What would you do?

[GaryBarrentine]

14U Rec. Ball

Watching my oldest DD's game, PU calls runner on opposing team out on Look Back Volilation. Both opposing team base coaches argue the call, PU calmly explains the call for about 1-2 mins. Next inning PU calls runner at 2nd out for leaving before the pitch. 3rd base coach goes nuts and again argues the call, but calms down enought to not get tossed. On his was back to the 3rd base coaches box for thier half next inning this coach says something to PU, PU tosses him.

In this league, getting tossed means a 2 game suspention, and a probationary period that lasts the rest of the current season and the next season, if you are awarded a team. If you are tossed during the probation period you will not be allowed to coach another team in the league. There is a course of redress, but I am not sure how it works.

Found out a few days later that this coach has a DD playing on my middle DD's team. In our converstion he mentions that he was the coach that was ejected, and the umpire was an idiot. He also stated he had contacted the head of the rec. department and was not going to have to serve the suspention or the probation period.

In my opinion the umpire was not an idiot, and got the calls spot on and after hearing the comment the coach made as well as another comment the coach made to both the PU and BU that I did not see, if I had been on the field I would have ejected him too. I am upset that this league would not support this umpire and allow this coach to get by with his actions.

As an fellow umpire would you write a letter to the recreation head to this effect or would you just forget about it.

Sorry, I had to vent on this!!!

GaryB

[scottk_61]

This is nothing new,
If you are not on some sort of board governing this league, walk away.
NOW, if you feel so inclined, let the ump know your feelings and speak to his association officers and let them deal with it.

[Skahtboi]

Me? I am the writing/calling type. Last year I wrote a letter to the editor of a local paper when their reporter editorialized on a call made by the umpire, including saying in his story that the umpire was out of position. Not exactly the same thing I happened to see. In fact, the umpire was in the exact correct position, made the correct call, and the game ended on that. (Keep in mind I had absolutely no dogs in this fight, either. Just there to watch the officiating and the game.) I even encouraged the reporter to join a local umpiring association if his skills were so good.

So, yes, if I were privy to the knowledge that you have, I think I would feel compelled to write a letter.

[IRISHMAFIA]

As an fellow umpire would you write a letter to the recreation head to this effect

GaryB

Actually, I just did, but it wasn't rec ball, it was two teams bound for the HS playoffs.

I was watching the umpires as a member of the ratings committee and there were a couple of idiot fans for one team that kept screaming about the "strikes" being more than a foot outside. Problem was, the coaching staff picked up on this. One coach came out and planted himself behind the backstop for a few pitches and than made the mistake of screaming to the head coach about the pitch not being close to the zone. Well, that got the PU's attention who immediately ordered him back to the dugout.

Inning or so later, there was a banger at 1B that the BU called out from the "C". Of course, it was the same team and the coach went from talking about that play to the strike zone. The PU asked him three times to drop the subject and the coach wouldn't, so he was sent to the bus. (SteveM, he must have learned that from you )

Problem was, the lefthanded pitcher was nailing the corner all game. She was throwing a ball that was breaking an easy foot+. Yeah, the catcher's glove was out of the zone, but as we all know, that doesn't mean a thing.

Well, after the game, the "offended" team that has never seen a game "refereed" (their word) so bad in their life made the umpire aware they were going to file a complaint about the umpire.

I figured there was no reason to wait until the next meeting to submit my rating, so I sent an e-mail to the proper folks in the local association Sunday night and received a call from the state HS athletic assn for additional comment.

BTW, this was a school from an area outside of the assn's footprint and they are used to a completely different type of game. Personally, I think they were just looking for an excuse for being one-hit by an upstate team and they chose the umpire. IMO, bad move. I could find nothing wrong with the PU's game, rules or mechanics.

So, to make a long story short........too late?

Yes, make some type of connection with the assn. and let them know "what you had heard". Remember your source. You are just giving them a heads up in the event there is a lack of enforcement.

[NCASAUmp]

Let's not forget the fact that quite often, the associations only hear from the parties directly involved. They rarely have the opportunity to hear an outsider's opinion, which can be helpful in disseminating the truth from the bull. Would I write a letter? Probably, especially if I see a good umpire getting the short end of the stick.

As I've said in other posts, I can't stand associations that won't properly back their umpires, and I refuse to call for them. When good umpires start walking out, maybe they'll start seeing the light.

[Steve M]

"Inning or so later, there was a banger at 1B that the BU called out from the "C". Of course, it was the same team and the coach went from talking about that play to the strike zone. The PU asked him three times to drop the subject and the coach wouldn't, so he was sent to the bus. (SteveM, he must have learned that from you )"

Some coaches just insist on not staying around to see the end.
Good for the ump for recognizing and handling.

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Actually, I just did, but it wasn't rec ball, it was two teams bound for the HS playoffs.

I was watching the umpires as a member of the ratings committee and there were a couple of idiot fans for one team that kept screaming about the "strikes" being more than a foot outside. Problem was, the coaching staff picked up on this. One coach came out and planted himself behind the backstop for a few pitches and than made the mistake of screaming to the head coach about the pitch not being close to the zone. Well, that got the PU's attention who immediately ordered him back to the dugout.

Inning or so later, there was a banger at 1B that the BU called out from the "C". Of course, it was the same team and the coach went from talking about that play to the strike zone. The PU asked him three times to drop the subject and the coach wouldn't, so he was sent to the bus. (SteveM, he must have learned that from you )

Problem was, the lefthanded pitcher was nailing the corner all game. She was throwing a ball that was breaking an easy foot+. Yeah, the catcher's glove was out of the zone, but as we all know, that doesn't mean a thing.

Well, after the game, the "offended" team that has never seen a game "refereed" (their word) so bad in their life made the umpire aware they were going to file a complaint about the umpire.

I figured there was no reason to wait until the next meeting to submit my rating, so I sent an e-mail to the proper folks in the local association Sunday night and received a call from the state HS athletic assn for additional comment.

BTW, this was a school from an area outside of the assn's footprint and they are used to a completely different type of game. Personally, I think they were just looking for an excuse for being one-hit by an upstate team and they chose the umpire. IMO, bad move. I could find nothing wrong with the PU's game, rules or mechanics.

So, to make a long story short........too late?

Yes, make some type of connection with the assn. and let them know "what you had heard". Remember your source. You are just giving them a heads up in the event there is a lack of enforcement.

Were you at my game on Saturday?? Wow! This sounds almost like a carbon copy, just a few minor changes needed.

[GaryBarrentine]

Thanks Guys,

I approched the umpire in question and ask if he knew the coach had been reinstated, he said he did. I told him, if he need any support in this matter to call me and I would stand up with him. I also got a chance to speak to this person's supervisor and told him that the he handle himself professionally and calmly and the coach, in my opinion, deserved what he got.

Althought I had a chance to speak to the recreation department head yesterday, I did not, as I really did not believe it was the right setting (my son's baseball game) or time to bring this up with this person.

GaryB