My 12u game last night

[James Walker]

Had a 12u game last night. It started bad. At the plate meeting the vc started trying to argue a call from a previous game. I say "coach, we aren't going there" and I continued the meeting. I could tell thus guy was going to be trouble.

Then, its the second inning. <acronym title='Base runner at 2B'>R2</acronym> breaks for third, <acronym title='Catcher'>F2</acronym> smokes a ball to <acronym title='Third baseman'>F5</acronym>. Ball beats <acronym title='Base runner at 2B'>R2</acronym> but tags late. <acronym title='Base umpire'>BU</acronym> calls safe, beat the tag. VC comes unglued, starts yelling at the kid to appeal to me. I say nothing, he calls time and asks me for appeal. I tell him to ask the <acronym title='Base umpire'>BU</acronym>, its his call. <acronym title='Base umpire'>BU</acronym> says no. <acronym title='Pitcher'>F1</acronym> throws a pitch. VC says can I appeal now? I say "no coach, he threw a pitch". He says, "thats what I'm talkin about, all these guys have an attitude". I just ignore him cause he's down big and I know he wants to get dumped. Not happening, if I have to watch this, so do you.

Then, an inning later, <acronym title='Pitcher'>F1</acronym> throws a pitch head high over the plate. He says to <acronym title='Pitcher'>F1</acronym>, "youre gonna have to throw it lower, he's not gonna call em at the letters.". I say "coach, its at his head". He says back to me, "no blue, its at the letters". I tell him, "coach, we are not going to argue balls and strikes, this is you're warning.". Not a peep from him the rest of the game.

I know, I should've dumped him. He has given every umpire that has done his games trouble. I even had permission to do so from our head umpire. But I hate dumping somebody over arguments. It feels like I failed in managing the situation. After the game, I asked the opposing coach if he thought I had an attitude, he said "no, you did what was needed to control the situation and the game. He is just a jack@$$ and wants to start trouble". I got nothing but compliments from the fans (most from the losing side) about my consistency and how I managed the situation with the coach.

What I would like to know is (a), do you, as fellow imputed, feel I handled the situation right or wrong. And (B), any tips or advice on handling this situation better. Thanks in advance.

[Mike Prince]

Holy <acronym title=>!

Sounds like you handled it correctly as far as the in-game stuff. Personally I would have given him the night off if he brought up old calls at the plate meeting.

[ukce1861]

He says to <acronym title='Pitcher'>F1</acronym>, "youre gonna have to throw it lower, he's not gonna call em at the letters.". I say "coach, its at his head". He says back to me, "no blue, its at the letters". I tell him, "coach, we are not going to argue balls and strikes, this is you're warning.".

I'm not going to argue with the coaches over whether it's at the letters or at his head. When he makes that comment, if I feel it deserves a response (which it probably did here, it may not always), I'm going to give him a stop sign and say "That's enough!" That's his warning. Anything after that and he's gone.

As for not dumping him, an EJ is not an admission of failure. This guy apparently keeps doing this stuff - because he knows he can get away with it. If he gets dumped, he might reconsider. Either way, he needs to learn there's a line and it needs to be enforced.

[UmpJM]

redneck,

a. Could have been better.

b. Dump the jackass.

JM

[cyclonehokiece]

a- Some work on game management and you will be there (you will get lots of suggestions from this site)

b- Time for him to go. I understand he was asking for it and probably was trying to get tossed, but he was doing multiple classic automatics. And when you have a directive from the UIC to get rid of him if he misbehaves (leash is still the same at the beginning, although after the plate meeting, it is very short), do it. He will not learn, and it will not become easier on you or your fellow umpires unless one of you acts.

[James Walker]

JM, what could I have done better? Not bein a smart @$$, just tryin not to pick up bad habits.

[UmpJM]

redneck,

At the plate conference when he tries to bring up a call from a previous game, shut it down - with extreme prejudice.

"Bill, Have you got someplace else you'd rather be? Because I'd be happy to relieve you of your responsibilities here. Are we clear?"

On the "comes unglued"...

"Bill, That's enough! If you have a question about the call you may ask (partner). (I thought that part was good.)

On the "Can I appeal now?"

"Bill, You're done."

On the "That's what I'm talking about..."

"Bill, You're done." (Assuming you hadn't already.)

On the "You're going to have to throw it lower...."

Ignore. (Assuming he was still in the game and hadn't previously made any untoward comments about your strike zone.)

JM

[James Walker]

Thanks for expanding JM... I will definitely do this next time.

[bpate]

Okay, I read your post to say that his fans were complimenting you and thought you did a good job of managing the situation. I've found that when the parents are against the coach, he must be a real jackass. For me, he'd have a very short leash. Dump him once and let him take the walk of shame.

[James Walker]

Thanks for the advice guys.... Definitely learned something from this situation...

[mstaylor]

12s and down are tough, game management wise. The problem is many coaches don't know baseball as a whole, so that means they have no idea about the give and take between managers and umpires. As a result you have to explain calls more but you still shouldn't have to hear crap from idiots.

A. When he brings up a call from a previous game tell him you will not discuss history. If he wants to continue tell him it will end his evening if he continues.

B.On the play at third, tell him it is BU's call. BU says no, end of discussion. If he wants to continue then tell him the conversation is over, time to play ball and walk away. If he follows, dump him.

C. On his strike zone remark, tell him the ball is up, there will no discussion about the zone. If he continues, hold your hand up and tell that's enough. Anything else, dump him.

I don't go looking to throw people but I certainly won't shy away from it either. Hopefully your league makes them sit an extra game. This guy needs to get dumped a time or two and he might figure it out. Some coaches are just jerks and they will never figure it out.