Don Briggs, Umpire, Ejects Crowd During Baseball Game

WEST BURLINGTON, Iowa — An umpire has emptied the stands at a high school baseball game, ejecting the entire crowd of more than 100 fans for being unruly.

Umpire Don Briggs said he had no problem with any of the student athletes during Thursday's game between Winfield-Mount Union and West Burlington.

He said he had to take action because fans were being unruly, yelling and arguing.

However, West Burlington Superintendent James Sleister said he didn't see any unusual behavior and said he thought the umpire overreacted.

The game resumed after a 40-minute delay. West Burlington won 12-11.

The umpire called police as a precaution. West Burlington police officer Al Waterman says there were no arrests. He says he saw no unruliness himself.

Comments

[benman]

Ah, but will Baseball fine the fans for criticizing the umpire after the game?

[suemag]

Good for him!

[HuffGeist]

I'd love to see this guy go off like this (or try to at least) in a MLB game! But then again, it's not too uncommon to see overenthusiastic parents have knock down drag outs during games either-right in front young kids.

[larry278]

On-field dramatics at MLB games are limited by the lords of MLB. If a game becomes basebrawl, it hurts the gate receipts & the sponsors could refuse to buy time for games at that field or involving either team. MLB is about money & sportsmanship, maybe.
The last thing the lords of MLB want is for a baseball game to turn into a NHL game.
Give blood, play hockey or rugby.

[brijit]

Don't crowds at ballgames usually yell and argue?

[scottarino]

I loved HS baseball, too, except the umpiring at that level is hit or miss, usually miss.

[Bude]

I love high school BB. I once threw out a player, his dad, his brother, his mom, and his grandparents.

[spitz]

What were they all doing playing on the same team!? Whoa!

[Bude]

The dad and brother were coaching and the mom and grandparents were watching.