USC--Do you have to see it?
 

ASA 14-U, visiting team batter returns to dugout after called strike 3, next batter comes up to plate. PU comes over to visitors dugout, calls the just-retired batter out and ejects her after being told by home team that she had flipped him off after the third strike call.

Just curious if an umpire is required to see USC in order to eject a player, or can he rely on the word of the opposing team/fans?

Can't call what you didn't see/hear firsthand.

My opinion: if you're calling a game that's starting to get a bit tense, keep your eyes and ears peeled. Don't "look for trouble," but nip it in the bud when you spot it. Work with and through the coaches when you can, but remember that coaches can't just be taken for their word.

As for the PU, maybe he did actually see the bird. Who knows?

The moral of the story for the batter is dont do that.

I am wondering how you call a "just retired" player out again. :eek:

Had it been a NCAA or Fed game I would like to have seen the written report on that ejection.:eek:

Matt, I would not trust the opposing team any further than I could throw them. If I did not see something and neither partner saw anything, it did not happen.

It would have been clearer had I said, "called her out of the dugout."

Thanks for the repiles, it seemed apparent that he did not see anything (if he had, he would have tossed her then and there instead of after she was already in the dugout and the next batter at the plate).

It seems possible another umpire saw it.. and thats why it didnt immediately happen. I and most umpires wouldnt believe a fan if they swore they were lying.

:D

Sad...but true.

"Thanks #8. Good for her that I didn't see that, isn't it?"

As I hijack the post...

Reminds me of one of my faves. A few years ago in an NFHS game, a batter turned to me after a backward K. "Are you f'ing kidding me?" (Didn't say f'ing...full f bomb)

coach is going from 3B coaching box and I intercept her.

"Coach, you have a sub for #5?"

"Why?"

I relate the transgression and tell her #5 is through. She shakes her had and puts in #8.

Next half inning, coach comes out shaking head again.

"I asked #5 if she cursed the umpire. She told me no. I asked her what she said, and she said "I asked him if he was f'ing kidding me." I informed her that was cussing, and she was surprised."

While we're telling stories, here's a related one from a 18-A summer tournament. I was watching during an off game. Called third strike. Batter yells, "Dude, you are so wrong!" Then she went and put on her catcher's gear. :cool:

Lame :rolleyes:

Fast pitch umpires do WAY to much "to keep everyone in the game".

This wasn't the tournament up here, was it?

Batter says to my partner "You're joking!" after ringing her up on strike three:

My partner responds "With an at bat like that, perhaps we are at Comedy Central. Go on backstage. You're done for now."

I chuckled for a good two innings.:)