Teen Umpire Jameson Morris Ejects Coach in 1st Toss, Triggering Forfeit and Viral Video
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 19
Teen Umpire Jameson Morris Ejects Coach in 1st Toss, Triggering Forfeit and Viral Video
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 19
Potlatch, Idaho, senior Jameson Morris said the confrontation began when a coach objected to Rob Zombie’s “Never Gonna Stop”; after the coach refused to leave the field, Morris ejected him and the team forfeited.
4 years of umpiring had never brought Morris to an ejection before, he said, but he stayed calm because he viewed the dispute as escalating in front of younger players and wanted to keep his language measured.
Steffani Davis, the league’s umpire coordinator, called Morris the league’s top umpire and said he mentors younger officials while also starring as a pitcher for Potlatch High.
Millions of views have turned Morris briefly “internet famous,” but he said the episode was out of character only in scale, not conduct, and he hopes it reminds people that youth games depend on umpires.
How will this viral ejection force youth leagues to better protect their teen officials from angry coaches?
As a state champion player, how does being an elite athlete inform his composed, no-nonsense umpiring style?
Beyond the forfeit, what were the official league consequences for the ejected coach and his program?