A simple foul ball call by the first base umpire during the USSSA Wood Grill Buffet/Everett Classic in Benton, Arkansas, turned into a chaotic scene with a coach and umpire going at it in front of the girls.The difference between this incident and the other crazy incidents we've seen this season is that some people say the umpire instigated the situation.The drama boiled over during the top of the fourth with Arkansas Pride 12 (13U) up to bat with a 7-2 lead on Tulsa Elite NEA (14U).
On a 3-2 pitch, a Pride hitter laced a shot down the first base line that was instantly waved off as foul by the first base ump.ZERO BS.JUST DAKICH.
TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD.DOWNLOAD NOW!The Pride coach didn't like the call and that's when things got heated.
After the Pride coach addressed the home plate umpire, words were exchanged between the coach and first base umpire who then got face-to-face with the coach.That's when shoves were exchanged.YOUTH PITCHER LAUNCHES FASTBALL AT OPPOSING DUGOUT AFTER ALLEGED ORDER FROM COACH: 'ABSOLUTELY BUSH LEAGUE'Did the ump miss the call? Maybe.
Did the coach have a gripe? Maybe.Does any of this matter to the point where it's worth pushing, shoving and possibly going to jail? For some adults, the answer, lately, is 'yes.'"Our team was immediately sent to the dugout and remained there until everything was resolved.
At no time did we have players running around the field.Additionally, all of our parents remained on the sidelines except for one individual, who was assisting in preventing further escalation and attempting to separate those involved," the Tulsa Elite coaching staff said in a statement posted to the team's Facebook account.As tensions rise on baseball and softball fields across the United States, the number of umpires working games continues to decline.
In 2023, a national survey of sports officials found that 69% of those surveyed said sportsmanship was getting worse.1 in 8 of those officials said they've been assa...