Scenario 1:
PU calls the batter out on a third strike. The batter did not swing. The batter pounds the bat on the ground, heads towards the bench and then throws the bat towards the dugout.
Comments:
The PU has a couple of options. When the player pounds the bat on the
ground the PU should issue instructions for this type of behaviour to cease immediately. Once the bat is thrown, this becomes an automatic ejection. PU will call "Time. Batter (or number xx) you are ejected from the game". He will go to the coach and tell him that player # xx has been ejected from the game and must leave the park. Also, he will ask for a legal substitution for the ejected player.
Scenario 2:
Batter swings and misses a third strike. He quietly swears and heads directly towards his dugout. He does not turn back to look at the umpire.
Comments:
This is an example of a player who is angry with himself and who is not directing comments at officials or other players. He was talking to himself and not directing comments to either officials or other players. The umpire should not have "rabbit ears" Do not look for trouble. The fact that he is heading to his dugout indicates that he is not interested in causing any problems. Let him go.
Scenario 3:
First two batters have struck out. Third batter has a count of 1 ball and 2 strikes. The manager of the offensive team yells out to the plate umpire, "How much did they pay you umpie?"
Comments:
Is this the first comments made by the coach? If so, then a warning is appropriate or a message delivered to that coach through another adult on the field who is connected with that team.
Is this the first comments directed to you? Then approach the bench and issue a stern warning.
3. Is this the last of a series of comments belittling the officials? Is this one more comment from a verbal coach? Is the comment screamed loudly? Then eject!
The PU will call "Time!" Approach the bench and tell the coach that he is ejected and must leave the park. If the ejected coach is the head coach, then get the name of the coach replacing him as the head coach.
Acceptable verbal warnings should be part of the actions taken by the PU. (e.g. "Coach, that is enough!" or "Coach, no more!" or "Coach, any further comments from you and I will have to take further actions!" Avoid "One more word and you're gone!" At all costs avoid,
"Coach you have 1 minute to vacate the grounds or the game is forfeited!"
Scenario 4:
One out, R3. Batter hits a ball to left field. F7 makes the catch. R3 tags up and heads for home. F2 steps in front of plate, catches the perfect throw from F7 and tags R3 before he touches the plate. PU calls R3 out. Coach from 3rd base calls to PU. "Blue, the catcher can't block the plate. You've got to call obstruction on that play!"
Comments:
The coach is protesting the play, however, he is not doing it in a manner to warrant an ejection. Walk towards the coach. When you are near him say, "Coach, on the play at home the catcher was in front of the base line and tagged your runner before he/she touched home plate. From my position, there was no obstruction. Lets play ball now".
Scenario 5:
R2. Ball hit to F6. F6 bobbles ball but picks it up and the throw to first. F3 has to stretch forward to make the catch, however, the ball arrives before the runner. BU calls BR out. Coach asks for time and approaches BU. He asks BU, "Umpie, would you please check with your partner. I think F3 foot came off the bag when he stretched to make the catch. You may not have been able to see it from your position."
Comments:
The request by the coach was made politely. Every effort should be made to get the call right, therefore, the BU should meet with his partner, where they can talk with no one overhearing them. "Did you see F3's foot come off the bag on that play at 1 st ?" Be sure to ask enough questions of your partner to get across the entire idea of what you want to know. Then, approach the coach and give him your decision. If your partner saw F3's foot come off the bag, the runner is safe. If he did not see F3's foot come off the bag the runner is out. Make any necessary correction and let the defense know what has happened. Then, let your partner know you are ready to play ball.
Scenario 6:
R2 and R1. Ball hit to shallow left center field. R2 advances safely to 3 rd. F4 is standing on the base path. R1 slows down and then runs around F4 in order to avoid a collision. R1 is thrown out on a close play at 2 nd.
Comments:
The 1 st base coach asks BU for time. He approaches BU and asks him why obstruction was not called on F4. BU says, "Sorry coach, I did not see any obstruction on that play." Coach then asks if he would check with his partner. BU checks with PU and neither umpire saw obstruction. BU reports back to offensive 1 st base coach that no obstruction was observed. Inform the coach quietly that you will watch for infractions.
At this point it is "Play ball!" because neither umpire observed an infraction. But, from now to the end of the game, the umpires should pay close attention to runners advancing and possible obstruction.
Scenario 7 (from Reginaconfrontation2007):
A close pitch comes in and the umpire calls the pitch a ball. The catcher holds the ball for 5 seconds after the umpire makes his call.
Comments:
Under no circumstances should you allow the catcher to embarrass you in this way. Tell the catcher quietly that they cannot "frame the ball." (hold it in place for an extended time) and expect that no further action will result. If this activity continues, eject the catcher.
Scenario 8:
Bantam house league game is in the bottom of the 3 rd inning. The score is 3-0 for the home team. The visiting pitcher is having trouble controlling his pitches. He begins to stamp his feet and stare at the umpire after a ball is called.
Comments:
The PU should not allow this behaviour to continue. One way of delivering a message to the pitcher is to ask the catcher, (if they seem to be co-operative and mature) to deliver the message. Call "Time!" Move in front of the plate, bend down and slowly sweep the plate while talking to the catcher. Catch, I need you to tell your pitcher to stop stomping his feet and staring at me, otherwise, I will be required to take other measures." Also, between innings, seek the help of the coach. Encourage the coach to work with the pitcher so that he can regain control of himself. But, if these activities continue, it may be necessary to eject the pitcher. Before getting to that stage, at the next similar incident, call "Time" and trot out to the mound and wave the coach out with you. Deliver the message about controlling anger/actions and then move away and let the coach talk with the pitcher.
Scenario 9:
R1 advances towards 2 nd base on a slow rolling ball to F4. F4 fields ball and now is between R1 and 2nd base, in possession of the ball. R1 stops and backs away from F4. F4 throws ball over R1 to late as the BR advances to 1 st safely. Defensive coach, from the bench, hollers loudly that R1 can't back up. Coach then leaves bench and approaches BU who is still out on the diamond behind F4's position. Coach argues loudly that R1 can't back up and is out automatically.
Comments:
Approach the coach as they approach you. Remain calm and let the coach have his say. Point out that the runner from 1 st has the legal right to stop and to back up, avoiding the tag and that only the BR may not back up to avoid a tag. This reminder of the correct rule may be enough to jog the memory of the coach. If the coach still insists that you are wrong, offer to check with your partner and do so immediately. We know that the call is correct and all you are doing is allowing the coach to calm down and to think. It also shows that both umpires are sure that this is the correct call. Return to the area of the coach and confirm the original call and then "Play ball!" Break away from the coach and return to your position.
Scenario 10:
A house league squirt final game is being officiated by two JD umpires, aged 14. In the bottom of the 2nd inning with the visitors leading 4 - 1, two grandmothers sitting behind the backstop begin to heckle the PU about his strike zone.
Comments:
Heckling is part of the game and as an umpire you should expect it and have to accept it. Many hecklers actually will embarrass themselves if you give them enough time to do so. Listen to the comments. Usually they are from people who do not understand the game or the rules. Some "heckles" can be quite funny to those of us who know what we are doing. As long as the "hecklers" do not swear, throw objects out onto the field or reach over the fence and touch you or the players, ignore them.
Listen to them and enjoy!
If any of the previous happen (touching, throwing or swearing) then you must go to the home team manager (adult in charge) and tell them that no more pitches will be thrown until the "hecklers" leave the park.