quietstorm02 wrote:I disagree with how the situation from Sunday afternoon is being characterized. The team I'm associated with was out, so I was observing both games as a fan and I spent time in both stands. For there to be a 40-minute delay over a rule question when it's straight ASA was ridiculous. Play never should have been stopped for that long - it takes 2 minutes to consult a rule book if you don't know the rule already. The job of the umpires is to keep the game moving along based on that book. There were inexplicable ejections of both coaches AND fans. Nothing outside the fences is within the purview of the umpires aside from them being able to restrict coaching from behind the dugout. Technically, umpires cannot even eject fans, but the TD can.
These teams and coaches have known one another for years. Of course there's rivalry, but it's friendly and respectful and there was nothing contentious at all about the setting. I thought a majority of the Reno-area umpires did a terrific job this weekend and I appreciated them being there to work the tournament. I don't know where the umpire in question is based (he was new to me), but I didn't think he was especially good - ok, being candid, he was BAD - and that's only evidenced by the fact that there was probably a double-digit bodycount on ejections Sunday afternoon.
Even with the stakes as high as they were, it's my opinion that the majority of Sacramento-area teams and fans were extremely well-behaved throughout the entire weekend. I'm not trying to play the "high and mighty" card as if my word is some sort of Seal of Approval. I am only speaking up for my people, because of the way things really went down.
Agreed , this was clearly a case of an umpire on a power trip