He spit at me....
 

:eek: So he wasn't happy at a call I made. No big thing the usual SP crying and whining. The game ends,the teams are doing the post game handshake. I'm picking up the softballs and he calls me a son of a b@t%&.

So I eject and I start walking towards the scorekeeper and same player turns and attempts to spit on me. Wasn't even close. Short by 10 feet and wide right. :)

So I do the reports and we'll see what happens....Is attempted spitting on someone a crime ? I know spitting on someone is a crime,not that the DA would prosecute, but was wondering if the attempt would be considered some sort of assault ?

First time I've had something in the physical realm happen to me. Been cussed at and called every name in the book,thats old hat, but for someone to spit at me,well that was kinda strange......

Yes, it's assault, and no, no prosecutor in the world will file it.

Is there a league or something you can report this a$$hole to, that could suspend him, or ban him for life, or have him shot or something? Even I've never been spit at, and I'm sure I've deserved it several times. :D

Is it time for another 'why are you doing beer-league SP?' post yet? :D


Just let me know ;)

Well, for something like that, you could probably forfeit their game. However, this is after the fact. Can you really forfeit a completed game?

Reason why I ask is because some leagues require a "reinstatement fee" if a team forfeits a game. Some leagues even kick teams out of the league who have too many forfeits due to the hassle it's causing other teams.

Why bother at this point? Tell him "thank you", and leave. He's already peeved at you, why make it worse? Now you also have to write a funky report about how you ejected a player during the post-game handshake, and you have to now worry about him spitting on you, or worse.

Jurisdiction starts when you enter the field. You can rule on a protest despite apparent game-ending as long as you haven't left the field. You can (and he did) eject a player as long as you haven't left the field. So, hell yes, you still have jurisdiction over the game until you have left the field.

Even though no prosecutor would pursue it, I would urge you to file a complaint with the local police. It is the principle, and the message that this is unacceptable, that are important.

I agree with that, too. I would have ignored him, without the ejection, unless it was so loud as to be unignorable. But, once it progressed to spitting at you, the guy has anger issues, and needs to learn limits.

You bother because it is unacceptable behavior on a ballfield and, more importantly, to document the event.

BTW, a prosecutor would/should file involving spitting on an individual especially if there were health concerns.

I didn't make it worse. He did. The longer I do this the more of a believer I am not people's personal verbal punching bag. He acted the fool I rewarded him for his behavior and he took it a step further.

There were about 40-50 people who heard and saw his actions. They, other SP players, were upset by his behavior. Even heard one comment " if that doesn't get you ejected nothing will."

Writing a report took about as much time as this latest post of mine. I don't mind it at all. I .usually, volunteer to do it in my other sports because partners would rather be abused then fill out an email that takes less then 5 minutes to write. :rolleyes:

I believe my actions were a no brainer and I wouldn't change my actions one bit. :)

Don't get me wrong guys... I'm separating the actions into distinct things...

After the game had ended:
1. He called you a son of a B.
2. Because of #1, you ejected him.
3. Because of #2, he spat at you.

It was just #1... I would have left it alone. Just leave. No need to stick around and engage in a verbal sparring match after the game is already over. And in my opinion, no need to proceed to #2. Once you do that, now you have to stand there and get his team name, player name, and go through the process.

But you ejected... and he spat at you. Absolutely, without a doubt, no questions - write it up, and submit it. And I tend to agree that the police report is warranted. Nothing may be done, but it sets a history on this guy in case something in the future escalates.

I completely disagree. His actions are caused by a complete disregard for decency, sportsmanship and respect for authority.

I reiterate what I've said in the past. If an umpire ignores this behavior, he only makes things that much harder for the rest of us. If tossing the player requires paperwork, I will gladly take the time to see it done. Paperwork should never hinder an umpire from doing the right thing.

Let's take it a little further...instead of spitting, the player says, "You ought to have your mf *** kicked for making a call like that, you flaking corksoaker."

Is that enough to warrant a police report?

I doubt it since there was no threat.

In NC, the "flaking corksoaker" is still considered "simple assault." Probably in most other states, too.

If you call the cops, it is your last night working. The word will spread among the beer league guys and you are done pretty much IMO.

Beer league guys dont like cops being called.

So call them if you have too, but thats it. Thats your resignation.

Or watch your back BIG TIME.

What if the player is a cop for the town in which he's playing? :eek:

That just makes the experience more enjoyable. :cool:

In what country? This is nothing more than name calling. BFD!

I agree. Stupid laws, but hey, I didn't write 'em. I just live here. ;)

Here's one from DE:

Hey wait, isn't that another thread?

Not unless you're flying the Gossamer Albatross. ;)

And I'm pretty sure that probably isn't the worst.

looks for the downside here...nope

Some local DE ordinances that may directly affect umpires...

It is illegal to wear pants that are "firm fitting" around the waist. (Lewes)
No person shall change clothes in his or her vehicle. (Rehoboth Beach)


Just thought you Delaware guys should be informed! :D

Looks like someone found my source: dumblaws.com :D

No, mine came from http://www.bitoffun.com/Stupid_Laws.htm

Actually, the one in Rehoboth Beach is quite a sensible law for a beach resort.

In the SP leagues I do, approx 150 games per season (when HS baseball is over), an ejection is a 2 game penalty- which, if after the game but still on the field, means the next 2 games. By NOT ignoring the action, 2 things happen:
1. All those players now know what they can do to you, plus free shots postgame
2. Other umpires now have to deal w/ potential probs that you didnt

Announcing "You're Gone!" is not a verbal sparring match....and trust me on this, ejecting the player DOES send a message that other players see, and most remember..who wants to sit 2 games of a 10 game season?

Man up, grow a pair, and deal with the sich....Oh, and I probably toss maybe 2-3 per year, basically cause the players recognise who they can push, and who they cant.....

Ha!

Thats what I thought.. for my um "resignation".

:D

Interesting that in one WA town it is illegal to ride an ugly horse.

The name of the town?

Wilbur. aka Willlllbuurrrrrrrrrrrr

A horse is a horse, of course ofcourse...

But officer, that's no horse; that's my wife!

Who in at least one state cannot drive a car unless there's a man walking in front, waving a red flag.

But she has to be in front! How else could she pull my wagon?

Well, in Milwaukee, you can't park long-term on the street... unless you have your horse (or wife, in this thread) tied to the car.

Also, no offensive-looking people on the street in Milwaukee during the daytime.

*sigh* My hometown is weird.

That must mean everyone worked the night shift :D

Damn, my dad wasn't that ugly!

Actually, he was a cop, so I'm sure he saw plenty of the freaks at night.

I know this is an old thread (I'm sorry), but a situation happened to me tonight. I'm a rookie ump in city league SP. A little background: This was the 3rd game tonight that I umpd for this team (end of season tourny and this is the championship game and about 11:15 at night). This guy is the pitcher of the game and he has voiced his disgruntlement (real word?) of some of my ball/strick calls. Two innings prior I call him out on a obstruction call (he hit the first baseman's glove knocking the ball free) while reaching first base. Last inning of the game he hits and I call him out at first on a bang/bang play. On his way back in my direction he yelled he was safe and I informed him it was that close (two fingers close together on my left hand). As he passes me he lets me and everyone in the park know about my intelegence level and something about my sexual involvement with my mother. I eject him and he comes after me. The first baseman and first base coach hold him back (just inches from me) and he spits right in my face (I'm glad I wear glasses). I didn't respond, didn't do anything but step back, wipe off my glasses, and wipe off my face. As I left the field I told the league official what he did and contemplated pressing charges (I'm not going to). Has this happened to anybody else and if so what did you do?

Yeah I've had that happen.... player took a 2 year ban from the league (to avoid assault charges...guess they taking spitting pretty serious down here) plus the parks director witnessed the whole thing. BTW I called my guy out for interference not obstruction on the whole "knocking the ball free from the glove thing" and called the female out who was running to third for the second out of the play. (dude, i coulda ran to first took the ball away and threw her out.... why she was running on a non-force only god will ever know. well him and wade. ;)

As CNB has mentioned, your call on knocking the ball out of the glove should have been "interference," not "obstruction."

Why are you not going to press charges? I would do it in a heartbeat. Are you going to send the message to this guy that what he did is okay? Are you going to let him do this to future umpires? He deserves to feel the repercussions of his actions, IMO.

I'm with Skahtboi on this one - something MUST be done. If you intend to continue umpiring and NOT be a doormat for the rest of your career, you need to show this guy (and everyone else) that this behavior has no place on a ballfield, or anywhere else for that matter.

Look, no one likes to be the bad guy, yet there are times when you have to stand your ground. If it had been another umpire instead of yourself, you'd expect him to press charges, wouldn't you? So why should it be any different if it happened to you?

I'm with the others. You should not hesitate to call the police (even right now).

Next step, take some time and learn officiating and the rules; you do not know them. Walking out and pretending to call balls and strikes is not enough; you are going to keep getting into trouble. IMO, They smell blood in the water because they know you dont know what you are doing and it is helping instigate trouble.

Now, call the police and your UIC and press this at every level you can.

Come on, guys... Let's be supportive... :)

I thought we were being supportive. :cool: Of course, Wade is just a little more abrasive in his support. :D

Like sandpaper on a jockstrap. ;)

Just kidding, wade.

But seriously, azgreg, the best recommendations that any of us can make would be to pursue this matter further, as well as pursuing umpiring further. Yes, you're new, but so was I many years ago. So was Skahtboi, and so was wade (though he won't admit it). We all were.

So get in some umpiring clinics, stick around on this forum (and don't take anything personally), and keep at it. You'll learn, you'll grow, and before long, we'll be seeing you around the circuit.

I agree, this is supportive - Wade's just a bit more blunt, not abrasive.

Greg,
As a rookie ump, start keeping a journal/diary of strange stuff that happens & how you ruled, results, ... Do that with this, then look back at it in a couple of years. I suspect that your response after a couple more years of umpiring wuld be much closer to what you hear folks here saying.

Now, grow a set, report this and make sure that league & tournament & your association know you've reported it. If they choose to accept that as a resignation, F*** them. At that point, your association should let that group go without umpires.

HA!

Man, most of you would be hard pressed to make the mistakes I've made umpiring. But no one beats up an umpire for making an error more than I beat myself up. It can last days and weeks! :D

This is very blunt, almost to the point of insult. There is no evidence that he does not know the rules (any less than any rookie ump would). I think he handled the situation very well. He made his calls with conviction and pulled the trigger on ejection when it was deserved. I find the terms Interference and Obstruction very ambiguous. What finally helped me is remembering 'interference is what A-Rod did when he yelled at the Blue Jays' IF this year'. I told myself that on the field sometimes, so I knew what I would be calling.

The one suggestion that I have to the OP is not to respond to players' comments on calls. When you told him "it was _that_ close", it does nothing but prolong the exchange. It is more professional to let it go and move on, even in a friendly league. Also, you must report this incident. The pitcher is a lunatic and some time away from the game will help him to appreciate the privilege of playing on your diamond.

Thanks for the responses guys. There is a ASA clinic here in January and I intend to be there. As I thought about what happened last night and read through alot of this forum (great forum by the way) untill about 5 in the morning, I decided that instead of doing the easy thing and saying this isn't worth it I am resolved to use this as a reason to push on and become a better ump. Wade, I appreciate the comments (as harsh as they may be), but I understatnd that you can't fix something if don't know it's broken. Again thanks guys.

P.S. How's that for the first 2 posts?

Its not screwing up that makes you a bad umpire; its when you dont learn from it! Get in that book! Imagine "why" the rule is there and learn it!

Welcome to the blue!

I think every one of us that is a trainer at any level tells new umpires to start with definitions. It really doesn't matter what the dictionary meaning and similarities are between interference, obstruction, hindering, or impeding; the bottom line is that interference and obstruction are defined terms.

It should be simpler than using A-Rod. How about "Interference is the act of an offensive player or team member ..." and "Obstruction is the act of a defensive player or team member ..." ?? Maybe I'm over-simplifying it, but why is that hard to remember? Any harder than remembering which team is on offense and which is on defense??

Good couple of first posts.
I'm going to assume that AZ refers to Arizona - we've got a couple of regulars from that state that you might want to think about contacting.

I'm sure I can come up with quite a few doozies from my rookie years! We all make them, and wade is right: make those mistakes, but learn from them. That's the only way you'll make it.

Both acts involve interference in the literal sense. Obstruction suggests a physical act but it doesn't have to involve contact. Neither does interference. Part of the problem is that in my first couple years I didn't see it enough to solidify the meaning. This year (4) I saw both several times.

Someone call me?????:confused:

I want to address the bold above. An official doesnt always have to have the last word. You didnt need to say "it was close", he already knew that, and maybe that egged him on some more, though my guess is he would've continued on until the ejection.
Letting a player ***** a little, without taking abuse, can be part of good game management, especially in SP.

I second what archangel says.. if a player wants to throw an “I was safe!” in my general direction on his way back to the dugout after I have called him out, so be it.

He is still out, and since he is heading to the dugout he is reluctantly accepting it, he is just frustrated. So fail to hear his opinion and the game will continue without incident. I am not saying you should take insults etc., but if all the player does is differ with your call, well, let him! Now if he is still yapping about it an inning later I am going to give his coach a chance to take care of business. If I still hear him, I will take care of business. At this point the player has basically thrown himself out.

Don’t take personal insults or attacks, but remember that the player simply believing they are safe when you have ruled them out is neither of these. Allow the player his opinion as long as he is leaving the field, don’t take it personally, and you will have a much better game.

Catching up on your reading, UmpErnie??? :cool: