umpire question

Question
QUESTION: My son is playing on a 10-11 yr old rec. team. In a recent game, the field ump was standing between the short stop and his view of the batter. IF the batter hit a line drive, the ump would jump out of the way and the short stop would not be prepared to catch the ball since he's not able to see the batter. A parent spoke to the Coach, the Coach spoke to the ump, and the ump told him he could stand anywhere he wants on the field. The parent continued to voice his opinion, and the ump threw him out of the ballgame. He left the field of play. The ump wasn't satisfied with this and called the Police to make him leave the Park completely. I would love your opinion. The parent goes to a board meeting Monday night to determine if he's allowed back on the property for one year.

ANSWER: My guess is that emotions flared and there's likely more to that story. The umpire is correct in that he should use good mechanics by positioning himself to make the best possible call. After all, if he's out of position and makes a wrong call, he would have been bashed for not being where he should have been. On the other hand, almost every umpire will make an attempt to accommodate a fielder by avoiding standing in his way. But the key here is that the fielder should politely ask for the ump to take a step in either direction, and most likely he'll comply. Of course, the fielder (in this case the shortstop) can also easily reposition himself so that his view isn't blocked.

I fear that the parent getting involved probably didn't help the situation. He or she is not a coach, and therefore has no right to object to anything, either directly or indirectly. Granted, the ump's reaction may have been too severe, but I'm not sure since I wasn't there. But I know firsthand how sometimes parents get way too worked up over their kid's baseball game. This may not be the case in this particular situation, but it sure has that ring based on your description (especially if someone had to call the police).

Mike F.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: If the umpire is positioned behind the baseline, wouldn't that be the best position? I'm confused about how he is able to make a call when his back is to the bases. He is watching the batter..I thought that was the homeplate umps call!?  The shortstop has been taught by his parents to never communicate with the Umpires...Respect. This is the coach's job to communicate with the Umps. The shortstop did reposition himself, so he was then playing out of position. In order for him to see, the shortstop was playing next to the third baseman! The shortstop is eleven years old and weighs 90 lbs.  For the ump to do what he did showed who the real "grown-up" was in this game!

Answer
The ump positioned inside the baseline on the infield grass (facing the batter) is usually the best position. He can easily see a play being made to all three bases, and he can help the plate umpire with any calls he may need help with (such as a check swing, etc).

The parents taught the shortstop incorrectly. True -- he should never argue with the umpire -- that's the coach's job. However, it's very common for a fielder to ask a base ump to reposition.

Again -- I can't comment on whether the ump overreacted, or whether the parent stepped in when they shouldn't have, or maybe a little of both. In my humble opinion, everyone -- umps, coaches, parents -- need to remember that the game is for the kids, and theprimary goal should be for them to have fun. Sometimes us adults get too wrapped up in the game and forget that important aspect. End of editorial. :)

Mike F.