Opinion

[cperficio]

I have been umpiring on and off in a small city nearby when we have gaps locally.

On this particular day I was switched to a younger league other than what I was normally assigned to.  I discovered later there was a problem coach in this league and I was to call his game.

The coaches were given their pregame chat, all appeared well, even with some grumbling early on that I tend to ignore from our coach in question.  In the 2nd inning I rang up the last batter.  I had my mask off and wiping my face when I heard the coaching yelling from 3rd base.  Standing next to him was the last batter, helmet on and holding his bat with the coaches hand on his shoulder.  I asked him to repeat what he just said as I slowly drifted up the line.  The coach repeated that I was confusing the players to the point where they didn't know where the strike zone was anymore.

I instantly ejected him and told him he had 60 seconds to leave the park and sit in his car.  I started looking at my watch.

Fair enough or did he deserve a warning.

 

[johnnyg08]

"They have a couple choices coach...they can keep the bats on their shoulders trying to figure it out or they can take the bats off of their shoulders and start swinging.  They can decide.

Let's get back to work."

[Welpe]

Too quick IMO. Especially if you didn't hear him, don't invite him to repeat himself. It looks like you're baiting him. Since you did bait him into a response, responding with a "We're not going there coach" and then moving on would be a better approach. If he wants to continue then you can address it from there.

Being a hired gun for a game that needs it doesn't mean you need to shoot them before they give you a reason to.

 

[MooseLoop]

Ignore, acknowledge, warn, eject.  You seem to have gone from ignore to eject.  Perhaps HTBT (you don't mention tone of voice or gestures), but I don't see from your description a reason for skipping steps, especially if you were not aware at the time of the coach's reputation.

[maven]

Monty's suggestion works for me ("We're not going there, coach"). I tend to be more explicit: "We're not discussing balls and strikes today, coach." I just repeat that for his followup statement, maybe tacking on, "that's enough." Then he's had his warning.

When he says I'm confusing his batters, I might just shrug, or say "OK." If he has a question, he can ask it, and I'll answer it.

Kinda redass to toss for that. JMO

[cperficio]

I appreciate the replies, I work hard to keep on top of my game.  I have worked all the way up to state championships here.

To Johnny, the coach got this information in my pre game chat, which, for local league play, usually is "Gentlemen, I have a fat strike zone, tell your players to swing the bats"

To Welpe, I could tell his demeanor was demeaning in nature I just didn't hear it all but the crowd sure did.

To Maven, Coach got his warning before the game started where it was told to  him we wouldn't discuss strike zones but EVERY manager knows that.

Seems like all of you agree that I was too quick, it has been in the back of my mind since it took place.  That is why we ask the questions!

 

 

[maven]

To Maven, Coach got his warning before the game started where it was told to  him we wouldn't discuss strike zones but EVERY manager knows that.
 

​Just on this piece: the plate meeting is not a time for warnings. For one thing, nobody's paying attention. For another, warnings need to be specific, not general. For a third, a bunch of warnings at the plate meeting makes you seem confrontational and obnoxious.

Legally equipped, lineups, take us around, good luck. That's all you need at the plate.

Address misbehavior when it arises. If somebody's way over the line, no warning needed. If they're at or just over the line, warn simply and directly (like, "That's enough" or "We're not discussing balls and strikes today.").

And don't forget this is supposed to be fun.

[johnnyg08]

Never, ever discuss the strike zone at the plate meeting.  Never.  

[ricka56]

I appreciate the replies, I work hard to keep on top of my game.  I have worked all the way up to state championships here.

To Johnny, the coach got this information in my pre game chat, which, for local league play, usually is "Gentlemen, I have a fat strike zone, tell your players to swing the bats" I never discuss my KZ before, during or after a game with a coach. It can only lead to trouble. First team to figure out the umpire's KZ has the advantage.

To Welpe, I could tell his demeanor was demeaning in nature I just didn't hear it all but the crowd sure did. Everyone here heard Welpe's words too...maybe you should ask him to repeat them for you.

To Maven, Coach got his warning before the game started where it was told to  him we wouldn't discuss strike zones but EVERY manager knows that. So why bring it up. Line-ups exchanged, ground rules, rule set governing play ("we're playing under USSSA rules today"), verify all players are properly equipped and equipment per rules, location of administrator (for NFHS games). And that's it. Stating what's going  to happen if anyone misbehaves sets a bad tone.

Seems like all of you agree that I was too quick Doubt there is any dissent , it has been in the back of my mind since it took place.  That is why we ask the questions!

 

 

​

Edited April 27, 2015 by ricka56

[lawump]

I instantly ejected him and told him he had 60 seconds to leave the park and sit in his car. 

 

 

​If the coach was worth his salt, he would have stood there and loudly started saying, "one Mississippi, two Mississippi, three Mississippi, Four Mississippi, Five Mississippi, Six Mississippi...."

He would have walked off the field at, "fifty-nine Mississippi."

(In other words, drop the "60 seconds" line from your verbal repertoire; it will come back to bite you.)

[HuskerUmp22]

​If the coach was worth his salt, he would have stood there and loudly started saying, "one Mississippi, two Mississippi, three Mississippi, Four Mississippi, Five Mississippi, Six Mississippi...."

He would have walked off the field at, "fifty-nine Mississippi."

(In other words, drop the "60 seconds" line from your verbal repertoire; it will come back to bite you.)

​Lol that would be interesting to see, but yeah, I could see some coaches doing that.