Youth baseball umpire explains viral ejection after ‘interesting encounter’ with head coach
A video of a youth umpire ejecting a head coach has gone viral.
Teenage umpire, Jameson Morris, was confronted by a head coach of one of the teams during a recreational league baseball game in Potlatch, Idaho.
A coach, who has remained unnamed, for a team out of Moscow, Idaho approached the umpire over the walkup music being played by the opposing team’s parents.
He felt that there were inappropriate lyrics in at least one song, and wanted the umpire to do something about it.
“I’ve umped a lot of games here, and I have not heard a single inappropriate word,” Morris can be heard telling the coach in the now viral video.
“Coach, you’re either going back to the dugout or you can forfeit, that’s your choice.”
@desormeaux_97 Umpire handled that well! Took place in Moscow, Idaho and umpires name is Jameson Morris
#baseball #umpire #coach #sports #fyp ♬ original sound – Cajun medic
Morris then says he cannot tell the parents to stop playing the music and proceeds to give the coach another chance to either play or leave.
“I can call the cops and see if they care about the music,” the ump added.
Not satisfied with his options, the coach continues to pressure Morris until the ump is given no choice but to tell the coach to go to his car.
“You’re gone,” the teen tells the adult as he kicks him out of the game. The coach then proceeds to tell his kids that they’re done playing and they’re going home.
Morris opens up encounter with coach
Morris, a senior at Potlatch High School and a star of their baseball team, is being praised for how he handled the situation.
He spoke to The Athletic’s Keith Law and revealed why he stayed so composed during the confrontation.
“I grew up an extrovert, being able to talk to anybody. I’m kind of a natural leader. It almost seemed more like a conversation at first (with the coach) and it started escalating,” Morris said.
“Having younger kids there made me try to keep my words peaceful compared to what they could have been.
“I’ve dealt with speaking in front of hundreds of people lots of times. It’s natural for me to speak out on things I might see as not fair or not good.”
It’s not uncommon to see disagreements in these tournaments, a sheriff’s deputy was fired this month for starting a fight with an opposing team.
“It was my first time ever ejecting anybody! It’s hard for people to understand the small side of baseball,” Morris added.
“My coaches allow me to leave practice early to go ump games down at our field. It’s just rec ball, small ball, so I don’t deal with much.
“I’ve seen a lot of baseball, and obviously, I’ve argued with umps in the past. Now I see where they’re coming from, so I try not to talk back as much.”
Fans praise Morris for how he handled things
Morris set an example of how to act when facing confrontation, and he is being praised for his efforts.
“He legit gentle parented that man and I am so proud of him,” one fan said.
“I’m a dad of four, they’re older now. But, I am blown away by how mature this umpire is, speaks clearly and gave great options,” a second added.
“I umpired for years, you never have a problem with the kids, it’s always the adults, well done young man,” a third said.
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