interference--who would have called this the same way?

[DownTownTonyBrown]

Job well done, Tap.

I would have liked to hear you say that you also called someone else out. I think it would have been within your authority... and appropriate punishement for his actions.

I don't like bullies. R1's actions were those of a bully. I probably would have taken the attitude of "Oh you want to be a bully? Well, I'll show you how to be a bully. You're out. You're ejected. That's for your stupid actions. Now the fact that your stupid actions affected the defense, your runner going to 2nd/1st, (you choose what you think was appropriate - looks like you probably felt neither was appropriate) he is also out."

You may have seen in another of my posts that I also don't like coaches that try to defend the wrong actions of their players. A coach that does more than a simple complaint about such a call... I feel is condoning and encouraging the inappropriate, confrontational actions of their players - he gets ejected too.

I have received a few scowls from players that feel they have been out-bullied (if anybody would want to call it that). But I have received significantly more thank-you's and compliments for good game control and preventing fight situations. Get involved early.

These are the times when you, as an umpire, can stop a fight - after tempers are so high that the benches are cleared... is too late. You are no longer in charge and just have to wait it out now. Write down player numbers, I guess, for your report.

Excellent job, Tap.

[Edited by DownTownTonyBrown on Sep 8th, 2003 at 05:23 PM]