Free Cheap Shots

[moblue]

I got to thinking about a coach that I tend to see several times a year that likes to get in what I consider a "cheap shot" every game. The problem is, it's once per game and he's usually quiet after that. What he tends to do is have some less than kind comment for me that he'll say in passing, where only the two of us hear. It's never anything worth ejecting over, but it really gets annoying that he has that habit. I am also annoyed that I have yet to do anything about it.

Example from last year, "Come on blue, you gotta give us a chance." My thought was as his team was doing fine I thought.

Suggestions on what to do?

[Paperipper17]

I posted a while back and mentioned a coach that told me twice "Call it both ways." The general consensus on here was that that was a remark meant to question my integrity and worthy of an EJ...but opinions were divided as to whether I should warn the first time. Of course, this was a 10U game, and the rat probably didn't know any better until I warned him. In an upper-level game, he knows exactly what he's saying and it's meant as an insult, plain and simple.

Whatever you do, don't try to address it in pre-game...that can only backfire and will certainly set a negative tone for the rest of the night.

[mstaylor]

I have either made a joke like they seem good to me. Or I will ask him if he is seeing something he wants to ask me about. Rarely does he have something to ask about. However, this is a dangerous tactic because it could invite a conversation you can't get out of without one of you leaving. It would be an awkward report to write because it will almost look like you baited him. I don't remember that happening but it is possible.

[Umpire in Chief]

That's one of the things coaches do, they take their cheap shots in passing by where only you and him know whats going on.

You mentioned it's nothing worth ejecting over but rather annoying. I take it he is doing this while walking by between innings.

This is one of the things we just have to let happen, but if it's bothering you, I'd just try to avoid him. Stand on the other base line, find something to do away from him, give him a wider berth where he'd have to come to you, then you can address it.

But otherwise just let him have his freebies, but I'd hate to be his team on that play which could go either way.

[DirtyDawg]

I've seen some umpires ask the coach exactly what it was they said, that way they could get a better chance of someone else hearing what's going on. If the coach repeated himself, then you give him a public warning right there. I can see this working because eventually, if the coach persists to get warnings in said manner, then someone else is going to pick up and be able to be on your side if you have to go to whomever is in charge of the league. If the coach doesn't say anything, oh-well. He's just a jerk!

[Penguin]

Monday night, JV BB. It was windy, but the wind was steady the whole game. No problems with fly balls in the field etc. Late in game VT behind by 5 with 1 out and bases loaded. We signal IFF. 2nd pitch batter hits huge pop fly between F5 and F1. I point and call IFF- batter out if fair. PU concentrating on runner at 3rd. Sure enough, ball gets "dropped" and runner on 3rd takes bait and takes off. Gets tagged out. We look up and BR is standing on first. I pointed and called him out again as result of IFF. Coach miffed big time. Complaining not IFF because of wind - not a routine play. Then as he yanks bat from PU's hand made comment under breath about he knew it was dusty cause of the WIND, but blues had to keep their eyes open and actually see a play. Partner was winding up ready to toss but looked at me and I shook my head. The tag was out 3 of the 7th. We made tracks to car.

[BrianC14]

I got to thinking about a coach that I tend to see several times a year that likes to get in what I consider a "cheap shot" every game. The problem is, it's once per game and he's usually quiet after that. What he tends to do is have some less than kind comment for me that he'll say in passing, where only the two of us hear. It's never anything worth ejecting over, but it really gets annoying that he has that habit. I am also annoyed that I have yet to do anything about it.

Example from last year, "Come on blue, you gotta give us a chance." My thought was as his team was doing fine I thought.

Suggestions on what to do?

Please provide more details on how this plays out... specifically, if this goes on between innings, tell us where you usually stand between innings which makes it possible for him to do this... ?

[moblue]

I think the usual PU stance between innings is 1/3 of the way up the 1B line. I switch sides depending on who's about to bat sometimes, keeping myself from turning my back on the batters warming up. I also don't usually go 1/3 of the way up the line, as the parent/HS base umpire takes my walk as an invitation to get together. This usually happens between innings as the coach is warming up his pitcher and the catcher is gearing up.

[BrianC14]

I think the usual PU stance between innings is 1/3 of the way up the 1B line. I switch sides depending on who's about to bat sometimes, keeping myself from turning my back on the batters warming up. I also don't usually go 1/3 of the way up the line, as the parent/HS base umpire takes my walk as an invitation to get together. This usually happens between innings as the coach is warming up his pitcher and the catcher is gearing up.

I would suggest changing your between-innings position to 3BLX (closer to the fence than to the plate) or 1BLX. This takes you away from any coaches that are passing by. Standing on the lines makes you an easy target for this sort of rat BS.

With you on the BLX, if he has something to say to you, he'll have to go out of his way to say it. In that case, he says it, you dump him. I've seen this kind of guy before. He's a coward, plain and simple. If he avoids coming over to see you but still can't resist his insult, then he'll have to say it louder. When he does that, dump him. I'd almost bet he'll react with "outrage" - all of it manufactured on the spot.

[DirtyDawg]

Mo, I believe Brian's got it, since most leagues I've ever done make this their proper mechanic for between innings, anyway. You'll go to the baseline extended of whichever team is coming up to bat, that way you have a view of the whole field. This will also make the coach an easier target for someone else hearing him if the field has seating all around it, putting him closer to the stands for others to hear.

[kylejt]

If you've done this for a while, you just know when a coach might want to have something to say on his way by. I do. I just stroll behind the catcher when those situations arise, then head to the batting team's foul line. No need to stand behind the catcher during warm ups to hide from the coaches. You can tactically avoid them, but don't hide.

Now there are the rare times when I'd like him to say one more word, but those are quite rare. Funny, they never seem to want to test me.

And I never, ever ask them to repeat themselves. No need to fan that flame. More often than not I'll just say, "Keep walkin', Chief". They now know if they stop, they're gone.