Approachable versus professional

[Thunderheads]

 

A couple things here .........

 

1) be yourself, period.  Do what works for you.  Don't be a red-ass, and don't be a doormat, but overall, just be yourself.

 

2) the comment "let's play ball",  and/or ... "now, let's play"  has never left my mouth, and never will.  For me, and my personal opinion, it's a tactic to shut someone down/cut short a conversation and it's rude. You may as well just say "now go away" .....

 

 Every time I see it written on this site I just cringe, like nails on a chalkboard ....

What comment do you use to end the discussions?

 

Well, to be honest, .......I've never had to end a discussion, ... they've never gotten to a point where I've needed that type of statement.  After I've heard his side, and I've explained mine, I start to walk / back away from the conversation.   If he follows, I'd say, ....  " John, I've heard you, and you have my explanation"    But, it's never come up really ....

[maven]

My point regarding not being able to misconstrue silence is a belief that most umpires, during a discussion with a manager or a head coach, talk way, way too much.

I don't know whether that's true (by which I mean, I don't know whether that's true.) Some guys talk, some guys get angry, some guys get scared ... there's all kinds of guys.

 

If you talk too much or get angry or otherwise have trouble managing situations, then I suppose silence might be a better alternative. But 'better' doesn't make it the best.

[catsbackr]

Well, I'll clear it up for you.  Many umpires talk way too much, that's why they get into so much trouble.  A good coach will take everything you say and I mean everything and use it against you whether it's pertinent to the situation or not. 

 

A coach can't misconstrue, misunderstand, mistake SILENCE.

[Umpire in Chief]

There is a fine line between just the facts and approachable. 

 

IMO you can be both. choose your words wisely, give non-verbal cues (smile, friendly low key hand/body gestures, tone, etc...) 

 

Also like in the Leyland, Iassognia example, use the coach's name. it diffuses things a bit.

[BigUmpire]

There is a fine line between just the facts and approachable. 

 

IMO you can be both. choose your words wisely, give non-verbal cues (smile, friendly low key hand/body gestures, tone, etc...) 

 

Also like in the Leyland, Iassognia example, use the coach's name. it diffuses things a bit.

Well said by a professional umpire.

[Umpire in Chief]

Also, here's a trick I was taught that works really well is friendly and keeps your word count low.

 

Manager coming out to argue with you

 

You take a few calm steps towards him and ask,"What do you have (coach name)?" - this slows him down and now he has to think because you have derailed him from what he was intending to say.

 

Let the coach ramble a bit...

 

Ask him follow up questions,"So you think there was (a balk/int/obs/tag...)?" if you feel it will help.

 

Roach rambles some more...

 

Maybe ask another question like, "And you believe we had _______ because _______...", Now the coach knows you've heard him understand his gripe.

 

Then let him know what you have and use very generic terms and do not use you/ your but say the runner, the shortstop.

 

"(Name here) I had obstruction here. The second baseman who didn't have the ball force the runner to to alter his route to the base."

 

NOTE: do not try to be cute and quote rules, "Rule 7.06(b) states...." be general, if you try to quote and are wrong now you look like a dumbass who was trying to be a smartass. 

[Rook23]

For me, and I'm aware this isn't at all universal, my approachability is directly impacted in the manner the coach starts the conversation. 

 

I've had coaches call time, calmly walk out, and in a polite tone ask what I saw, rule interpretation, appeal, ect.  When it goes that way, I'm much more inclined to give them more of a conversation about his concern. 

 

I've also had coaches bark the entire game and when they come out yelling about a call it's a much shorter, direct conversation. 

 

It's simple for me - they treat us with respect and I'll give it right back to them.  If they think they're Bobby Cox, it goes the other way. Mind you I don't antagonize, I'm just going to give them a short response and lets play ball. 

[Mike Prince]

I have a partner who tells coaches "you come out like a gentleman, we will talk like gentlemen".  Works for him and when I have seen him use it at a plate meeting he gets head nods and positive acknowledgement from coaches.

[Maineac]

I was taught an approach I like a few years ago: "Be approachable without being negotiable."

[blue23ll]

 

My version:

 

Had I given him the minimum here is how I envision the conversation going:

 

Coach:  what did he do?

 

Me:  No set, now let's play.

 

When I coached I would find your approach to me rude.  Now a lot would depend on my tone.  If I truly did not see what he did wrong (maybe I was looking to see where the catcher was set up and was not looking at the pitcher), then I don't think your response would be warranted.  Now if I incredulously asked "what did he do" in an argumentative tone, then your approach would be perfectly reasonable.  So I think that deference should be given to the situation.

 

 

You would find no one who would describe me as rude. I am approachable and always have been, but I do not engage in long debates or explanations on the field. If someone asks why I called the balk, I will tell them, once. Any more discussion will be one sided, as I am ready to play ball.