Just had to share this with everyone.

[DeputyUICHousto]

Calling league slow pitch last Monday. Runners on 1st and 3rd with one out. Fly ball out to right field. Right fielder had the ball hit him in the chest then hits his glove and pops up into the air. He finally lunges forward and catches the ball. I'm BU and button hook inside to see tag up. Runner on 1st leaves on first contact. After ball is caught and returned to the infield, the 1st baseman is yelling for the ball. He gets the ball and say "I want to appeal the runner leaving first base early!". I yell, "Safe" and give the safe signal. He goes ballistic. Other team members also get crazy. They settle down some and the game continues. While this team is preparing to bat the next half inning I'm walking past the dugout and hear him *****ing and complaining. So I call "Time!". I call him out of the dugout in an effort to explain the call to him. I take him farther down the first baseline away from other players. Before I can begin he's already telling me how I screwed up. I just walk away. In the 6th inning he comes to me and puts his arm around me and says "I don't want to argue that call but could you explain it to me?" So I proceed to do so. When I'm done he says, "But the runner must go back and touch the base once the ball is secured by the defender!". I say "No, otherwise the outfielder could 'bobble' the ball all the way into the infield and the runners would not be able to advance."

He then says "No, that would then be an infield fly!". I say "This conversation is over." and walk away.

OMG, my new pet peave is idiots who want to argue a call when they don't even know the damn rule!!!!

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by DeputyUICHousto

OMG, my new pet peave is idiots who want to argue a call when they don't even know the damn rule!!!!

Hell, you are going to be a very unhappy camper for a very long time then

[DeputyUICHousto]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Hell, you are going to be a very unhappy camper for a very long time then

I'm sure you're right!

[IN ASA BLUE]

This is my biggest problem with men's SP. You might have one or two players who know the rules and heaven forbid any of them have actually picked up and read the rulebook within the last few years (if ever). The guy that runs our city league has a mandatory meeting with the coaches/mangers at the beginning of each session. As a board member of our umpire assoc. I have attended this meeting many times. Each team is given a current ASA rulebook, and can have more if they want. After the meeting is over we usually find a few left in the room.

Many of our headaches as umpires would be eased if teams would actually learn the rules and quit relying on myths and "I thought...(fill in the blank)."

Of course I am singing to the choir here...hahahaha

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by IN ASA BLUE

Many of our headaches as umpires would be eased if teams would actually learn the rules and quit relying on myths and "I thought...(fill in the blank)."

Then the, "....but in the Phillies-Braves game last night....." bull.

There is a reason we refer to this as AA ball.

[DeputyUICHousto]

You have umpires who umpire across associations who cross the rule sets up (In USSSA a batter cannot touch first with a bat in his hand but in ASA you can run the bases with the bat in your hands.)

I know we've all heard "But the umpire on that field didn't call me out for stepping out of the batter's box!!!"

One of my favorites coaches "arguments" was: "But Blue, in football that is a legal catch!"

And lets not forget the alcohol factor!!!

But, if you're going to argue a call at least know the damn rule!

[SRW]

Originally Posted by DeputyUICHousto

While this team is preparing to bat the next half inning I'm walking past the dugout and hear him *****ing and complaining. So I call "Time!". I call him out of the dugout in an effort to explain the call to him. I take him farther down the first baseline away from other players. Before I can begin ...

I fail to understand why you felt the need to justify and explain your call a half inning later.

[DeputyUICHousto]

Originally Posted by SRW

I fail to understand why you felt the need to justify and explain your call a half inning later.

It was when his team came in to bat. But you're probably right. I should have just let it go.

[Steve M]

Originally Posted by DeputyUICHousto

It was when his team came in to bat. But you're probably right. I should have just let it go.

Absolutely, you should have let it go. If we won't let a player delve into "call history", why in the world would you - the ump - do that with a player? Were you looking to cause something so you could toss him?!

[DeputyUICHousto]

Did that once years ago...got my man. But I won't bait a player ever again.

[gdc25]

I think.....

that there should be legislation passed that says that you have to pass the umpire exam to be qualified to question any call on the field.

No proof of passing and you even open your mouth, enjoy the parking lot.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by DeputyUICHousto

He goes ballistic.

Ballistic should equal ejection...

I'm walking past the dugout and hear him *****ing and complaining. So I call "Time!".

You did WHAT!?!?!?!

I call him out of the dugout in an effort to explain the call to him.

Gulp. Really? WTF!

I take him farther down the first baseline away from other players.

Holy Effing crap are you kidding me?

Before I can begin he's already telling me how I screwed up. I just walk away.

I would say toss him, but A) he should already be gone and B) YOU started this particular ****storm, so maybe you owe him some leeway.

In the 6th inning he comes to me and puts his arm around me

Get your Effing arm off me and hit the parking lot.

and says "I don't want to argue that call but could you explain it to me?"

No sir. That ship has sailed when I completely inappropriately tried earlier, but even so, no, I'm not going to rehash a call from several innings ago DURING a game."

So I proceed to do so.

Oh. You did, huh. Yuck.

When I'm done he says, "But the runner must go back and touch the base once the ball is secured by the defender!".

What happened to "I don't want to argue."? I've completely inappropriately explained it to you. Now go away.

OMG, my new pet peave is idiots who want to argue a call when they don't even know the damn rule!!!!

This is a NEW pet peeve? Heck, it seems that EVERY time someone wants to argue something it is because they don't know the damned rule. Isn't it?

PS - you're a Dep UIC. You should know better. Way better.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by srw

i fail to understand why you felt the need to justify and explain your call a half inning later.

+12

[DeputyUICHousto]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

PS - you're a Dep UIC. You should know better. Way better.

Actually...I'm no longer Deputy UIC...I've been promoted. And I was working with our former UIC.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by DeputyUICHousto

Actually...I'm no longer Deputy UIC...I've been promoted. And I was working with our former UIC.

Congratulations... but are you implying that you don't see anything wrong with those things? Are these not items you would tell the umpires working for not to do?