Crowd OWNED by umpire

[Homeslice]

Associated Press

WEST BURLINGTON, Iowa - An umpire emptied the stands at a high school baseball game, ejecting the entire crowd of more than 100 fans for being unruly.

Umpire Don Briggs said he had no problem with any of the student athletes during Thursday's game between Winfield-Mount Union and West Burlington.

He said he had to take action because fans were being unruly, yelling and arguing.

However, West Burlington Superintendent James Sleister said he didn't see any unusual behavior and said he thought the umpire overreacted.

The game resumed after a 40-minute delay. West Burlington won 12-11.

The umpire called police as a precaution. West Burlington police officer Al Waterman says there were no arrests.

[the chi]

I wonder how exactly, he managed to get the crowd out...1 man versus 100?

[marko138]

He obviously suspended the game until they were all out. Officials have the power to do that. I ref'd high school wrestling in college.

[Trip]

The crowd got to stay, the ump got overruled by the superintendent.

[Papa_Complex]

Originally Posted by Trip

The crowd got to stay, the ump got overruled by the superintendent.

And a police officer who was attending the game say no reason for the ejections.

[marko138]

Originally Posted by Trip

The crowd got to stay, the ump got overruled by the superintendent.

If their rules are anything like PIAA rules then the ump gets final say. The superintendent doesn't have any control. Maybe they came to an understanding.

In PA atheltics the ump/official is the be all end all.

[Trip]

Originally Posted by marko138

If their rules are anything like PIAA rules then the ump gets final say. The superintendent doesn't have any control. Maybe they came to an understanding.

In PA atheltics the ump/official is the be all end all.

It doesn't really matter where, the ump is not the end all be all, the superintendent can deny access to anyone and remove anyone from high school property including the ump. The ump may have a say in the outcome of a game as far as what would happen if he was removed, but they don't have control of school grounds.

Here's the rest of the story

Radio station KBUR shared the story with listeners. Winfield-Mount Union was playing at West Burlington Thursday night. It was the bottom of the fifth inning. A controversial call brought the coaches from both teams onto the field.

Home plate umpire Don Briggs gave both coaches a warning. The umpire also warned the crowd to pipe down. Then, someone in the crowd yelled at the umpire. He tossed the entire crowd out of the game and called the cops.

The superintendent was called, too, and after lots of discussion on the field among the umpires, the coaches, the police and the superintendent, the crowd was allowed back in. But the crowd was warned that anyone who made negative comments about the umpires would be arrested and charged with disorderly conduct.

West Burlington police stayed 'til the end of the game and escorted the umpires off the field. There were no arrests.

As for the baseball game itself, West Burlington trailed 11-3 until they staged a comeback in the fifth innning. By the seventh inning, the game was tied. A West Burlington player then stole home and West Burlington won, 12-11.