OK, my OCD tendencies got me riled up and continued on my search about whether this guy acted OUTSIDE the rules, forget about reason. Remember he was on 3rd.
Umpires SECTION 6. Game officials are the umpire-in-chief (plate umpire) and one, two, three or five field umpires. [VIDEO=][/VIDEO]
Umpire-in-Chief SECTION 7.
The umpire-in-chief has sole authority to forfeit a game, and has jurisdiction over any rules matters not assigned to the field umpire in 3-8. The umpire-in-chief’s duties include those covered in 3-6 and also the following: a. Call or indicate “Play” to start the game, “Time” when the ball becomes dead and “Play” when play is resumed; b. Call and count all balls and strikes (see 3-6-f) and give a clear visual and verbal indication of all strikes; c. Make all decisions on the batter; d. Determine fair and foul balls; e. Announce each substitution or have this announced through the publicaddress system; f. Have the lights turned on when necessary for safety reasons. Whenever possible, this should be done at the beginning of an inning; g. Call the game when conditions become unfit for play and when the last out is made; h. Eject a player, coach or team member; i. Clear the bench. “Clear the bench” means the affected participants must leave the dugout area; however, these participants remain eligible to participate in the contest. j. Penalize for rule infractions; and k. Forfeit the game for prescribed infractions by spectators, players, coaches or other persons subject to these rules (see 5-12).
And just for grins, did any of them give an official warning before his theatrics?
Official Warning SECTION 57. An "Official Warning" is a warning from an umpire that carries the words, "This is your official warning. If you continue, you will leave me no option but to eject you." Slang terms such as, but not limited to, "knock it off;" "that's enough;" "don't say anything else;" or, "I've heard enough" do not constitute an official warning
Maybe there is an escape clause for him somewhere in the book..... There are 181 used of variants of the word eject.
One interesting cover all rule for FIELD umpires is as follows:
Field Umpire SECTION 8.
......or in ejecting any player for unsportsmanlike conduct or infractions as prescribed by the rules. This does not seem to cover coaches.
Might that be limited to umpire-in-chief? Like I said a big book.
More double speak follows:
d. Any umpire shall eject any player, coach, manager or trainer for violations of the Coaches’ and Players’ Code of Ethics (see page 8).
Coaching/Players’ Ethics 1. It is the coaches’ duty to be in control of their players at all times in order to prevent any unsportsmanlike act toward opponents, officials or spectators. 2. Coaches are expected to comply wholeheartedly with the intent and spirit of the rules. The deliberate teaching of players to violate the rules is indefensible. 3. Coaches must teach their players to respect the dignity of the game, officials, opponents and the institutions that they represent. 4. Coaches must confine their discussion with the game officials to the interpretations of the rules and not challenge umpire decisions involving judgment. 5. “Bench jockeying” will not be allowed. Coaches are to prohibit bench jockeying, which would include personal and malicious remarks, cursing and obscene language toward opponents, umpires or spectators. 6. Coaches must refrain from any personal action that might arouse players or spectators to unsportsmanlike behavior. 7. Coaches must expect from the umpires a courteous and dignified attitude toward players and themselves. 8. Coaches must seek help from school administrators in controlling unruly students and spectators.
Number 7 is interesting for sure.
Was there ever any indication that Coach was not complying with number 4? Never heard. Was he in conversation with the umpire-in-chief when the the village idiot tossed him? If it was ejection worthy why not let the UIC make the call after the appropriate warnings? Need to see a copy of the following:
Umpires must file an ejection report with the offending team’s conference administrator and/or athletics director, if applicable.
Wonder if that is covered by sunshine laws?
Ok, I am now eye weary, but letting these kinds of issues skate just irritate me.