---A WORD (or two) ABOUT EJECTIONS---

Love at First Sight?  Or Pain at First Bite?

(Background:  Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon (right) gets feisty with home plate umpire Mark Barron  after Adrian Brown's  called third strike in the Ninth. 5/5/02)   Jim Baird/(San Diego) Union-Tribune

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Introduction

After writing the below piece, I came across a back issue of Referee Magazine (February 2000).  Part of the front cover contained the text "Talk To Me."  This phrase was followed by  "YOU SHOULD SAY: (A) Nothing;  (B) 'Sit down and shut up!;'  (c) 'I'm listening.'"  Well, I figured I knew the correct answer.  Still, I turned to the appropriate page in the magazine to make sure.  You never know what somebody might suggest, right?  Anyway, as a means of introducing my own take on controversy and ejections, I would like to quote four sentences from the article  found in the above issue of Referee that pretty much sums up the way an official should handle himself during those trying times:

"Nothing can get officials into more trouble than their mouths or even their facial expressions and body language---in a nutshell: how they communicate."

". . . It's arrogant and unnecessary, when a player asks about a call, to snap, 'Don't question my decisions;  just play the game unless you want to get tossed.'"

"Your mouth will almost certainly get you into trouble, no matter how good you are in other aspects of officiating, if you don't speak professionally and with respect."

"No matter how many times your mouth wants to scream out 'Sit down and shut up!' your brain should step up and replace it with 'I'm listening.'"

[All four quotes were taken from an article entitled "Don't Let Your MOUTH Get you Into TROUBLE," by William R. Smith and found in the February 2000 issue of Referee magazine.  If you would like to read the entire article (which I highly recommend), you may go to Referee magazine's website to order a back issue, which costs fifty cents.  To get there, go to the "Blue Links" page on this current website and scroll down until you find the appropriate Referee link].

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KEEP YOUR PERSPECTIVE

An ejection is an unfortunate consequence of any sport.  It implies failure---on the umpire's part as well as on the part of the ejected player or manager.  Nobody wins as a result of an ejection.  Therefore the official should try to prevent such action and use it only as a last resort.  This may require "thickening" the skin a bit to allow an athlete to vent some of the frustration that results from either a truly booted call, or the mere perception by the athlete that a call was in fact booted.  In either case the official should not take it personally when the athlete begins to "go off."  Try to remember that the athlete isn't really reacting to the umpire in a personal way.  Rather he is reacting to the call, and even to the game itself.

We all know that emotions run high during the heat of battle.  So what an athlete says or does should sometimes be forgiven.  We need to have the same kind of patience with the athlete that we have with any other "kid" who is throwing a temper tantrum.  And let's face it, temper tantrums, especially with reference to sporting events, are for the most part "childish."  I mean, all we're talking about here is a single call in a single moment in time that involves a simple form of recreation, which by comparison, is so completely insignificant in terms of the "infinite space-time continuum" thing that to even give it a second thought seems totally absurd.  Right?

"But you still booted the freakin' call, Blue!" 

Yeah, right.  (Sigh).

So all we're left with as umpires is playing "dad," keeping things in perspective to prevent the total disintegration of the entire universe itself.  Amazing what one (freakin') bad call can cause.  (grin) (Marabeas)

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"TO EJECT OR NOT TO EJECT"

Of course, blowing off steam is one thing.  Continuing to blow it into your face long after the athlete has made his point is something else entirely.  At some point you start telling yourself that this guy definitely has to go.  Well, maybe.  Before you convince yourself of that, however, take a moment to read the below article by Carl Childress.  Mr. Childress is an umpire's umpire,  a "professional amateur" if you will.  He is well respected and well read, by professional umpires as well as amateurs.

[The below is taken from: TAKE CHARGE! Baseball Umpiring by Carl Childress, edited by Scott Ehret, Associate Editor, Referee Magazine, February 1992 (second printing)]

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SUGGESTIONS FOR SURVIVAL IN ADULT BASEBALL

Adult recreational baseball is of course a bit more problematic than other levels of ball when it comes to dealing with "touchy" coaches and players.  There are a variety of reasons for this, but there are two in particular we need to focus on.  First, many of the participating players have not only never played organized baseball before, some never even played baseball at all before now.  As a result, some of these guys don't know how to handle their lack of talent and "failures" out on the field.  Even more, many of them don't know how to handle a bad call by the umpire.  They have a tendency to take it personally, forgetting that mistakes, even by umpires, are just all part of the game.  And their sole experience with how to react to it has most likely been learned by watching ESPN highlights, showing people like Lou Piniella angrily uprooting bases and tossing them into the outfield in reaction to an umpire's call.  Not your best role model, that's for sure.

Second, and perhaps most significant, is that we are dealing with grown men who work hard at whatever jobs they do all week long.  When the weekend comes it's their time to unload, unwind, and have some fun.  More important, it's baseball time!  For many of these guys it's the only opportunity to "win" at something that is, for the most part, completely under their control.  Should this be an excuse to act like a psycho in some freak show when things don't go their way?  Not at all.  Still, we need to understand that their reactions may be partly due to their inexperience, and partly due to whatever "demons" have been riding their backs all week long.  Sometimes it's just a matter of having to blame "somebody" for, well, everything.  And of course there's no better target than the umpire.

We can help ourselves to lessen the odds of having a confrontation with a player become, as Carl Childress so aptly put it, "a full-scale riot" by utilizing some simple preventative umpiring techniques.  What follows are some suggestions you might want to consider before going out on the field:

(NOTE:  If you have any other suggestions you would like to share, please email me (Marabeas), or post them on the "Let's Talk Blue" sight).

DON'T "THREATEN" DURING YOUR PRE-GAME CONFERENCE.  "Coach, I'm telling you right now, this is your first and last warning when it comes to complaining about the strike zone or any other judgment calls, blah, blah, blah . . ."  Oooooooookay.  Now, put yourself on the receiving end of that statement and tell me what your initial reaction would be to the umpire who talks to you that way?  Exactly.  You got to figure that this guy is not going to be what you might call "open-minded" when something controversial comes up.  Therefore, as a coach or player, you're now telling yourself that you might as well go after the guy with both barrels blazing when something does happen.  The guy's obviously only got two buttons:  "OFF" and 'EJECT."

DON'T MAKE "PROMISES" YOU PROBABLY CAN'T KEEP.  About four years or so ago I worked with an umpire who, during the pre-game when asked by both managers, said his strike zone was "From the nipples to the knees."  The first thought that came into my mind was, oh-oh.  How does he know that?  The game hasn't even started.  Well, when the game did get underway and the very first pitch was thrown, guess where it was located on the batter, who didn't swing?  Yup!  Right smack at the nipples.  And guess what my partner called?  Yup!  "Ball One!"  And guess what happened next?  Yup!  "Geez, Blue, you said you called the nipples, for crying out loud" hollered the coach from the dugout.  (Sigh).  The result was this, my partner spent the entire game taking pot-shots from both sides about every other pitch.  As painful as that was for him, thankfully he had the kind of disposition that allowed him to swallow his pride and live with it.  He bit his tongue for 9 innings and left the field vowing to never make that mistake again.  A lesser umpire would have been 86ing players until his shoulder fell out of its socket.  Suggestion:  leave your shovels at home.  There's enough holes out on the field to fall into.  You don't need to dig your own.

LET THE COACHES KNOW YOU RESPECT THEIR ROLES.  There's o need to "blow smoke" here.  Simply tell the coaches they are the only people you trust to handle any controversy that may come up.  You're more than willing to talk about anything, but only with them.  In other words, treat them as equals.  That will go a long way in adult baseball, especially when you realize that you may end up needing these coaches more than they need you when something "nasty" happens out there.  By indicating that you respect their positions as leaders there is an excellent chance they will run out onto the field to get between you and one of their angry players.  While this is typically a manager's role and therefore "expected," adult baseball league managers are in reality anything but typical.  After all, and unlike most every other level of baseball, most managers of adult teams are fulfilling the job only because no one else on the team wanted it.  So, if this guy was not only willing to take on that responsibility, but is also willing to take your side by putting himself between you and an angry teammate, then this says a lot about that manager.  Therefore, show him the respect he deserves.  It also says a lot about you and your ability to understand how this whole adult thing works.  Trust me, understanding this early on will go a long way to making your life easier out on the adult fields.

ALLOW THE COACH TO DO HIS JOB.  That is, don't go back on your word.  You told the coach you were willing to talk with him about anything, so when "anything" comes up, let him come out to talk if he wants.  You're job is simple at this point:  simply listen.  If he's a little hot under the collar at the moment, well, so be it.  He'll get over it.  In fact, he may already have been over it when he first came out.  And his only reason for doing so is to let his team know that he will stand up for them, all the while knowing any attempt to get you to change a call will be futile.  Besides, this may simply be his way of lighting a fire under his team, so let him have that opportunity.  Keep this in mind as well:  he may in fact be justified in his complaint.  That is, did you boot the call?  If so, well, then, let him vent a little bit.  You got it coming.

MAKE THE TROUBLESOME PLAYER THE COACH'S PROBLEM, NOT YOURS.  If you got some player or two on your case about the strike zone, or some dude out in left field keeps whining about every call you've made on the bases so far, don't take it upon yourself to stop it.  Throw it into the coach's lap.  And I don't mean by waving your finger at the coach from ninety feet away, demanding he do something with his player.  That will go absolutely nowhere but downhill, especially in adult baseball.  Wait for the right moment, preferably between innings when nobody else is really paying attention.  Then kind of sidle up to the coach and mention in a friendly conversational way that you're a bit tired of listening to his player complain about "everything."  Chances are, the coach is tired of it as well and you're now giving him the opportunity to solve the problem.  Let the coach know that if he's not able to do something about it, you may have to.  As to what that entails there's no need to get specific, the coach will figure out what you're implying.  Generally, this will work and you'll have no more trouble.  There's nothing like peer pressure to solve a problem.  If this doesn't work, well, then do whatever is necessary.  After all, both the coach and the troublesome player had been given their chance.  IF YOU DO HAVE TO EJECT THE OFFENDING PLAYER, let the coach do it for you.  That is, simply call the coach over and ask him for the name of the guy who is now going to be playing left field and batting in the five hole.  When he gives you that confused look, quietly inform him that he needs to send his troublemaker home and you need to know who is replacing him.  No need to get animated about the whole thing.  After all, there aren't any television cameras around, so you're not going to be on ESPN.

BE CONSCIOUS OF YOUR BODY LANGUAGE.  People react to the "signals" that come from your body posture.  If someone is giving you a hard time and you've got your hands on your hips, or clenched into fists at your side with your chin jutting directly into his face, you're telling the guy that you're willing to give him what he wants at that particular moment---a fight.  And you will undoubtedly get one.  To prevent this you might try a couple of body language "tricks" that will help your angry accuser to become too "exhausted" to continue his tirade, or show him that you are unwilling to fall into his trap:

1. Never face your accuser directly.  That is, stand sideways to him with only your head turned in his direction.  This tells him you are willing to listen, but you refuse to go toe-to-toe in a confrontational manner.  If he moves around to get directly in front of you, turn your body casually at the same time.  This will keep him at your side.  This may eventually "tire" him out or make him "dizzy.  At the very least it lets him know you're unwilling to do the "macho" chest-to-chest thing, which may take some of the wind out of his sails.  Even a boxer stops swinging when his opponent just stands there passively.  (You might want to cover your ears, however).

2. If you are doing the bases, put your hands into your back pockets as if you're casually staring off somewhere and enjoying the "view."  (If you're doing the plate, either put your mask under your left arm with your right hand in your back pocket, or put your left hand on your left hip and hold your mask in your right hand casually at your side).  Again, this is non-confrontational and gives the impression that you are relaxed.

3. Keep your face passive (that is, no mouth snarling, eye squinting, or chin jutting)---but do maintain eye contact.  This is very important.  If you let your eyes fall to the ground, or in any other manner refuse to look at your accuser, you might give him the impression that you are weak, nervous, or unsure of yourself, which is like blood to the shark.  He will come in for the kill and you'll have no choice but to defend yourself by ejecting him.

4. Above all, keep quiet and listen.  If you know the guy is justified in his complaint, well, then, let him have his say.  That's probably all he wants.  You will be more respected by those around you for your willingness to "take it" under these conditions than you would if you tossed a guy who is correct in his accusations.  If the guy isn't justified in his complaint well, then, who cares.  In most cases, everybody else there knows he's wrong, too, so let the guy make an ass out of himself.  Again, your willingness to let him go off on you even though he is wrong will make those present respect your ability to tolerate what is obviously a "childish" tantrum.

Finally, keep this in mind.  If you do indicate with your body language you are willing to "fight," your accuser probably won't care whether or not he gets tossed.  In fact, tossing him may give him what he wants---the pleasure of knowing he was able to get to you.  If he does get to you and you toss him, well, he "wins" and you "lose."  I've had plenty of players who've been tossed tell me exactly that---all they wanted to do is see how far that could push an umpire until he finally "broke.".  And breaking an umpire had given them more pleasure than if the umpire had simply listened, ignored their tirade, and kept them in the game.  What it comes down to is this:  Nobody likes being ignored, especially when they are angry.  By refusing to toss an angry player who is almost "begging" to be tossed is the same as ignoring him.  There's no better way to teach humility or to quiet somebody down than that.  Period.

THE CALLED THIRD STRIKE.  This is probably one of the most dangerous moments for umpire and batter alike.  Whether you've truly made a good call, or have rung up a pitch that is a foot off the plate, is for the most part irrelevant to the hitter---and eventually to you.  Either way the batter is  going to be upset.  And usually you're going to hear about it.  Period.  So be ready---or rather, don't be taken in---by what may follow:  the angry glare, which is sometimes followed by a not so pleasant assessment of your judgment.  Rather than returning the glare or providing your own counter-point to his assessment of your inability to see a freight train unless it was about to smack you between the eyes, you might try to avoid a chin-to-chin by following the below suggestions:

1. If it's the 3rd called strike for the last out, immediately take off your mask and walk up the line about a third of the way in the opposite direction of the batter's dugout.  You might want to do a little "paperwork" when you get there.  That is, take out your pencil and lineup card and do whatever it is you do to keep track of the score.  If there's no score to mark, fake it.  If the batter is going off on you, he's going to have a hard time doing it from that distance and will more or less give it up and go back to his dugout, albeit still talking up a storm.  But let him go ahead and blow off some steam, so long as he's heading in the opposite direction.  On the other hand, if he does follow you down the line, at least part way,  just continue to ignore him and go about your business, even if it means going a bit further down the line.  If, however, he's not giving it up and in fact follows you all the way to confront you face-to-face, well, a different tact is in order.  Don't push the ejection button just yet, however.  First, acknowledge his presence by looking at him while keeping your face passive.  (Give him that look your secretary gives you at work when you've unceremoniously interrupted her own work---the look that says, "Yes, I'm here to help you, but this better be good").  Listen to what he's saying.  If he's just gripping about how lousy the call was, no big deal.  So long as he isn't suggesting that your mother had mated with an indigenous life-form somewhere in the bowels of a rain forest, or some other such personal stuff, then let him blow for a bit.  (And getting "personal" with you doesn't include statements like, "That was the worst call I've ever seen, Blue!"  That's not personal.  That's his opinion).  At some point simply hold your hand up and tell him that he's made his point and he needs to go back to his dugout.  Nothing more.  If he continues, do what you must.

2. If it's the 3rd called strike that results in the 1st or 2nd out, don't go marching up the line.  It'll freak everybody out, including your partner.  If the batter starts going off on you,  just remain standing there with your mask on and your hands on your hips in a comfortable, relaxed posture.  Try looking straight ahead for a moment as if he wasn't there.  If he doesn't get the point, look over at him but keep your face passive.  If he continues, again, hold your hand up and let him know you got the point, it's over, back to the dugout, please, let's play ball.  If he does in fact head back to the dugout, don't follow him in a threatening manner even though he may continue to talk to you over his shoulder.  And don't, under any circumstances, respond verbally to what he's saying (any comments about your mother notwithstanding, of course).  If on the other hand he insists on standing there and giving it to you, well, then, take off your mask and do what you must.

IF AN EJECTION IS UNAVOIDABLE,

try to handle it in a professional manner.  And I don't mean in a "televised" professional manner with all the theatrics, like sending out missiles into outer space with your index finger, or any other such ridiculous animations.  The best approach is to call the coach over, as mentioned earlier, to inform him that his player is going home.  If the offending player makes it nearly impossible to get the coach over, then simply inform him that his day is over.  Then ignore him and walk away until the coach can get to you.  In the meantime, take your pencil and lineup card out of your pocket in preparation for doing the necessary paper work.  When his coach does come out, inform him of why his player was ejected (although it may be rather obvious), get the replacement's name, and don't start the game until the ejected player has left the playing field.  (If he is continuing his tirade in the dugout with no obvious intention of leaving immediately, DO NOT go over and threaten him by tapping your watch and telling him he has "this amount of time" to get out.  Again, in adult baseball, that will go nowhere but downhill.  Simply ignore him and let his coach and teammates handle it.  Remember, the game won't continue until he's gone.  That being the case, believe me, you will get plenty of help even from his own teammates in getting him off the field).

THE "UP" SIDE TO AVOIDING EJECTIONS

If you are able to avoid ejecting players, or are able to eject them only when it's absolutely necessary and to do so in a professional and "unemotional" manner, you will obtain the ultimate compliment---THE RESPECT OF THE PLAYERS.  In time players and managers alike will come to realize that you are an umpire with integrity.  Yeah, they may not necessarily like your strike zone or the fact that you won't "bend" the rules even though nobody's looking.  But they will come to realize that you take your job seriously, not personally, and that you are an honest person who will let them play the game with a minimum of intervention on your part.  In other words, they will come to trust you.  And along with that trust will come the kind of respect that will cause them to back off when you hold your hand in the air to indicate you've had enough when things start getting out of control.  And---believe it, because it's true---athletes, like any other "kid," want an umpire who can and will take control in a calm manner when things get a little crazy out there, even those individual players who may be on the receiving end of whatever you deem necessary to obtain control.  Eventually what will happen is this:  When you start showing up to a field to do a game, both the managers and teams are going to be very happy to see that it's you who is there.  That is, they will "like" you (grin).

"HOW TO HANDLE ARGUERS"

[Reprinted with written permission from Referee magazine.  For subscription information contact Referee magazine, PO Box 161, Franksville, Wis. 53216;  phone 262.632.8855;  email: referee@referee.com;  website:  http://www.referee.com]

My Note:  The below was a sub-topic of the main article entitled "Are You Argumentative?," which addressed officials of all sports.  I highly recommend reading this entire article, found in the March 2003 issue of Referee.  You can order back copies of this issue, or any other issue, for less than one dollar.

IMPORTANT REMINDER:  The best umpired game is the one where you haven't been "noticed."  After all, you're job is to officiate a ball game, not to "command" it.  If you go out onto the field wanting to be the center of attention, be careful.  You might just get what you wished for.

(Comments?  Email me---Marabeas)