Do you just "take it"?

[NC_Blue]

I was calling an ASA Men's slow-pitch tournament, Saturday. Team "A" is getting beat by 5 or so runs......in the top of the 8th (extra innings). Pitcher walks a batter to load the bases.

Shortstop.......calls time and asks me (PU)....."where was that last pitch"?

I tell him it was "high"....and motion above my shoulder....attempting to show where the pitch crossed the batter.

He says......"No...it wasn't".....and stands there.

I didn't have ANYTHING TO DO with what was occurring on the field (i.e. their melt-down).

Do you say ANYTHING? I did.....but I'm wondering if I made a mistake.

Just checking the pulse of what you guys do in these situations.

[NCASAUmp]

Honestly, if someone other than the pitcher or catcher ask me where it was, I don't give them the full answer of "high," "inside," or what have you. If another player on the field asks, I *might* say, "it was a ball." I'm not trying to be a smart-alec, but if I answer everyone's questions when they doubt my judgment call, things can get out of control. Especially when it comes to pitches.

Was this shortstop the captain of the team?

[CecilOne]

PU: "OK, we saw it differently, let's play", returns to ready position

SS: no response or movement

PU: repeat above

SS: "you are costing us the game"

PU: "that's enough, let's play"

SS: anything said at all, or no movement

PU: "play or leave the field"

PU: "manager, do you have a sub for the SS?"

[NC_Blue]

The entire team was getting "mouthy" ....sensing their impending doom.

I also had a situation where the visitn gteam was reporting a substitution to me....in that same top of the final inning. He gives me his last name....and whom he is entering for. I ask what batting position.....and report "Wlaker for Hampton in the 10 hole". The female scorekeeper for the home team looks at me like I have 7 heads. I then repeat.

The catcher (big guy...talking to the substitute)....is yelling, now at the substitute...."What's your first name"? The scorekeeper is STILL clueless. he keep yelling at the sub telling him they only wrote down the first names on their book. I put a halpt to this REAL FAST......and tell him the sub doesn't owe HIM a thing. They're upset at what's occurring on the field .....and they're venting. He gets an attitude at being called down. Wouldn't you know it.....balls gets away from him on the next pitch......he overthrows second.....run scores.....I'M the bad guy for getting him upset.

I've had these situations arise plenty of times over the years. The ONLY thing I'm wondering is what you guys do in these type situations.

Without being a total smartass.....I don't feel like we're there merely for their verbal abuse.

What I told the shortstop was......."you're probably right....that's why we're gonna call 'em from there, next season".

I'd had enough.

[mcrowder]

So what if SS is staring at you doing nothing. He's approached the "line" with the "no, it wasn't" comment, but that's not ejectable yet. Simply point to the pitcher, get the batter in the box and get ready for the next pitch. If his pitcher won't pitch, ball him after 20 seconds. Ignore the SS unless he makes it necessary to not ignore him.

[CecilOne]

I agree with "If his pitcher won't pitch, ball him after 20 seconds. Ignore the SS unless he makes it necessary to not ignore him." Add that to my script above.

[NCASAUmp]

If an entire team is starting to get mouthy, I will often go to the coach or captain (if no coach is present) between innings and say, "coach, I understand that we're in a heck of a game here, and I know that things are pretty hot. However, some players are getting a bit too hot. If I keep hearing what I'm hearing, someone is going to have to sit out. It's not what I want, it's not what you want, and I'm all for good competition. However, things are getting a bit too hot, so let's cool it, okay?"

Often, the coach will acknowledge it and get his/her players to cool it a bit. If the coach argues with you, then you've given him all the "heads up" he's gonna get.

We walk a fine line between letting a player blow off steam and letting a player blast us with venom. Good game management means knowing when that line is being pushed, and when to address it. The earlier you address it, the less likely it is to arrive to this kind of a situation. None of us wants to be the bad guy, nor do we want to be considered "the ump that cost us the game." But it's still our job to uphold the integrity of the game and, by proxy, the integrity of our positions. Identify those warning signs, address them respectfully, and things will go smoother.

Other opinions on how to handle a hot game? Everyone has their own style...

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

I agree with "If his pitcher won't pitch, ball him after 20 seconds. Ignore the SS unless he makes it necessary to not ignore him." Add that to my script above.

Absolutely. "Play ball" it, wait 5-10 seconds. If the pitcher is still standing there staring at me, I don't look away. I call "play ball" once more. If the pitcher doesn't start his pitch after 10 seconds, "ball one. Play ball." I know I'll catch hell for it, but at this point, the pitcher is trying to show up the ump.

[NC_Blue]

While I agree with the last reply.......EVERYTHING was "peachy" until they started getting thrashed in the top of the last. I was really hoping the top half of the inning would hurry up and end.....and that would be the end of it.

I'm known for not putting up with a lot of bull%$*&......and I didn't, Saturday. I just wondered if what I said was out of line.

Have a good one, guys.

[NCASAUmp]

Just last week, I was guilty of saying something that more or less "slammed" a player for his attitude. In hindsight, as soon as I said it, I KNEW that what I'd said would only serve to throw gas on the fire, and I was right. The player approached me after the game and harassed the crap out of me.

The comment you made to the player was, perhaps, a bit out of line. It really served no purpose other than to make you feel better, and heck, I can't blame you, nor am I trying to get on your case at all. If you are questioning whether or not it was out of line, then the chances are that there was a better way to handle it. Live, learn, move on, play ball!

There are things we say, and then there's what we REALLY want to say. I've always wanted to say, "Player, stfu. You're whining like a little baby."

[mcrowder]

Originally Posted by NC_Blue

While I agree with the last reply.......EVERYTHING was "peachy" until they started getting thrashed in the top of the last. I was really hoping the top half of the inning would hurry up and end.....and that would be the end of it.

I'm known for not putting up with a lot of bull%$*&......and I didn't, Saturday. I just wondered if what I said was out of line.

Have a good one, guys.

Snarky comments from us are sometimes funny, sometimes make us feel better, but almost ALWAYS make things worse. That said - I've been guilty of them once or twice - we all are. Just try not to stoop to their level.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by NC_Blue

I was calling an ASA Men's slow-pitch tournament, Saturday. Team "A" is getting beat by 5 or so runs......in the top of the 8th (extra innings). Pitcher walks a batter to load the bases.

Shortstop.......calls time and asks me (PU)....."where was that last pitch"?

I tell him it was "high"....and motion above my shoulder....attempting to show where the pitch crossed the batter.

He says......"No...it wasn't".....and stands there.

I didn't have ANYTHING TO DO with what was occurring on the field (i.e. their melt-down).

Do you say ANYTHING? I did.....but I'm wondering if I made a mistake.

Just checking the pulse of what you guys do in these situations.

You don't respond. How the hell do you know what the PU saw?

And if it was "high", why wasn't it called illegal?

[SRW]

Originally Posted by NC_Blue

Shortstop.......calls time

Why did you grant it?

Originally Posted by NC_Blue

He says......"No...it wasn't".....and stands there.

My response: That's your team warning for arguing the judgement of balls and strikes.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

And if it was "high", why wasn't it called illegal?

Because we don't drug test prior to the games?

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

You don't respond. How the hell do you know what the PU saw?

WOW, we all missed that it says BU, not PU. All of us assuming PU adds further credence to Mike's "don't respond".