How much do you "teach" coaches?

[JHSump]

I have been working HS varsity and JV games, and fairly reasonable travel ball.  But tonight I did a local league game, solo (solo is standard in this local league).  It's a 12U game, the highest level in this league, but it was actually very low level play.  The sudden drop in level made me think.  From the start, it was clear the coaches (particularly the HT HC) needed coaching about how a game worked.  He might have been a complete newbie.  Below is a *partial* list of things I actually addressed or could have addressed in some manner.  

 

My question to you: when doing a low level game like this, do you help the coaches to learn some things so they will be better off the next time (and so will the next umpire), or do you correct just a few things, or do you just try to get through it?  If you do "teach" the coach, how do you do it?  Is there a limit to how much you can do?  Is there a limit to how much you can take?

 

• As I enter the field and walk toward the plate, 5 minutes before game time, HT HC sends his players out onto the field and hands me two baseballs.  I say we need to meet at the plate.  He asks if his pitcher and players can warm up as we meet.
• Plate meeting starts with HT HC asking me, "Is your name Blue?  Haha."
• After proper introductions, and a quick discussion of lineups, I ask each coach if their players are properly and legally equipped.  Both say yes, of course, but later it's clear this is not true --- one HT batter has an improper batting helmet (no face mask, which is required in Dixie, the rule set the league plays under).
• In bottom of first inning, HT HC takes an "important" cellphone call in the 3B coaches box.  
• After just about every other pitch, HT HC asks me for the count, "Blue, what's the count?"  At one point his F2 says to me, "My coach needs to pay attention to the game. Haha."
• R1.  HT F1 comes to set, then turns his shoulders.  This is very early in the season, and we typically warn these pitchers instead of calling a balk on this.  I call time, tell the pitcher not to turn his shoulders in the set position, and tell the HT HC.  HT HC says, "Thanks."  In a later inning, same thing happens.  I repeat the warning.  This time HT HC makes it clear he didn't understand a word I said the previous time.
• Top of the 6th (last inning), I ask the HT scorekeeper the score, which is 4-3 in favor of HT.  HT HC comes out to take warmup pitches from his F1.  He tells me the score and says it's the 6th inning.  He asks me if this is the last inning.  I say, yes, if they don't tie the score.  He asks again if this is the last inning.

[mjr_2013]

To a certain extent you can "coach" them... Don't let them break rules (i.e. cell phone), briefly explain some rules to them if they are confused and the game is relaxed (i.e. balks), BUT be very careful and do not cross the line into giving the team a competitive advantage. It's a fine line, and you've got yourself a s*** storm if you cross it.

[BuckeyeMike]

I think everytime we explain a rule (usually b/c they're out there complaining about the call), we attempt to educate them.  Unfortunately, as you experienced, it goes in one ear and right out the other sometimes. 

 

I propose the "Adopt a Coach/Team" program.

It would be much like Adopt a Highway.  An Ump or 2 would be assigned to each team's head coach or school for a period of xxxx (2 weeks?  A month?) in which we would attend practices/scrimages, be on call for answers to any questions they have and just mentor them in the administration and finer points of rules interp.  This would occur in late winter/very early spring, before any games that mean anything.

 

I've thought about offering my services to the local high school nearest me, with the understanding that i would never be able to ump any of their games.  I'm interested to hear how you guys feel about such an educational/outreach program.   

[mstaylor]

I certainly have educated coaches over the years. It is a tight rope walk at times. Warn the balk once, then call it, that will make the education stick.

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[Dannytheman]

Our season is broken into two. We have the regular season and then the round robin. The regular season is the unofficial time for teaching if you can.

 

I had a ASSistant coach walk out to me in the field between innings, I was down waiting along the right field line. He says to me, "That last call you made was an illegal play". I was so stunned/intrigued at that comment, I asked him to please state the rule supporting his position. "I don't know, it was just an illegal play." My smile broke into an involuntary laugh. I said, "get your butt back to the dugout, coach."

 

Ohhhhh, you are right, an illegal play??  Maybe we should call the cops.  :smachhead:

[JHSump]

Our season is broken into tw. We have the regular season and then the round robin. The regular season is the unofficial time for teaching if you can.

 

I had a ASSistant coach walk out to me in the field between innings, I was down waiting along the right field line. He says to me, "That last call you made was an illegal play". I was so stunned/intrigued at that comment, I asked him to please state the rule supporting his position. "I don't know, it was just an illegal play." My smile broke into an involuntary laugh. I said, "get your butt back to the dugout, coach."

 

Ohhhhh, you are right, an illegal play??  Maybe we should call the cops.  :smachhead:

Hahaha!

 

What was he even referring to?  Your call?  The play?

[mstaylor]

I have many times asked the coach what is he seeing that I am missing? If he is out there on a rule then I correct him. If he got the rule but I just don't agree there is a violation,I will tell him I will keep an eye out.

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[Dannytheman]

 

Our season is broken into tw. We have the regular season and then the round robin. The regular season is the unofficial time for teaching if you can.

 

I had a ASSistant coach walk out to me in the field between innings, I was down waiting along the right field line. He says to me, "That last call you made was an illegal play". I was so stunned/intrigued at that comment, I asked him to please state the rule supporting his position. "I don't know, it was just an illegal play." My smile broke into an involuntary laugh. I said, "get your butt back to the dugout, coach."

 

Ohhhhh, you are right, an illegal play??  Maybe we should call the cops.  :smachhead:

Hahaha!

 

What was he even referring to?  Your call?  The play?

 

It was a simple tag play. Hit ball, ball thrown home to get R3. Then F2 throws to F6 to get advancing BR1 at second. The ball got there so early that F6 charged at the R1 and tug him about 15 feet towards first. I am guessing the the coach thought that F6 should have waited at 2nd to tag him. But we never got that far. 

[upnorth928]

I think everytime we explain a rule (usually b/c they're out there complaining about the call), we attempt to educate them.  Unfortunately, as you experienced, it goes in one ear and right out the other sometimes. 

 

I propose the "Adopt a Coach/Team" program.

It would be much like Adopt a Highway.  An Ump or 2 would be assigned to each team's head coach or school for a period of xxxx (2 weeks?  A month?) in which we would attend practices/scrimages, be on call for answers to any questions they have and just mentor them in the administration and finer points of rules interp.  This would occur in late winter/very early spring, before any games that mean anything.

 

I've thought about offering my services to the local high school nearest me, with the understanding that i would never be able to ump any of their games.  I'm interested to hear how you guys feel about such an educational/outreach program.   

 

Educating the coaches would really help to speed up the game and lessen arguments or stupid questions.  One would need support of the league to do this.  I've read on this site that many leagues hold a rules clinic hosted by the UIC prior to the season.  I'm going to suggest this to our league before we start playing next year.  The league would have to make it mandatory for coaches to attend or else the event won't have teeth.

[Dannytheman]

 

I think everytime we explain a rule (usually b/c they're out there complaining about the call), we attempt to educate them.  Unfortunately, as you experienced, it goes in one ear and right out the other sometimes. 

 

I propose the "Adopt a Coach/Team" program.

It would be much like Adopt a Highway.  An Ump or 2 would be assigned to each team's head coach or school for a period of xxxx (2 weeks?  A month?) in which we would attend practices/scrimages, be on call for answers to any questions they have and just mentor them in the administration and finer points of rules interp.  This would occur in late winter/very early spring, before any games that mean anything.

 

I've thought about offering my services to the local high school nearest me, with the understanding that i would never be able to ump any of their games.  I'm interested to hear how you guys feel about such an educational/outreach program.   

 

Educating the coaches would really help to speed up the game and lessen arguments or stupid questions.  One would need support of the league to do this.  I've read on this site that many leagues hold a rules clinic hosted by the UIC prior to the season.  I'm going to suggest this to our league before we start playing next year.  The league would have to make it mandatory for coaches to attend or else the event won't have teeth.

 

Our league makes it mandatory for an umpire to attend one of the teams practices and talk to the manager, coaches, players and parents that may be there.

[upnorth928]

That is interesting.  Instead of making them come to you, you go to them.  Thanks Dannytheman, this could be the better way to do it. 

[mstaylor]

I think everytime we explain a rule (usually b/c they're out there complaining about the call), we attempt to educate them.  Unfortunately, as you experienced, it goes in one ear and right out the other sometimes. 

 

I propose the "Adopt a Coach/Team" program.

It would be much like Adopt a Highway.  An Ump or 2 would be assigned to each team's head coach or school for a period of xxxx (2 weeks?  A month?) in which we would attend practices/scrimages, be on call for answers to any questions they have and just mentor them in the administration and finer points of rules interp.  This would occur in late winter/very early spring, before any games that mean anything.

 

I've thought about offering my services to the local high school nearest me, with the understanding that i would never be able to ump any of their games.  I'm interested to hear how you guys feel about such an educational/outreach program.   

 

Educating the coaches would really help to speed up the game and lessen arguments or stupid questions.  One would need support of the league to do this.  I've read on this site that many leagues hold a rules clinic hosted by the UIC prior to the season.  I'm going to suggest this to our league before we start playing next year.  The league would have to make it mandatory for coaches to attend or else the event won't have teeth.

I work with a league that uses dads and coaches for umpires. They got tired of guys not knowing so they had myself and another guy teach a clinic for the guys working plates. If a team sent an umpire that hadn't been to my clinic, they forfeited their next game.

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[Dannytheman]

That is interesting.  Instead of making them come to you, you go to them.  Thanks Dannytheman, this could be the better way to do it. 

It's always one or two managers. Some of them know the game really well. Some are just coaching because their kid asked.

[BigUmpire]

I think everytime we explain a rule (usually b/c they're out there complaining about the call), we attempt to educate them. Unfortunately, as you experienced, it goes in one ear and right out the other sometimes.

I propose the "Adopt a Coach/Team" program.

It would be much like Adopt a Highway. An Ump or 2 would be assigned to each team's head coach or school for a period of xxxx (2 weeks? A month?) in which we would attend practices/scrimages, be on call for answers to any questions they have and just mentor them in the administration and finer points of rules interp. This would occur in late winter/very early spring, before any games that mean anything.

I've thought about offering my services to the local high school nearest me, with the understanding that i would never be able to ump any of their games. I'm interested to hear how you guys feel about such an educational/outreach program.

Educating the coaches would really help to speed up the game and lessen arguments or stupid questions. One would need support of the league to do this. I've read on this site that many leagues hold a rules clinic hosted by the UIC prior to the season. I'm going to suggest this to our league before we start playing next year. The league would have to make it mandatory for coaches to attend or else the event won't have teeth.We do this.

Don't try to teach the entire book.

We have most misunderstood rules session. 12-14 rules that most coaches don't understand. We follow up this with a spirited Q&A session. Best thing we have ever done with amazing effects. A handout of these rules was mass copied for all of the parents as well.