Expert: Tom Mielke - 7/3/2009

Question
As an umpire what should be his decision when an angry player comes to bat and hits a single but as he runs to first base he takes his bat and throws it about 20 feet into the air in fair territory showing his disgust? I stopped play and immediately ejected him for unsportsmanlike conduct and ruled him out since the action took place before he reached first base. I also sent two runners back to their originally occupied bases before the ball was batted. I was told that ejecting him was correct but stopping play was incorrect because the ball was still in play. I was also told that the batter should have been awarded first base and ejected from the game and a pinch runner put in his place at first base. Since the ejectable act occurred prior to him occupying first base was I correct in suspending play immediately and sending both runners back to their original bases?

Answer
Jeff,

I think you may have been a bit quick on the trigger.  I wasn't there but from your description I think maybe.  

I would have give a team warning for throwing the bat and also warned the player about conduct.

When you killed the play you had to return the runners to the last base touched.  

Unless there was some form of interference, I don't see the need to kill the play either.

I think that if I was going to eject the player, I would have done it after the play was completed.  Of course, if the team has a sub, they can enter him for the ejected player.

After spending some time in the ASA rule book on this.  The only thing wrong with the advice you recieved is the award of the first base.  Either they make it or get thrown out prior to the ejection.

tom