Told Coach to "Shut UP"

[persong]

OK, so I know that I should not have said those words. 14U game. Umpired game earlier in the week for this team and coach did not like a call I made on runner leaving baseline to avoid a tag. I called the runner out. Coach asked me why, I said because he left the baseline to avoid the tag. Coach responded where could he go. This was a play at first, where the throw was up the line and first baseman was making the tag. R1 jumped 5 feet inside the baseline to avoid tag. I called him out.

In this game, there is a low inside pitch to Left Handed batter. Ball appeared to me that it was just a wild pitch and R1 advanced. I did not immediately call "time" and give the runner first base. Turned around after the catcher got the ball and saw the batter was limping. I asked the kid if the ball hit his foot and he said yes. I awarded 1st base and that advanced his runner to 2nd from first. Obviously the kid was hit and the correct call was HBP and runner gets first. coach comes to argue with me about the call and I said I did not see it hit the batter at first, but when I asked the batter said it hit him. Keep in mind this was the offensive coach so it was his kid. I told the coach I was getting the call "right". He continues to argue so I say "SHUT UP!!".

Here is my issue. Once the play was done the next 1/2 inning I apologize to the coach for telling him to Shut Up. Should I have done that?? Or should i just move on and let it go. Felt bad for using the language, but it did work like a charm. Not another peep the rest of the game...

[Mr Umpire]

Well, this is riddled with issues.

Why are you asking if the ball hit him? Either you saw/heard it or you didn't. If you didn't, he doesn't get 1B. There are many who will do anything to get on base especially if they watched Jeter do it amongst others. This is the beginning of the problem. Telling the coach to shut up is just a continuation of this problem. You may have gotten it right for your own conscience but it wasn't done correctly.

And, you should apologize for being the bigger jerk. First, it was done incorrectly and then you insulted him. That is adding insult to injury. That kind of stuff will get you hit in the mouth real quick. These are not professional coaches. They are regular ones who may not know how to restrain themselves and you are making it worse.

You're lucky it didn't get worse. I suggest going to a clinic to learn better ways to handle the situation. And, if you can't handle it any better than that, it's time to find another vocation. B/c you are going to get hurt by someone doing foolish things like that.

[grayhawk]

Well, this is riddled with issues.

Why are you asking if the ball hit him? Either you saw/heard it or you didn't. If you didn't, he doesn't get 1B. There are many who will do anything to get on base especially if they watched Jeter do it amongst others. This is the beginning of the problem. Telling the coach to shut up is just a continuation of this problem. You may have gotten it right for your own conscience but it wasn't done correctly.

And, you should apologize for being the bigger jerk. First, it was done incorrectly and then you insulted him. That is adding insult to injury. That kind of stuff will get you hit in the mouth real quick. These are not professional coaches. They are regular ones who may not know how to restrain themselves and you are making it worse.

You're lucky it didn't get worse. I suggest going to a clinic to learn better ways to handle the situation. And, if you can't handle it any better than that, it's time to find another vocation. B/c you are going to get hurt by someone doing foolish things like that.

+1, especially about calling a HBP that you didn't see or hear. One thing I would question if I was you - am I tracking the ball ALL the way to the catcher's mitt? If you were, you probably should have seen a low, inside pitch hit the batter. I know we don't see them all, but this isn't one that usually gets missed. Also, awarding first based on what a player says is bad mojo. Players lie - nuff said.

As far as handling the situation - you already knew that you could have done better. IMO, this is one of the hardest parts of umpiring, and only experience will help you get better. A clinic may help a little, but most of the ones I have attended didn't spend much time on dealing with coaches. This forum is also an excellent way to get ideas on handling situations. Just evaluate what you did, what you could have done better, and apply what you have learned. Putting yourself our there for criticism is a great sign that you want to improve.

[jjb]

Rule #1: If You Didn't See It, It Didn't Happen

Rule #2: If It Didn't Happen, You Can't Call It

Rule #3: If God in Heaven Comes Down and Tells You It Happened, and You Didn't See It, It Didn't Happen

[kylejt]

"That's enough" with right hand raised like a traffic cop, is the mechanic you need to learn.

[Stan W.]

Here is my issue. Once the play was done the next 1/2 inning I apologize to the coach for telling him to Shut Up. Should I have done that?? Or should i just move on and let it go. Felt bad for using the language, but it did work like a charm. Not another peep the rest of the game...

I think it was the right thing to apologize,.....its just not a well thougth out response.....we have to control our emotions in a stressful time....it takes time to develop that skill, but its well worth it...In time you will actually be suprized at how calmly and proffessionally you can handle even the most rabid coach...Kyle has the mechanic you need to practice....hand up...a firm "thats enough" comment will suffice......

In some associations, a complaint from this coach for being told to "shut up" might earn you a suspension......but a "thats enough" comment never will be second guessed.......

[mstaylor]

OK, so I know that I should not have said those words. 14U game. Umpired game earlier in the week for this team and coach did not like a call I made on runner leaving baseline to avoid a tag. I called the runner out. Coach asked me why, I said because he left the baseline to avoid the tag. Coach responded where could he go. This was a play at first, where the throw was up the line and first baseman was making the tag. R1 jumped 5 feet inside the baseline to avoid tag. I called him out.

In this game, there is a low inside pitch to Left Handed batter. Ball appeared to me that it was just a wild pitch and R1 advanced. I did not immediately call "time" and give the runner first base. Turned around after the catcher got the ball and saw the batter was limping. I asked the kid if the ball hit his foot and he said yes. I awarded 1st base and that advanced his runner to 2nd from first. Obviously the kid was hit and the correct call was HBP and runner gets first. coach comes to argue with me about the call and I said I did not see it hit the batter at first, but when I asked the batter said it hit him. Keep in mind this was the offensive coach so it was his kid. I told the coach I was getting the call "right". He continues to argue so I say "SHUT UP!!".

Here is my issue. Once the play was done the next 1/2 inning I apologize to the coach for telling him to Shut Up. Should I have done that?? Or should i just move on and let it go. Felt bad for using the language, but it did work like a charm. Not another peep the rest of the game...

The out of the baseline questions sounds like you got right. At the point you have explained all there is and the coach is just rehashing, tell him it is time to play and walk away from him. Following will get him gone. It sounds like you had it, explained it well and handled the coach well.

The HBP, no so much. As already noted you need to make sure you are watching the pitch all the way in and you won't miss this most times. There are times where it can happen, catcher sliding in front of you is a prime example. It is ok to go to your partner and see if he had it. My guys are going to kill it when they see it but that may not be true where you are. If you didn't se it and have no partner, just tell the coach you don't have it so he is in the box. You can not award him a base no matter how much you want to get it right, sometimes you can't. Telling him to shut up was bad and telling him you were sorry is good. Let it go.

[PeteBooth]

OK, so I know that I should not have said those words. 14U game. Umpired game earlier in the week for this team and coach did not like a call I made on runner leaving baseline to avoid a tag. I called the runner out. Coach asked me why, I said because he left the baseline to avoid the tag. Coach responded where could he go. This was a play at first, where the throw was up the line and first baseman was making the tag. R1 jumped 5 feet inside the baseline to avoid tag. I called him out.

In the future give more information on these type calls. It's similar to the following

Ground ball to F6 who throws wide to F3. F3 catches it and tags the BR. You point to the runner and say "out on the TAG" If the throw pulls F3 off the bag we give the sweeping motion and say "off the bag"

In your situation you should have said "he's out of the baseline" and recorded the out.

In other words the more info we can give especially in a demonstrative tone the better. For the most part that type of explanation will keep the coaches at bay since in effect you told them what you saw and why a runner is safe / out.

In this game, there is a low inside pitch to Left Handed batter. Ball appeared to me that it was just a wild pitch and R1 advanced. I did not immediately call "time" and give the runner first base. Turned around after the catcher got the ball and saw the batter was limping. I asked the kid if the ball hit his foot and he said yes. I awarded 1st base and that advanced his runner to 2nd from first. Obviously the kid was hit and the correct call was HBP and runner gets first. coach comes to argue with me about the call and I said I did not see it hit the batter at first, but when I asked the batter said it hit him. Keep in mind this was the offensive coach so it was his kid. I told the coach I was getting the call "right". He continues to argue so I say "SHUT UP!!".

Here is my issue. Once the play was done the next 1/2 inning I apologize to the coach for telling him to Shut Up. Should I have done that?? Or should i just move on and let it go. Felt bad for using the language, but it did work like a charm. Not another peep the rest of the game...

Were you SOLO? If not then the FIRST person you consult with is your partner. If you were SOLO then call what you saw or in this case didn't see. Do not ask players. Suppose the player was lying (it will not be the first time) and now you reversed the call.

I agree with the others - Do not say SHUT-UP. That's enough is the proper phrase.

Side Note: It's not a good idea to umpire the SAME team(s) over and over again. From my experience they need a "different look"

Pete Booth