Gentlemen - I too am dissapointed in the conclusion of the Orioles-Silver Marlins Championship Series. I was given the enormous responsibility of putting together a cohesive, professional umpire association on the fly, when the previous umpire group dropped our leagues, three days before the start of the 28 season. A group of seasoned veterans, and less experienced, but dedicated and hardworking hustling guys stepped forward. Obviously, not a perfect science, and subject to availability of these individuals.

Unfortunately, due to committments (working other games), I was unable to attend Game #2 of the Championship Series. I must preface my remarks by saying that I am relying on eye-witness accounts of what transpired from League Officials, spectators, players from the league in attendance, players involved in the game, and of course the umpires. By all accounts, I have heard, the umpires were justified in their actions, and I support their decision 100%. If anyone has a problem with this year's officiating, or particular individuals, I would appreciate their input and feedback.

From what I have been told this Umpire Crew, (which was assigned with the help of ENYUA President Bob Jesmain), was Umpire in Chief, John Gardner and Field Umpire, Bob Devaren. Both are experienced at the collegiate level, and bring a combined 25 years experience to the game. The feedback I received from those at the game, said the umpires showed a great deal of restraint, tolerance and extended a long leash before the ejection and forfeit took place. They exercised diligence and dutifully made their decision, no matter how unpopular. Keep in mind that the umpires are guys like you and me. They have jobs, family commitments and oustide concerns, and use the time on the field, as we do - a chance to participate/play a game we all love. These guys aren't perfect, and while every effort is made to get each pitch correct, and all the outs and safes 100% right, we know that this doesn't happen at the MLB level. Can anyone who plays this game say the've never made an error, physical or mental, or a base runnning blunder or struck out?? Shouldn't the umps be able to have a bad one?? The try every game to bring their "A+" Game, but with a season of 150+ games, and the aforementioned outside the game responsibilties, I can assure you, it's not the piece of cake may may seem to think, and I would challenge and welcome anyone to join our ranks to find out first hand what it's like on the "other side". We hope that we will get the best effort each game. What they do effort to do is provide rules/game knowledge, hustle, integrity, game mangement and professionalism every time they step on the field. They have tried to be cordial and approachable, and interact with the players in a manner that sets a good tone for both players and umpires. They are not averse to having calls questionned or argued - hell, it's part of the game. Let's just go about it in a manner that does not go over the line. They're not out here for a paycheck, or to stroke their egos - they are here the same as you and me - FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME! For that they should be respected.

With regard to Saturday, it was unfortunate that such a decision had to be made. No umpire want to have to make a call that is the deciding factor in a game, whether a bottom of the 7th, 2 out game tying, or game winning run being punch out, or the worst possible case as we saw happen Saturday. As a point of reference, they exercised good judgement, based on the following MSBL and MLB Rules:


10. CODE OF CONDUCT
Prohibitions
Managers and players shall conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner at all times. No manager or player shall commit the following:
Lay a hand upon, shove or strike, or threaten an official. Players and managers guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall remain suspended until his conduct is reviewed by the board of directors. Players and managers guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension for the remainder of the season or expulsion from the league for life.
Refuse to abide by an official’s decision. Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall remain suspended until his conduct is reviewed by the board of directors. Players guilty of such conduct shall be subject to probation or suspension for the remainder of the season.
Be guilty of objectionable demonstrations of dissent at an official’s decision. Players and managers guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension from further participation in the game.


4.07
When a manager, player, coach or trainer is ejected from a game, he shall leave the field immediately and take no further part in that game. He shall remain in the club house or change to street clothes and either leave the park or take a seat in the grandstand well removed from the vicinity of his team's bench or bullpen. If a manager, coach or player is under suspension he may not be in the dugout or press box during the course of a game.

4.08
When the occupants of a player's bench show violent disapproval of an umpire's decision, the umpire shall first give warning that such disapproval shall cease. If such action continues_ PENALTY: The umpire shall order the offenders from the bench to the club house. If he is unable to detect the offender, or offenders, he may clear the bench of all substitute players. The manager of the offending team shall have the privilege of recalling to the playing field only those players needed for substitution in the game.


4.15
A game may be forfeited to the opposing team when a team_ (a) Fails to appear upon the field, or being upon the field, refuses to start play within five minutes after the umpire has called "Play" at the appointed hour for beginning the game, unless such delayed appearance is, in the umpire's judgment, unavoidable; (b) Employs tactics palpably designed to delay or shorten the game; (c) Refuses to continue play during a game unless the game has been suspended or terminated by the umpire; (d) Fails to resume play, after a suspension, within one minute after the umpire has called "Play;" (e) After warning by the umpire, willfully and persistently violates any rules of the game; (f) Fails to obey within a reasonable time the umpire's order for removal of a player from the game;



4.15 (e) seems most applicable

Official Rules: 9.00 The Umpire 9.01
(a) The league president shall appoint one or more umpires to officiate at each league championship game. The umpires shall be responsible for the conduct of the game in accordance with these official rules and for maintaining discipline and order on the playing field during the game. (b) Each umpire is the representative of the league and of professional baseball, and is authorized and required to enforce all of these rules. Each umpire has authority to order a player, coach, manager or club officer or employee to do or refrain from doing anything which affects the administering of these rules, and to enforce the prescribed penalties. (c) Each umpire has authority to rule on any point not specifically covered in these rules. (d) Each umpire has authority to disqualify any player, coach, manager or substitute for objecting to decisions or for unsportsmanlike conduct or language, and to eject such disqualified person from the playing field. If an umpire disqualifies a player while a play is in progress, the disqualification shall not take effect until no further action is possible in that play



9.04
(a) The umpire in chief shall stand behind the catcher. (He usually is called the plate umpire.) His duties shall be to: (1) Take full charge of, and be responsible for, the proper conduct of the game; (2) Call and count balls and strike; (3) Call and declare fair balls and fouls except those commonly called by field umpires; (4) Make all decisions on the batter; (5) Make all decisions except those commonly reserved for the field umpires; (6) Decide when a game shall be forfeited




Jim Preller referred in an earlier post to a Code of Conduct, which was forwarded to me earlier in the season. It is my understanding, that this Code, detailed below, was adopted into the League's By-Laws:

At CDMSBL, we take pride in the fact that the vast majority of our
games are
played with model sportsmanship. However, there have been isolated
incidents
through the years. Games marred by ump baiting and excessive arguing.
This is
often caused by one or two players who, in our view, have at times been
given
too much latitude by the umpires with the result being a diminished
experience
for everyone involved.

In an attempt to address this issue, we seek to work in partnership
with the
umpire's association to reach clear guidelines that will help us limit
this
behavior. We cannot effectively police on-field conduct without the
cooperation
and decisive action of the umpires themselves.

We wish to make clear to the umpire's association that we encourage and

support a firm response. We strongly recommend that umpires refuse to
engage in
prolonged debates. At the earliest sign of trouble from a player, the
umpire
should walk to the bench and issue a warning to the team manager. We
ask that the
umpires refuse to debate calls with individual players. This should be
a firm
rule which, if not obeyed, would be dealt with decisively. The player
who
ignores the warning will be summarily ejected.

The manager himself will be allowed to engage in discussion with the
umpire.
It must be stressed that disagreements are part of the game. We are not

looking to eliminate the brief squabbles that surface in the heat of a
contest.
Close calls will often result in an emotional reaction. That's
baseball. We are
seeking to address excessive arguing, not attempting to remove passion
from the
competition. Finding the proper balance will ultimely reside in the
power of
the umpire, in accordance with the written guidelines of the CDMSBL.




With the 28 & 48 Playoffs getting underway this week, we should all be guided accordingly, and I will be asking the assigned umpires to have a zero tolerance policy, tp prevent situations like Saturday occurring again, and expect that that will hold pre-game conferences at home plate getting commitment from the Managers for good sportsmanship and behavior.

I know many players from both the teams involved, and consider them to be first class ball players and individuals on and off the field. No one is to be villified for this extraordinary circumstance. I congratulate both teams on outstanding seasons. Steve Lounello's earlier post on "some thoughts on baseball" could not have said it better. We are very fortunate and priviliged to have a healthy league of good guys, where we are allowed as grown men to play a young man's game! Let's get back to BASEBALL!