Umpire ejects DJ for playing ‘Three Blind Mice’
An umpire ejected a DJ for playing “Three Blind Mice” during a minor-league baseball game in Daytona Beach, Florida.
The ejection came in the eighth inning of Wednesday’s game between the Daytona Cubs and the Fort Myers Miracle.
The Daytona Beach News-Journal reports Cubs manager Brian Harper was arguing a call at first base when he heard home plate umpire Mario Seneca bellow “you’re done!”
Harper says he thought he was being kicked out of the game. Instead, the umpire ejected the music man and had the public address system at the stadium shut down for the rest of the game.
What do you think about the umpire’s decision?
– The Asssociated Press contributed to this article.
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45 comments Add your comment
Mehta
August 2nd, 2012
5:56 pm
a total joke that some umpire can control the PA system. The umpire should be fired. Maybe he can get a job with the police to abuse power.
Yogi
August 2nd, 2012
6:02 pm
Bull Sh*t!..The ump shouldn’t have that much power…if shoe fits wear it.
jddawg
August 2nd, 2012
6:14 pm
Obviously someone posting here has a criminal record! You must have been abused before. Not sure if by the police, your mama, or the neighbor’s little daughter. Either way, my image of you is the same.
CSD
August 2nd, 2012
6:44 pm
That’s kind of funny. It would have been funnier if the music man had kept playing music and ignored the ump. What is the ump really going to do.
Ford
August 2nd, 2012
6:59 pm
Exactly right,does the stadium music have to please the umpiring crew? Maybe he prefers Barry Manilow…from where does he get that kind of power?
Rules are rules
August 2nd, 2012
7:17 pm
Umpires have the right, just as referees do, to eject anyone who causes or allows anything which would delay the game, possibly incite the crowd or prevent the umpire or players from assuming their duties. Since the music is played by the host team the team could also face forfeiture of the game if the umpire feels they are not being responsible for the safety of the umpires, players and fans. It doesn’t take much to turn a crowd into a mob.
Tommy
August 2nd, 2012
7:57 pm
Rules are rules…spoken like a true umpire. This umpire is way too thin skinned and needs to chill. He will never advance to MLB if he can’t handle coaches, spectators, and yes, even the PA announcer.
Tonya
August 2nd, 2012
8:18 pm
Umpire will be making an apology over this one. If not you’ll be hearing about them throwing fans out for yelling at umps for bad calls. Only way he could do that is if the music was played when not allowed to be played.
Rules are rules
August 2nd, 2012
9:08 pm
Seneca responded on Facebook: “The good news is that I called my league president (Chuck Murphy) afterwards, and he said I did the correct thing. His opinion is pretty much the only one that matters, since he’s my boss.” I saw a game once where Three Blind Mice was played and the umps huddled up and threatened to call the game if they didn’t stop. You may disagree with what he did. I am not saying I agree with the ump, just that he has the authority to clear the entire stands if he chooses and there isn’t anything you can do but whine about it.
USMC DAWG
August 2nd, 2012
9:16 pm
Most people do not realize that Joe West did the exact same thing about 30 years ago.
flycatcher
August 2nd, 2012
10:00 pm
Violation of 1st amendment rights. Some lawyer will take up the cause as soon as deep pocket is identified.
mike
August 2nd, 2012
10:22 pm
Umpires are far to antagonistic. They look for and generate their own problems in far too many instances. Their holier than thou attitude exudes such a lack of professionalism it is pathetic. They really believe they are over and above any criticism or questioning. The really sad part of this is that I am an official and to see peers acting in this manner is one more sad commentary of today’s society.
Mike Luck
August 2nd, 2012
10:48 pm
Rules are rules: Thanks for adding his quotes.
Disgusted
August 2nd, 2012
11:17 pm
Ditto Mike @ 10:22 p.m. Some of these Umps of today think they are bigger than the game & thy look for trouble.
They need to get over it. Hope that Ump never sees the major leagues.
I'm a umpire and official
August 2nd, 2012
11:25 pm
I have been a official for almost 25 years and I have never even considered throwing someone out for this. I would be embarrassed to be on the same field as this guy. Of all the schools I have attended, they stress to us to not listen and ignore the crowd or fans. I guess this guy had a really bad day and he needs to feel he has total control of everything, Hope he is not married or has kids.
Paddy
August 3rd, 2012
6:55 am
I’m an umpire………..not that unusual. Teams also know not to play “three blind mice” He got what was coming to him.
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August 3rd, 2012
7:01 am
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jim
August 3rd, 2012
8:51 am
@flycatcher – your 1st amendment right to speech protects you from the government, not from umpires.
TERRYM.
August 3rd, 2012
12:11 pm
Good for the Ump. It’s easy to critize if you never umpire. Grown Men’s softball is the worst.
Ken Stallings
August 3rd, 2012
2:09 pm
A quick look at the way the umpire is swinging his arms tells you what you need to know. The body language with the exaggerated throwing out of the arms wide in the swing indicates an authoritarian mindset. It’s classic body language indicating presumed dominance of a situation.
In short, the guy’s mannerisms yell “jerk” very loudly.
Kramer
August 3rd, 2012
3:24 pm
The ump had the right. Don’t like it, fight to change the rules.
G-Dawg
August 3rd, 2012
3:31 pm
NCAA infractions committee might have a job for him!!
Really?
August 3rd, 2012
3:39 pm
He does look like a jerk, but he is also tasked with maintaining control of the situation. Three Blind Mice is really not appropriate to be played over the PA. Could cause crowd problems. Lots of less than stellar people at ball parks watching games.
Really?
August 3rd, 2012
3:45 pm
But it is funny anyway.
scoreboard
August 3rd, 2012
3:53 pm
Rules:
So you’re telling me the umpire’s supervisor covered his butt. Hmmmm…umpires sticking together. Who could have possibly predicted that?
In other news, the sun rose this morning. Film at 11:00.
beachdog
August 3rd, 2012
4:46 pm
It’s been years since I officiated and I never ejected anyone who did not deserve it.
I may have missed a block/charge or two but on ejections I was perfect.
It is funny but Three Blind Mice is not appropriate and could cause crowd problems.
PMC
August 3rd, 2012
4:48 pm
Classic case of abuse of power and incredibly thin skin. That said, it’s no big deal. He’s within his rights to do that and he did. Though he handled a childish taunt with an even more childish reaction.
Tony Williams
August 3rd, 2012
4:59 pm
That was classic !!! Officials do have the right to eject game personal such as the Organist in this case. I know you might think his is a weak umpire but being on the field is supposed to be a neutral and safe area. Boo and yell at us all you want but throwing things and Home Management playing such music after a close call is grounds for ejection.
Reg
August 3rd, 2012
6:54 pm
This ump needs to be more concerned about what is going on on the field.
This is probably why you are in the minors, little man.
Ideas
August 4th, 2012
7:22 am
It is not an abuse of power. If you knew the rule book, you would know that. Some of you people on here should not even comment because you do not know the game. I umpired for 18 years. I only threw out maybe two people in that time. But it only takes one jerk, like some of the people on this comment page, to cause this to happen. You are not above the rules and no one is. I did forfeit one game when the guy I threw out would not leave. What are you supposed to do? You have to maintain order and the game. After all it is just a game. I suspect some of you on this comment page would deny you were speeding when your were. Anyhow, if it is detrimental to the game on the field, an umpire can throw out anyone in the stands. It is his duty to keep it a game and not a RIOT.
wild one 13
August 4th, 2012
11:08 am
The umpire might not have been right but, for anyone who has ever played the game you know a umpire’s ruling on the call is final. You can accept it and move on or you can stew on it and let it affect the rest of your game.
3 blind mice over the PA. Sounds like great plublicity to me and will help sell tickets for future games.
P
August 4th, 2012
2:35 pm
Clearly this jackoff will never see the bigs. He should be taken under the stadium and beaten for being so incredibly stupid. I don’t know why this get’s to me so much but I would love to punch him in his mouth.
Slimmer Shady
August 4th, 2012
3:57 pm
He shoulda played Momma Said Knock You Out song…
indianman
August 4th, 2012
9:12 pm
i feel like umpire much been drunk
Tdawg
August 4th, 2012
9:54 pm
The ump was within the rules and had the right to do as he did. Still, would it of killed him to just warn the fellow first. Seems to me his wittle feelens wuz hurt. Poor baby.
Political Mongrel
August 4th, 2012
10:16 pm
Works for me.
Overly Dedicated
August 5th, 2012
9:14 am
The announcer was the worst. “Derek Dyer was just ejected from the game…that is so cool! AWESOME!” What an idiot.
Pippa's hiney
August 5th, 2012
9:18 am
I’m with the ump.
Billy
August 5th, 2012
9:26 am
This was all staged. Minor League teams are always looking for a gimmick to get people in or to generate press because most stadiums are struggling. I wouldn’t be surprised if the umpires were in on this.
of course
August 5th, 2012
12:37 pm
Umpires are typically the biggest babies and the biggest drama queens on any field.
Let's Be Real
August 5th, 2012
2:29 pm
The umpire’s job duty isn’t riot control, it’s to enforce the rules game. Stop bending over to apologize for this wimp. “Three Blind Mice” wouldn’t incite violence or a riot, idiots.
Bingo
August 6th, 2012
11:51 am
15 years of baseball umpiring behind the dish and I can tell you a few stories about Dads inciting other Dads and things digressing to assaulting the umpires as they try to leave the game. Many more fans that are jerks than umpires. The umpire was within his right and the rules to eject the DJ. Stupid move by the DJ.
Chuck Clausen
August 7th, 2012
9:13 am
Umpires and referees job is to make sure the game is fair to both teams – I was involved a long time ago where the referees got involved in crowd control – the crowd was making so much noise when the visiting team was calling signals the visiting teams players were jumping off sides. Both teams and coaching staffs talk to the crowd over the PA.
Brad
August 7th, 2012
9:48 am
Bingo…
If there were any of these “jerks” in the stands that would plan to assault the umps after the game, do you really think allowing Three Blind Mice to play would cause that? It seems to me those kind of people would probably be MORE incited to see the ump kick the DJ out for his song selection. Ump should have just let it roll off his back.
Chip on their shoulder
August 8th, 2012
10:47 am
Been an ump for 10 years plus been a manager in the minors, this ump should be embarrassed, im almost with who ever said this was staged, hopefully for the game of baseball, they are not letting umpires on the filed with this type of chip on their shoulder. He should be suspended.