Expert: Brian Flaspohler - 6/26/2010

Question
I was at a junior Legion baseball game tonight. A fan yelled at the 1st base umpire for a supposedly bad call then twice again after that on two other calls. I think he said, "that's three for three!" That umpire came over to the fence and demanded the person leave the stands. I know they have the right to tell someone (coach, player etc.) to leave the playing field, but a fan outside the fence? Also a third base coach at that time told his team to just play the game and ignore the conflict between umpire and fan. At that time the home plate umpire told him to just shut-up and used profanity at the time. The coach shouted, "that is a terrible thing to say in front of these kids! Is that the way to show leadership qualities to them?"  Needless to say they got in each other's face and the coach was told to leave the field too!  Just how much power does an umpire have for ejecting people from a game? And is cursing by an umpire allowed? I might add, it was about 97 degrees and 95% humidity. I know tempers were short for umps, players, coaches and the fans!!

Answer
Carolyn,

The umpire is the king on the field.  He has pretty much unlimited authority over players and coaches.  Also, if the ump feels fans are disrupting the game, he can penalize the home team.  

It sounds like the officials lost control of this game a bit, but I would have no problem with the official trying to ban the fan.  The argument with the coach was uncalled for though.

Brian