Showcase Ejections
 

Was at the Disney Showcase this weekend and there were two situations that I put out here for discussions. One was mine, the other someone else.

Mine:
R1 INT w/ F6, my call. 3BC challenges but to no avail; no problem. Gets another R1 to 2B in same inning and says something to her like, "You obviously need to avoid contact" (slightly sarcastic, but still no problem). Then as I get set for the next pitch I hear "What are you looking at???!! Just play Ball" to either F5 or F6, I'm not sure, but I sure as hell didn't like it.
Is that worthy of ejection? Mind you, this guy was a big ol' boy. Probably a former defensive lineman.

I did not eject, I called TIME and walked over to him and said, "Don't ever speak to a player like that again. Ever!" and walked back.

I hate think what would have happened if the player said, "I'm looking at YOU *******."

Other:
OC doesn't like the way her player ran bases, so did the old grab the player by the face mask and shake well before serving. Ump warns coach. Coach says, "I don't tell you how to do your job, don't tell me how to do mine."
She got tossed.
Warranted?

Coach speaking to an opposing player in the manner you described gets a warning, at minimum, ejection at maximum depending on what was said, prior conduct in the game, general tenor of the game, etc.....


In your second situation, I don't feel that it is my position as an umpire to get involved in that interaction between a coach and his player. You indicated that this was a showcase, so I'm assuming older teenage players that have been in travel ball for awhile. I certainly don't like or condone his conduct, but at that level it's up to the player and/or her parents to stand up to that.

I would have included the word "opposing" before player, but you were right to stop it in it's tracks. Ejection wouldn't have been completely unwarranted if you chose to go there.

2nd sitch, I have no issue with this ejection. I probably wouldn't have said anything about the coaches behavior with his player, but had I done so and he reacted that way, I can definitely see tossing him.

Neither is an ejection. You did right in case 1, but be sure to say " another team's player".

I understand the other umpire's concern for player safety and no violence on the field; but say that only.

Agree with Andy's comments.

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"this guy was a big ol' boy. Probably a former defensive lineman"
Come on! :rolleyes: :o

You guys have these kinds of issues at showcases? Wow.

I probably wouldn't have called Time and walk over to the 3BC. A stern, "Knock it off, Coach," from C would have sufficed for me.

I agree with others that I don't get involved with coaches dealing with their own players unless it goes WAAAY over the top (and doing the face mask shake is not what I would consider over the top). As a parent, I might've had a problem with it and dealt with the coach after the game.

If you weren't sure, you shouldn't have taken any action.

Depends? I would have to see it, but I tend to agree with the coach's statement.

Now, bringing it to the attention of a TD would be another issue :)

And at the Magic Kingdom to boot!
Tinkerbell was nowhere to be found.:eek:

Agree on all three points.

I thought he wasn't sure of F5 or F6.
:confused:

I would not say that aloud, or shout at a coach from a distance anyway.
If at a distance, just "coach! ... " in an advisory tone.

I wouldn't have shouted it. Under the scenario, I would have been at C, probably 40-50 feet away from the coach. Nothing wrong with saying, "Knock it off, Coach," just loud enough for him to hear, IMO.

At that moment in time, right or wrong, I decided it was better if nobody knew what I was saying, except me and the specific party.

But I do appreciate all of the feedback.

To each his/her own, I suppose. I prefer not to attract so much attention, which is what I feel happens when an umpire calls Time, walks over to the miscreant, says something, then turns around and walks back to position. Plate umpires can get away with the "show" by pulling out the line-up card, giving the impression he/she is clarifying the batting order with the coach. But a base umpire can't do the same.

What brand of Beer did he have to
buy for Dave?
:-)

Beer might not be enough. It was one of the host teams :eek: