Dragon29

McClueless would go 0-fer

. . . and, I just don't like playing 'hall monitor'

OK - I'll address the issue everyone else has glossed over. Yes - don't answer that question; it's none of his business whose call it is; it's his business who made the call and that's the umpire he should be talking to. So, when he comes out with that question, the answer should be: "I made the call, Coach. Do you have another question?" (or something like that) and you go from there.

Amen!

Now, I'm jealous. I want to use this!!!!

80% for me, too. Both because I didn't read the questions carefully enough. Of course, w/both my boys in college, I tell them to always read the entire test before beginning to answer (there's a real reason for that that doesn't apply to this test) and didn't take my own advice. Doh!

I'm a little quicker - Do it once, and we're talking about it. I tell them, on the field, "Balk" is an umpire's word only. Do it again, and you won't get a chance to do it a third time. (No, I don't tell them that!)

^^^^^ This + Every pitch is a strike until proven otherwise. (bumper-sticker)

. . . and the hits just keep on coming . . .

. . . but, how was your game?

Joe, One thing no-one else has said anything about, but came to my mind right away while reading your OP. How tight is your mask on your head? Not saying yours is too tight (though it could be) but it's something to consider. I ask because when I take a shot right at the top of the mask, the mask usually comes off, or at least moves a lot. Just my $.02!

Scott - I used to think you were tending towards being OOO, but now I see you're just OCD!

Absolutely. And, I've had OM's try to sell me that, "He tripped!" line before. In my experience, he didn't trip.

Concur - as long as the communication is private, suspension seems pretty harsh to me. If I was feeling particularly adventurous, I might ask the coach (again, privately) to whom the umpire was related. If he has an actual relationship to report, you need to let him (though that doesn't automatically mean the umpire is biased; far from it!) but if he was just blowing hot air, which we all know is likely, he'll feel awfully foolish trying to answer that question. Again, not sure I'd go there myself - depends on varying factors.

Scott, Many of us would argue that our responsibilities are simply to umpire the game. How we look and act affects our ability to do that effectively, to one degree or another. I have never seen a section on preparing or maintaining a field in any umpire manual I've ever read or even heard of, nor does the cleanliness of a base affect how we do our jobs. If you think not cleaning a base makes me lazy, then I'm lazy. You got me. So - go 'over and above' if you like. Most of us won't, and for the reasons stated above.

I don't think 7.09 (e) or (h) apply here - the closest I can find to it is 7.09 (d)

DVA, Your EJ report should contain only the facts of the case, not a story about what you think might have led the ejected participant to behave the way they did. Something like: Assistant Coach <name> for <team> was ejected for sue of foul language on the field. From the dugout, he shouted "Dammit!" (or whatever it was he actually said) loud enough for all present to hear. This is after giving Date, Time, Place, Teams, etc... To answer your questions: At the very least, you should have held up the 'stop' sign to him so that he wouldn't make it all the way out there. If he does, he's gone. Absolutely true - your reply to him should have been something like, "I'm sorry, coach. I cannot discuss calls with anyone but your team's manager." If he continues to rant - gone Yes (don't let anyone tell you differently) but the first trick is to not let it show and the second trick, which is much harder, is to not let it affect the way you call the rest of the game. Repetition does make it easier. Good toss. Oh, and for SoCal Lurker, I couldn't find anything about timing of the games, other than that they can't play DHs at that level - I didn't go through the book w/a fine-tooth comb, but it wasn't where I would have expected it to be (Section VII - Schedules)

Yes - I was speaking only of those times in which a coach would actually discuss or argue a call. A quick explanatory word to an AC for clarification is often warranted.

Yes. And, if he makes the next statement, your response should be, "I'm sorry. I can only discuss calls with the Manager. Let's play!"

Alex has it nailed exactly However, this is the most important thing you can take from this situation. If your partner did this unasked, you guys need to talk about having one another's back out there.

I have a somewhat different take. Yes, the coach "started it" by telling his runner to stay on the bag - not a good way to start a conversation with an umpire, however I think there are several things you did that should be avoided. There is no need to 'instantly get edgy'; you saw the play and made your call. Almost everything coaches say when arguing calls can be described as 'ludicrous' so there's nothing new there - no reason for attitude. If he's an AC, why are you talking w/him anyway? Here's the big one though - When he asks you to get help, don't get sarcastic on him. What is that going to accomplish other than pissing him off? I love sarcasm as much, hell, more than the next guy, but there is no place for it on the field. And, of course he thinks you'll change your call if he comes out to complain - they all have the memory of a mayfly and can't recall that the last 234 times they argued a call, the umpire didn't change that one either! Being condescending also has no place on the field. Think of it this way, you treated him in a manner that, if he had used on you, would either have put him on a short leash or got him tossed - why do you think you can behave that way when the coaches aren't allowed to? Granted, he started this mess, but be the bigger man and end it. Also - to answer your question re: the AC - having a brief, explanatory conversation w/an AC is fine, but they are not permitted to discuss calls w/an umpire. Rule 9.02(b)

My vote would be for the UK3 - not so much when the runner can try for 1st or not, (though most of 'em don't know that!) but the status of other runners on base. Examples: A slow R1 took off very late after seeing BR take off for 1B. F2 seeing that threw to F4 rather than F3, and R1 was tagged out before 2B. His OM told me that since the BR made first OK, his R1 going to 2B has to be safe as well. Not so much, coach. After an R1 has advanced to 2B when the BR took off for 1B in a situation where he was already out (w/the PU loudly calling the Out) I've had DMs tell me R1 has to go back to 1B, since the BR didn't really have a right to run. Sorry, coach - teach your players who to play on.

Unfortunately, the only rule cite I'm aware of for this 9.01c. Combine that concept w/good game management. (can't let the phrase go unpunished) It (or advice similar to it &/or some of the advice above) must be in an Umpire Manual somewhere, but I don't have one with me right now.

A coach needs to be told that balk is a word reserved for umpires. Yelling balk is not acceptable, if he causes a balk it will not be enforced and he will be ejected. End of discussion. My first AC ejection was for just this. 1BC loudly complained the opposing pitcher had balked, but the pitch he threw was hit into play, resulting in the last out of the half-inning. Before the AC could leave, I walked over to him and said, "Balk is an umpire's word. I do not want to hear you shout that word again. Understand?" Well, of course he didn't and of course he had to point out that it was a balk (it wasn't), but as he did that in a few seconds and nodded his head affirmitively when I repeated, 'Understand?" I let it go. Sure enough, a couple of innings later, I hear from the 1BC, "That's a balk!" and all play stopped - fortunately, F1 stopped too, so we had nothing to clean up while we waited for that AC to leave the field. I still see him coaching for teams I'm umpiring once in a while - we actually had a pretty good laugh over it earlier this season. He doesn't say that word anymore.

My $.02 In that situation (which I've never had) I've been trained to go to the dugout and ask who said it. If no-one admits it, you just randomly eject a player (grayhawk's suggestion to pick their best is not a bad thought) Either that player goes and you're done, or the 'real' perpetrator steps up, that player's gone and you're OK, but either way, someone has to go for that comment. Oh, and I've also been taught that if a Manager or Coach try & stop you or remain wholly uncooperative, they go too.