Pre-game Bad Blood

[JP_blue]

Not sure where to post this, so it's landing here. Just got an email from my assignor that my game tonight has two teams with a history. LL Jr. level. He mentions that both teams have already been warned by the district administrator to conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner and that we should remind both coaches at the plate meeting that they already have "warnings". We're instructed to eject pitchers immediately if we feel they are throwing at batters intentionally. That's the entire email and all information I have now.

This is my first year back umpiring after a nine year break...third year overall. Never seen this before so I'm soliciting advice on how to handle the pre-game. I've always felt that my game management skills are decent, and my instincts are to make the plate meeting short and sweet -- look both coaches in they eye and tell them that we're aware of the situation and that they've already been warned and that good sportsmanship is the number one priority here. Thoughts?

[blue23ll]

Personally, I am inclined not to change the plate meeting. I don't believe in giving warnings at the plate meetings. Short and sweet will work fine. As to how to approach the game, I wouldn't work the game any differently, just be very firm and decisive and don't let anything get out of hand. The things that need to be stopped right away are chirping, trash talking between teams, little subtle contact made between players on routine plays (tags a bit too hard).

[Mike Prince]

Agree - do a normal plate meeting and stop situations in game before they escalate.  If something is going to happen some silly speech at the plate meeting won't change that.

[James Walker]

I hate the idea of issuing warnings at the plate meeting. That doesn't nothing but put you in a bad spot. Me personally, I wouldn't warn. I don't do LL, but I've never read a rule in any rule book that says you must warn before an EJ. IMO, these coaches know the situation, so there's no need to poke the bear. Just conduct the plate meeting as normal, then have a very short leash. Get rid of any problems before the fit hits the shan. Who knows, you may be surprised and get a good game out of it.

[noumpere]

You can warn about throwing at a batter during a plate meeting.  It's certainly done in pro ball (when needed).

[blue23ll]

You can warn about throwing at a batter during a plate meeting.  It's certainly done in pro ball (when needed).

 

Of course you could warn about throwing at a batter, but I wouldn't at this level of play. This isn't pro ball. My experience is that once you start issuing warnings at the plate meeting the tension level rises. Why poke a hornets nest?

[LRZ]

Rather than be negative at the plate meeting by reminding the coaches about their warnings, I might do something positive instead. Maybe "Let's have a good, clean game, and have fun today. Any questions? No, well, then let's play ball." Saccharine, maybe, but it's LL and I'd be interested in trying to establish a good context for the game.

[sdix00]

.

[SJA]

Had the EXACT same situation last week. LL JR's. DA advised them of their conduct. At the second game plate meeting, the only addition that was added to the norm was, "gentlemen, I believe Mr "X" has spoken with you both on certain matters. Let's have a good game".

Game went smoothly. :-)

[James Walker]

. . . but I've never read a rule in any rule book that says you must warn before an EJ. . .

 

In HS, we are required to warn prior to EJ for these offenses:

 

 

SECTION 3 BENCH AND FIELD CONDUCT

 

ART. 1 . . . A coach, player, substitute, attendant or other bench personnel shall not:

 

a. leave the dugout during a live ball for an unauthorized purpose;

b. fake a tag without the ball;

c. carelessly throw a bat;

d. wear jewelry (players participating in the game) or wear bandannas;

e. hit the ball to players on defense after the game has started;

 

 

PENALTY: At the end of playing action, the umpire shall issue a warning to the coach of the team involved and the next offender on that team shall be ejected. . .

I've not had the chance to do any HS ball... But I stand corrected.

[KLAH316]

Not sure where to post this, so it's landing here. Just got an email from my assignor that my game tonight has two teams with a history. LL Jr. level. He mentions that both teams have already been warned by the district administrator to conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner and that we should remind both coaches at the plate meeting that they already have "warnings". We're instructed to eject pitchers immediately if we feel they are throwing at batters intentionally. That's the entire email and all information I have now.

This is my first year back umpiring after a nine year break...third year overall. Never seen this before so I'm soliciting advice on how to handle the pre-game. I've always felt that my game management skills are decent, and my instincts are to make the plate meeting short and sweet -- look both coaches in they eye and tell them that we're aware of the situation and that they've already been warned and that good sportsmanship is the number one priority here. Thoughts?

I think if the DA has directed you to remind the coaches at the plate meeting, then it should be done. 

However, I like @SJA idea on it:  "gentlemen, I believe Mr "X" has spoken with you both on certain matters. Let's have a good game". 

 

Not a big deal and only an extra few seconds.  Now, both managers know that you know what the situation is and possibly will ensure their teams behave.

[JP_blue]

Thank you to everyone for the advice, it is greatly appreciated. Plate meeting was short and I did mention that the DA had spoken to everyone standing here. Even plagiarized SJA's statement and not a word from either coach. Well, the baseball gods were smiling on us -- a seamless game with no issues, even with the home team up by 12. Didn't hear a chirp about anything from either side. The DA showed up in the 4th and I think he was surprised everything was so calm. This is why I love umpiring this game.

[Pete Peterson Sr]

Thank you to everyone for the advice, it is greatly appreciated. Plate meeting was short and I did mention that the DA had spoken to everyone standing here. Even plagiarized SJA's statement and not a word from either coach. Well, the baseball gods were smiling on us -- a seamless game with no issues, even with the home team up by 12. Didn't hear a chirp about anything from either side. The DA showed up in the 4th and I think he was surprised everything was so calm. This is why I love umpiring this game.

 

Don't love it for that alone, lol... Every day won't be like that !

[LRZ]

I'm glad the game went well, but it occurred to me that, if things were so iffy going into the game, the DA might have come down just before the plate meeting and cautioned the coaches himself.

[KLAH316]

I'm glad the game went well, but it occurred to me that, if things were so iffy going into the game, the DA might have come down just before the plate meeting and cautioned the coaches himself.

Negative Ghostrider!! Nobody speaks at my plate meeting except me.

[Jocko]

I agree that the powers that be should have addressed this pregame. BEFORE the plate meeting.

In my experience, when I'm warned beforehand to expect trouble, there rarely is. And I dont like anyone telling me what to say or how to conduct my plate meeting/game. I will treat every game individually, and handle situations as they arise. Thanks but no thanks for the heads up. If it's such an issue, handle it OFF the field, Mr. DA.

[Pete Peterson Sr]

I agree that the powers that be should have addressed this pregame. BEFORE the plate meeting.

In my experience, when I'm warned beforehand to expect trouble, there rarely is. And I dont like anyone telling me what to say or how to conduct my plate meeting/game. I will treat every game individually, and handle situations as they arise. Thanks but no thanks for the heads up. If it's such an issue, handle it OFF the field, Mr. DA.

 

That's BS, @Jocko. A word to the wise is ALWAYS a good thing. It gives you the opportunity to not be surprised when an issue rears its ugly head. As to the part I have "blued", I totally agree.

[wingman3110]

It's always helpful to know ahead of time if there has been prior issues, confrontations, etc.

[SJA]

"To be forewarned, is to be forearmed"

;-)

[Kevin_K]

 

I agree that the powers that be should have addressed this pregame. BEFORE the plate meeting.

In my experience, when I'm warned beforehand to expect trouble, there rarely is. And I dont like anyone telling me what to say or how to conduct my plate meeting/game. I will treat every game individually, and handle situations as they arise. Thanks but no thanks for the heads up. If it's such an issue, handle it OFF the field, Mr. DA.

 

That's BS, @Jocko. A word to the wise is ALWAYS a good thing. It gives you the opportunity to not be surprised when an issue rears its ugly head. As to the part I have "blued", I totally agree.

 

I'm w/ Jocko and the others who would change nothing about their routine plate meeting.

 

I don't care what happened prior to the game in front of me. I will manage my game just fine thank you very much. If some one needs to go they will. If they act like they want to stay they will. When I remind everyone at the plate meeting about good sportsmanship, they had best remember it.

 

If I need a heads up about two teams, I should be with the coach pitch and t-ball games.

[wingman3110]

I believe PBUC calls it their heads up policy or something like that. I wouldn't change my plate meeting or anything like that but it is vital information to have.

[SJA]

If I need a heads up about two teams, I should be with the coach pitch and t-ball games.

I've never made a comment to anyone on here this "hard" but , KK, that is one stupid statement! . . . and sure as hell, you're going to get caught in the middle at sometime, and wonder why you weren't told about a potential situation in advance by a COMPETENT BOD or other Authority. It's not if, . . . it's when.

PS . . . "they" don't have to know that you know the potential situation or issues.

SJA!

[Jocko]

@Pete Peterson Sr - your opinion and I rarely disagree without trying to figure out why I'm wrong. But not this time. I don't want the warning to be on the lookout for things I'm already looking out for. I don't want my perception or mindset to be guided by a warning of a "possibility". That possibility ALWAYS exists. I prefer to just call my game and let my personal radar do its job. YMMV

[Replacematt]

@Pete Peterson Sr - your opinion and I rarely disagree without trying to figure out why I'm wrong. But not this time. I don't want the warning to be on the lookout for things I'm already looking out for. I don't want my perception or mindset to be guided by a warning of a "possibility". That possibility ALWAYS exists. I prefer to just call my game and let my personal radar do its job. YMMV

 

Your personal radar won't be accurate if it's picking up weather and you need to see airplanes.

 

Savvy teams will try to work both you and the other team in situations like this. A pitch high and in, a slightly hard tag, a bat thrown a certain way by a catcher, are all things done to see how the other team reacts and what you are picking up. They love being, to borrow Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s term, gadflies, letting them know they're there and what they could do.

[Pete Peterson Sr]

@Pete Peterson Sr - your opinion and I rarely disagree without trying to figure out why I'm wrong. But not this time. I don't want the warning to be on the lookout for things I'm already looking out for. I don't want my perception or mindset to be guided by a warning of a "possibility". That possibility ALWAYS exists. I prefer to just call my game and let my personal radar do its job. YMMV

 

 In my opinion, your perception SHOULD be guided by any previous issues between teams. There is absolutely nothing wrong with extra vigilance. And if the previous game included a bean-ball war, I'm warning at the plate meeting. As you said earlier, YMMV, but after discussing this with an experienced umpire from a much higher level, I will stand by my thoughts.