Funny example of coaching

[grayhawk]

My son plays in a fall Pony league and we had what I will simply call an "eccentric" umpire in his last game. At one point in the game, he calls time and goes over to speak with the manager of the other team. Once this little conference breaks up, the manager yells out to his F8 to move to his left a few steps. I was the third base coach when this happened and look over to the manager and ask him what the umpire said and he said that the center fielder was straight lined from home to his position with the pitcher in his way. He said the kid should move so he can see what's going on.

This is a very relaxed league - being fall ball - so we all just got a chuckle out of it, but this guy called time several times to point out little things that he had no business caring about. He also said that base coaches need to tuck in their shirts while on the field. He told me he had been umpiring for 26 years which is plenty of time to develop some "eccentricites."

[UmpTTS43]

He also said that base coaches need to tuck in their shirts while on the field.

If they are uniform shirts, he is right. If you're going to wear the uniform, wear it properly.

That being said, I doubt I would say anything during fall ball.

[BrianC14]

If they are uniform shirts, he is right. If you're going to wear the uniform, wear it properly.

That being said, I doubt I would say anything during fall ball.

Say what? Please show us the rule that requires a base coach to have his shirt tucked in.

As for this umpire - I don't know that I'd call this an eccentricity so much as I'd call it gross stupidity. There's never a time for an umpire to go into a coach's area of responsibility - whether it's fall ball or not. :D

[grayhawk]

We (the coaches) don't wear uniforms - just blue t-shirts to go with our team colors. In any case, it wasn't a big deal and certainly not something to argue over. We just laughed it off with the other coaches behind his back.

Eccentric or stupid (I was giving him the benefit of the doubt) - the only real problem I had with him calling time all the time was that it slowed the game down. Funny because most of us (umpires) do our best to keep the game moving along.

[UmpTTS43]

Say what? Please show us the rule that requires a base coach to have his shirt tucked in.

As for this umpire - I don't know that I'd call this an eccentricity so much as I'd call it gross stupidity. There's never a time for an umpire to go into a coach's area of responsibility - whether it's fall ball or not.

Show me where it says players have to have their shirts tucked in.

If a coach is going to be in full uniform, I will ask him to tuck his shirt in in a discrerte manner. Have a little respect for the game.

As far as their is "never" a time for an umpire to address a coach's area of responsibility, there are plenty. :fuel:

[rulebook]

In OBR, the first general instruction to umpires is "Umpires, on the field, should not indulge in conversation with players". Even in a relaxed fall-league environment, I don't think an umpire should instruct a player directly. At the most, maybe mention something to the coach between innings and let him instruct the player if he chooses.

[mstaylor]

If an umpire wants to mention a catcher's position, a pitcher borderline on balks or a F3 that is standing on top of the bag instead of on the side, then that's fine. This is only in lower ball, fallball or preseason at any level.

Positioning defensive players or coaching batters is unacceptable at any level at any time.

[BrianC14]

If an umpire wants to mention a catcher's position, a pitcher borderline on balks or a F3 that is standing on top of the bag instead of on the side, then that's fine. This is only in lower ball, fallball or preseason at any level.

Positioning defensive players or coaching batters is unacceptable at any level at any time.

+1.

[BrianC14]

Show me where it says players have to have their shirts tucked in.

If a coach is going to be in full uniform, I will ask him to tuck his shirt in in a discrerte manner. Have a little respect for the game.

As far as their is "never" a time for an umpire to address a coach's area of responsibility, there are plenty.

OK, so you discreetly ask him to tuck in his shirt.

And he tells you, "No, I'm leaving it out."

Then what?

[UmpTTS43]

OK, so you discreetly ask him to tuck in his shirt.

And he tells you, "No, I'm leaving it out."

Then what?

Have never had this situation, probably never will. If it does come up, I will handle appropriately and professionally. I will then give you a full report on the situation.

[NovaScotiaBlue]

Have never had this situation, probably never will. If it does come up, I will handle appropriately and professionally. I will then give you a full report on the situation.

With an answer like that You HAVE to be a politician :)

[UmpTTS43]

With an answer like that You HAVE to be a politician

:no:

[DirtyDawg]

With an answer like that You HAVE to be a politician

No, he needs to add to it that he will form a comittee to study the matter closely and that his only means is making sure that every American has a voice.

[Stan W.]

we had an umpire in my association that with runners on first and second or first, second and third with less than 2 outs would take off his mask and step towards the third base dugout, ....turn to the stands and yell "attention...the infield fly situation is now in effect!!"......then he would walk to the first base side and announce it again......"attention...the infield fly situation is now in effect!!"

This was just the beginning of his idosycnrasies during his very short tenure with our group.....

Edited October 21, 2010 by Stan W.
usual suspects.....spelling and clarity

[BrianC14]

we had an umpire in my association that with runners on first and second or first, second and third with less than 2 outs would take off his mask and step towards the third base dugout, ....turn to the stands and yell "attention...the infield fly situation is now in effect!!"......then he would walk to the first base side and announce it again......"attention...the infield fly situation is now in effect!!"

This was just the beginning of his idosycnrasies during his very short tenure with our group.....

Gee, what a surprise... :rollinglaugh:

[SRP]

I've worked several times with a guy that does stuff like this - instructs hitters to how to hold the bat, has catchers shift their position and, my favorite, tells the pitchers how to hold the ball (9 - 12 year-olds). He also cleans the plate between batters in the last inning.

He freely admits he does it to slow the game down so he won't have to work a fifth or sixth inning (1:45 time limit is a hard stop unless playoffs).

I don't work with him anymore. It's just to painful.:D