When they ask for it

[TXFPBlue]

I was thinking about this thread this weekend while working a 10U Tourney. What would be justice should any coach deserve ejection. Fortunately there wasn't any such situation, which is the case 99.99% of the time. But if there had been considering it was about 102 both days should I allow him to go to the parking lot, or should we strap him to the center field fence.

[Mountaineer]

Mike, that is valid and I actually thought about it. I have told coaches (at least in basketball) when it's a bad game and they are trying to get ejected to light a fire under their team - "If I have to suffer through this game - so do you".

Tom - that was funny. I wish I had thought about that.

[bkbjones]

One of my personal all-time faves came in baseball about 25 years ago. TX state tournament. Coach has been an a$$ much of the game. Down two runs in the fifth and he decides he's going to fire up his team and get jacked.

"Effim," sez my conscience. Besides, it was about 180 degrees at good old Disch=Falk Field in Austin, with about 180 percent humidity.

He did just about everything but physical contact. And he got to keep his happy butt in the game. One of my partners started to restrict him to the dugout and I told my partner (in a whisper while the coach was catching his breath) that he was staying in the sun.

Got his butt beat, too.

[bluezebra]

He then told me that we were screwing him like he got screwed in that game.

At that point, he's history. No one questions my integrity, and stays around.

Bob

[PtotheB]

First off I want to thank everyone on this forum for all of their input. I have been lurking since January and you have helped me not only survive my first season but made it enjoyable and very successful for a FNG umpire. I never visit without my rulebooks handy and will always try to find the answer in the book before I read responses.
Back to the thread. Since our season is basically over the only games I do are the Men's league games on Sundays. I know that doing Men's FP is not the most popular thing to do and it's pretty obvious why that's the case having to deal with these knuckleheads every week. I figure that if I can do this then other games I do are a piece of cake. The thing that I can't stand is when (and it's only one team) starts chirping "Call it both ways". It makes my blood boil. I can take it if someone calls a ruling BS as they walk away but when I hear the both ways thing time is called, the mask comes off. If I haven't issued a warning then I usually do but if the warning has already been issued then somebody's taking a walk. Am I being too sensitive? I've heard it from parents a few times but when it comes from a player or coach I really feel that my integrity is being questioned.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by PtotheB

First off I want to thank everyone on this forum for all of their input. I have been lurking since January and you have helped me not only survive my first season but made it enjoyable and very successful for a FNG umpire. I never visit without my rulebooks handy and will always try to find the answer in the book before I read responses.
Back to the thread. Since our season is basically over the only games I do are the Men's league games on Sundays. I know that doing Men's FP is not the most popular thing to do and it's pretty obvious why that's the case having to deal with these knuckleheads every week. I figure that if I can do this then other games I do are a piece of cake. The thing that I can't stand is when (and it's only one team) starts chirping "Call it both ways". It makes my blood boil. I can take it if someone calls a ruling BS as they walk away but when I hear the both ways thing time is called, the mask comes off. If I haven't issued a warning then I usually do but if the warning has already been issued then somebody's taking a walk. Am I being too sensitive? I've heard it from parents a few times but when it comes from a player or coach I really feel that my integrity is being questioned.

I would say that you border a *little* on the "too sensitive" side, but your feelings are justified as your integrity and your impartiality are being unduly questioned. However, if it's coming from the dugout, I would probably handle it a little differently. Instead of trying to address an entire team (even if you're speaking to only one person), I would address the coach. Politely call the coach over to you, explain that you realize the players may disagree with your call, but comments about your integrity as an umpire are not acceptable. If you try to address an entire bench, you'll have a dozen guys yelling at you, and it will get out of hand.

Welcome to the forum, welcome to umpiring, and feel free to fire away your questions to us. This is an excellent resource to have at your fingertips once all your trainings and clinics are done, and the season is already underway (or even ending).

[bkbjones]

Originally Posted by PtotheB

First off I know that doing Men's FP is not the most popular thing to do and it's pretty obvious why that's the case having to deal with these knuckleheads every week.

Always remember your best friend on each team is your catcher. A good catcher will work with you as long as you are working hard. Sometimes (not always, but many times) a quick little something said to the catcher will allow him to handle whatever problems there may be. (Usually the catcher says, "You guys get off his a$$, he's doin a good job back there.")

And a little something to make that relationship with the catcher in men's FP even better: don't you ever dare ring him up on a called third strike. If you do, prepare to be the backstop with a LOT of passed balls.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by PtotheB

The thing that I can't stand is when (and it's only one team) starts chirping "Call it both ways".

Response: "When you start playing as good as the other team, you'll get the same calls as the other team!!!"

Okay, just kidding, but it doesn't hurt to "think" that and have a little chuckle instead of worrying about their taunts. Just don't "think" it out loud.