Talking with players during the game

[JSlater2006]

Guys as I indicated in my last post I am new.  I worked a JV doubleheader the other day and started on the bases.  The first baseman started a real non chalant conversation with me early on in the first game.  He was real friendly and polite with me.  The second game I had the plate.  He came in to pitch around the 5th or 6th inning.  He was just missing with his fastball at the top of the zone but was in no way trying to show me up.  He came up to bat the next inning at which time I told him he wasn't missing by much and he looked good.  He said o.k. and thank you and the game continued.  My question is, should certain conversations and topics be avoided with players during the game?  Was I wrong to comment on his pitching?  Does this depend on the level of ball or do you just use your best judgement?  I played so I know what it is like being on the other side and trying to treat the umpires well.  Thanks!

[spiritump]

you have the right to remain silent !!!!!!! use that rigth.  If you do not say anything it can not come back to bite you

[bam]

 

Why would you want to talk to them? How many of them have anything to say? Best case scenario - if an infielder says anything to me, I act like I didn't hear it.

we know.... You hate the little bas*ards.

 

It's not always hate.  Well, for bam, yes, it's hate.  Or at least strong dislike.  I mean, I generally don't like people much, either, a lot of the time, for a myriad number of reasons, so I get where he's coming from.

 

But other than the blind fury of hatred of his fellow man, there's another reasom bam's philosophy works:  players and coaches will be your best buddy, until they aren't.  And then you're the worst $%^#@#%$ that ever %^&*#ing called a $%&(#$# game.  And I can't stand that kind of two-faced-ness;  if I'm talking to you in a jovial manner in everyday life, I'm NOT two seconds away from spewing venom at you, or telling you that you suck.  Sorry if I expect other people to act that way.  So, by keeping them at arm's length, I avoid that kind of nonsense.

 

So I tend to spend my games in near-silence.  As always, YMMV.

Uh.... yeah. 

 

This is 1 plus 1 stuff.  You're ALWAYS exactly one call from being the stupidest, blindest, dumbest m-fer on the planet.  I LIKE my partners.  I LIKE the game.  I LIKE being outside, in the sunshine. 

 

Players and coaches suck. 

[Jocko]

 

Why would you want to talk to them? How many of them have anything to say? Best case scenario - if an infielder says anything to me, I act like I didn't hear it.

we know.... You hate the little bas*ards. It's not always hate.  Well, for bam, yes, it's hate.  Or at least strong dislike.  I mean, I generally don't like people much, either, a lot of the time, for a myriad number of reasons, so I get where he's coming from. But other than the blind fury of hatred of his fellow man, there's another reasom bam's philosophy works:  players and coaches will be your best buddy, until they aren't.  And then you're the worst $%^#@#%$ that ever %^&*#ing called a $%&(#$# game.  And I can't stand that kind of two-faced-ness;  if I'm talking to you in a jovial manner in everyday life, I'm NOT two seconds away from spewing venom at you, or telling you that you suck.  Sorry if I expect other people to act that way.  So, by keeping them at arm's length, I avoid that kind of nonsense. So I tend to spend my games in near-silence.  As always, YMMV.Uh.... yeah.  This is 1 plus 1 stuff.  You're ALWAYS exactly one call from being the stupidest, blindest, dumbest m-fer on the planet.  I LIKE my partners.  I LIKE the game.  I LIKE being outside, in the sunshine.  Players and coaches suck. 

I wanna work a few games with you, Walter. :D

[FearNot]

Being cordial is in order. Very small chatting is ok. It seems too me that players with a great personality go far in the game and you seem to remember those kids and they always seem to go far in life.

[JaxRolo]

So you guys are saying that one of my regular partners that when the coach comes to the mound he will go in there also and chat with them is not cool?

[Mike Prince]

So you guys are saying that one of my regular partners that when the coach comes to the mound he will go in there also and chat with them is not cool?

 

It's not our fault you have to work with Jocko all the time!

[bam]

So you guys are saying that one of my regular partners that when the coach comes to the mound he will go in there also and chat with them is not cool?

Oh no.  That works really well.  Whenever I work with a brand new partner I send him in to talk to the coach at a mound conference. 

[KLAH316]

I had a partner once in a Summer Ball game start coaching the pitcher......

 

Yes, I put an end to that REAL QUICK!

[HokieUmp]

So you guys are saying that one of my regular partners that when the coach comes to the mound he will go in there also and chat with them is not cool?

 

Sounds legit.

 

Better still, have him suggest pitches for specific batters.  You know, strikes and outs are good, and all that....

[Ring 'em Up]

this season i've worked with the same F2 LL JR  a few times.  i know his name and he knows mine.  i totally think he is the best player on the team and we chat.  he is very respectful, and in the 18 or so innings i've been behind him he's only asked twice "was that a little out ron?", to which i reply to both he and the batter can hear, "yes, just bring it in a little and you've got it".  (other converstations we've had are: hows school, hows the team doing, mostly general stuff, he's asked what type of work i do, and i did tell him my son's an F1, so he asks about him also)  we normally do this talking w/o looking at each other.  (one thing.. i don't cut him any slack at the plate.. strikes and balls are the same for him as everyone else and he totally accepts this))

 

so in the last game we did together, we have R3, R1, 1 out, B4 hits a line-drive to the SS, and he throws to F2 to catch R3 coming in.  Play at the plate is bang/bang and R3's slide us just under F2's glove.. SAFE!   so the DC is calling out to F2 about that play , and this F2 immediately yells out "he was safe, under my tag".. the coach dropped his head and turned around and there was no other converstation about that play (if there was, i was ready to warn).

 

ron-

[Aging_Arbiter]

I generally don't say too much. There a very few I "know" for one reason or another an then it would be an extended pleasantry (5 -10 words)but that's it.

Earlier this yr I actually had a batter tap my shins with the bat. I've never had that before. I've defiantly seen them do that with catchers. I like it, it is a very subtle way to say hi without saying hi.

 

Best one I had was at Little League East Regional in 2009.  I rang up a 3rd strike on the batter to end the inning.  I started to the gate to get a drink and Little Charlie (catcher for New Hampshire) had run up behind me, smacked me on the tail with his glove and says "good call bule!" as he's running to his dugout.   This all came about by being cordial and talking with my catchers during warm ups between innings.  If the players are having fun, why turn into Shrek, be the big green monster that everyone is afraid of, and take any enjoyment out of the game?

 

Should I have told him to aim for the leg guards the next time up?

[alex7]

I enjoy complimenting players on good plays.  There are some kids out there that, based on what you see from the coaches, you KNOW aren't getting much praise or even simple atta-boys.  

 

"Johnny, great hustle backing that up," as Johnny the 2nd baseman jogs back to his position after backing up a routine throw to 1st from his 3rd baseman.  "Billy, nice hit."  

 

It certainly dissipitates the older the kids get, but I enjoy complimenting good work, and so I do it.  So long as it's not coaching, and it fits your personality...have fun.