Advice

[Out&UglyToo]

When a caoch goes way out of bounds with language, I explain to him the NFL officials' "signal" to the offending coach, "Coach, do you care to repeat that?" (said with a cross face, not in a baiting way, shaking my head as if saying "No") They usually do not repeat the offensive language.

 

If the coach is still really hot, I'll remind him that we are allowed to discuss rules & interpretations, not judgement, nor personal or family genetics, nor personal hygiene, etc. I sometimes remind him that other umpires would have already ejected him, and that I think his team would probably appreciate him staying in the game, so could we please just stick to rules and interpretations? If does not appreciate all the slack I cut him, he gets an early shower, courtesy of my index finger.

 

The only things I say to a coach after an ejection are that he has 30 seconds to get off the live ball territory, and 60 seconds to get out of the game viewing / interacting area. If it is a visiting coach, I suggest that he go to the bus. If he violates the 30 second limit, I remind him of what comes next, forfeiture of the game and a resulting score of 7-0 in a 7-inning game or 9-0 in a 9-inning game, and that pitch counts are not ignored. If he walks away, I do not hear anything he says after that.

 

If he bumps into me, I tell him, "That's a bump. Do you want that to go on my report?" I remind him of the probable results of a bump going on my report. If he bumps me again, I pull the plug on the game, and it goes on my report. If he turns and walks away, I let him go, and I don't check my watch. If he returns, I ask him if he really wants me to forfeit the game? If he does not leave, it's over.

 

If he leaves as requested, I go to the scorekeeper, report the substitute coaches name, go to my position, remind the players of the inning, the score, the runners on base, the number of outs, the batter and the ball and strike count. Then I say, "Play BALL!" Two breaths later, I feel normal again, thinking about, "is infield fly on or off?", my positioning, communication with my partner(s), watching for base touches, etc.

 

Unfortunately, despite having a reputation for a very long fuse, I have memorized the above sequence. It usually keeps coaches in the game, and keeps baseball happening.

 

I hope this helps.

[Replacematt]

When a caoch goes way out of bounds with language, I explain to him the NFL officials' "signal" to the offending coach, "Coach, do you care to repeat that?" (said with a cross face, not in a baiting way, shaking my head as if saying "No") They usually do not repeat the offensive language.

 

If the coach is still really hot, I'll remind him that we are allowed to discuss rules & interpretations, not judgement, nor personal or family genetics, nor personal hygiene, etc. I sometimes remind him that other umpires would have already ejected him, and that I think his team would probably appreciate him staying in the game, so could we please just stick to rules and interpretations? If does not appreciate all the slack I cut him, he gets an early shower, courtesy of my index finger.

 

The only things I say to a coach after an ejection are that he has 30 seconds to get off the live ball territory, and 60 seconds to get out of the game viewing / interacting area. If it is a visiting coach, I suggest that he go to the bus. If he violates the 30 second limit, I remind him of what comes next, forfeiture of the game and a resulting score of 7-0 in a 7-inning game or 9-0 in a 9-inning game, and that pitch counts are not ignored. If he walks away, I do not hear anything he says after that.

 

If he bumps into me, I tell him, "That's a bump. Do you want that to go on my report?" I remind him of the probable results of a bump going on my report. If he bumps me again, I pull the plug on the game, and it goes on my report. If he turns and walks away, I let him go, and I don't check my watch. If he returns, I ask him if he really wants me to forfeit the game? If he does not leave, it's over.

 

If he leaves as requested, I go to the scorekeeper, report the substitute coaches name, go to my position, remind the players of the inning, the score, the runners on base, the number of outs, the batter and the ball and strike count. Then I say, "Play BALL!" Two breaths later, I feel normal again, thinking about, "is infield fly on or off?", my positioning, communication with my partner(s), watching for base touches, etc.

 

Unfortunately, despite having a reputation for a very long fuse, I have memorized the above sequence. It usually keeps coaches in the game, and keeps baseball happening.

 

I hope this helps.

 

You say way too much and do too little.

[JaxRolo]

When a caoch goes way out of bounds with language, I explain to him the NFL officials' "signal" to the offending coach, "Coach, do you care to repeat that?" (said with a cross face, not in a baiting way, shaking my head as if saying "No") They usually do not repeat the offensive language.

If the coach is still really hot, I'll remind him that we are allowed to discuss rules & interpretations, not judgement, nor personal or family genetics, nor personal hygiene, etc. I sometimes remind him that other umpires would have already ejected him, and that I think his team would probably appreciate him staying in the game, so could we please just stick to rules and interpretations? If does not appreciate all the slack I cut him, he gets an early shower, courtesy of my index finger.

The only things I say to a coach after an ejection are that he has 30 seconds to get off the live ball territory, and 60 seconds to get out of the game viewing / interacting area. If it is a visiting coach, I suggest that he go to the bus. If he violates the 30 second limit, I remind him of what comes next, forfeiture of the game and a resulting score of 7-0 in a 7-inning game or 9-0 in a 9-inning game, and that pitch counts are not ignored. If he walks away, I do not hear anything he says after that.

If he bumps into me, I tell him, "That's a bump. Do you want that to go on my report?" I remind him of the probable results of a bump going on my report. If he bumps me again, I pull the plug on the game, and it goes on my report. If he turns and walks away, I let him go, and I don't check my watch. If he returns, I ask him if he really wants me to forfeit the game? If he does not leave, it's over.

If he leaves as requested, I go to the scorekeeper, report the substitute coaches name, go to my position, remind the players of the inning, the score, the runners on base, the number of outs, the batter and the ball and strike count. Then I say, "Play BALL!" Two breaths later, I feel normal again, thinking about, "is infield fly on or off?", my positioning, communication with my partner(s), watching for base touches, etc.

Unfortunately, despite having a reputation for a very long fuse, I have memorized the above sequence. It usually keeps coaches in the game, and keeps baseball happening.

I hope this helps.

Way to much going on here.

Talk as little as possible. "Coach, do you care to repeat that?" You're r baiting the coach. Whether it sounds like it or not.

Also I've never been bumped but if it happens the first time will be the last.

Never forfeit a game. Suspend it and let the higher ups deal with it.

[catsbackr]

Don't tell him, "that's a bump" tell him "that's contact coach" and be somewhat demonstrative, point to yourself, etc. and then eject him immediately.

[catsbackr]

Also, on the topic of what happens after an ejection, this is where your partner should be handling things. If your partner is not handling things after you've ejected a coach, you need better partners. Your involvement with this coach is OVER!

[woodiemiller]

I've been a HS umpire since 2005.

Back in 2012, I was doing a 9th grade game involving 2 schools from different leagues.

In the second inning (2-1 score at the time), there was a play at first, where I called the kid out. The ball came out as he was throwing the ball back to the pitcher. Coach argues, then says the call was BS (in front of HT bench). I eject him.

After the game (ejected coach's team lost 16-1), he said "that was an embarrassment" to which I reply "the only embarrassment today was your conduct".

Fast forward to last season. I finished a game, and was watching a game in which his team was coaching. He starts antagonizing me (I'm not umpiring this game).

He and school ad (now retired) filed a complaint back in May to my states governing body, accusing me of social media violation (in a post where there was no mention of the guy's name, and all that I said was true). He never filed the complaint until he got the varsity job.

No disciplinary action was taken against me. I have requested not to umpire contests involving the school.

You guys think I was out of line? Was this coach just holding a grudge?

 

 

I would not have ejected him as he was not being personal about the call. If he says "you" or "your" then that requires your attention & depending what he says after that will determine if he stays or goes. But just to say a call was b.s. doesnt warrant an ejection.

[catsbackr]

9th grade coach and your going to put up with him telling you your call was BS? In front of either bench?

No way, no how. You're gone coach!

[bds53]

When a caoch goes way out of bounds with language, I explain to him the NFL officials' "signal" to the offending coach, "Coach, do you care to repeat that?" (said with a cross face, not in a baiting way, shaking my head as if saying "No") They usually do not repeat the offensive language.

If the coach is still really hot, I'll remind him that we are allowed to discuss rules & interpretations, not judgement, nor personal or family genetics, nor personal hygiene, etc. I sometimes remind him that other umpires would have already ejected him, and that I think his team would probably appreciate him staying in the game, so could we please just stick to rules and interpretations? If does not appreciate all the slack I cut him, he gets an early shower, courtesy of my index finger.

The only things I say to a coach after an ejection are that he has 30 seconds to get off the live ball territory, and 60 seconds to get out of the game viewing / interacting area. If it is a visiting coach, I suggest that he go to the bus. If he violates the 30 second limit, I remind him of what comes next, forfeiture of the game and a resulting score of 7-0 in a 7-inning game or 9-0 in a 9-inning game, and that pitch counts are not ignored. If he walks away, I do not hear anything he says after that.

If he bumps into me, I tell him, "That's a bump. Do you want that to go on my report?" I remind him of the probable results of a bump going on my report. If he bumps me again, I pull the plug on the game, and it goes on my report. If he turns and walks away, I let him go, and I don't check my watch. If he returns, I ask him if he really wants me to forfeit the game? If he does not leave, it's over.

If he leaves as requested, I go to the scorekeeper, report the substitute coaches name, go to my position, remind the players of the inning, the score, the runners on base, the number of outs, the batter and the ball and strike count. Then I say, "Play BALL!" Two breaths later, I feel normal again, thinking about, "is infield fly on or off?", my positioning, communication with my partner(s), watching for base touches, etc.

Unfortunately, despite having a reputation for a very long fuse, I have memorized the above sequence. It usually keeps coaches in the game, and keeps baseball happening.

I hope this helps.

Way to much going on here.

Talk as little as possible. "Coach, do you care to repeat that?" You're r baiting the coach. Whether it sounds like it or not.

Also I've never been bumped but if it happens the first time will be the last.

Never forfeit a game. Suspend it and let the higher ups deal with it.

I'm going to echo @JaxRolo here. I wear multiple hats where I administer a youth league and then umpire as well. As the administrator for a youth league, if I ever had an umpire forfeit a game it would be the last game that person worked for my league. That just gets you, as an official, in all sorts of trouble.

Like some of the other guys have said, there is a lot of talk going on in that situation and not a lot of action. If he cusses at you, bumps you ,etc. then he is done. You don't have to be a jerk about it or even confrontational. We all want to keep coaches in the game. However, there are times when you have no choice because if you let it go too far then the kids will catch on and think that behavior is appropriate. Just my opinion on the matter.

[Jimurray]

Sorry Stu, you have mistaken me for someone who wants to use the stopwatch.

Rant On

At the levels I work it is not an issue.

The dangling stopwatch cord is an extraneous appendage I would rather not wear and the Stopwatch is something I would rather not wear or use. I just go through the motions and make it look like I am using it. I really don't even click the on button. I can count to twenty. I can tell when some team is dragging ass and I will mention it to the coach if I need to. I don't need a freakin' stopwatch to make it look like I am doing some OOOing in between innings or pitches.

And I don't have a problem managing my games and saying what needs to be said to whomever it needs to be said to. The stupid stopwatch is not something I need. It is an attempt by someone to take the need for umpires to take care of business to some kind of objective level and take the onus off the individual umpire to just umpire the damn game. It gives them a crutch to defer to when coaches cry because we do enforce the rules and manage the game.

Rant Off

The JUCO stuff I do does not care about the NCAA rule. They keep going and we keep them going anyway. But, I just discovered that the SEC has been for a few years using a stadium clock and trained clock keeper for the NCAA rule. Has anybody seen this in action and have the umps eyeballed the clock and enforced the appropriate penalty or has there been no need except for the wave.

[Jimurray]

When a caoch goes way out of bounds with language, I explain to him the NFL officials' "signal" to the offending coach, "Coach, do you care to repeat that?" (said with a cross face, not in a baiting way, shaking my head as if saying "No") They usually do not repeat the offensive language.

 

If the coach is still really hot, I'll remind him that we are allowed to discuss rules & interpretations, not judgement, nor personal or family genetics, nor personal hygiene, etc. I sometimes remind him that other umpires would have already ejected him, and that I think his team would probably appreciate him staying in the game, so could we please just stick to rules and interpretations? If does not appreciate all the slack I cut him, he gets an early shower, courtesy of my index finger.

 

The only things I say to a coach after an ejection are that he has 30 seconds to get off the live ball territory, and 60 seconds to get out of the game viewing / interacting area. If it is a visiting coach, I suggest that he go to the bus. If he violates the 30 second limit, I remind him of what comes next, forfeiture of the game and a resulting score of 7-0 in a 7-inning game or 9-0 in a 9-inning game, and that pitch counts are not ignored. If he walks away, I do not hear anything he says after that.

 

If he bumps into me, I tell him, "That's a bump. Do you want that to go on my report?" I remind him of the probable results of a bump going on my report. If he bumps me again, I pull the plug on the game, and it goes on my report. If he turns and walks away, I let him go, and I don't check my watch. If he returns, I ask him if he really wants me to forfeit the game? If he does not leave, it's over.

 

If he leaves as requested, I go to the scorekeeper, report the substitute coaches name, go to my position, remind the players of the inning, the score, the runners on base, the number of outs, the batter and the ball and strike count. Then I say, "Play BALL!" Two breaths later, I feel normal again, thinking about, "is infield fly on or off?", my positioning, communication with my partner(s), watching for base touches, etc.

 

Unfortunately, despite having a reputation for a very long fuse, I have memorized the above sequence. It usually keeps coaches in the game, and keeps baseball happening.

 

I hope this helps.

Where do the 30 and 60 second limit come from?

[SteveJ]

 

 

When a caoch goes way out of bounds with language, I explain to him the NFL officials' "signal" to the offending coach, "Coach, do you care to repeat that?" (said with a cross face, not in a baiting way, shaking my head as if saying "No") They usually do not repeat the offensive language.

If the coach is still really hot, I'll remind him that we are allowed to discuss rules & interpretations, not judgement, nor personal or family genetics, nor personal hygiene, etc. I sometimes remind him that other umpires would have already ejected him, and that I think his team would probably appreciate him staying in the game, so could we please just stick to rules and interpretations? If does not appreciate all the slack I cut him, he gets an early shower, courtesy of my index finger.

The only things I say to a coach after an ejection are that he has 30 seconds to get off the live ball territory, and 60 seconds to get out of the game viewing / interacting area. If it is a visiting coach, I suggest that he go to the bus. If he violates the 30 second limit, I remind him of what comes next, forfeiture of the game and a resulting score of 7-0 in a 7-inning game or 9-0 in a 9-inning game, and that pitch counts are not ignored. If he walks away, I do not hear anything he says after that.

If he bumps into me, I tell him, "That's a bump. Do you want that to go on my report?" I remind him of the probable results of a bump going on my report. If he bumps me again, I pull the plug on the game, and it goes on my report. If he turns and walks away, I let him go, and I don't check my watch. If he returns, I ask him if he really wants me to forfeit the game? If he does not leave, it's over.

If he leaves as requested, I go to the scorekeeper, report the substitute coaches name, go to my position, remind the players of the inning, the score, the runners on base, the number of outs, the batter and the ball and strike count. Then I say, "Play BALL!" Two breaths later, I feel normal again, thinking about, "is infield fly on or off?", my positioning, communication with my partner(s), watching for base touches, etc.

Unfortunately, despite having a reputation for a very long fuse, I have memorized the above sequence. It usually keeps coaches in the game, and keeps baseball happening.

I hope this helps.

Way to much going on here.

Talk as little as possible. "Coach, do you care to repeat that?" You're r baiting the coach. Whether it sounds like it or not.

Also I've never been bumped but if it happens the first time will be the last.

Never forfeit a game. Suspend it and let the higher ups deal with it.

We all want to keep coaches in the game.

 

I do not care if coaches stay in the game or not.  I do not go out of my way to eject a coach but I do not go out of my way to "keep them in the  game" either. They should know how to act, if not bye-bye!

[zm1283]

I carry a stopwatch on the bases in NCAA games if I'm responsible for the 20/90 second clocks. It is expected for the clock to be kept and the timing rules followed. I don't mind it and usually carry it during the summer on the bases to keep track of time for the hell of it. It doesn't bother me. 

 

I can't imagine taking a cell phone on the field. My phone is too big to fit comfortably in my pocket and I don't really feel like having to replace it. 

[DWDIII]

I use my phone as a timer and I have the rulebooks bookmarked there if I need to reference a rule for clarity or training.