Working Alone.. one of those plays

[charliej47]

I was working a Slow-pitch tourney, the 4th of July Firecracker in Middletown Ohio, one year and I had to eject a player. The player wanted to argue. I informed the HC that he had one minute to have the player out of the dugout or it was a forfeit. As the team had paid a lot of money to be there, THEY ALL helped him leave.

I called three strikes on him and he did not like any of the pitches. He got argumentative on the third call. I called for the next batter and he refused to leave the batters box. I ejected him and informed the Head Coach the player had to leave.

The HC walked him to the dugout and the player started throwing things out onto the field. He came back out of the dugout. At this point I told the coach he had 60 second to remove the player. The coach and two other players "helped" him leave.

The Tourney director was standing outside of the fense with his phone in his hand ready to call the PD.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by charliej47

I called three strikes on him and he did not like any of the pitches. He got argumentative on the third call. I called for the next batter and he refused to leave the batters box. I ejected him and informed the Head Coach the player had to leave.

The HC walked him to the dugout and the player started throwing things out onto the field. He came back out of the dugout.

Game over. And leave through the VC's dugout.

This is one of the main reasons I quit doing adults ... but from this and other comments, you have a league that's WAY out of bounds regarding what it expects from it's players.

[charliej47]

Mike,

In southwest Ohio except for the finals in tourney games we all do solo for Sow-pitch at all ages.

I have worked more than 5000 slow-pitch ASA/USSSA/NSA games over the years and ejections were only mentioned in men's games.

I still do youth and church league slow-pitch games but have stopped doing any local men/co-ed leagues. I primarily do ASA/USSA/NFHS fast-pitch now.

[DeputyUICHousto]

I've found over the years that working a single umpire in any game is unfair to the teams playing the game. One umpire can't possibly cover enough. Its bad enough when you have two umpires. Unfortunately, most leagues "can't afford" two umpires.

Having said that, when I'm forced to work as a single umpire I try as much as possible to get into the middle of the diamond without being in the way. With bases loaded and a ball hit to the outfield the likelyhood of a play at the plate is minimal. You're more likely going to have a play at 2nd or 3rd. I would suggest moving out in front of the plate somewhere near the pitching rubber offline of where the throw to the plate...if there is one.

I had a situation come up in a single umpire game where an outfielder went to make a shoe string catch with a runner on 3rd tagging up. Just as the ball got to the outfielder the pitcher crossed in front of me. I had no choice but to call "no catch". When the pitcher heard my call he immediately turned to me to object. He also the realized what had happened. He said "I got in your way didn't I"...Yep!

Sucks having to call one man.

[surf24]

Here is a shocker. Our local complex runs all games with one man (or woman) except for when training newbies. Last night I am working and so I always go out to where the action is, by 2nd or 3rd or wherever you know. One of the pitchers actually asked me how many times I planned on doing that. I told him I was sure he wanted me to see the plays........typically it is the other way around with them complaining about the umps NOT moving out from behind the plate.

Just can't win. lol

[MD Longhorn]

Hey DepUIC... email me at mike at imstoday dot com - curious which part of Houston you're in.

[MD Longhorn]

I think that at the younger ages / abilities, 1 umpire can easily call the game if they move around. Any 8U, and all but the very best 10U generally just need 1 - an adult umpire is generally much faster than any of the baserunners and the ball doesn't move very fast either. Above that including adult slowpitch, you really need 2 or you're simply going to miss stuff.