Mid-American Umpire Clinic Message Board
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| Viewing Page 1 of 1 (Total Posts: 3) |
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Jim Evans
Oct 15, 07 - 10:29 PM |
Discussion with Coach
Hey guys just wanted to ask you guys your thoughts on this play I had Sunday afternoon. This was a 13 year old Babe Ruth game. Runner on first, so I was in B. Pitcher working out of the stretch, makes the pitch, runner is off and running. Great throw by the catcher, second baseman was a couple steps to the first base side of second. After the catch the second baseman tries a swipe tage on the runner, misses by a good 4 inches or more. By the time I finish my safe mechanic and start jogging to C, the defensive coach was at the foul line screaming about the play. I said (little louder than normal) "Coach he missed him and we aren't going to argue safes/outs." He turns to go to the bench, stops, turns and says "You have to make that call", I told him to sit down. Two plays later, he yells some more about the play at second, this time I am in A making a call at first. So I tell him I didn't want to hear another word about that play. Then between innings he comes up to me and asks "Do you really THINK he was safe?" I said "The play is over and he is still safe." I really wanted to toss him, but he was the only person the team had coaching. I didn't even see a dad in the stands for that team. After the game, the coach from the team. Told me I was right with that call and if I had called him out, I would have had to toss him. So did I handle it good, bad, what could I have done better? Jim |
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Jason Blackburn
Oct 16th, 2007 - 9:27 AM |
Re: Discussion with Coach
Obviously the number 1 goal of any umpire is to get the call right. That said, if the throw beats him, the fielder makes a good swipe tag and misses him and you are the only person on the field who sees him miss the tag...you might want to think about calling him out. Kind of like a "neighborhood play" on the front end of a double play. Don't pick up the "poopy" end of the stick (we can't use profanity on this message board) I'm not talking about flat out missing him, missing the tag and then trying to re-tag, or anything like that. In these situations he's safe. Now, ask yourself what type of play you had? As far as the argument and I'm sure you're paraphrasing, but it sounds like you weren't very approachable. If he's yelling and screaming, try to calm him down. If you can't, the conversation is over. If he wants to continue then he's done. If you can calm him down, tell him what happened. In all likelihood he'll ask the 2nd Baseman if he missed the tag. If the kid answers yes, the conversation is over. If the kid says no, the conversation is over, if he's going to take a 13 yr. old's word over your's. My next advice would be that if he's going to continue arguing when he gets back to the dugout, tell him "that's enough, we're not going to talk about it anymore." There's your warning and if he continues, run him. Don't say things like "not another word." Because the next thing you'll hear is "Word." If a coach wants to give you a History lesson, give him a Geography lesson. Don't get into a situation where you keep a coach in the game because of the kids. What message is that sending to the kids? We can show our butts today because no one else is here. If a team only has 9 players are you going to keep a kid in the game who draws a line on you? Or runs over a player on the other team? They have to learn that umpires are an authority figure and need to be treated with respect, just as we treat coaches with respect. If a coach crosses that line there is a penalty and if there is no other adult supervision then the game is over. That's my take. |
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Jim Evans
Oct 16th, 2007 - 7:00 PM |
Re: Discussion with Coach
Jason, Thanks for the input. Thinking about it I see what you mean about my approachability. Sometimes it takes other peoples input and I appreciate it. Jim |
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