Run Ahead Rule

[Steve M]

Originally Posted by Ref Ump Welsch

I thought about reporting him as ejected as soon as I got to the table, but knew he'd be right back in the next game because there would be no penalty for being ejected during the tournament. Plus, the TD was an older guy who's been around the game ever since it was invented (or so it would seem) and was known for really reaming players out for abusing umpires. I think the threat of spending the rest of the tournament outside of the complex really hit the kid. Besides, the TD was also the state director so there would have been some potential for the kid to have more problems down the road.

Added note: we never had problems with the kid ever since, because he was told if he ever acted like that again, he'd be done in USSSA softball.

I'm of the opinion that you just left a mess - potentially with every player and coach present - when you failed to eject someone who earned an ejection. That mess will get larger and will need to be cleaned up by another umpire at a future time - and maybe even in a situation a bit more escalated than your's was. Thanks - greatly appreciated.