Batter out of the Batter's Box

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by BuggBob

“WHAT?! You can’t be serious!”

Now is this time for whatever warning you give. "That's enough" or whatever.

Originally Posted by BuggBob

I was serious, and show Super Tank the footprint he made when contacting with the ball.

I might do this if some player asked me nicely why he was out or where his foot was... but you don't owe this guy this. No need to engage.

Originally Posted by BuggBob

He then insist, “Well show me where the rules I’m out for being out of the box when there was no box.”

Had you warned earlier, here's where he gets tossed. Without the warning, it might still be where he gets tossed. Don't let them talk to you like this.

Originally Posted by BuggBob

He further insists, “You need to draw me a box to prove I am out.”

Now it's definitely time to send him.

Originally Posted by BuggBob

“Well partner, the box is four feet that way,” I point towards second, “three feet this way,” hitching by thumb towards the backstop, “and three feet that way.” I shrug towards third. “That is 21 square feet of batters box you were out of when you hit that ball. Just how far do you think you were away form the plate when you hit the ball?”

His reply, “Oh about Eight to ten feet.”

“Well then unless you have five foot long feet you were out of the box. Do you have five foot long feet?”

Again, had the guy been nice, and had you felt you had the time for a rules clinic, I suppose explaining the dimensions of the box would be ok ... maybe. Why would any good umpire engage in this conversation, especially with someone who's being beligerent.

And if the guy doesn't let it drop after he gets the dugout and is still arguing with you later - there's ANOTHER reason to toss him.

You were WAY WAY WAY too tolerant with this guy, and it's just going to cause problem for your future men in blue.