"That's a strike!!!!! He didn't pull the bat back!!"

[Richvee]

The key piece to my response is

 

 If they're civil, and want to ask a legit rules question

 

Approach me looking for an argument, and you'll be ignored. 

Walk up to me and say "Excuse me, can you explain that balk call in the 5th inning?" 

If a any pont it turns from a rules explanation to "That's not what he did"..Then we're done, and the wall goes up. 

 

I've got to say, maybe it's the level I do, (high school, local travel leagues 12-18, a few tourneys in the area), but I've had many more pleasant conversations in the parking lot with parents than confrontations. And by confrontations I mean a few derogatory words from parents and then nothing more than a "we're done here" from me.

YMMV 

[grayhawk]

I agree Rich.  I have to say that fan interaction following games is almost always limited to:

 

"Thanks Blue"

"Good Job"

 

Fans asking questions is rare.  Fans complaining is also rare.  There was one time that I got a "Bad job, blue" from a fan driving by in the parking lot while I was changing (he wasn't far off - it wasn't my best game).  That's literally the only negative comment I can remember from a fan in that last 3-4 years.

 

If a fan did want to ask a sincere question about a rule, or something that I ruled on during the game - then I have no problem with it as long as it's civil.

[blue23ll]

Option 1: listen to BS interps from the fans then come here and laugh at them for their ignorance.

 

Option 2: Teach them the rules.

 

 

So why is option 1 better?

It's not better. Option 2 is better but not during a game. I have no problem discussing rules with someone, and I don't know of anyone that would have a problem calmly talking about baseball with anyone. Just not during the game.

[LMSANS]

I agree Rich.  I have to say that fan interaction following games is almost always limited to:

 

"Thanks Blue"

"Good Job"

 

Fans asking questions is rare.  Fans complaining is also rare.  There was one time that I got a "Bad job, blue" from a fan driving by in the parking lot while I was changing (he wasn't far off - it wasn't my best game).  That's literally the only negative comment I can remember from a fan in that last 3-4 years.

 

If a fan did want to ask a sincere question about a rule, or something that I ruled on during the game - then I have no problem with it as long as it's civil.

I'm with Rich & Grayhawk.  I've even had a father come up to me to apologize for his kid that I ejected for cursing at me.  (while the mother was yelling at him to not apologize...guess who has custody...)

[Mike Prince]

@maven - you should strive to emulate me..... I'm BOTH!

 

Perceived and satisfied?      

[Pete Peterson Sr]

 

@maven - you should strive to emulate me..... I'm BOTH!

 

Perceived to be right?

 

Where?

 

 

 

 In the darkest recesses of his head....

[mstaylor]

When I work youth ball I talk with fans all the time. If they want to up the ante I shut it down, but that is a very rare occasion. I have had fans approach after the game. I have had guys coming at us screaming, they get the same stop sign I use on coaches, then tell them we are not having a discussion right now. If they come up and asks a genuine question they get an answer. Say there as a balk, I explain it and they say he didn't do what I called, I tell them that was what I saw. If you saw something different, fine but I can only call what I saw.