pre-game meeting

[plateumpire]

Some of you already know about this but I was interested in any other comments on how any of you would handle this situation. 

It was time for the pre-game and one of the head coaches wanted to know if he could kick dirt on me if he got upset with my call. I told him no. He said Ahhhhhh! None of the other umpires let me do that! Then he proceeded to kick dirt at me. He followed that by saying that he was just joking. This is in Little League.

 

 

[Mudder]

 

Totally agree with HeadHunterLA here, lets have some perspective fellas and I'm shocked at some of the heavy responses here, I'm sure this is a HTBT situation,  I get that kind of harmless clowning around from parents and coaches sometimes.

 

I mean did the guy just kind of kick some dirt in your direction, or did he actually kick the dirt onto your shoes and lower pants?  If the later than I'd have some stern words for him for sure, probably not an ejection, depending on his overall demeanor.  If the former, I'd be laughed out of the ball park for that dump.

He asked, was told "no".  What part of "no" doesn't he understand.  That's why he gets the heave-ho.

If he just walked up and kicked the dirt and then said it was a joke, then he would probably be given a verbal lesson on etiquette.

 

I wouldn't even answer the question at the plate meeting about kicking dirt at me, as its obviously meant as a joke, I would just smile and carry on with meeting.  And if he then pushed a little dirt in my direction in a harmless way and chuckled, no it would not bother me, and no I would not think he's "getting away with something";  aggressively kicking, different story, again HTBT.  Its the same if a coach comes up to you asking, "hey ump, when I argue a call with you, can I get within 1" of your face and spray some spit at you when I'm arguing?" you would take that as a serious question?

 

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a P#?%Y ump by any stretch,  I warn and eject when I have to, but I know when to draw the line to.

 

Sometimes we feel the need to respond to every little thing out there, or we might be accused of "letting the game get out of control" or "letting coaches walk all over us".  I don't buy it.  Of all the major team sports out there, baseball officials have the worst public image, and not always for controversial calls, but for our attitude on stuff like this.  Maybe I don't experience the same kind of stuff that I hear from you guys on this site so maybe I can't fully relate.

 

Flame on!

[BigUmpire]

 

 

 

Your response

Get upset, move in front of him and stare him right in the eyes at a distance of less than 2 feet!

After he did this I would state that was unprofessional and will not happen again.

Send a visual message to all that you are upset.

If he apologizes state that this is his first warning on unsportsmanlike behavior.

Stay upset.

If he responds negatively in anyway dump him demonstratively.

 

 

 

Sorry, no offence, but I can't see myself doing this.   I saw my UIC eject someone. He did not look upset or sound upset. He was totally calm. It worked very well. Wouldn't that work in this situation too?

 

Could. Had to be there.

[LMSANS]

 

 

Totally agree with HeadHunterLA here, lets have some perspective fellas and I'm shocked at some of the heavy responses here, I'm sure this is a HTBT situation,  I get that kind of harmless clowning around from parents and coaches sometimes.

 

I mean did the guy just kind of kick some dirt in your direction, or did he actually kick the dirt onto your shoes and lower pants?  If the later than I'd have some stern words for him for sure, probably not an ejection, depending on his overall demeanor.  If the former, I'd be laughed out of the ball park for that dump.

He asked, was told "no".  What part of "no" doesn't he understand.  That's why he gets the heave-ho.

If he just walked up and kicked the dirt and then said it was a joke, then he would probably be given a verbal lesson on etiquette.

 

I wouldn't even answer the question at the plate meeting about kicking dirt at me, as its obviously meant as a joke, I would just smile and carry on with meeting.  And if he then pushed a little dirt in my direction in a harmless way and chuckled, no it would not bother me, and no I would not think he's "getting away with something";  aggressively kicking, different story, again HTBT.  Its the same if a coach comes up to you asking, "hey ump, when I argue a call with you, can I get within 1" of your face and spray some spit at you when I'm arguing?" you would take that as a serious question?

 

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a P#?%Y ump by any stretch,  I warn and eject when I have to, but I know when to draw the line to.

 

Sometimes we feel the need to respond to every little thing out there, or we might be accused of "letting the game get out of control" or "letting coaches walk all over us".  I don't buy it.  Of all the major team sports out there, baseball officials have the worst public image, and not always for controversial calls, but for our attitude on stuff like this.  Maybe I don't experience the same kind of stuff that I hear from you guys on this site so maybe I can't fully relate.

 

Flame on!

 

I had a 13u travel coach come up to the plate meeting, toss a money clip with cash in it on the plate, smile and say something about the way the calls should go.  I didn't smile back, I just said "that's not funny.  Please pick it up and let's get on with the game."  He apologized  I then asked him if he would like it if I came onto his job and do something stupid like that.  

 

I didn't eject because he didn't ask if he could something stupid and then do it after I said no.

 

The umpires who have come before me in this area have set a solid foundation for respect between coaches and umpires.  I believe in maintaining that.  I don't see a lot of the same kind of stuff that is posted because of the guys that preceded me.

[blue23ll]

Sure coach, you can kick dirt on me. But then I get to do a 'cup check' on you with my plate shoes...fair enough?

[James Walker]

Your response

Get upset, move in front of him and stare him right in the eyes at a distance of less than 2 feet!

After he did this I would state that was unprofessional and will not happen again.

Send a visual message to all that you are upset.

If he apologizes state that this is his first warning on unsportsmanlike behavior.

Stay upset.

If he responds negatively in anyway dump him demonstratively.

Sorry, no offence, but I can't see myself doing this.   I saw my UIC eject someone. He did not look upset or sound upset. He was totally calm. It worked very well. Wouldn't that work in this situation too?

Plateump, we all try to remain calm and keep our composer, even when ejecting someone, especially an irrate coach. It shows everyone that they can't get under your skin or intimidate you. And makes the coach look like an even bigger a$$ than he already made himself out to be.

In you sitch, he's gone. He asked, you said no. That's his warning. He kicks dirt on you or in your direction, he failed to heed your warning and needs to go. Missing this game and the next is his learning opportunity.

[BigUmpire]

 

 

Your response

Get upset, move in front of him and stare him right in the eyes at a distance of less than 2 feet!

After he did this I would state that was unprofessional and will not happen again.

Send a visual message to all that you are upset.

If he apologizes state that this is his first warning on unsportsmanlike behavior.

Stay upset.

If he responds negatively in anyway dump him demonstratively.

Sorry, no offence, but I can't see myself doing this.   I saw my UIC eject someone. He did not look upset or sound upset. He was totally calm. It worked very well. Wouldn't that work in this situation too?

Plateump, we all try to remain calm and keep our composer, even when ejecting someone, especially an irrate coach. It shows everyone that they can't get under your skin or intimidate you. And makes the coach look like an even bigger a$$ than he already made himself out to be.

In you sitch, he's gone. He asked, you said no. That's his warning. He kicks dirt on you or in your direction, he failed to heed your warning and needs to go. Missing this game and the next is his learning opportunity.

 

Sorry. I want everyone to know that they have crossed the line and I am PISSED! I have somewhat of an advantage over most of you in this area SOO It does work for me.

[JaxRolo]

 

 

 

Your response

Get upset, move in front of him and stare him right in the eyes at a distance of less than 2 feet!

After he did this I would state that was unprofessional and will not happen again.

Send a visual message to all that you are upset.

If he apologizes state that this is his first warning on unsportsmanlike behavior.

Stay upset.

If he responds negatively in anyway dump him demonstratively.

Sorry, no offence, but I can't see myself doing this.   I saw my UIC eject someone. He did not look upset or sound upset. He was totally calm. It worked very well. Wouldn't that work in this situation too?

Plateump, we all try to remain calm and keep our composer, even when ejecting someone, especially an irrate coach. It shows everyone that they can't get under your skin or intimidate you. And makes the coach look like an even bigger a$$ than he already made himself out to be.

In you sitch, he's gone. He asked, you said no. That's his warning. He kicks dirt on you or in your direction, he failed to heed your warning and needs to go. Missing this game and the next is his learning opportunity.

 

Sorry. I want everyone to know that they have crossed the line and I am PISSED! I have somewhat of an advantage over most of you in this area SOO I does work for me.

 

Well said Sasquatch!  

[NFUA_44]

There will be plenty of differing views on this (obviously) but I have to agree with Tim and Michael.  When you give him the initial warning about it not being a good idea, a no response from you can only weaken your position with everyone there.  Your going to have an opposing coach who now thinks he has at least one dirt kick coming to him, and that your not going to respond when somebody starts trying to show you up.

 

Stand firm, tell him it's not acceptable in any way shape or form, and then immediately return back to the pre-game you were conducting to move on with things.  Larry makes a good point that I have to ask myself sometimes when I witness over the top behavior from coaches and/or parents.  Is what your doing acceptable anywhere that you would call work, or in a place where there are children?  I can and will respect you all day long, when it's earned and supported by reasonable behavior.  I am there to be the independent third party arbiter for the game, I'm not there for you to degrade and demean me, or the uniform.

 

Just my

[BigUmp56]

 

 

 

Your response

Get upset, move in front of him and stare him right in the eyes at a distance of less than 2 feet!

After he did this I would state that was unprofessional and will not happen again.

Send a visual message to all that you are upset.

If he apologizes state that this is his first warning on unsportsmanlike behavior.

Stay upset.

If he responds negatively in anyway dump him demonstratively.

Sorry, no offence, but I can't see myself doing this.   I saw my UIC eject someone. He did not look upset or sound upset. He was totally calm. It worked very well. Wouldn't that work in this situation too?

Plateump, we all try to remain calm and keep our composer, even when ejecting someone, especially an irrate coach. It shows everyone that they can't get under your skin or intimidate you. And makes the coach look like an even bigger a$$ than he already made himself out to be.

In you sitch, he's gone. He asked, you said no. That's his warning. He kicks dirt on you or in your direction, he failed to heed your warning and needs to go. Missing this game and the next is his learning opportunity.

 

Sorry. I want everyone to know that they have crossed the line and I am PISSED! I have somewhat of an advantage over most of you in this area SOO It does work for me.

 

I'll bite. What's the advantage you have over most of us in this area?

 

Tim.

[Aging_Arbiter]

I'm just surprised that someone has it said it yet, so I will.  Call it symantics or what ever.  Based on the topic "pre-game meeting", a pre-game is what I have with my partner.  What happens in the OP is usually referred to as the plate meeting.  There, I feel better.

[plateumpire]

I'm just surprised that someone has it said it yet, so I will.  Call it symantics or what ever.  Based on the topic "pre-game meeting", a pre-game is what I have with my partner.  What happens in the OP is usually referred to as the plate meeting.  There, I feel better.

My Umpire Coordinator called it a pre-game meeting in his email. 

[BigUmp56]

I'm just surprised that someone has it said it yet, so I will.  Call it symantics or what ever.  Based on the topic "pre-game meeting", a pre-game is what I have with my partner.  What happens in the OP is usually referred to as the plate meeting.  There, I feel better.

 

We call it the "Plate Conference" around these here parts..............

 

Tim.