Question: How Do I Handle an Injured HP

[Sam]

Posted this on the Umpire's site to no response.

Had a situation a couple of weeks ago. HP had been hit above the left eye by a foul ball from another field on Saturday and opened up a cut that likely needed stitches. Sunday he is wearing sunglasses and does a game for us on the bases...doing a pretty good job. The next game is the semifinal in the tourney and the umpire in question is now the HP. It becomes apparent after my pitcher throws the 1st inning that the only pitch he can see is down the middle....he is not calling pitches on the inside part of the plate...even when the entire ball is crossing the plate. His partner is telling my F4 that he doesn't know where the pitches are missing. I believe that the HP couldn't physically see out of his left eye after being hit the previous day and is likely flinching with his good eye due to the incident.

I knew that his partner, who was the HP the previous game, had already worked four games behind the plate that day.

If I point out the problem, I think I'm screwed:

a) HP refuses to recognize that there is a problem and takes it out on my team
b) HP agrees to switch with BU and he is bitter about working his 5th game behind the plate

The UIC was watching the game, but I really didn't know how to handle it.

Any suggestions?

P.S. I ended up getting tossed for arguing the strike zone instead....dumb move...but I didn't know what else to do....

[jofus]

A left hook to the right eye, so he can't see out of that one either? Then he would have to let the other ump get behind the plate....of course, you wouldn't be around to see it, but it's about the girls, right?

Seriously, about all you could do is suck it up, right? If the UIC is there and doesn't do anything about it, then what can you do? Maybe you could politely approach the UIC and mention it, but that would probably backfire too.

At least he had an excuse for his strike zone

[DonnieS]

>> Any suggestions? <<

Nope.

We have a local blue who is physically disabled, MS I believe. He does the best he can do - and would be outstanding at 10u or 8u, but for some reason, the other blues in the area keep pushing him up, and I actually saw him do high school games and 18u. Two big problems, his disability makes him an obstacle, behind the plate or in the field. The 2nd big problem, not related to his disability, is - he doesn know simple rules - and will not ask for help. He called base runners out for LBR when a pitcher - in the circle - is advancing toward the runner with the hand upraised simulating a throw. His reason - 'coach, you dont know for sure that she is going to throw.'

If I complain about him, and I have , and I have asked him to be removed from my game. Result, the UIC came and did my game, pissed, and we had a long day. One of several reasons we dont play locally - there is no way you can come out - he calls a game - my main responsibility is the safety of my kids and this puts them at risk by him being on the field and they could easily get hurt running into him when he cant get out of the way. If I complain, i look like more of a jerk than usual by not showing respect to a disabled person trying to make a buck. My suggestion - do the 8u and 10u games - leave the faster action games to the others.

[jofus]

He called base runners out for LBR when a pitcher - in the circle - is advancing toward the runner with the hand upraised simulating a throw. His reason - 'coach, you dont know for sure that she is going to throw.'

Is a physical disability a pass for an ump not knowing the rules?

[anonlooker]

Any suggestions?

Get on his good side.

[Sam]

Any suggestions?

Get on his good side.

We were on the 3B side (left eye) ....couldn't see us. He wasn't real experienced....I told my fellow coach that I was going out to the circle to get tossed....standing up for my pitcher....waited (I kid you not) 5 minutes in the circle....finally BU comes over and tells me to break it up....I tell him that I'm waiting for his partner....HP finally tells me to break it up....still from behind the plate....I walk to him and tell him that it was taking me a while because I was trying to tell my pitcher where she should throw the F-ing ball...He said "what?"....my response..."I'm trying to figure out where my pitcher should throw the ball to get a F-ing strike called"...he tells that I will be thrown out if I use that language again...I turn to my pitcher and state...."throw the ball down the F-ing middle." I'm gone.

I figured the first or even second F-bomb gets me a seat in the parking lot...he makes me drop a third one.

HP asks my fellow coach after the game "did he want to get thrown out?" Duh.

[anonlooker]

Sam, that's a classic!
Still LMAO!

Funny how hard it is to get tossed when you want to, and not funny how easy it is when you don't!

[Demonboy]

Any suggestions?

Get on his good side.

We were on the 3B side (left eye) ....couldn't see us. He wasn't real experienced....I told my fellow coach that I was going out to the circle to get tossed....standing up for my pitcher....waited (I kid you not) 5 minutes in the circle....finally BU comes over and tells me to break it up....I tell him that I'm waiting for his partner....HP finally tells me to break it up....still from behind the plate....I walk to him and tell him that it was taking me a while because I was trying to tell my pitcher where she should throw the F-ing ball...He said "what?"....my response..."I'm trying to figure out where my pitcher should throw the ball to get a F-ing strike called"...he tells that I will be thrown out if I use that language again...I turn to my pitcher and state...."throw the ball down the F-ing middle." I'm gone.

I figured the first or even second F-bomb gets me a seat in the parking lot...he makes me drop a third one.

HP asks my fellow coach after the game "did he want to get thrown out?" Duh.

You just became my 2nd favorite coach (after me of course).

[wadeintothem]

There are times when you literally have no recourse.... this is likely one of them.

So, some times you have to get tossed as your only avenue of going to bat for your players.

Sounds like you did what you had to do.

[Sam]

There are times when you literally have no recourse.... this is likely one of them.

So, some times you have to get tossed as your only avenue of going to bat for your players.

Sounds like you did what you had to do.

I really only wanted to drop one very quiet F-bomb and be done with it. He made me drop three, but at least I didn't curse at him and make it personal....I never want to do that.