Just a couple of facts for the record.

 

1. Danville has had FOUR baseball ejections this year. They aren't the angels you are making them out to be.

 

2. Danville only has 2 other ejections for the entire school year from any sport. One in soccer and one in basketball.

 

3. To my knowledge, the umpire that tossed the catcher has zero ejections on the year before this one. He also officiates basketball. Out of 35-40 basketball and 35-40 baseball games, he has one ejection. Doesn't sound like he has a quick trigger.

 

4. Lefty, you were not on the field, so I am guessing that you are taking the side of the player or coach that told you that the umpire initiated the conversation. Likely, they are going to tell you the story that they want you to here. I know the umpire and he has told me the other side of the story saying that the player was cussing at him, saying to him that it was a bunch of "BS" that the game is going the way it is going. The ump told him to "cool it... or else". The player was too immature to heed the warning and gave another barrage of profanity. Then got tossed. That is the umpires side of the story. Now that we know both side.... it is kinda a tossup. Given that Danville has 4 ejections from one sport in one year, I know where my beliefs will fall.

 

Danville, have a good summer.

 

You need to make sure you have your facts straight!! Danville's only baseball ejections this year were in this final game (check the KHSAA website). I was at the game and did talk to this umpire and he told me that the catcher did not use any profanity. I guess he was just tired of all the complaining.

 

So, if what you wrote is true?? Either you bgpreppy or I were lied to about what really happened.

I did not see the game. I do not have a dog in the hunt (so to speak)

 

But I noticed you did not seem to take into account the umpires actions at all in your critique. That makes it a rather one-sided observation by you. Not that you don't absolutely have that right, I just feel it's fairer to at least acknowledge both sides of an debate if wanting to be seen as unbiased.

 

As an umpire especially (you not me) I personally feel it is VERY unfair for you to throw out the idea that these kids could be "bad attitudes". I don't feel there is any need for HS kids to have that label thrown out at them - especially if you have no other knowledge of their behavioral history.

 

Your belief that "Heightened emotions in postseason necessitate lower tolerance levels by umpires to insure that they keep games under control." is not exactly what I've heard, seen, or experienced from many umpires. Good umpires always seem to keep control of games (with or without heightened emotions) by maintaining a consistent pattern of actions, diffusing rising emotions professionally, ignoring or removing hecklers etc., and especially making it a point NOT to engage players or coaches or even get close enough for them to vent something at the ump. Engaging players & coaches when emotions are high is just plain dumb - it begs for a confrontation. I feel an umpire with a tolerance level issue needs is not an especially great umpire - 100% human, but not a great umpire.

 

just my view

 

Woody Jr

 

Woody Jr,

Like you, I was not there. While expressing my viewpoint on what MAY have happened, I realize that I am trying to simplify a complex situation. And,you are correct, I did not consider the actions of the umpires that may have worsened the situation, I was trying to defend them. I hope that my fellow "blues" did not make matters worse by publically "showing" players or coaches up as described, but you are right, it COULD have happened. I just assumed that it didn't, due to the fact that the umpires chosen to do semi-state are usually the highest rated umpires (by the coaches) in their respective regions and they are "chosen as much for attitude as aptitude". (The previous quote is contained in the notification e-mail sent to semi-state umpires from the KHSAA). HOWEVER, umpires are human beings (contrary to popular belief ), and everyone loses their cool on occasion, even experienced umpires that SHOULD know better. I just did not think that scenario was likely, but I should have mentioned it as part of my earlier response. The part of this story that we don't know, are the events that lead up to this particular inning. The ejections (and the so-called) inappropriate responses by the umpires did not happen in a vacuum. Did previous actions from the start of the game (or the previous game) by the player(s) and coaches discussed contribute to the described "over the top" reactions by the umpires? I would wager that it did. One point I would like to comment on. Posters on different threads always refer to actions by umpires such as, "A good ump always does this, and a good umpire always does that". There are no absolutes in dealing with "situations", every situation is different in some way. There are absolutes, but not in player/coach/umpire "situations". Getting off of my soapbox here,I will agree that umpires DO make mistakes and sometimes add to situations instead of diffusing them. We're not perfect(as most of you know very well) , even though everyone expect us to be. And, I did not mean to disrespect your team with the "bad" attitudes remark,but considering the information provided by bgpreppy, four ejections in a calendar year for the team (which is high by HS standards), coupled with the umpire's ejection record, lends even more credence to my viewpoint about player/coach attitudes during the game. But, agreeing with your earlier statement, we would have had to been there...and still we might not know enough to judge either the players or the umpires.

Woody Jr,

Like you, I was not there. While expressing my viewpoint on what MAY have happened, I realize that I am trying to simplify a complex situation. And,you are correct, I did not consider the actions of the umpires that may have worsened the situation, I was trying to defend them. I hope that my fellow "blues" did not make matters worse by publically "showing" players or coaches up as described, but you are right, it COULD have happened. I just assumed that it didn't, due to the fact that the umpires chosen to do semi-state are usually the highest rated umpires (by the coaches) in their respective regions and they are "chosen as much for attitude as aptitude". (The previous quote is contained in the notification e-mail sent to semi-state umpires from the KHSAA). HOWEVER, umpires are human beings (contrary to popular belief ), and everyone loses their cool on occasion, even experienced umpires that SHOULD know better. I just did not think that scenario was likely, but I should have mentioned it as part of my earlier response. The part of this story that we don't know, are the events that lead up to this particular inning. The ejections (and the so-called) inappropriate responses by the umpires did not happen in a vacuum. Did previous actions from the start of the game (or the previous game) by the player(s) and coaches discussed contribute to the described "over the top" reactions by the umpires? I would wager that it did. One point I would like to comment on. Posters on different threads always refer to actions by umpires such as, "A good ump always does this, and a good umpire always does that". There are no absolutes in dealing with "situations", every situation is different in some way. There are absolutes, but not in player/coach/umpire "situations". Getting off of my soapbox here,I will agree that umpires DO make mistakes and sometimes add to situations instead of diffusing them. We're not perfect(as most of you know very well) , even though everyone expect us to be. And, I did not mean to disrespect your team with the "bad" attitudes remark,but considering the information provided by bgpreppy, four ejections in a calendar year for the team (which is high by HS standards), coupled with the umpire's ejection record, lends even more credence to my viewpoint about player/coach attitudes during the game. But, agreeing with your earlier statement, we would have had to been there...and still we might not know enough to judge either the players or the umpires.

 

 

:thumb:

 

Like I said, Im not involved with either team.

As we can see from the posts there are conflicting so-called "facts" - as usual

 

Take care

 

Woody Jr

I thought all this fussing back and forth was pretty funny until I read the post that the catcher used foul languge. I have known him since he was 13 years old and I can say that if he did this it was his first. I happen to believe the opposite. He is a very good kid very repectful of the people he's around. I can't even start to imagine that he used foul language. The game is over and Catholic is in the playoffs. Danville has a excellent team and will be good next year as well. Good luck to Paul Morse and his team.