in the greater Charleston area are required to use our association for softball games. When schools turn in their schedules to us at the beginning of the season, they can scratch umpires - it's the coaches scratch list not the AD's. Once the schedule is done there's never been the ability to scratch anyone. Our individual contracts are implied through our association. We send out their scheduled umpires and they know ahead of time who they have. Heck, when I left the field the other night the coach said - "See ya next week!"

I'm very, VERY tempted to keep this game on principal. I'm having lunch with a lawyer tomorrow - not for this purpose - but I'm gonna run it past her and see what she thinks. If this AD wins on this one - it could be bad for every other official, regardless of sport, in our area.

[mcrowder]

I think there's no question you should keep this game. In fact, I think it's CRITICAL that you keep this game. And if bozo walks on the field again, you treat him as you would treat a fan who walked on the field, and write up the ejection report.

[bkbjones]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer

I'm very, VERY tempted to keep this game on principal.

Principal, AD, school board and everyone else. Please keep us posted, let us know what the lawyer thinks...we are all standing for the principle of the thing squarely behind you...just keep us updated.

[Mountaineer]

Not sure what all I've said yet - and too lazy tonight to read all my comments - so here goes:

One of the officers of the school masters that my board has a contract with said the only way they could remove me was to buy me out of the game. I went to lunch with a lawyer yesterday (WOW) and she said the same thing. This morning I spoke with 3 directors of the WVSSAC (including the Exec. Dir.) and they are backing us on this issue. As of right now they are pretty pissed at the AD. His letter of explaination agreed with mine and my partners on all the big issues - very few small discrepancies. It will be interesting to see what they do to the AD.

My partner from last week was scheduled to be there tonight. The ED at the WVSSAC said that we should go to the field if we have nothing in writing removing us from the game AND agreeing to pay us - so he did. Talked to the coach who told him they would mail a check to us tomorrow. I'll do the same, unless they fax me a letter tomorrow or Friday. I'll let you know if there is anything done to the AD.