subjected to abuse during Sunday's Premier League cricket match at Sea Breeze Oval between Bailey's Bay and St. David's.

And he has tried, without success, for two days to contact the man, a Bailey's Bay member, to discuss the incident which he says has set a bad omen for the season.

Pitcher, a former St. David's cricketer, received continued barracking from two club members -- whose identity he knows -- after giving Bailey's Bay batsman Jason Anderson out lbw and then for upholding an appeal for a run out which dismissed Stephen Outerbridge.

Pitcher, who also gave Del Hollis of St. David's out to a legside stumping, is angry that no club officials tried to stop the abuse. And he says he feared physical harm if St. David's won the match.

"I was waiting for a bottle next to my head,'' said Pitcher, who was officiating with Stephen Douglas.

"The abuse started to happen with the lbw and the run out. They figured I'm out there to give Bailey's Bay players out because I'm for St. David's, but I can't think like that.

"I'm not affiliated with any club. I played in the Commercial League for them about four or five years. I don't go down there to watch them train and I hardly even go to County games.'' Also concerning to Pitcher was the bad example set before youngsters who attended the game. He noted that PLP MP Arthur Pitcher, a former St. David's captain, and some tourists were also present at the time.

"One boy, about eight or nine, said to me when I walked off the field, `does that man have to curse you like that, my daddy told me when the umpire gives you out you walk','' said Pitcher.

"That's why I don't take my 11-year-old son to games. The abusive language that an umpire has to face is not necessary, coming from two individuals who can incite others.

"I can take the abuse, and I would go back down there tomorrow with the same two teams, but I'm thinking about the potential umpires standing around who want to get involved. Why put in eight hours for a few ungrateful people who are shouting abuse about your decisions?'' Pitcher admitted the players conducted themselves in a mature manner. Even Anderson did not question the lbw decision as protests rang out from the Bay fans.

"There were no problems between the two teams, they were very competitive,'' said Pitcher.

"What happened in Jason Anderson's decision was he was hit plumb and he didn't make any gesture, he just left. Being a Prison Officer I'm very disciplined when it comes to making a decision.

"Somebody had mentioned to me that had Bailey's Bay lost I would have needed protection to come off that field. How am I supposed to feel?'' Sea Breeze Oval is one of the least favourite grounds for local umpires, with Ronald O'Hara having endured problems there in 1994 when he was subjected to abuse from a Bay player in the match against Willow Cuts and left the ground before being persuaded to return.

"I never had any problems, never,'' Pitcher stressed. "But this one individual is the one who is the most outspoken, he abuses any and every umpire. He questions all their decisions and their fans know that.

"But when the umpires are being attacked verbally and abusively some club official should go to him and say `we have children and women here'.''