Ejection advice.

[mstaylor]

I have stated my views on having umpires at this level. Yes, it is instructional but parents and/or coaches are stupid at this level just like any other level. If we can start teaching coaches proper protocol early, we will have less trouble later. If I was still on the BOD and a coach got tossed in a pitching machine or T-ball league, it would cost him dearly. If he can't behave at this level HTH is he going to do it when he is at Majors and above?

[RichMSN]

I'm coaching my daughter's team this year.  They're 7-9 years old.  I couldn't possibly act like the assclowns in the OP.  Again, these are little kids.  Not only does the result of the game not matter in the least bit, setting a good example is more important to me than any decision (not involving player safety) that an umpire could make.

[BigUmpire]

I had a Kindergarten game/ coach pitch. again at Oregon Trail earlier this year. 

 

top 3 with r2 and r1.  Groundball to short and the ss overthrew the f3 and the ball rolled under the fence.  At this level runners may not advance on an overthrow except when the ball leaves the field and then they get two bases judging from where they are in relation to when the fielder releases the throw. In this case the r2 scored, r1 to third, and b/r to second. 

 

After the call, the Defensive HC and two of his ACs run toward me and my partner yelling at us. I immediately send his two ACs back to the dugout and the head coach keeps on yelling to actually read the rule book for once. This promptly earns him a warning and revokes the explanation.

 

The next inning I notice that this same coach is not touching the pitchers plate. I kindly ask him to pitch from the rubber. He either ignores me or  didn't hear me.

 

The next pitch he does it again. This time I say it a little louder.

 

By the third time, I finally had enough and issue a warning that if he doesn't pitch from the rubber he will be removed from the pitching duties.

 

Normally in most little leagues this is an illegal pitch but my league has the umpires remove the pitching coach from the pitching duty after a warning or two. The removed coaches can still coach but may not pitch.

 

He places his foot on the rubber and says, " Are you damn happy". 

 

I know I should have tossed him but I clammed up.    

 

How could I have handled this better?

 

How much rope should I give a coach that acts like this?

Umpire Bumper sticker:

• "You will only regret the ejection you missed"-.mstaylor

[BigUmpire]

I have stated my views on having umpires at this level. Yes, it is instructional but parents and/or coaches are stupid at this level just like any other level. If we can start teaching coaches proper protocol early, we will have less trouble later. If I was still on the BOD and a coach got tossed in a pitching machine or T-ball league, it would cost him dearly. If he can't behave at this level HTH is he going to do it when he is at Majors and above?

• "Eject early to eject less"-Jeapugrad

This goes for all season AND as he progresses through his coaching life

[kylejt]

Let me give a different take on this.

 

And this all revolves around the age of the kids. These are little guys, really little. There should be zero angry adults on that ball field. So, if a coach just won't play by the rules, and has been warned, I'd get them all together on the mound, and explain it like this.

 

"Look fellas, we all need to be on the same page, here. Mike, you need to keep a foot on the rubber. Jim, you need to stop hollering at me about Mike's foot. I'd hate for you to have to explain to your 5 year old why you have to miss his next game." And do it with a laugh and smile, and away from the kids.

 

Any ejections should be very low key, and away from earshot of the kids. "Mike, I'm calling in a relief pitcher". If Mike wants to get mouthy, don't contribute. Just stay out there until his replacement arrives.

 

The whole point of coach pitch is to get the kids hitting the ball. To me, if a coach needs to get closer, so what? But, if your league wants it enforced, they're the ones paying you.

 

And ditto what everyone else says about having no scoreboard or umpires for T-Ball or coach pitch. Way too early for that, which contributes to this sort of nonsense.