scotthoffman1977

YOU’RE GONE. Outta here. I’m not listening to that the whole game.

I had someone’s angry grandpa follow me to my car last year because he disagreed with the call I made that ended the game. He pointed an angry, trembling finger at me and said, “The blood of a dozen 9 year olds is on your hands you lowlife piece of shit!” I said, “Wow! I’m so sorry you feel this way. I’m so sorry you’re this angry over 9 year olds playing baseball.” I got in my car and left, but...BLOOD?!?! It was a 9U recreation baseball game...equal playing time, sometimes there are “do-overs”, time out because someone’s puppy ran on the field.

This is where we are!

Great question! If you’re a baseball person this should make sense.

I called a strike three on the inside corner this summer in an 11U tournament game. The batter “scooted” his feet away from the plate as the pitch was delivered to exaggerate the appearance that it was inside. As he walked back to the dugout, a teammate yelled, “Hey next time wear that (or “let it hit you”) so he KNOWS it was inside.”

It took me a second to realize what it meant and I had a good laugh about it. FWIW, the manager of that team scolded the player and apologized to me between innings. I told him I wasn’t even mad, I was impressed an 11 year old thought of it!

It depends on the venue, rule set, etc., but generally speaking the answer is yes. However, it’s a last resort. Part of being an effective official is good conflict resolution. The line between what’s acceptable language and conduct from coaches and parents toward officials has been skewed over the last 10 years, so it’s becoming increasingly difficult to manage. It’s becoming more and more common to see on-duty law enforcement at tournament facilities today out of necessity.

I have. Any official who says they haven’t is a liar. Those moments get fewer and further between as i get older,