Wow, I can't believe the shallowness of many of the opinions given here. Let us not forget the primary aim of Little League International, (the largest youth sports organization in the world)other than simply to have fun, is to teach children about teamwork, sportsmanship and fair play. Their watchwords are Character, Courage, Loyalty. No wonder this Country is going to hell in a hand basket! Teach your kids some respect!!!

I umpire youth league to men's
semi-professional baseball and agree with "Wayne" (see post Cowardly Catcher) who stated that this was an intentional act by a cowardly pitcher and catcher; was intentional, and has no place in baseball. Yes, umpires wear equipment but the equipment is not "bulletproof" and it's worn to protect against things that happen as UNINTENTIONAL consequences of the game, not so whiny ball players can take cheap shots to intentionally hurt someone. And for those that think it hit the batter first, watch the batter's reaction - he puts his hand out to hold the runner up at third base. If the batter were hit, he would instead have been pleading his case to the umpire. He doesn't react like the ball hit him.

Besides the obvious by looking at the video, it was intentional, I was at the game. Everyone in the stands thought it was intentional. Two major factors that people fail to list, the first you had to be there for. The ump was very inconsistant with his strike zone and two the team that did it was fustrated. Stephens County was favored to win, they were losing 13-1 when this happened.

People who are making cheap excuses for the catcher don't know baseball.You call for a low curve ball with a man on second with an ump who has a tight strike zone?And you set up the pitcher that high?I used to pitch and catch part time.You don't set up high for a low curve and you don't call for a slow,low breaking ball with a man on second.It was a foolish act of a foolish kid.Can't be sure about the pitcher.Looks like he was trying to hit the target.

To all you morons who think this was caused by a ball hitting the batter first. Look at what the catcher does prior to the pitch just arriving. Truly the catcher and Pitcher planned this. The catcher pulled his glove down just before it arrived.

No way did the ball hit the batter....the camera angle may give that illusion but absolutely no way....if that ball was at the hitter head he sure wouldn't be standing up.....ball wasn't close to his head it is the severe camera angle....have a little bit of common sense...must do a little bit better selling it....that guys breaking ball isn't good.....head high to gotta block a CB in the dirt.....just a horrible sell job by the catcher....

I would like to know if you have the same point of view for pitchers that through at hitters.
In addition, what are the consequences for the umpire who was performing so badly?

Look to these brats father. Ihave been to summer games where the pitcher's father is in the stands. Apple hasn't fallen far from the trr. Yes it was deliberate and take your punishment little boy. Also be aware that all umpires know who you are now. I bet that you will have a very narrow strike zone. We'll see a lot of crying from you and a lot of hissy fits from your father.

The first time I watched the video I only followed the catcher and I thought to myself "That was flagrant." The second time I watched the video I followed only the ball and realized that it did hit the batter on the helmet first and then the catcher reacted. This video reminds me of that young girl old woman optical illusion.

The kid should be made to umpire little all summer without pay.

It's terribly sad that so many people today scream about Liberal forgiveness and open mindedness, then go on a lynch mob to
call for this boys life to be left in ruins. This was a nothing more than a bad decision and yes a reprimand for it is in order. But ending this talented young mans's baseball career? Let's just delv into anyone's past and let's se what error in judgement they made in their live and see if we can ruin their future for making a MISTAKE!!! Get over it people. How about we all get more concerned with our own lives rather than sticking our big fat noses in everyone else's?

Search not for the speck in another's eye, until you have removed the board from your own.

If the ball hit the batter why didn't he head to first base instead of just standing there. He also put out his hand to tell the runner on second to stop.

The ball richochets off the hitter's helmet. Maybe the catcher should have still tried to catch it, but he had no idea which way to go to do that. It cannot be intentional because he could have no idea the ump would be hit.

How many batters have you seen get hit and just stand there telling a runner to hold up. He was not hit by the pitch, it's an optical illusion as he pulls his head back as the ball appears in line with him. This was clearly intentional. Pathetic.

First off gentlemen, the runner advanced which means the ball did not hit the batter!! If it was high and tight, the catcher still should have tried to glove it!! The score was 13-1 which means they didn't care about runners advancing to third!! I was a SEC Championship catcher that knows that the umpire is your best friend. As well as knowing when there has to be team work between the pitcher and the catcher to pull that off!! Sorry gentleman. As the umpire put it, "the video says it all"~

That ball never comes close to the batter at all. It was purely, and completely an intentional act. This catcher should never be allowed on the field again. If the pitcher knew the catcher wasn't going to attempt to catch it, then the pitcher should never see the field again either.

The hazards of the game. that's why they are supposed to wear protective masks and chest guards. He had on neither one. Tough luck obey the rukes

I am a high school umpire and have never seen a catcher drop to the ground like that on a curve ball or on a deflection. It was intentional and has no place in baseball. This umpire was very lucky that the ball hit him in the mask. The ball could just as easily have hit him in the throat. High school umpires barely make enough money to cover expenses, they umpire for love of the game. For all those people posting that the umpire should just get over it or grow a set, you are the same fools who stand behind that safe fence and shout out your insightful comments to the men in blue who are doing a necessary job for the sake of the game. I hope the umpire in question sues the pants off all those involved.

I must agree with the previous poster, if it was intentional they got lucky. Watch in slow motion and see that the ball hit the batter and ricocheted to the umpire's mask. Fines will be rescinded and the apology should come from the umpire for over blowing the situation.

I agree with Danny, 6/6.08 10:58PM, The ball hit the batters helmet first, then richoet into the ump. I agree the catcher looked suspicious as he ducks, but remember who was hit FIRST !

I played catcher and got hit in the mask lots of times. It doesn't hurt.

It hit the batters head and then ricocheted. No one's fault except the stupid batter who should have at least had the decency to fall down...come on, you were hit! Go ahead and take your base.

I'm an umpire. I've done independent pro league down to high school. The catcher, pitcher and head coach should all have been ejected. The high school organization acted correctly. I don't believe charges should be filed. The catcher should make a public apology.

are you kidding!, they are standing in the way of a fast moving object and you can plainly see the ball was close to the hitters head, get over it! you got hit, wear more gear if you are going to be such a sissy

Ya know, umps enter the game with protective equipment as a just in case, seems to me they enter at their own risk just like any player. And this article says NOTHING coming from the catcher...who knows if he lost the ball in the sun or something. Hard to tell from the video, it does look a tad suspicious but only a tad at best. Who is this ump thinking he's gonna sue??

Where is the umpire's vest?

Anyone who thinks this was accidental or it's "part of the game" is an idiot!
Yes, they wear gear for protection, but they don't have a glove and are not expecting to get hung out to dry.
I would have dumped the catcher for sure, and anyone who defended him. Then filed criminal charges. There are better ways to get your point accross then trying to hurt someone intentionally. Remember, these guys have regular jobs and families to support.
There is no place for these kind of actions in HS baseball, or at any level for that matter. Even pro. It is as someone said before "bush league".

this ump was clearly driving an SUV, voting republican and hating all that is "green" in our environment. He also makes a lot of money so it is his fault.

I hate to say it but I did the same thing years ago in a high school game and guess what, me and my catcher were tossed no questions asked. Plus the ump told me he would kick my ass the next time I tried something stupid like that. those were the days when umps had balls and didn't have to worry about a drunken parent or other crazed legal F*** repremaninding them. Ump the game like you should, toss the BAS***s and play ball.

While I never pulled anything like this; I agree it's part of the game. If an umpire doesn't want to risk getting hit by a baseball...he should find another job. Greg Maddox is one of the most respected baseball players ever and is famous for intentionally hitting people. Ump needs to grow a pair and maybe call a better game. Definate increase in the woosification of America...

waaa...waaa...How many umps have "leaned in" too far and gotten smacked with a swung bat? Did the batter hit him "on purpose"? Baseball is a "contact sport". That's why they wear safety equipment for crying out loud!

One word, Bushleague! The umpire should have thrown the catcher out of the game. That said, since when do we need lawyers to police a ball game?

Baseball teams have been doing this since the game started. And do you know why they do this, boys and girls? It's because the team feels like the umpire has been making bad calls, and they have been arguing with the umpire all game to no avail. Usually they kick out the manager and the catcher for this stunt. This isn't the first time this has happened, nor will it be the last. I'm not justifying it, but it wasn't that bad. The pitcher didn't throw it as hard as he could have. If anything, it hurt the team because the guy on second base made it to third.

This is clearly due to global warming... and if it wasn't for the Bush Administration I am sure this would have never happened.

It looks like it's on purpose. But the ball was high and the sun was almost straight up (look at shadow on 3rd). Usually a catcher just barely moves his glove down to let the ball go by when he wants to hit the ump. The ump says "I hear ya, don't let it happen again". And they move on. This guy took a defensive position. Maybe he was blinded by the sun and ducked. Can't say for sure. But whichever it was, it did not look good.

Like the catcher thought the batter was going to swing at the breaking ball and didn't want to get hit with the bat. I've been hit by the batter more than once while catching, which is no fun at all. No harm, no foul

Without all the data of previous innings/events, it still looks intentional...as a little league ball player for many years, at all positions of the field including catching and pitching, yes, KIDS DO have that kind of ACCURACY and SPEED!

My old pitcher, who consistently threw above 90 MPH and went on to play with Cincinatti...had an ego like you wouldn't believe.

Bruised feelings, a "good working catcher/pitcher combo", and poor morals will yield just this kind of thing...

Ejection/Blackball? Yes, for both pitch and catch, and fire the coach for not teaching better sportsmanship. Lost "walk on"? Catcher deserves to loose it...Pitcher? Insufficient evidence, but I still say it was a "team effort"...what you do to one, do to the other, up to and including legal charges.

Catchers glove is backwards when he drops...held it up high long enough to give the pitcher the target, (for this the pitch may not be guilty...his job it to "hit the Glove of the Catcher")...and then the glove goes right at the time of release, into an "I'm not catching that one" position.

Definitely deliberate.

The pitcher and catcher are lucky they aren't my sons. First we'd talk about sportsmanship, class, and losing with dignity. Then we'd start the punishment phase.

yeah, he ducked.

This is what's wrong with America. Catcher and pitcher conspire to bean the umpire. It's been going on since Doubleday. Umpire can (and should) toss the catcher, but litigation and pecuniary fines are part of the wimpification of America. Take the hit, yell at the coach, toss the kid, get on with the game.

I was an Umpire and had the same thing happen to me. I called the game because of darkness and delayed the game until they offending team could replace the catcher with some one who could see. If they didnot replace the catcher, I was going to call every pitch a ball until I could see. This would mean a lot of walks before the end of the game.

I am so pleased that the psychics can know that the ball was intended to harm the ump. Perhaps we should prosecute every player who pitches and hits anyone. If hits the catcher - maybe they were having a squabble over a relationship. If a ball hits the batter then obviously it must be intentional. Yes the uimp got hit and yes it might or might not have been intentional. Umps get hit frequently - he assumed the risk of being hit - maybe even by accident. If his mommy won't protect him he must go to the courts. Besides, he got hurt - waaaahhhhhhhhh!

Having been both a catcher and a pitcher, then an umpire through NCAA level for many years, it's obvious this was deliberate on the part of the catcher. So what? Mr. Umpire have some balls and just do your job. Toss the catcher. Toss anyone who frowns at you. Create the smallest strike zone that pitcher has ever seen. Umps are part of the game too and catchers should know that. Mistreat your ump or hang him out to dry (intentionally or unintentionally never really mattered to me) and all things being equal your team is probably going to lose.

Bet that kid is one of the thousands who is attending summer school in Georgia. Not real bright. Not withstanding what he might have scored on an SAT or ACT, bet a college that sees this will say, "NO THANKS".

You know...looking at the video half a dozen times or so, I'm confused about all the fuss. Neal talked about all the Pro's commenting, call in comments to the show, etc. Unless I haven't heard/seen all the info., or a confession by the catcher in question, I'm trying to fiquire out how many mindreaders out there can convince me of any intent to harm or miss, etc. I mean...how can we really know what happened and why. Anytime you ask a pointed question about a subjective occurance, you're going to get a comment that is slanted/questionable, based on the respondents attitude(s). This video shows an action, open to interpretation by everyone who wants to give his/her opinion... or agenda.

yep it certainly was on purpose, probably the catcher and pitcher talked about it before. kids do stupid things without thinking of the consequences. Consequences should be imposed. severe enough to assure they won't do something like this again, BUT don't make it a "death penalty." I would think imposing about 200 hours of community service (and real community service) over the summer and a public apology to the ump and to the teams on both sides should suffice. Maybe a public flogging. I have 4 kids myself - sometimes they are stuupid.

I played baseball for about 17 years. The catcher dropped to his knees and moved away from the ball. It was done with a purpose.

Chin music is no big secret to the game.Going into second with your cleats up is no big secret to the game. Even hitting the ump on purpose is no big secret. Everyone at some time or other disagrees with a particular call.Sling your bat on contact. That will send a signal.Good sportsmanship is a learned trait.

Kudos to the Coaches and staff at Gordon College. Sorry that akid loses his opportuity to walk on but every action you take you are responsible for the actions and the results.

Looks intentional to me and extreemly poor choice of timing on his part to pull off a stunt like this. If it wasn't intentional then Gordan College certainly can find a better catcher then this kid from all the leagues around the region.

we wonder whats wrong with pro sports?
need i say more

As a former collegiate and professional catcher I can safely say that this was purposeful. This is one of those little known parts of the game within the game, similar to chin music. Right or wrong is a legitimate topic for debate.

What you don't see is what lead up to this pitch. Was the umpire "squeezing" the pitcher or had there been some sort of exchange between him and the coach? We can't tell from this clip. However, there are still many old school baseball guys out there that are coaching. I'm not a proponent of injuring and, as a catcher who has been hit hundreds of times harder than that, I question the validity of the injury. The unfortunate reality is that officials often carry an air of being beyond reproach and questioning and sometimes this sort of thing happens as a self-policing mechanism.

Have a great weekend everyone.

The catcher and pitcher planned this. They both should be kicked out.

I don't see enough from this video to say one way or another. It could have been intentional, and the umpire is obviously crying foul, but the pitcher and catcher could also have their signals crossed up. Who knows? Also, I'd like to know what the umpires injuries really were. Could he just be looking to sue someone to make an easy buck at the expense of the school district. The only people who really know are the kids, and unless they have foolishly gone around bragging about it, I don't see how one proves it was intentional. That said, it would not surprise me either way.

I have coached baseball for 15 years and was in attendance at the game. This was a flagrant retalliation for a called third strike on the pitcher's brother in the previous inning. The umpire did not call the outside corner for either team. If this is the measure to bean an ump, he wouldn't have made it through the first inning. As for there being no damage done, I personally know an umpire who suffers seizures till this day from a shot to the side of the head. It is the intention not the damage that matters. This was planned before the incident and was indicative of the management of the team. The Stephens County coach allowed no handshakes the previous day as a sign of "low class". If these were my players and if the ump hadn't tossed them I would have.

Check out the catcher's stance before the pitch. He isn't squatting low for a low pitch. He is seated very HIGH, expecting a high pitch (also setting the umpire up, making him think he will be protected.)

The ump is a wuss. Throw the kid out of the game and get on with it. Don't ruin his life for a split second decision he made. He is just a kid. No legal action should be taken in this incident.

I am not a professional baseball player and I don't have to be to see that it was planned. He hits his knees way too early. Stop making excuses for the kid; he made a decision to "show the ump" he didn't like the calls being made in the game and now he will face the consequences of his actions. It is better that the kid learns now that decisions have consequences and hopefully in the future, he will have a better appreciation that every single choice he makes can have lasting actions. I hate the kid lost a free ride to college, but he knew better and decided to do something harmful. If he didn't know better, then the parents who didn't teach him right from wrong and the coach that didn't instill good sportsmanship in his players also carry some fault, but it was the catcher that dropped to his knees. No one put a gun to his head to make him do it. Sucks to be him and his parents that now either have to foot the bill for school or support him slinging fries since no other school will take him.

Ok we see the video. It does look rather deliberate, but not being there I can't say for sure. What did the players have to say about this. What were the umpires thoughts. The 2nd base ump had a good look what did he say. I need more information before I pass judgement.

The catcher clearly evaded the pitch with the intention of allowing it to hit the ump.
Unless it can be shown that the pitcher and catcher got together and decided on this particular pitch that the catcher would duck, I would say from viewing the video that the catcher made this decision on his own and that the pitcher was just making a pitch. I can not fault the pitcher in anyway from the basis of this video alone.

Most catchers have done this at some point in there careers.

Playing Devil's advocated here... There is a runner on second, therefore a series of signs will be given by the catcher, and it is not uncommon for the pitcher and catcher to get crossed up. If you, as a catcher, are expecting a breaking ball in the dirt, with a runner on, you have to drop and block it. The fastball leaves the hand at a height, that if it was the breaking ball that was called, it bounces, therefore, the catcher drops to block what should be a breaker in the dirt, however, its too late.

On purpose, no question. No excuse, despite what some of the pathetics on this thread have been posting.

this was a deliberate act, and I believe that the pitcher was in on it. Criminal charges should be considered. The umpire might have been killed if the ball hit another part of his head

The catcher did it deliberately. In the heat of the moment, he obviously had a beef with the ump, and did something he will live to regret. We all are held accountable for our actions whether they are in the heat of the moment or not. I am sure the catcher will think next time before he lets his emotions rule his head again. He will have a lifetime to do better or get worse. It is his choice. If I was the Gordon College coach, I wouldn't want the potential controversy because it might hurt my career. No one can fault him for rescinding the offer. I would do the same. Intentionally setting out to hurt someone should be unacceptable under any standard. I don't understand people who say, Oh, he's young, he shouldn't be punished by taking away his scholarship. Whatever happened to making mistakes, taking the consequences, and learning from it. If he gets no consequences this time, chances of him doing similiar things in the future are great. If he gets his consequences now, he has a greater chance of learning and turning from those ways. Good old fashioned common sense should rule here.

High pitch and a duck...someone playing catcher position does not duck a pitch like that. I would say intentional.

The catcher knew exactly what he was doing. Protesting the umpire's calls. He should be suspended and the Gordon College coach did exactly the right thing to withdraw the invitation.

Examine the situation, please. Was there an arguement prior to this? Is it possible the catcher was crossed up on this pitch? There has to be more to this story than we are seeing in this clip. Was something said that would indicate intent? I doubt the pitcher is that accurate.

The catcher should have caught the pitch, but I don't think he intended to have the ball hit the umpire. I can see a suspension or something like that, but to ruin a possible baseball career over an accident? I know that actions have consequences, but the degree of those consequences should be taken into consideration, yes? The catcher needs to take responsibility for his actions, but I think the consequences in this case might have been a bit too harsh. It stinks that the umpire got hit, but there is a chance that could happen. I don't think any of this was done malicously. But - what's done is done... I hope the catcher has learned something from all of this...

Didn't look like pitcher is involved. Catcher looks deliberate

It looked to me more like the idiot catcher was afraid of the ball, what he was doing playing for a championship team in a championship game.
I would of tossed the kid for THAT, for being a wuss.

As for the UMP, He IS A WUSS. No one can know the intentions of those kids, besides anyone who knows their rear front their frontside should know 9 out of 10 kids dont have the kind of control to hit someone in the face. Major Leaguers is a different story.

All we need are a bunch of soccer/ baseball moms talking about these kids intentions.

And waiting for the medical report to file a law suit, seems like if they REALLY had a case and KNEW? and could PROVE their intentions they wouldnt need to WAIT to file a suit. They would, (notice WOULD) have a case. THEY DO NOT. GET A GRIP!!!!!!!

He should be fired for being a baby.

this is the attitude that boils down the ills of our society. As a high school umpire, we put up with enough crap to not have to deal with this. If the players would throw, catch and hit like they are supposed to, there would hardly ever be any issues with umpires. They screw up and we umpires are required to fix it because they take routine play and turn it into a banger. Then get made with us if the call goes against them. The catcher got his due. Sorry, no college ball for you.

I umpired for several years at the high school and college level. This happened to me a few times, but nothing as blatent as the video. Catcher's father probably told him this a good way to make your point about "bad" calls

Deliberate

For any good catcher, its almost instinctive to go after a bad pitch. Here there is no attempt whatsoever. Its obvious what's going on here, and Mark Arum ought to know better, being the "jock sniffer" he is.

Seems to me it is up to the umpire to protect himself,(as the catcher surely was doing). He goes into these games knowing there is always a chance of getting hit by a ball. Thus , he is forewarned. Suing is a classless action. As for the college that rescinded the offer, talk about your no class!!! Get real!!!!

looked like he meant to do that.Shame on him, and maybe this will teach him a lesson................

Regardless of how the ump called the game, intentionally throwing the ball at the ump is an act of assault. It has no place in baseball (not even in the regular "chin music" gamesmanship that goes on). Absolutely NO class whatsoever. Good for Gordon College for rescinding that offer. Actions have consequences. The sooner these clowns learn that, the better. I hope the ump gives em a legal kick in the pants as well!

The pitcher, catcher and the coach should have been tossed immediately. It's obvious what it was. Does anyone know if there were ejections from this game?

he probably had it coming. No one and especially no umpire is bigger than the game. Nice job catcher!

Being a past ump for fast pitch softball and baseball I did not see enough of the video to tell for sure but the motion of the glove in the air and the catcher going down at the same time is very suspect as to the intentions.

never seen a catcher move like that on a pitch over his head.

Who cares!! Do people REALLY have so much time on their hands that they have to investigate this? No one got hurt! If the ump had a problem with it he can deal with it!! GET A LIFE PEOPLE!!!