One of those nights !!!!

[Chess Ref]

I had one of those SP nights where I helped contribute to the insanity.

We got a 2-2 count on the batter. Pitch comes in higher then a kite and I brain lock, don't call "illegal pitch", of course it lands right in the middle of our little mat. So I agreed with the less then pleased batter that it was an illegal pitch and do a retroactive illegal pitch. Which causes the pitcher to get all in a funk. He never gets over it.

Then that team is now batting and pitch comes and hits the mat. I call strike and the batter does this stare down at me . Pitcher throws another pitch ,we have strike three.
Batter who never took his eyes off me "says you know I wasn't ready" and gets pissy but goes to the dugout pretty quietly.

Next the original pitcher comes up and hits one of those "shots heard round the world" that goes at least 4 feet in front of the plate. Catcher grabs it and the batter--runner clearly jumps out of the running lane about 3 feet into fair territory causing the F2 to miss the throw. My partner comes up with the dead ball-"out" . Ball game is now over. All hell breaks loose.

By the time I get to 1B area, where the aforementioned pitcher is almost nose to nose with the BU, 2 more players are screaming at him. So I was able to run off the late comers to the party with oh so professional "what the %$#! is wrong with you.....then I dealt with pitcher man who proceeded to call me a not so nice name...So i ejected him and he filed a complaint on me about the late illegal pitch call. **sigh**.

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

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

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.....

[BuggBob]

When the batters in the batter's box, the pitcher can pitch. So what if the batter is engaged in a stare down with you.

[TwoBits]

Originally Posted by BuggBob

When the batters in the batter's box, the pitcher can pitch. So what if the batter is engaged in a stare down with you.

I don't think that's entirely true, but in an "adult" league, if a batter tried that with me, I'd ring him up, too.

[SRW]

Originally Posted by Chess Ref

I know I shouldn't have cursed,but in my defense the players were out of control...

Using the players as an excuse for you being out of control is no excuse.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Chess Ref

Next the original pitcher comes up and hits one of those "shots heard round the world" that goes at least 4 feet in front of the plate. Catcher grabs it and the batter--runner clearly jumps out of the running lane about 3 feet into fair territory causing the F2 to miss the throw. My partner comes up with the dead ball-"out" . Ball game is now over. All hell breaks loose.
.

Wow, that catcher is pretty damn fast!

So the pitcher filed a complaint because you missed a high pitch and then got it correct. Big deal.

File a complaint because the pitcher was imitating a ball player.

Beside, you are using a mat. What a joke!!!

[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.

[Steve M]

ahhhhhhh
Men's slow pitch - I remember why I don't do any of those games anymore - too many participants tell me they really don't want to be there.

Like Mike said - you corrected a call - and I'll bet nobody died.

As for the cursing - it's wrong. But sometimes you need to speak to an A$$hole in a language he understands.

[wadeintothem]

Do what you gotta do to survive beer league BS there Chess Ref!

I wouldnt worry about some laughable complaint; in fact, wear it as a badge of honor. You caused some drooling schmuck to write.

Thats very good work.

[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.