Last nights game between the mets and humminbirds was a close one. Down by 2, I led off the last inning with a hit to ss. I ran hard and like most times I can beat out the throws. Needless to say I beat it out but was called out. Just like other base runners hustling down the line, I touched the bag and I motioned a "safe" call with my hands and arms. As that happened my fingertip barely grazed the ump. He then ejected me from the game and I have to sit out the next game, for what? inncidental contact, therefore I am protesting this matter. I immediatley appologized and walked to the dugout without a quarrel. Ok, there has been a few times this year where I am catching when the batter pops up behind the plate, I flip my mask off turn quick, bumped and one time leveled an ump. This is inncidental contact. There is no motive or malicious intent to harm anyone. I am a very peacefull person. I think it unfair I have to sit out a game. I talked to a close freind whom umps. He wonders why the ump was out of position."was he a young guy?" he asked. He was young. This is the fist time I've ever been ejected from a game. I guess there is a first time for everything. Will someone with the knowledge of this matter please chime in and help? Thanks guys. Ryan Johnson 35 Mets 573-2694c rjsstreetsounds@yahoo.com
First of all you were out. I caught the throw and while it was close, it beat you. In the situation , I can see how you felt you might be safe and a (reached on error) there would be a good start to a comeback. With that being said, regardless of the age of the umpire (he was in position) I feel that the contact between the two of you was not malicious by any stretch and you should be given the benefit of the doubt. After all of the other crap that went on, I finally got to ask him about it and he felt that you struck him as if to say "oh come on!". I did hear you say going by him, "I ran so hard to beat that" so maybe he has a point? Regardless, it was not what we would call malicious by any stretch.
While contact with the umps is never good, I don't feel you should have been thrown out in that situation, as the umpire could have laughed it off as incidental. You did apologize and handled a tough situation well. Tough break. Hope this helps your cause.
In Ryans defense, this was a blown call, as the ump called him out before he or the ball reached 1st base, he was ackowledging his hustle with his own safe call. I could not believe he was tossed, and as he said I believe he and I appeal this to Tommy, to look at this matter. There are many occurences in this league where nothing happens when worse offenses occur,
