ASA Pitcher Delay

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Stevetheump

First of all Irish, I don't worry about how a player is going to react.

Yet you posted more than once in a manner which, at least to me, indicates you are. You suggested more than once that you would not make the call that may create a pissing contest with the pitcher.

Second, I am NOT going to stop doing my job. I've been doing my job for over 30 years now and I've gotten pretty good at it.

Congratulations. I'm in my 44th year as I started in 1966 at 14 yo.

Third, I am only making a suggestion here. Instead of getting in to a situation that I KNOW will quite probably result in a player getting ejected, I look for an ALTERNATE way to "do my job" and keep him in the game. An ejection is the LAST RESORT between a player and an umpire.

An ejection has nothing to do with the umpire. Either the player crosses a line or not. The umpire is not ejecting anyone without cause. It has often been stated that umpires don't throw out players, players throw themselves out. In most of the cases, that is a very accurate comment.

I'm not "letting the pitcher get away" with anything. What I'm saying is, I'm using the catcher to help resolve the situation. Don't be caught with "tunnel vision" and see a difficult situation in only one "light." Also, I realize that "personal feelings" play NO part in resolving a protest. I've been involved in MANY protests and in every one, personal feelings played NO part in resolving it. BTW - I've NEVER lost a protest. If I have to, I'll break out the rule book, find the appropriate rule and show the manager. Now, if he wants to argue with the rule book, oh well.....
If a player "baits" me in to how I respond, then I'm playing his game. That's not going to happen. You umpire leagues long enough, you get to know the players - the good ones, the bad ones and the "wannabes." I've been on the field long enough to know to see it (baiting) coming.

Yep, just as I teach it, but you're still talking about what you would or wouldn't do. This isn't about you, it is about the call and whether the umpire's ruling was within the parameters of the given rules.

So far, you have done everything, but answer the question asked.

BTW, since we are keeping score, I've only had one protest and my call was upheld.