Select Ball Coaches = No Etiquette

[HuskerUmp22]

I've come to the conclusion that most coaches in select ball don't understand proper etiquette or don't care to understand. Everything from leaving their coaching boxes, charging at the umpire, commenting on balls and strikes, yelling out "balk", the list is unlimited but it's come to the point where I just want to stick with HS and forget select ball. I only do it because I enjoy the kids, but most coaches are close to ruining it for me. 

I'm sure this has been discussed before here, but I had to vent. Now I would like to hear from some of you HS varsity or college umpires about how you would handle some of these coaches.

What do you do when the coach leaves his coaching box without calling time to argue a judgement call or comment on a call you made? What about when the head coach doesn't come out to the plate meeting and you have three different coaches wanting an explanation on a call or rule? Any other thoughts about this predicament? 

[Tksjewelry]

I did have one this weekend that screamed "balk!",  ugh, he was annoying. I told him "coach, you scream over my call one more time and not only will you not get the call but you'll also be sitting in the dugout and possibly your car for the rest of the game. Capeshe?" he stopped. Then he stopped me in the parking lot after the game and told my partner and I what a great game we called. 

Stop the BS right as it starts. If you here smack talk about a judgement call, say something. "coach, we're not discussing judgement calls"  "my strike zone isn't up for discussion coach" If a coach comes on the field without getting time, "coach, I have not granted you time, live ball, get off my field" if he doesn't leave, put a strike on his batter. Never ever listen to AC's. AC's don't get any acknowledgment out of me at all beside when they ask for the count. If a coach asks where a ball was "it was a ball coach"  or "it was a strike coach" and repeat until they quit asking, usually 3 times and they shut up. If the bucket brigade gets too chirpy, send them to the dugout. Coaches that aren't coaching bases aren't to be on the field. I don't allow the bucket brigade on my fields at all any more. Hey, it's in the rules so use it. 

Don't be afraid to toss them for the three P's. UIC hates it, but he will always back you, always. He'll grumble, but that's just a big Bear grumbling, listen to him grumble and forget it, he does. 

You're working with a certain umpire this week. Talk to him. He enjoys helping, especially when asked (make sure you say something before the game or he'll hide out between innings by the outfield grass). He runs a great field and puts up with NOTHING and very few coaches pull any of that stuff on him. Watch how he commands the field and how he answers the things you're talking about. Ask him how he would handle these things if. He gave me a lot of pointers that totes worked! I used what he said and Sunday, and today, not one word from coaches after I shut them down, and I even had the championship game. 

[maineump]

I've come to the conclusion that most coaches in select ball don't understand proper etiquette or don't care to understand. Everything from leaving their coaching boxes, charging at the umpire, commenting on balls and strikes, yelling out "balk", the list is unlimited but it's come to the point where I just want to stick with HS and forget select ball. I only do it because I enjoy the kids, but most coaches are close to ruining it for me. 

I'm sure this has been discussed before here, but I had to vent. Now I would like to hear from some of you HS varsity or college umpires about how you would handle some of these coaches.

What do you do when the coach leaves his coaching box without calling time to argue a judgement call or comment on a call you made? What about when the head coach doesn't come out to the plate meeting and you have three different coaches wanting an explanation on a call or rule? Any other thoughts about this predicament? 

​It needs to start at the plate meeting. The coach or manager that shows up, is the team representative. If more than one coach is at the meeting, then they pick their rep. That being said, you tell them if there are any issues that representative is the only one that the umpires will deal with. Tell them you will grant them time, if they ask properly, then they can come on to the field and ask the APPROPRIATE umpire making the call. Remind them of good sportsmanship and that they are there for the kids

When you get these guys charging out of the coaching boxes to argue - put up a hand before they get there, give them a verbal warning, then eject (all in the same play) Basically when you see them running at you, hold the hand up - tell them to walk - if they are still screaming, eject.. There is no need of this sort of behavior. Never allow them to argue balls/strikes, but especially the assistants. Yelling out balk, gets a warning then ejection - petty bull gets a warning then ejection, unless it get personal.

HS and college both have rules for this kind of behavior, and it can be dealt with swiftly. Both umpires need to be on the same page as well, you need to work as a team out there. If one guy lets stuff go, and his partner doesn't the coaches will figure it out.

[noumpere]

The coaches act like that because they haven't been trained properly by the umpires.

 

If "all" the umpires at a particular tournament (or area) will practice proper game management, your problems will decrease.

[Umpire in Chief]

I have found that travel ball is the Wild, Wild West for baseball coaches. Mainly because there is no accountability for the coaches. They get ejected today, again tomorrow, again Saturday and there is no league, administration or "central office" for a lack of a better phrase to hold them accountable. It is one of the reasons I do not care for travel ball.

[catsbackr]

A "hand up", stop sign works pretty well for most of what you have described.  NEVER let them yell, Balk, NEVER.

Warn them, then eject them.

Just like @noumpere said, they have to be trained by umpires.  Participate in that training.

 

[StrikeToWin]

Can't you get verbal interference on a base coach that loudly yells "Balk" and subsequently an out?

[noumpere]

Can't you get verbal interference on a base coach that loudly yells "Balk" and subsequently an out?

​Not exactly.  The coach is EJ, and any balk is nullified (assuming OBR). 4.05(? or 4.06?)

 

You might choose to warn first.