ASA Pitcher Delay

[Stevetheump]

Originally Posted by SethPDX

And sometimes making no call at all makes a problem for the umpire in the team's next game. I don't ask myself, "Will I piss off this player/coach?" when enforcing a rule, especially if I'm being shown up, but that's just me.

Seth - I don't do that, either, but there are different ways to handle any situation:
1. Yeah, you can further *iss the pitcher off by calling "ball 4." That will probably result in his getting in your face and you ejecting him. Now, the situation has ESCALATED to a possible forfeit situation. Or,
2. (Again, quietly) say something to the catcher to have him go out and calm down the pitcher. The pitcher is going to be more "receptive" to the catcher than he would be to you. Now, I have DEFUSED the situation. The pitcher gets a chance to cool down. I get a chance to cool down and nobody has (yet) made a decision that they will later regret.
Getting in a *issing contest with players is NEVER a good thing. Being an umpire requires a good working knowledge of the rules, excellent mechanics,
and knowing when to warn & when to eject.
Okay, off soapbox.