Today I saw something I’d never seen at a college level baseball game before. With one out in the second inning and a lead of 2-0, CMU hit into a questionable 4-3 ground out. I haven’t seen a replay so I can’t say for sure the call was good, but it was the call.
Steve Jacksa, the CMU coach, went over to first and argued the call with the umpire who’d made the call. I’ve got no problem with that. It’s part of baseball. A good argument can be fun. More power to you coach.
But here’s the rub. After failing to persuade the umpire of his case, and when was the last time you saw a coach win one of these, Coach Jacksa stalked a back across the field from 1st to 3rd going right over the pitcher’s mound. And he didn’t just walk across it accidentally. He clearly knew what he was doing and did it, as far as I can tell, to show his contempt for the umpires and for our team.
Look, I get being mad at an umpire. I get mad at them all the time. But it was an incredible show of bad sportsmanship to stalk across the mound and show up our pitcher like that. There isn’t any rule against it. But after A-Rod did it to Braden back in 2010 and ignited a controversy, there’s no way to interpret it as just a way to cross the field anymore.
Coach, your team is welcome back here anytime. I’d love to see them. They are a good baseball team. Your fans are welcome back anytime, they are a great group. Your assistant coaches are welcome back; I watched one toss a ball to group of keiki after the game – good show.
But you sir, you are not welcome back, at least not until you learn to handle your unhappiness. If you must direct it somewhere go after the umpires, but don’t disrespect our team, our fans, or our ball park. That was ugliest display I have ever seen from a college level baseball coach. You knew what you were doing and you knew what the reaction would be. Grow up coach or take your ball and go home. Please.
Here he is folks, my new role model, #22…Steve Jacksa…
To his credit he did pick up a bit of trash that probably wouldn’t have made it onto the playing surface and seemed fine doing it. And, looking at his record and the number of players signed or drafted during his tenure he is a good coach.
I’m just sorry that during his 300th win, and he did win today, he managed to turn something that should have been a fun afternoon in the sun into a sorry spectacle of bad sportsmanship.
Slower, cheaper, less useful…
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