How do you handle ..

[jpperez14]

Coaches and players arguing balls and strikes? Over the past 6 years I went from telling the coaches enough to just using selective hearing and blocking it out. I have been able to keep ignoring it but, I am trying to determine when should the cut off point be. I don't want to eject coaches because it's not why I am there, but I don't want to let everything go. I've done a few 18 select games and players not so much complaining, but coaches just want every pitch there pitcher to throw a strike and every pitcher the other team throws a ball.

[maven]

A few suggestions.

1. Call more strikes. I always say that, but most guys could call more strikes. Baseball is so much better when the batters are swinging...
2. Ignore what you can.
3. When you can't ignore, some guys stare at the offending coach so they know you heard — I usually skip this step.
4. Warn: "That's enough, coach." Some guys add, "This is your warning."
5. Eject for the next comment.

As with small children, there must be consequences for misbehavior. Don't skip step 5.

 

The fact that you "don't want to eject coaches because it's not why I'm there" is something you need to get over, IMO. You're there to enforce the rules, including 9.01(b). And it certainly sounds as if their behavior is affecting the administration of the game.

[Jocko]

First step is a hard look. If it gets to the point I need to address it, he gets a knock it off. This is my step 4.

[immaculate1976]

I understand these days there are alot of coaches who dont know the rules or how to act as a manager. I do not show up every night looking to eject but I will not hold back either. I dont buy in to the bullsh*t of trying to keep the coach in the game. He is the one who decides if he stays or leaves.

 

If I get a coach who argues balls and strikes here is how I handle it

 

1) Ignore

2) Tell him coach were not going to argue balls and strikes this is your warning

3) Bye Bye coach

[bluejerred]

Add on question to the OP:  What do you do when the coach starts asking you if the pitch was inside, outside, high, low, etc.?  Same with the catcher?

[grayhawk]

Add on question to the OP:  What do you do when the coach starts asking you if the pitch was inside, outside, high, low, etc.?  Same with the catcher?

 

I use these.  This pitch was clearly outside:

 

 

Do you like my plate coat?

[BigUmpire]

Add on question to the OP:  What do you do when the coach starts asking you if the pitch was inside, outside, high, low, etc.?  Same with the catcher?

Lots of different opinions here on this.

If these requests start I disregard from ALL reqesters and MAY wisper to the catcher'

"If your pitcher would just get the ball a little more in/out/higer/lower he might start getting some strikes called SOO I need to dust off the plate SO go talk to him"

I just believe if you start calling locations on one they will want it on all pitches.

 

And remember this bumper sticker:

 

• “After the first pitch, one side will like you and the other side will hate you. After the second pitch, it reverses.†-plateumpire 

 

Thanks @plateumpire

[ricka56]

I use these.  This pitch was clearly outside:

 

 

Do you like my plate coat?

 

Yes, and the hat...can't find it in the Ump-Attire catalog.

[grayhawk]

 

I use these.  This pitch was clearly outside:

 

 

Do you like my plate coat?

 

Yes, and the hat...can't find it in the Ump-Attire catalog.

 

 

It's a 360 degree 3 stitch from Japan.  They are going for $140 on eBay...

[Specks]

Add on question to the OP:  What do you do when the coach starts asking you if the pitch was inside, outside, high, low, etc.?  Same with the catcher?

First time he asks I'll answer him. If he asks again fairly soon I'll tell F2 to let him know between innings. I ignore the next request then if he continues I'll move right to @maven 's 5 step process but I'll start at step 4. I also won't fall for that "I'm talking to my catcher" horse$hit.

 

 

A few suggestions.

1. Call more strikes. I always say that, but most guys could call more strikes. Baseball is so much better when the batters are swinging...
2. Ignore what you can.
3. When you can't ignore, some guys stare at the offending coach so they know you heard — I usually skip this step.
4. Warn: "That's enough, coach." Some guys add, "This is your warning."
5. Eject for the next comment.

As with small children, there must be consequences for misbehavior. Don't skip step 5.

 

The fact that you "don't want to eject coaches because it's not why I'm there" is something you need to get over, IMO. You're there to enforce the rules, including 9.01(b). And it certainly sounds as if their behavior is affecting the administration of the game.

[maven]

Add on question to the OP:  What do you do when the coach starts asking you if the pitch was inside, outside, high, low, etc.?  Same with the catcher?

 

I pretend he's asking F2, and tell F2, "you can answer him."

 

I just don't see this a lot: for whatever level I'm doing, I call a lot of strikes. If I miss a pitch, it's a ball that I call a strike. I'm a strike bigot.

 

Now occasionally I'll get, "how can you call that, it's in the other batter's box?!?" but usually not, because they want me to call it the same way in the next half inning.

 

What I usually hear is coach telling his batters, "he's been calling that all day, so you'd better swing!"

[PonyUmpire]

Decide where the line is, and shut coaches down the moment they cross it. I was working 4 9u travel ball games on Sunday, with me on the last 2 plates. In my second game, one team's coaching staff was all over my partner (who took MUCH more crap than I would have). I knew that when I had them on my championship plate, they would be a problem. Sure enough, early on in the championship,I hear an assistant coach in the dugout start to chirp about balls and strikes. I ignore the first chirp. Later on, after I call a strike at the letters, I hear, from the same guy, "be consistant". A moment later, he loudly yells "you've got to be consistent with your strike zone!". I immediately call time, throw my hand up toward the offending dugout, and yell "That's enough! I'm done listening to you!" I then turn to the HC, who is coaching third base, and firmly say "Bob, you need to control your staff. I'm not going to listen to your assistants chip at me about balls and strikes." He responded that he would take care of it, and I didn't hear anything for the rest of the game. This is the same coaching staff that was all over my partner on every pitch. The take away is that coaches will do what you let them get away with. If you put your foot down early and firmly, you can put a stop to unwanted behavior.

[umpcoachfather]

What you'd like to say:

Shut up idiot, you're in the dugout/Box - you have a better view then me?

If I called em from where you are you'd probably be right.

I'm calling the next one with my eyes closed.

your pitcher couldnt hit the backstop on a good day.

Coach your batter couldnt hit a volleyball with a tennis racket. 

get back on your bucket and shut up - you stunk when you played and now your trying for a little glory. 

Your kids not that good. 

[Pete Peterson Sr]

 

I use these.  This pitch was clearly outside:

 

 

Do you like my plate coat?

 

Yes, and the hat...can't find it in the Ump-Attire catalog.

 

Check the "Cricket" section...

[Pete Peterson Sr]

Coaches and players arguing balls and strikes? Over the past 6 years I went from telling the coaches enough to just using selective hearing and blocking it out. I have been able to keep ignoring it but, I am trying to determine when should the cut off point be. I don't want to eject coaches because it's not why I am there, but I don't want to let everything go. I've done a few 18 select games and players not so much complaining, but coaches just want every pitch there pitcher to throw a strike and every pitcher the other team throws a ball.

 

I've never ejected anyone. I have merely confirmed their desire to no longer participate in the day's activities.