2010 W-BURG Baseball

[soccerfix]

Explain how the players were being protected. From the other side all we saw was the field ump was going at it with the Burg fans. As the homeplate ump went to settle the mess the first base coach started in on him. We had never experienced a call like that. We didn't see any players involved.

[Catch24]

That's just it soccerfix, the players were not involved. Just so you and others across the field know what happened, the home plate umpire decided that he would go in front of the Burg's dugout, point at the players and tell them that "they had better not start acting like the dads out here, keep their mouths shut, and play baseball". Way out of line. The first base coach at that point told the umpire that they (the players) had nothing to do with what just happened and that he needs to leave them alone and just go umpire the game, that the coaches would handle the players (again, there was not one word by the players). At that point the umpire came up with the idea that he was going to keep both the assistant and head coach off the field for that. The head coach never said a word for this to happen to him.

With the situation involving the base umpire. He heard the basic "you blew that call" from the Burg fans and he started actually blowing kisses at the fans. He then told somebody that he would fight them and yes he used the word "fight". Of course this upset everyone over there as well it should. That's when the home plate umpire came down and started yelling and threatening the fans. Im sure he had no idea that the base umpire said what he said but he had no business yelling at the players like he did.

[swbaseballfan]

wow, sounds like you guys had some excitement. congrats on the win. sounds to me like the ump is lucky he made it home last night

[bulkmove]

I've seen it more this year, than in the past, but the quality of umpires isn't what it used to be. There have been some, not all, but some that the rules had to be explained by the coach!!! And they still get it wrong! Some have power struggles with coaches in a game when a call is questioned by a coach. I've seen umpires get loud on a coach when a coach continues to ask for an explanation and one can't be given by the umpire.

I know coaches are not allowed to say anything about strike zones, but fellas, this isn't Major League Baseball. The letters across the uniform are still strikes. So are the knees. I can think of 4 guys who make high school kids throw it in a "dixie cup" before calling a strike. When I get to a field and see them behind the plate, I know it will be a LOOOONNNGGGG game.

Umpires should not let the fans get to them. If the fans are getting out of line, the umpire should address the issue as a grown adult, not confront them in a "i have the power to throw you out"! Most parents will calm down after being addressed in a professional way.

There are some really good umpires! Those that you forget about when you leave the field because they do such a good job! For you guys, thank you! You don't get enough credit. These guys know the rules, study the rules, talk to the coaches, and THE BIGGEST OF THEM ALL, will admit when they have made a mistake. You guys are great! Keep it up.

As for the incident last night, I didn't see it. But knowing Coach Conn and Coach Estepp pretty well, I'm floored that they would be tossed or restricted to the bench. If the umpires were indeed unprofessional, then a report should be made to the state. I don't like that coaches need to pay $100 for being tossed IF they were thrown out because 1) umpire doesn't know the correct rule and won't spend time looking it up; 2) power control of SOME umpires; 3) they ignore a coach that wants to ask a simple question, which upsets any human being, and then toss him for being "loud". Yeah, I've seen this happen.

Way more than I wanted to type, but needed to get it off my chest!

[drrabbit]

And I was at an uneventful track meet.

Actually I find that the fathers for this year's team are pretty well behaved--for baseball fans. I have not seen anything unreasonable in the ten or so games to which I have been.

And SWbaseballfan--I doubt that any umpire would ever be in danger from any of them. If nothing else, the Wheelersburg coaches have the class to intervene if a fan crosses that line.

Umpires should always ignore fans. Unfortunately it is a thankless job that requires a hard shell and those that react to fans end up either not lasting long or being bad umpires. While fans will react to missed calls, umps should never be actually harassed. In other words--never make it personal.

[Ace]

How many strikeouts did Elliott have on the mound last night? He pitched a tremendous game.

As for the incidient with the umps, coaches, and fans...someone told me there is a new rule in high school baseball that whenever an assistant coach is ejected that the head coach is restricted to the dugout. Is this true? I didn't see the assistant coach leave the field though. Did I miss that? No one could figure out what was going on when it happened.

[rxburgfan]

i agree make the strike zone letters to knees. swing the bat. unfortunately, there are those who get into the umpiring or reffing business to make it about them instead of the game. officials should never talk to the fans. keep it between the lines. if your listening or talking to the fans your not in the game.

[PirateFan]

Ace,

Elliott was on his game for sure. I don't know about the strike out total though.

That's a nonsense rule if it's true that the head coach is restricted to the dugout if an assistant would get tossed. It must be true though from the situation last night. I thought that Coach Conn was tossed, but I know he didn't leave the dugout and Coach Estep was made to stay in the dugout as well. In fact I saw both of them coaching from the dugout coaching base runners (from the dugout) as they got on. I really don't know the situation for sure.

[bengalfan76]

new rule this year: If an assistant argues a call then the HC could be restricted to the bench. Sounds like to me that both were restricted to the bench.

[Catch24]

I had no idea of that rule. Wow, that really changes some things then. How can you expect coaches to not ask about something or even open their mouths? Even if you ask in a respectful way an ump with a power trip could "restrict" you.

[alabama mike]

I am sure the coaches, players and fathers all enjoyed the kisses sent there way by the umpire.

[Catch24]

Bama, that was a new one for sure. I couldn't believe what I saw and heard from that guy.

[bookem13]

Wow, I didn't know all that went down! We were doing the game on the radio, and it took us 10 minutes to figure out the rule and why the coaches were in the dugouts (thanks for the help of former Tiger coach Tom Monroe who didn't even know the rule). We didn't hear any of the details...just that there was an argument with some of the Burg fans, and then the asst. coach got into it. After hearing that, I don't blame him a bit for saying what he said...I might have said much more.

Now, on the baseball side of things...what an impressive squad the Pirates put on the field! I think it was literally the 3rd or 4th inning before a Burg player swung and missed at a pitch...seriously! Martin was struggling all night with velocity and location, and this isn't a team you want to be facing with your C game. They all stand on top of the plate and dare you to throw in...great pitch selection, and get the barrel of the bat involved in almost every swing. As far as Elliott, I think we had him for 12 K's and only 2 walks.

[Burg#1]

Burg over West tonight 11-1, Bryce Hall pitched 5 nice innings with Austin Boyer coming in the sixth looking good also. Dakota Luster went long for the HR, i believe that is 21 hrs for the team this year. nice team effort boys Go Burg

[Burg#1]

Burg over Oakhill tonight- Nick Kemper pitched the win Daktoa Luster in relief. Dakota hit two hr's tonight, team has 23 hrs on the season Go Burg good luck tomorrow against Valley

[LetsGoPSU]

The tourney this weekend should be a fun event. Burg, Adena, Portsmouth and Grandview Heights. Wish I could make it

[yabbadabbadoo]

Burg over Oakhill tonight- Nick Kemper pitched the win Daktoa Luster in relief. Dakota hit two hr's tonight, team has 23 hrs on the season ;-) Go Burg good luck tomorrow against Valley

That's pretty impressive, but still not on pace to break the team record. The team record is 48 that was set back in 1999.

Chris Ellis is the career HR leader for the Burg with 36 from 1989-1992 and Rick Estep is the season leader with 17 in 1999.

[swbaseballfan]

i played for webster the season rick hit 17. he flat crushed the ball that year. at webster we have a tree growing past the center field fence and i'll never forget him hitting one over the tree against us.

[Burg#1]

Burg over Valley tonight 4-3. Andrew Elliot pitched for the burg and threw well. Evans Richards for Valley- he threw well and the reliever not sure of his name. Valley executed well looked like a different ball team. Go Burg- tomorrow we play Portsmouth and Grandview Heights first game at 11:00am weather permitting

[Burg_Grad_77]

Congrats to the Pirates on the win. I finally got see my first game of the season against West on Weds and I was very impressed with the hitting, pitching, and defense of this team. They looked very solid throughout the lineup and Bryce Hall pitched a great game with some good solid defense to back him up.

Good luck in the tourney on Saturday.