MLB Network calls key umpires against Mitch Williams
Attorneys for the MLB Network played a video recording of a deposition given by Joseph Addis Sr., a former purchasing director for three large corporation. The deposition was given January 2016 (He was also cross-examined by Williams" attorney)to testify about the events of the Mother's Day weekend little league tournament in 2014. Among other things, he stated that over his decades-long career as a certified umpire for the little league, he had only ejected fifteen to twenty people, and only three coaches. But in describing the ejection of Williams during the Saturday game, Addis said Williams was "the most out of control manager I've ever been associated with."
He detailed the basis for that opinion by the following:
1. Even before the game began, Williams said out loud, in reference to the opposing team's pitcher who was warming up, "Look at that little fucker throwing a curve ball." Addis said he said it twice more and was asked by the other umpire to refrain from such language. (He explained that since the game had not officially begun that they didn't feel he had jurisdiction to eject him at that time). Williams shrugged and walked away. Addis had never heard of Mitch Williams until the start of the game when Williams "was bragging he had been a major league player." Addis said the Ripken tournament begins with an announcement about the importance of good sportsmanship. Despite that, while giving the coaches ground rule instructions at home plate, Williams had his back turned, and did not shake hands with the two umpires or opposing coach as is the custom.
2. Williams made loud complaints about balls and strike from the very first pitch through the fifth inning and that the Wild fans took their subsequent tone from their coach.
3. That there was a controversial play at home plate when a Wild player slid home. Addis hesitated for a couple of seconds and then called the runner out. Williams ran down from his coaching box at first base and told him in a strenuous outcry, "You don't know what you're doing! I remember you from last year". (Addis testified he had not even been an umpire the prior year) In a voice more loud than he had ever heard from a coach, Williams continued, "I'll have your job for this....it's what I would expect from Ripken baseball." He then yelled into the crowd to a woman, "You have the camera on don't you?" We'll get his job. he said Williams lost perspective and he argued for 5-10 minutes. Finally Addis issued a warning to Williams.
4. After he tried to walk away the other umpire Scott Bulwicki tried to come between them. Addis heard Williams say "bastards".Bulwicki took exception to the threat to have him lose his job and then ejected Williams. The latter got in the face of Bulwicki, so close that spittle from Williams inadvertently hit Bulwicki. Then Williams chest bumped Bulwicki and pushed him with the chest. When other coaches came on the field, he told them that he was going to forfeit the game and award it to the Pirates unless Williams left. When a Ripken tournament representative came on the field, Williams left, but not before yelling "fuckers as he left the field.
Addis said he had never heard of Williams before the game, was not biased, and was never disciplined in his career as an umpire.
On cross examination he said there was not just one reason for the ejection but rather a cumulative effect. But he did say cursing itself would have been reason enough. he denied hearing an words between Williams and Bulwicki regarding a challenge to fight. he admitted that Williams' statement about the opposing pitcher pre-game was not directed to anyone in particular.
Next a video deposition was played of 53 year old burly Scott Bulwicki. He had retired as a longshoreman at the Port of Baltimore at age 42 and worked as an umpire for many years. Bulwicki, who reminded me of actor Gary Bussey in his looks, supported what Addis had said regarding the nature of Williams' behavior and also described it as the worst ever. He had only ejected three coaches in his life. He said the personal abuse he and Addis took regarding the threat to his job was his major basis for ejection. He said Williams yelled it to the crowd and to him and bragged that "You don't know who I know, and this is what you get for $14-15 an hour. You are both going to lose your jobs tomorrow."
He reiterated the statement about the "little fucker throwing a curve ball(opposing pitcher) while warming up. But bulwicki went further and said Williams had used curse words every inning including mother fucker towards him and 'fucker" several times. He quoted Williams as saying that call(at home plate) "was fucking crazy".
On cross, Williams' attorney got the witness to admit he had been suspended for seven weeks by the Ripken officials and therefore lost a considerable amount of money. The thrust of the cross was to suggest that the witness was out for revenge and was exaggerating the behavior and piling on and fabricating cursing which didn't exist. The defense led the witness down the rosy path to a point where he was backed into a corner. "If he was calling you an asshole and mother fucker during the game, why didn't you eject him before the 5th inning?' The witness could only respond that he gives more leeway to teams from New Jersey and NewYork because it's a different culture than down in Maryland.
On Friday, former major league player and current MLB analyst(brother of Cal Ripken) is expected to testify as well as Brett Curl a Ripken representative. Then there will be closing arguments. It is significant that neither side called as a witness the son of Williams or the pitcher for the Wild.
He detailed the basis for that opinion by the following:
1. Even before the game began, Williams said out loud, in reference to the opposing team's pitcher who was warming up, "Look at that little fucker throwing a curve ball." Addis said he said it twice more and was asked by the other umpire to refrain from such language. (He explained that since the game had not officially begun that they didn't feel he had jurisdiction to eject him at that time). Williams shrugged and walked away. Addis had never heard of Mitch Williams until the start of the game when Williams "was bragging he had been a major league player." Addis said the Ripken tournament begins with an announcement about the importance of good sportsmanship. Despite that, while giving the coaches ground rule instructions at home plate, Williams had his back turned, and did not shake hands with the two umpires or opposing coach as is the custom.
2. Williams made loud complaints about balls and strike from the very first pitch through the fifth inning and that the Wild fans took their subsequent tone from their coach.
3. That there was a controversial play at home plate when a Wild player slid home. Addis hesitated for a couple of seconds and then called the runner out. Williams ran down from his coaching box at first base and told him in a strenuous outcry, "You don't know what you're doing! I remember you from last year". (Addis testified he had not even been an umpire the prior year) In a voice more loud than he had ever heard from a coach, Williams continued, "I'll have your job for this....it's what I would expect from Ripken baseball." He then yelled into the crowd to a woman, "You have the camera on don't you?" We'll get his job. he said Williams lost perspective and he argued for 5-10 minutes. Finally Addis issued a warning to Williams.
4. After he tried to walk away the other umpire Scott Bulwicki tried to come between them. Addis heard Williams say "bastards".Bulwicki took exception to the threat to have him lose his job and then ejected Williams. The latter got in the face of Bulwicki, so close that spittle from Williams inadvertently hit Bulwicki. Then Williams chest bumped Bulwicki and pushed him with the chest. When other coaches came on the field, he told them that he was going to forfeit the game and award it to the Pirates unless Williams left. When a Ripken tournament representative came on the field, Williams left, but not before yelling "fuckers as he left the field.
Addis said he had never heard of Williams before the game, was not biased, and was never disciplined in his career as an umpire.
On cross examination he said there was not just one reason for the ejection but rather a cumulative effect. But he did say cursing itself would have been reason enough. he denied hearing an words between Williams and Bulwicki regarding a challenge to fight. he admitted that Williams' statement about the opposing pitcher pre-game was not directed to anyone in particular.
Next a video deposition was played of 53 year old burly Scott Bulwicki. He had retired as a longshoreman at the Port of Baltimore at age 42 and worked as an umpire for many years. Bulwicki, who reminded me of actor Gary Bussey in his looks, supported what Addis had said regarding the nature of Williams' behavior and also described it as the worst ever. He had only ejected three coaches in his life. He said the personal abuse he and Addis took regarding the threat to his job was his major basis for ejection. He said Williams yelled it to the crowd and to him and bragged that "You don't know who I know, and this is what you get for $14-15 an hour. You are both going to lose your jobs tomorrow."
He reiterated the statement about the "little fucker throwing a curve ball(opposing pitcher) while warming up. But bulwicki went further and said Williams had used curse words every inning including mother fucker towards him and 'fucker" several times. He quoted Williams as saying that call(at home plate) "was fucking crazy".
On cross, Williams' attorney got the witness to admit he had been suspended for seven weeks by the Ripken officials and therefore lost a considerable amount of money. The thrust of the cross was to suggest that the witness was out for revenge and was exaggerating the behavior and piling on and fabricating cursing which didn't exist. The defense led the witness down the rosy path to a point where he was backed into a corner. "If he was calling you an asshole and mother fucker during the game, why didn't you eject him before the 5th inning?' The witness could only respond that he gives more leeway to teams from New Jersey and NewYork because it's a different culture than down in Maryland.
On Friday, former major league player and current MLB analyst(brother of Cal Ripken) is expected to testify as well as Brett Curl a Ripken representative. Then there will be closing arguments. It is significant that neither side called as a witness the son of Williams or the pitcher for the Wild.
No comments have been added yet.
