On my way to a 1:30 Babe Ruth Game, Bottom of 6 and then, BAM!!! . . . .

By the books, probably not the right call. But in a youth game, I think it is most definitely the right call! Safety has to come first at all levels, but especially at such a young age.

A player being knocked unconscious should definitely halt a game real fast!

1. How old were the players?

2. Would 10 seconds have really made a difference?

quote:

Originally posted by RenoUmp:

I need feedback on whether I did the right thing in calling the dead ball before all the plays were over.

Thanks.

In my book.... absolutely you did... You had no idea as to the severity of the players injury....but you knew he had been hit in the head and was not moving....

This is where you put the safety of the participants ahead of the playing aspects of the game...You are the sole arbitrator of what is fair and sporting and best for the safety of all the particpants....

Call Time!!!....

Make a mental note of the situation regarding the runners, where they are, and where you think they would have made base safely...

Get aid to the injured player... (only assist if you are a trained first responder)

Invoke rule 9.01 c... which allows you to do this totally supported by the rule book...this is one of the only times you will ever hear me advocate the use of this rule...

Pray that the young man is ok....

Only restart the game, when you are comfortable that you have made an equitable decision and everyone's attention is back in the game....

and Lastly.....

Go home feeling that you did the right thing.....

Since this was a child game, and not the world series...putting the priorities straight is your job...

and you came through with flying colors.....

Good Call....

quote:

But in a youth game, I think it is most definitely the right call! Safety has to come first at all levels, but especially at such a young age.

PIAA_ump beat me to the punch again. He's right.

Here's another way to look at it. When the case comes to trial and you have to testify on your conduct, actions, and/or inactions in terms of the kid who was hurt did you do the right thing from a liability perspective? Sad but true that we need to think that way.

State College, PA 2000 pre-season: A lawyer spent the better part of 1.5 hrs talking to US about OUR liability in regards to the players.

Thanks for the support!!! I feel now, like I did then, that the the call was correct!!!

BTW, the kids were 13 - 15.

BTW, after consideration, the twist is better left undetailed.

Let me just say that even though neither rooting interest had issued with my decision to call the dead ball, I was made to feel that my decision to call the ball "dead" was incorrect - before the next pitch.

quote:

Originally posted by RenoUmp:
Thanks for the support!!! I feel now, like I did then, that the the call was correct!!!

BTW, the kids were 13 - 15.

BTW, after consideration, the twist is better left undetailed.

Let me just say that even though neither rooting interest had issued with my decision to call the dead ball, I was made to feel that my decision to call the ball "dead" was incorrect - before the next pitch.

well, wear that as a badge of honor......you will never regret the decision you made....

Plus, I bet the farm that the person who made you feel that your were incorrect was not the injured players parent......

Let me just say that even though neither rooting interest had issued with my decision to call the dead ball, I was made to feel that my decision to call the ball "dead" was incorrect - before the next pitch.

If I was a snooping type, I'd guess that non-rooter musta been your partner.
As you can see by these posts there's alway that one or two..
And to be truthful, I would certainly stop it as soon as I could, not so sure as quick as you did?

If you hadn't killed the ball, I'd bet, F8 fields it and continues play, as well as a cut off man, F5, and every body else. What you would not see is now R3 jiving and juking in an attempt to draw a further play etc.. kill it then. Mom's gotten just as far, coach too, folks already have there cells out and 91 punched in, the few seconds would not make a differnce.

Unless or course F9 was just embarrassed and ticked off and was laying there pouting.

Certainly HTBT. No one should ever discourage erroring on the side of safety. And I also doubt an umpires been sued for not stopping a play in progress cause some body mightta got hurt..As soon as you can is acceptable.

Then again learn to screen the sun with your glove and make a play out there, your killing me right..

quote:

Originally posted by jjk:

If I was a snooping type, I'd guess that non-rooter musta been your partner.
As you can see by these posts there's alway that one or two..

May I assume that was a slap at me?

One or two what? One or two umpires who would predicate his answer on the age of the players as I indicated?

Varsity and above, let the playing action continue and kill the ball at the end of play. Even 901(c) was not meant to provide an advantage not intended by rule.

Umpires have been sued for on field misconduct including a) not enforcing rules b) not attending to an injured player in a timely manner c) stupidity (fighting with coach/player, etc.) d) not enforcing the ADA (my pet peeve as an example of why I think lots of Lawyers should be shot)

There has not been, according to research done on this subject by insurance companies, one case in which a sports official was held legally responsible for these actions. Moreover, proper enforcement of the rules has been a successful affirmative defense.

This is one reason insurance can be offered at the low rates Referee Mag and ABUA offer.

That said, numerous cases exist where suits were filed that included the official as a defendant. However, the officials were either dismissed from the suit, found not to be responsible or settled out of court.

quote:

May I assume that was a slap at me?

Yes you may. But the other half of "one or two" is me. Not a slap by any means. Simply recognizing to the OP, he was right and that you and I would also be right.

quote:

There has not been, according to research done on this subject by insurance companies, one case in which a sports official was held legally responsible for these actions. Moreover, proper enforcement of the rules has been a successful affirmative defense.

This is one reason insurance can be offered at the low rates Referee Mag and ABUA offer.

That said, numerous cases exist where suits were filed that included the official as a defendant. However, the officials were either dismissed from the suit, found not to be responsible or settled
out of court.

I care not to spar with you. I was very careful in stating what I said. I did not say SUCCESSFULLY sued. I'm no lawyer but I was careful in my wording.

Also, I stand by what I said. Get involved in a lawsuit where you're not being sued but being named as 3rd party. If own your own business like I do then you don't want to miss time from work in depositions, court dates, interviews, etc.

4 yrs ago I was the PU in a Connie Mac game (14-17 yr olds) when a pitcher beaned a batter after the previous batter HR'd on him. The batter dropped the bat and then dropped the pitcher with a fist. All hell broke loose. Myself and my partner took #s and watched. As the pitcher said after the mele was done "it was a fair fight, no harm" well, he was wrong. The Dad of the batter came on the field as 5-6 other players got into it and punched (3rd party, I did not see it) another player. I dialed 911 once I saw the adult on the field (to this day, I carry a cell phone on the field....hidden and silent) Police took my statement and I thought that was the end of it.

Yea, right. I'm a witness. I was interviewed by lawyers for both sides, deposed 2 times (took about 4 hrs each time) and was told to expect a court date. I'm still waiting. I don't know if they settled yet.

I don't and didn't carry insurance because I don't need it. I do my job. However, what I just stated above would not be a statistic for insurance cos. because I did not file a claim since I don't carry liability insurance. I don't need it.

So, having said the above, I thoroughly disagree with your premise. You may think you're all knowing but once again we'll disagree.

The reason I posted the above was not to suggest that any official be lax in the performance of his duties, but rather to address the myths some spread regarding officials getting sued. It is rare indeed and has not been successful.

Do your job according to the rulebook and accepted mechanics training and you need not fear litigation.

Again, I include no personal comment.