One of those nights !!!!

[SC Ump]

Originally Posted by Chess Ref

So did I screw the pooch on the "late" illegal pitch call ?

Yes, I think you missed it, but even so, I do not think it justifies any of the subsequent actions. Missing the call only was "unjust" to the batter, by him thinking he had to swing. He didn't swing and you then corrected it.

Originally Posted by Chess Ref

Should I have held the pitcher up while the batter stared me down ?

You letting the pitch continue was one way to handle it. With the AAs, you sometimes have to creatively discipline, or you'd just have to eject them all.

Originally Posted by Chess Ref

I know I shouldn't have cursed,but in my defense the players were out of control, my cursing did clear out the late comers, bringing the party to a manageble sitch.....

I personally have no problems with cursing. I think others disagree with my philosophy on this. If I'm calling a church league, I don't allow it. If I'm calling AAA Movers vs Joe's Construction, I probably won't even acknowledge a comment like, "That ball was over my f-ing head." HOWEVER, if, as implied by another responder, you did loss control of your actions, that is not good. Being level headed around the AAs is an absolute must.

[Chess Ref]

Originally Posted by SC Ump

Yes, I think you missed it, but even so, I do not think it justifies any of the subsequent actions. Missing the call only was "unjust" to the batter, by him thinking he had to swing. He didn't swing and you then corrected it.
You letting the pitch continue was one way to handle it. With the AAs, you sometimes have to creatively discipline, or you'd just have to eject them all.

I personally have no problems with cursing. I think others disagree with my philosophy on this. If I'm calling a church league, I don't allow it. If I'm calling AAA Movers vs Joe's Construction, I probably won't even acknowledge a comment like, "That ball was over my f-ing head." HOWEVER, if, as implied by another responder, you did loss control of your actions, that is not good. Being level headed around the AAs is an absolute must.

i wouldn't have considered my cursing, in and of itself, to be out of control. I do have a mouth like a truck driver-it's just I don't do it when I'm umpiring.

[CajunNewBlue]

When in Rome.... having some experience with calling in SP leagues, I feel your pain. of course, if i did a topic in here on them, Every night calling/babysitting for my bunch of "adults" would be titled "one of those nights". IMHO.. nothing and i mean nothing you do or dont do regarding "professionalism" is going to influence their opinion of you. call me jaded or whatever.

[Scooby]

Did you miss the call? Yes, but you fixed it.

Should you have held up the pitcher? No way, the batter was being a jerk.

Should you have sworn? No, but it worked to calm the situation. You were there and you used your judgement and it worked. Now if it had not worked you just gave the players a tool to use against you. "the umpire swore at us and it made the situation worse" or something like that.

[LIIRISHMAN]

SP for softball umpires here on L.I. NY is what pays the bills. FP is what I enjoy doing but SP can be blood money (literally ) if you let the inmates get out of control. Good job going down to help your partner. I've worked with some other blues who would be 1/2 way to the parking lot.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by LIIRISHMAN

SP for softball umpires here on L.I. NY is what pays the bills. FP is what I enjoy doing but SP can be blood money (literally ) if you let the inmates get out of control. Good job going down to help your partner. I've worked with some other blues who would be 1/2 way to the parking lot.

Hey, LIIRISHMAN, let me private message you. Got a question I don't want to post online.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Scooby

Should you have held up the pitcher? No way, the batter was being a jerk.
.

Jerk or not, you don't allow a pitcher to throw the ball prior to the batter being ready. Too many things can go wrong, including injury, to allow this to happen.

The umpire has a tool to use in this situation. If the batter refuses to get ready, 10 seconds, strike. S/He'll get ready, or have another strike by the time s/he realizes arguing is senseless.

[Texas Aggie]

I don't do softball anymore, but when I did, I don't recall a ceiling that prevented a pitch from going over 12 feet (or whatever it is now) out there. By this, I mean, its a judgment call and if it took you an extra half second to make that judgment call, so be it. It isn't easy; you don't want to call what's not there nor do you want to miss one that is. Some of those illegal pitches are, well, maybe.

I used to get griped out by batters who claimed I didn't call them fast enough and they'd swing.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by Texas Aggie

I don't do softball anymore, but when I did, I don't recall a ceiling that prevented a pitch from going over 12 feet (or whatever it is now) out there. By this, I mean, its a judgment call and if it took you an extra half second to make that judgment call, so be it. It isn't easy; you don't want to call what's not there nor do you want to miss one that is. Some of those illegal pitches are, well, maybe.

I used to get griped out by batters who claimed I didn't call them fast enough and they'd swing.

Well, the flat ones are tougher to call right away, as you don't have as much time on a 12'+ pitch. I've found that the only times when I call the high ones late are either when they float or when I've lost my concentration. Otherwise, I usually have no problem calling it as best as possible.

Back to the sitch, if I've got a batter staring me down while in the box, my next words are, "here we go. [slight pause] Play." He's now been told I'm not going to play his silly game of a staring contest, and I've indicated to him that we are to continue playing ball. If he ignores my direction and somehow, by some STRANGE stroke of luck, gets injured, that's his own fault. If I'm asked by a lawyer what happened, I'll simply tell them, "hey, I gave him enough time to turn around before I resumed play, and he didn't turn."