Bizarre Umping Situation/Question

The reporting on Coach Donnie Suttles's ejection from the Reynolds-Roberson game on Thursday night in the Buncombe County tournament takes more bizarre twists. I believe the ump's name is Larry Leatherwood as does someone who responds to an article in today's Citizen Times which references the ump as Larry Lawrence. Anyhow, it sounds as if the ump actually bumped into the coach in the dugout area after his bizarre call in the Roberson-Reynolds game. In the article, the ump is actually interviewed regarding his contact with Suttles. Larry (the ump) says "I didn't notice it (his bumping the coach)" and then adds, "It was an inadvertent thing." My two questions are:
1. Is it likely that Suttles will be disqualified for additional games, and, if so, how many?
2. Is it possible that action could be taken against the plate umpire for bumping the coach, and/or could a broader investigation be conducted into what is going on? The rumors are flying. Some fans were talking about the possibility of the umpire throwing the coach out of the game before the game even began. Also, many of the poorly called balls and strikes largely centered around Jon Hinson (who is an excellent player, don't get me wrong)- but a responder to the Citizen-Times article is claiming that Leatherwood or Lawrence (whatever his name is) is good friends with Hinson's dad, JD. Also, don't get me wrong, as I stated in an earlier post, I don't believe the game was determined by the incompetent umpiring. Reynolds truly had a better game on the field on Wednesday and would have won with good umpiring.

 

Sorry, Ashevillefan80, about all I agree with in your statement is "The rumors are flying". The comment about JD Hinson borders on being ridiculous. JDH probably knows every umpire in WNC from the sole fact that he is an American Legion coach! I think the TCR fans are experiencing the "sour grapes" syndrome from being outplayed in all fazes of the game.
ACR starated out a little slow with the bats this year, but with a number of games under their belts and a little playing time they have really started hitting the ball in the last couple of weeks.

 

Ok...I'll agree with you on the rumors flying statement, that Hinson knows all of the coaches, etc. Let me also clarify that I am referencing a "news article" published in today's Citizen-Times and a response to it. As I acknowledged in reporting the score on this board on Thursday night, Reynolds outplayed Roberson, won the game, would have won it with different umps, etc. Roberson made too many mistakes and errors in the first two innings and totally lost it in the last inning. I also noted in that first post Hinson's talent on the base paths, etc.

So, moving beyond the outcome of the game... can anyone answer my question regarding the ejection of the Roberson coach...the Citizen Times article strongly suggests that the plate umpire admits to "bumping" Roberson's coach by telling the reporter that it was "inadvertent!" They also have a sound blurb from Roberson's coach describing his ejection. So...what is the state's response likely to be as far as the coach coaching and is there a procedure to see if the ump didn't instigate a bad situation that didn't need to occur? Since he waited to address the situation until Roberson's players made it to the dugout, there is evidently ample sound and tape evidence from fans using recording devices to document exactly what happened. Here is the address from the article; I definitely don't want people to assume that I am just coming up with comments:

http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200770413129

 

AS I See this, and I was not there, the question is whether or not it was an ejection or a disqulaification. An ejection results in a 2 game suspension for players and coaches. A disqualification does not. Umpires can change it to a DQ after the game when they report it.

Any contact between an UMPIRE and COACH should be dealt with. Booking agents can suspend umpires/referees for such conduct as can the NCHSAA if they are notified of it.

The umpire should have never entered the dugout area. He should walk away from a confrontation, or stand his ground, but never go into the dugout.

I also believe it to be unprofessional for an umpire to talk to the media. A good umpire is never noticed, as the game flows, you should never know who was behind the dish or in the field. So if he was interviewed and made a quote to the media, he shouldn't have.

 

Facts

Lets take a look at this from another point of view. I'm really surprise that the TC Roberson Coaches and Fans would stoop so low as to say that the Umpires "threw" the game! And that an ACR player and parent had a hand in it too.

The Asheville paper says nothing about the game being thrown or mention John Hinson's name. All it reads is that Coach Donnie Suttles thinks he didn't deserve the "heave-ho".

FACT: Gardner-Webb signee Kyle Paeplow was a bat when the catchers obstruction call was made. ACR had a runner on 3rd. As soon as Paeplow makes contact the umpire, Larry Leatherwood, raised both arms in the arm. CF made the catch, Coach Suttles hurries his team off the field. The umpire and Coach Craig walk toward each other to discuss Coach Craig's option to let the play stand or have the hitter take a base. Coach Suttles has nothing to do with the call at this point. Coach Craig chooses to have the hitter take first. The runner at 3rd stayed on the field. He saw the catcher obstruction just like the rest of us. Coach Suttles starts arguing, being aggressive,even mocking Coach Craig and generally thrashing around all over the place. He was asked by both umpires to go to the dugout. He refused and continued ranting and raving for more than 15 minutes. And continued yelling as he was walking out the gates toward the bus. The call had no impact on the game what-so-ever. ACR's next batter K ed leaving runners on the corners.

TCR's assistant coach then stops play after what seemed like every pitch to ask where it was located, how far it missed, repeat the call, etc...It was ridiculous. After being called out at first by 2 1/2 steps, a player from TC followed in his coaches footsteps and threw his helmet, knocked stuff over in the dugout and also thrashed around for a few minutes. It was sad.

FACT: AC Reynolds led this ball game in every inning. 1st--2-1, 2nd & 3rd--5-1, 4th--5-4, 5th--13-4, and 6th--14-4. TCR made 5 errors. ACR made 1. TCR's assistant coach walked Paeplow in the 5th with 2 outs and a 2-2 count to load the bases. Then Wofford football recruit Chris Cummings hit the GRAND Slam! ?????? creating an 8 run inning for the Rockets. Any coach out there ever made that kind of call?

FACT: ACR scored 42 runs allowing only 9 in the tournament. The coaches and players were determined to win Back-to-Back Buncombe County Tournament Championships. They brought their A game.

FACT: Larry Leatherwood has umpired for more than 20 years and is considered one of the most consistent in this area. He umpired behind the plate earlier this season when North Henderson beat Reynolds 6-5. Why didn't he "throw" that game ACR's way too? To even suggest he "threw" the game by ejecting Donnie Suttles is HIDEOUS! You people who suggested that should be ashamed.

FACT: Clemson signee John Hinson's dad, JD, coached high school baseball in buncombe county for more than 20 years, currently coaches baseball at a private school, for the past 8 years has coached Asheville's American Legion baseball team and yearly for the past 20 years has played in the Roy Hobbs senior men's baseball tournament in Fort Myers Florida every fall. He knows some umpires.

Hey, if JD can get an umpire to throw a game, maybe he can get in touch with his umpire "friends" before the next show down between AC Reynolds and South Caldwell!


FACT: Universtiy of Tennesse signee highly draftable pitcher Sam Runion hit 94mph in front of 20+ scouts. He was in total control and pitched well. He had 7K's. Would that number be higher if the ump was "throwing" the game. TCR's pitchers (all 3) as good as they are, just didn't have their stuff this game. PrepAlert has them for 10H 9BB 3HBP. Its high school ball and it happens. Jon Ramsey is a very good pitcher. He tried to keep the ball outside and couldn't catch the corners. Dave Koppenheffer had control issues and had all 3HBP.

We just assumed that first year coach Donnie Suttles just didn't know how to react when his ranked #1 in WNC, #1 in 3A Impact Poll and #24 in SI.com's NATIONAL poll started getting their butts whipped from the get go --if he thought it was going to motivate--it did! Just the wrong team.

Hope all those "flying" rumors are grounded really soon -the umpires causing a team to lose is such as easy cop-out! And accusing a player and parent of having something to do with "throwing" a game is slanderous! Sour Grapes=:shit: ! TC Roberson needs to take their spanking and move on. JFTR, he's new here, Coach Suttles just came from McDowell county.

Enough said!

 

Facts

Lets take a look at this from another point of view. I'm really surprise that the TC Roberson Coaches and Fans would stoop so low as to say that the Umpires "threw" the game! And that an ACR player and parent had a hand in it too.

The Asheville paper says nothing about the game being thrown or mention John Hinson's name. All it reads is that Coach Donnie Suttles thinks he didn't deserve the "heave-ho".

FACT: Gardner-Webb signee Kyle Paeplow was a bat when the catchers obstruction call was made. ACR had a runner on 3rd. As soon as Paeplow makes contact the umpire, Larry Leatherwood, raised both arms in the arm. CF made the catch, Coach Suttles hurries his team off the field. The umpire and Coach Craig walk toward each other to discuss Coach Craig's option to let the play stand or have the hitter take a base. Coach Suttles has nothing to do with the call at this point. Coach Craig chooses to have the hitter take first. The runner at 3rd stayed on the field. He saw the catcher obstruction just like the rest of us. Coach Suttles starts arguing, being aggressive,even mocking Coach Craig and generally thrashing around all over the place. He was asked by both umpires to go to the dugout. He refused and continued ranting and raving for more than 15 minutes. And continued yelling as he was walking out the gates toward the bus. The call had no impact on the game what-so-ever. ACR's next batter K ed leaving runners on the corners.

TCR's assistant coach then stops play after what seemed like every pitch to ask where it was located, how far it missed, repeat the call, etc...It was ridiculous. After being called out at first by 2 1/2 steps, a player from TC followed in his coaches footsteps and threw his helmet, knocked stuff over in the dugout and also thrashed around for a few minutes. It was sad.

FACT: AC Reynolds led this ball game in every inning. 1st--2-1, 2nd & 3rd--5-1, 4th--5-4, 5th--13-4, and 6th--14-4. TCR made 5 errors. ACR made 1. TCR's assistant coach walked Paeplow in the 5th with 2 outs and a 2-2 count to load the bases. Then Wofford football recruit Chris Cummings hit the GRAND Slam! ?????? creating an 8 run inning for the Rockets. Any coach out there ever made that kind of call?

FACT: ACR scored 42 runs allowing only 9 in the tournament. The coaches and players were determined to win Back-to-Back Buncombe County Tournament Championships. They brought their A game.

FACT: Larry Leatherwood has umpired for more than 20 years and is considered one of the most consistent in this area. He umpired behind the plate earlier this season when North Henderson beat Reynolds 6-5. Why didn't he "throw" that game ACR's way too? To even suggest he "threw" the game by ejecting Donnie Suttles is HIDEOUS! You people who suggested that should be ashamed.

FACT: Clemson signee John Hinson's dad, JD, coached high school baseball in buncombe county for more than 20 years, currently coaches baseball at a private school, for the past 8 years has coached Asheville's American Legion baseball team and yearly for the past 20 years has played in the Roy Hobbs senior men's baseball tournament in Fort Myers Florida every fall. He knows some umpires.

Hey, if JD can get an umpire to throw a game, maybe he can get in touch with his umpire "friends" before the next show down between AC Reynolds and South Caldwell!


FACT: Universtiy of Tennesse signee highly draftable pitcher Sam Runion hit 94mph in front of 20+ scouts. He was in total control and pitched well. He had 7K's. Would that number be higher if the ump was "throwing" the game. TCR's pitchers (all 3) as good as they are, just didn't have their stuff this game. PrepAlert has them for 10H 9BB 3HBP. Its high school ball and it happens. Jon Ramsey is a very good pitcher. He tried to keep the ball outside and couldn't catch the corners. Dave Koppenheffer had control issues and had all 3HBP.

We just assumed that first year coach Donnie Suttles just didn't know how to react when his ranked #1 in WNC, #1 in 3A Impact Poll and #24 in SI.com's NATIONAL poll started getting their butts whipped from the get go --if he thought it was going to motivate--it did! Just the wrong team.

Hope all those "flying" rumors are grounded really soon -the umpires causing a team to lose is such as easy cop-out! And accusing a player and parent of having something to do with "throwing" a game is slanderous! Sour Grapes=:shit: ! TC Roberson needs to take their spanking and move on. JFTR, he's new here, Coach Suttles just came from McDowell county.

Enough said!

 

leatherwood is an sec football ref. if he can stand the heat in front of 100k at tenn then 500 at acr will not faze him. the tcr coach was on the field arguing the first time acr played them and i believe he'll have this same type thing happen again if he doesn't learn to control himself a little better

 

Jetfuel,
Here are the FACTS:
1. The Citizen-Times quotes Leatherwood, the umpire himself, as saying that he "inadvertently" bumped Coach Suttles when he was throwing him out of the game and didn't think anything about it. The Citizen-Times has a video interview with Coach Suttles about what what happened - follow the link. The Citizen-Times has respondents to their article about what transpired, but here was my question: Can an ump bump a coach and get away with it?
2. I will say this - the fan in question who responded to the Citizen-Times articles does NOT say anything about a player or his dad throwing a game - he is questionning why the ump was calling the game and possible connections, and as I have noted, I think that is a little far-fetched as well. The umpire or someone who knows him has evidently contacted the Citizen-Times today to correct the umpire's last name in today's article, and he has evidently umped for 34 years - probably about 15 years too long.
3. Catcher interference DID NOT occur on the play as several videos show, nor did the ump immediately stop the action - but the ump has a right to call it if he so desires or thinks it occurred, and as numerous people have noted, the call did not ultimately impact the game. Yet, he did not call it right away - at least not visibly enough to let the players or the coaches know about it, etc. The umpire caused the entire scene and overreacted in tossing the coach- not Roberson's coach. If the ump had given his explanation and resumed play, this conversation would indeed be a mute point!
4. Coach Suttles did not have a clue as to what the ump was doing and DID NOT hurry his team off the field to try to elude the ump's call - this is a ridiculous statement - I guess he had an earplug in the fielders' ears and urged them to run off the field because he was going to ignore the umpire's call and have him come get the team to go back to the field!!!
5. The umpire had to approach Coach Suttles in front of the Roberson dugout area after he had talked to Coach Craig because he didn't let anyone know what was evidently going on, and evidently, still didn't want to tell coach Suttles what was going on. If you listen to the interview of Coach Suttles, you will find out why he went back to the ump on the field. He had already been tossed from the game for asking what the ump what he was calling! Finally, I doubt anyone at Roberson is going to contact you to critique the coaching of the assistants or the demeanor of the players, but we thank you for monitoring it!

 

Question for you AF80 - were you the batter in the batter's box? Did you hit the mitt of the catcher with the bat? Having personally overheard the batter tell his fellow teammates that his bat hit "something" during his swing - I will choose to believe the batter. Having spoken with the men in the pressbox who saw the intereference themselves, I'll choose to believe them as well. The umpire called the interference after the play was completed, which is what he is supposed to do. Funny thing about the "players not knowing about it" - the Rocket players evidently "knew about it" - they both stayed on their bases....

Im curious, if all you wanted an answer to your questions, why didn't you simply asked the questions without all the added "hype" and suggestiveness of the comments after your Q2? Regardless of how you phrase it, your post was the one that brought individual players and parents names up. You coulda left all that out, requested that someone read the article and ask for a response. Whether or not you intended it - your post was the one that led anyone/everyone to read the associated links and make comments according to their interpretation of the article and reader responses.....

The FACT is, the game is over, the calls were made - right or wrong, the Rams lost, the Rockets won, the Coach got thrown out.

It also appears that someone attempted to answer your questions:

BTW - the umpire never entered the Ram dugout - he was on the grass the entire time and did not go into the dugout.

 

WOW!!

Sounds like a tough situation... for both teams, and the Umpiring crew.

I did not want to imply anything about anybody, just commenting on professionalism and rule...