How to Write Ejection Reports

[ExCop]

Report writing in any profession is an art form. A good umpire's ejection report should meet the following goals:

1. It should be written in language that is appropriate for the intended audience.

2. It should anticipate, and answer, any questions that can reasonably be expected to arise in the mind on the reader.

3. It should not raise any new questions.

4. It should clearly explain and justify the umpire's actions.

The first caveat is the most important. In my case, ejection reports get read by some unlucky volunteer Board member, somewhere, who got stuck with being the league's "convenor" - or the person responsible for discipline, etc.

This person is almost always a long-time coach or parent or donor and almost never an umpire. There is a far greater chance that the convenor will be a friend/acquaintance of the guy you dumped, than you.

Keeping all of this in mind, I use the following structure:

1. Tombstone Information (who, what, where, when, what).

2. Facts - I give a synopsis of the facts, usually in the first person (I saw, I said, I called, I did, etc.). Please note that this means giving exact quotes, including profanity. Mr. Tough Guy looks like Mr. Jerk when it get put in writing so be sure to make note of every expletive.

3. Opinion - the final paragraph is usually a statement of why I did what I did. I explain, for example, a rule interpretation I made or identify judgement/discretion used, etc. I can also add important context if this information is important.

4. List and quote all applicable rules: Remember - the reader of this report may not know anything about the rules at hand, or even worse may have himself beeen schooled in the myths about them. Given that he'll be getting an earful from the manager/player/coach you need to get in front of the facts first, by supplying truthful information about that the rulebook actually says.

Here is sample ejection report:

Home: Beantown Blues Midgets
Visitors: Redfern Reds Midgets
League: Provincial Intercounty Baseball League
Date: May 5, 2008, 7:30 PM
Location: Town Stadium
Plate Umpire: Big Blue
Base Umpire: Little Blue
Ejected Person(s): Mack Manager #44, Beantown Blues Manager

In the top of the fourth inning I saw the Reds runner on second base attempt to steal third base. The Blues short stop immediately ran into the stealing runner’s base path, causing the runner to veer to the inside to avoid the short stop. No contact took place. I immediately called and signalled “That's obstruction!” and allowed play to continue. The catcher threw the ball to the third baseman who applied a tag to the runner before he reached third base. I called “Time” and awarded the stealing runner third base.

Beantown Blues Manager, Mack Manager #44, immediately ran out from his dugout and shouted loudly “That was the most brutal call I have ever seen! There was no contact so that can’t be obstruction! Why don’t you try reading a rule ****ing rulebook, moron?! You suck! You just suck!” I immediately ejected Manager from the game, and he left without further incident.

The obstruction call was a delayed dead ball situation (Rule 7.06(b)) and no contact between the fielder and the runner was required. The fielder was neither in possession of the ball nor was he making a play on the runner. In my judgement, he impeded the progress of the stealing runner, and for this reason I awarded him third base.

Applicable Baseball Rules:

Rule 2.00: OBSTRUCTION is the act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball and not in the act of fielding the ball, impedes the progress of any runner.

Rule 7.06: When obstruction occurs, the umpire shall call or signal “Obstruction.”… (b) If no play is being made on the obstructed runner, the play shall proceed until no further action is possible. The umpire shall then call “Time” and impose such penalties, if any, as in his judgment will nullify the act of obstruction.

Rule 9.01(d): Each umpire has authority to disqualify any player, coach, manager or substitute for objecting to decisions or for unsportsmanlike conduct or language, and to eject such disqualified person from the playing field.

Big Blue
Plate Umpire

[Welpe]

Another requirement I would add is that the report should be concise. It should be long enough to convey the relevant facts and no longer.

[Tim_C]

In our area we are limited to 25 words or less on an ejection report.

Regards,

[BigUmp56]

Ex,

That's waaaay more information than needed in an ejection report.


Tim.

[ExCop]

Ex,

That's waaaay more information than needed in an ejection report.


Tim.

Hmmm. In my area, this seems to be what they want to see and strikes me as the right level of detail.

Other areas are different, especially in so far as the knowledge/caliber of the people reading them.

So - yes, "your mileage may differ."

[lawump]

The obstruction call was a delayed dead ball situation (Rule 7.06(b)) and no contact between the fielder and the runner was required. The fielder was neither in possession of the ball nor was he making a play on the runner. In my judgement, he impeded the progress of the stealing runner, and for this reason I awarded him third base.

Applicable Baseball Rules:

Rule 2.00: OBSTRUCTION is the act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball and not in the act of fielding the ball, impedes the progress of any runner.

Rule 7.06: When obstruction occurs, the umpire shall call or signal “Obstruction.”… (b) If no play is being made on the obstructed runner, the play shall proceed until no further action is possible. The umpire shall then call “Time” and impose such penalties, if any, as in his judgment will nullify the act of obstruction.

Rule 9.01(d): Each umpire has authority to disqualify any player, coach, manager or substitute for objecting to decisions or for unsportsmanlike conduct or language, and to eject such disqualified person from the playing field.

Big Blue
Plate Umpire

The above quoted section violates KISS --- Keep it simple, stupid. It is totally unnecessary. Everything I needed to know as a reader of your report came prior to the above quoted language.

[Tim_C]

I would suggest that "ex's" report is influenced by the overly officious group at Baseball Canada. From reports and first hand viewing any group that evaluates base umpires based on that all base umpires drop to hands on knees at the same instance prior to a pitch need tyo understand what is important in umpiring.

"ex's" report is probably EXACTLY what is expected in his area. It is simply a police report translated to an ejection report.

Regards,

[BigUmp56]

Hmmm. In my area, this seems to be what they want to see and strikes me as the right level of detail.

Other areas are different, especially in so far as the knowledge/caliber of the people reading them.

So - yes, "your mileage may differ."

I guess we have a different take on how much detail is needed. When I write an ejection report I have no intention of defending myself and giving a play by play of all the particulars that lead up to the ejection. If a manager is ejected as a result of continuing to argue a call, that's all that should go into the report; his actions, not my call on the play. The play at hand is irrelevant to the ejection itself.


Tim.

[ziggys141]

"Beantown Manager Mack was ejected in the fourth inning for use of abusive language and profanity towards an umpire after running onto field to complain about a judgement call."

[SamuelRock]

I don't think an ejection report should contain an "opinion". The report should state the facts and nothing else. These facts should clearly show the reason for the ejection. If these facts are not sufficiant enough than there probably should not have been an ejection.

[Tim_C]

Ziggy wrote:

"Beantown Manager Mack was ejected in the fourth inning for use of abusive language and profanity towards an umpire after running onto field to complain about a judgement call."

29 words.

I would write:

"Beantown Manager Mack was ejected in the fourth inning for abusive and profane language while running onto field to complain about a judgment call."

24 words.

All else in the original report is unneccessary in my corner of the world.

Regards,

[jjb]

As a UIC, I'll take the top two paragraphs for the EJ report. That tells me (1) what happened, and (2) why you tossed him. This way, if there's any question from the League, (trust me, the coach is going to write a completly different scenario), I can answer them.

Opinions and rules explanations are my job.

[TarheelUmp]

In our area we are limited to 25 words or less on an ejection report.

Regards,

I love this.

[PNWBlue]

Doesn't the word "report" somewhat imply there is a certain amount of detail to be included?

Not trying to be a smart arse, but it sure seems like if you're writing a 'report,' there has to be a bit more flesh.

I'd offer to post mine from my first ejection last week, but...yeesh...it's a bit more than 25 words!

[Tim_C]

"Not trying to be a smart arse, but it sure seems like if you're writing a 'report,' there has to be a bit more flesh."

No.

[jjb]

So OK, say you write it that way: "profane language+ judgement call - toss". Easy, short and sweet, you're done.

Now, here comes the coaches e-mail to the League: " My third baseman was running toward the base, when the runner veered, directly at F5, in order to draw the OB. My third baseman then jumped out of the way. I asked for time, and politely asked if contact was necessary. ( I wasn't sure of the rule, and thought I'd ask). The Umpire, in a most unprofessional manner, told me to "Just shut up". I said "I was just asking the "Rule interpretation", and he immediately threw me out of the game."

So, now you're the AD/UIC/League Director, and have to figure out whether the coach is suspended or not. You've got 2 e-mails: yours and his. His is specific: yours is vague. Who do you believe?

IMHO, you don't need the Great American Novel, here: just what happened, and why you tossed him.

[Roger]

In the top of the fourth inning I saw the Reds runner on second base attempt to steal third base. The Blues short stop immediately ran into the stealing runner’s base path, causing the runner to veer to the inside to avoid the short stop. No contact took place. I immediately called and signalled “That's obstruction!” and allowed play to continue. The catcher threw the ball to the third baseman who applied a tag to the runner before he reached third base. I called “Time” and awarded the stealing runner third base...

The obstruction call was a delayed dead ball situation (Rule 7.06(b)) and no contact between the fielder and the runner was required. The fielder was neither in possession of the ball nor was he making a play on the runner. In my judgement, he impeded the progress of the stealing runner, and for this reason I awarded him third base.

Applicable Baseball Rules:

Rule 2.00: OBSTRUCTION is the act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball and not in the act of fielding the ball, impedes the progress of any runner.

Rule 7.06: When obstruction occurs, the umpire shall call or signal “Obstruction.”… (b) If no play is being made on the obstructed runner, the play shall proceed until no further action is possible. The umpire shall then call “Time” and impose such penalties, if any, as in his judgment will nullify the act of obstruction.


Ex,

Implicit in these paragraphs is a defense of your judgment call. You should not be required to defend your judgment call and doing so sets a very bad precedent. What if your judgment call is not so easily defended? What if it could have gone either way? What if you made a "bad" call? Would the coach's actions then be justified? No, they wouldn't. His actions would still merit an ejection. Therefore, this defense of your call is superfluous. His actions are what is important.

In my association, we have a game sheet that is filled out at the end of every game. It includes teams, managers, start time, end time, number of innings, final score, plate umpire, base umpire etc. It also includes a space approximately 6.5 inches by 1 inch in which the PU is supposed to list any problems or ejections. Three recent ejection "reports" I have written this year were stated exactly as follows:

1. "Coach NAME Ejected for arguing balls and strikes"

2. "Player # NAME Ejected for malicious contact"

3. "Coach NAME Ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct"

That's it. That's all the space I have and that's all the detail the league wants. In each case, the ejected coach / player received a one game suspension. No questions were ever asked of me.

[Tim_C]

To all you novel authors out there.

I have never heard of an "suspension process" that deals with ony two e-mail.

Everywhere I have ever been (or talked with) it follows this process:

Ejection occurs

Ejection report is written and supplied to the correct administrator

"Sometimes" a coach (school) wants further review

The "correct administrator" (in our case an assigning commissioner) makes the point for the local umpire association that the ejection is correct.

IF there is a further appeal THEN there could be more contact with the umpire.

Last year there were 46 ejections in Oregon High School Baseball. Approximately 1/2 were appealed. Approximately 1/2 of those (sometimes because of the ejection report saying a second penalty was probably too severe) there was no additional penalty.

In all my years I have had ONE coach call to complain about an ejection (that would be 1 out of 316 ejections) and asking for additional information.

I would contend that there could very well be an area somewhere between the "police report' filed by ex-cop and my 25 word answer.

Regards,

[jjb]

Hey, Rog, if that's all they want, it's not going to hurt my feelings.

However, let's tske this to the end of the string:

1. a coach of a 10-year old team instructs a pitcher to throw at a batter. (He doesn't) You toss the coach.

The EJ report reads "Coach X ejected for Unsportsmanlike Conduct"

2. A coach of a 10-year old team punches the Plate Umpire.

The EJ report reads, "Coach X ejected for Unsportsmanlike Conduct"

Remember that Minor League Nitwit Coach who freaked out last season? Woujld you consider that EJ report to be listed as "argued a judgement call"?

There's gotta be a method to tell the League exactly what he did, so that they can use whatever disciplinary actions at their disposal.

[jjb]

Tim, exactly what I'm trying to say.

Your Administrator will determine if the EJ was righteous. How can he do that, if the EJ report doesn't relate what happened?

[bamatazz]

If a coach comes out and punches and umpire, I am pretty sure that the POLICE REPORT will do all the explaining for him.

I know here, if I have an ejection, before the report is field out, there will be a phone call to my assigner or one of our officers. There, I will explain in detail what accord. As for the report, I will put what is required. The report that I write, may not include everything that happened, however, our association officer will be in touch with the appropriate people to let them know that of the events that took place.

[ExCop]

May I venture an explanation for this disagreement?

It seems that in jurisdictions with more sophisticated structures (perhaps longer seasons is the reason?) less needs be said because the readers/users of ejection reports automatically "get it." Put another way, if lawump were my convener I would need 10 words, probably.

It other areas, the user simply needs more info. The report should not sound defensive, but it should explain your conduct fully, lest you create a vacuum that the coach fills with misrepresentations, sullying your reputation and potential employability. There is some self-interest here that is legitimate and can easily be dealt with by a complete and accurate report.

Do whatever works or is expected in your own backyard, of course. Just do it right.

[PNWBlue]

May I venture an explanation for this disagreement?

It seems that in jurisdictions with more sophisticated structures (perhaps longer seasons is the reason?) less needs be said because the readers/users of ejection reports automatically "get it." Put another way, if lawump were my convener I would need 10 words, probably.

It other areas, the user simply needs more info. The report should not sound defensive, but it should explain your conduct fully, lest you create a vacuum that the coach fills with misrepresentations, sullying your reputation and potential employability. There is some self-interest here that is legitimate and can easily be dealt with by a complete and accurate report.

Do whatever works or is expected in your own backyard, of course. Just do it right.

The best defense is a good offense!

I agree with the notion that with so much left unsaid, it allows the other party to fill in the gaps.

Plus, I tend to forget details not long after the event, so I get it all typed as soon as possible for reference purposes. No reason to not include it at that point.

[Tim_C]

PNWBlue:

I doubt you are a ranking umpire in the NBUA.

Regards,

[PNWBlue]

PNWBlue:

I doubt you are a ranking umpire in the NBUA.

Regards,

I'm sure you have a point.

[murphump47]

I am confused. The NBUA report form on their website requests being thorough and asks for lots of information...

Name of the official submitting this report:
Email address of official submitting this report:
Date of contest:
Location of game:
Home team: Visiting team:
League of contest:
Level of contest: Select LeagueCollegePSSBLOther AdultLegion-Mack-Sr. BabeJr. Legion-MantleColt-Koufax-Sr. LLPony-CYO
Involved person(s)/team(s):
Category of action: Select one Abusive Language Compliment Ejectable Rules Violation Inciting Malicious Contact Showing up umpire Unsportsmanlike conduct Physical Contact w/umpire
Details (please be thorough):

If ejection, was this: Routine Objectionable Highly Objectionable ?

[bigblue2u]

Ex Cop:
Well written. However, it has been my experience both as a convening authority and as an umpire that it is not necessary to quote rules unless a protest is involved. The reason is that the issue is the ejection not an interpretation of the rules. Just a thought.

[jjb]

Agree, blu: in legal terms, the ejecting umpire is what is known as a Fact Witness: someone who relates what happened. The League Director/UIC/AD will then take the facts and make decisions, in light of the Rules that have been/may have been violated.

As UIC, Ive written a bunch of opinions regarding Ejections: we have an EJ report, that is on our website, and is easily downloaded to an e-mail. I can read it, write a response to the League, and make recommendations. The League Commisioner then reads the e-mails, and makes a decision. (this is done within 24 hours, from toss to final decision). Bada Boom, we're done...

[ExCop]

Ex Cop:
Well written. However, it has been my experience both as a convening authority and as an umpire that it is not necessary to quote rules unless a protest is involved. The reason is that the issue is the ejection not an interpretation of the rules. Just a thought.

And a good thought.

The reason for including the rules is simply to provide an easy reference for the reader who probably hasn't read a rule book, and would probably be more inclined to believe what his good friend and fellow Board member Coach Mack says about them, viz:

"..and than the umpire kicked the call by ruling there can be obstruction without contact; the rule book explicitly says there must be contact! And then when I got angry he dumped me!"

"uhhh...Mack, I'm looking at the rule right here on the report and it doesn't say anything about contact, just impeding. Anyway, so it looks like you blew your stack over a rule you didn't know."

Your credibility - up
Coach's - down

I take the well-intended point, and I know it's extra work, but I believe a complete report tells a complete story.

That said, this thread has been viewed hundreds of time. Both sides of the coin have been (IMO) very well argued and articulated.

Our colleagues can make up their own minds based on local expectations and our discourse here.

[JBowling]

The IHSA special report requires the name, date, offender's team, opposing team, sport, level, specific action (Coach Ejection, Player Ejection, Fan Ejection, Other) The other would be for an improperly marked field or something that doesn't conform to the rules.

Then it has a section "Specific Matter Being Reported" with the following information for the official.

"Please use as much detail as necessary to describe the incident. The box will scroll to make more room if you reach the bottom."

For the situation that Ex-Cop wrote about, I would probably state the following in the "Specific Matter Being Reported"

I ejected Beantown Blues Manager Mack (#44) for unsportmanlike conduct for use of profanity.

The reason for this ejection stems from an obstruction call that I made on his shortstop in the 4th inning. After awarding the runner third base as a result of the obstruction, Manager Mack came out of the dugout making the following statement:

“That was the most brutal call I have ever seen! There was no contact so that can’t be obstruction! Why don’t you try reading a rule f*** rulebook, moron?! You suck! You just suck!”

I immediately ejected Manager from the game based on rule 3-3-1 (Not exactly sure that's the correct reference for coach conduct in NFHS rule book. It would be correct if I was writing a real report with my book in front of me), and he left without further incident.

[ziggys141]

The reason for this ejection stems from an obstruction call that I made on his shortstop in the 4th inning. After awarding the runner third base as a result of the obstruction, Manager Mack came out of the dugout making the following statement....

In this sentence, you just said it's your fault he got ejected. No matter what else is in that report, you just said "The reason for the ejection stems from an obstruction called that I made."

More words means more room for argument from the ejected party. A coach cannot argue with "He was ejected for use of profanity." He can give another version, but he cannot argue with it. There are no "gaps" to fill in.

A report is a report.

What happened? Coach cussed me out
When? Bottom of the fourth
Where? Superhero's Park

Why is irrelevant, and you will never know what actually caused the outburst. It could be because you kicked a call. DOESN'T MATTER! Could be because coaches wife told him he's worthless, is going home, packing her stuff, and leaving. DOESN'T MATTER! Could be because a player just told him to kiss off, and he's taking it out on you. DOESN'T MATTER!

It's not about the amount of time it takes to write one of these novels. It's about the message that's being sent to the league. By requiring this kind of justification for an ejection, your credibility and authority, as an association, is being limited and judgement questioned.

If a board needs to know (and your association submits to it) why a coach is cussing at you, or why a player tossed his helmet 30 feet, or why the assistant is charging across the infield, you need a find new games to call and a new association.

[Tim_C]

I think the "Zigmeister" just nailed the issue of this discussion.

Regards,

[PNWBlue]

I am confused. The NBUA report form on their website requests being thorough and asks for lots of information...

Name of the official submitting this report:
Email address of official submitting this report:
Date of contest:
Location of game:
Home team: Visiting team:
League of contest:
Level of contest: Select LeagueCollegePSSBLOther AdultLegion-Mack-Sr. BabeJr. Legion-MantleColt-Koufax-Sr. LLPony-CYO
Involved person(s)/team(s):
Category of action: Select one Abusive Language Compliment Ejectable Rules Violation Inciting Malicious Contact Showing up umpire Unsportsmanlike conduct Physical Contact w/umpire
Details (please be thorough):

If ejection, was this: Routine Objectionable Highly Objectionable ?


Don't be confused.

The point was not to actually supply a counter-argument to a statement, rather to 'disparage' my knowledge base because I'm not as 'veteran' an umpire.

Yes, even though I'm not a 'ranking' umpire in my association, I can interpret for myself what "please be thorough."

What a shame that some umpires with more time on the field are so quick to dismiss their younger counterparts. It certainly doesn't really help anything, much less further the development of those new to the vocation.

[JBowling]

The reason for this ejection stems from an obstruction call that I made on his shortstop in the 4th inning. After awarding the runner third base as a result of the obstruction, Manager Mack came out of the dugout making the following statement....

In this sentence, you just said it's your fault he got ejected. No matter what else is in that report, you just said "The reason for the ejection stems from an obstruction called that I made."

More words means more room for argument from the ejected party. A coach cannot argue with "He was ejected for use of profanity." He can give another version, but he cannot argue with it. There are no "gaps" to fill in.

A report is a report.

What happened? Coach cussed me out
When? Bottom of the fourth
Where? Superhero's Park

Why is irrelevant, and you will never know what actually caused the outburst. It could be because you kicked a call. DOESN'T MATTER! Could be because coaches wife told him he's worthless, is going home, packing her stuff, and leaving. DOESN'T MATTER! Could be because a player just told him to kiss off, and he's taking it out on you. DOESN'T MATTER!

It's not about the amount of time it takes to write one of these novels. It's about the message that's being sent to the league. By requiring this kind of justification for an ejection, your credibility and authority, as an association, is being limited and judgement questioned.

If a board needs to know (and your association submits to it) why a coach is cussing at you, or why a player tossed his helmet 30 feet, or why the assistant is charging across the infield, you need a find new games to call and a new association.

That's funny because for the number of these that I have filled out, in this very manner, I have never been questioned about them.

You fill out your forms, your way, I'll fill mine out my way.