Don't be THAT guy

[FleasOf1000Camels]

Going way back in time to my first season doing high school ball.  I was on the bases, working with an older guy from another association...someone I had never worked with, or even met.  He was quite proud to tell me early on that this was his 36th year of high school baseball.  Everything went fine until:

Runner on first, LH pitcher.  He comes set, steps off with his back (left) foot and snaps a quick throw to first.  Ball skips in dirt, clips the helmet of the runner diving  back, then bounces in to dead ball territory.  I call TIME, and send the runner to 3rd.  DC approaches my partner...I was too far away to hear what he said, but I did hear partner's response "Yeah, Skip.  I'll take care of it."  He then motioned for me to come conference.

HIM: Why are you sending that guy to 3rd?

ME: Throw from an infielder goes to DBT, 2 bases.

HIM: But the throw came from the pitcher, that's just one base.

ME: You must not have seen him step off.

HIM:  Sure I saw him step off, but he's still the pitcher.

ME: I don't believe you are correct.  Once he disengages, he becomes an infielder.

HIM: No, as long as he's on the mound, he's a pitcher.  Trust me, I've been at this a long time.

This goes back and forth for a bit, I eventually gave in (he's senior and it's his plate), but bet him a beer I was right.  Partner sends runner back to 2nd.  Now out of the dugout comes OC.  He's walking slowly, not saying a word, but he's flipping through pages of a rule book.

U1 to OC: You better not be coming at me with a rule book.

OC (just now looking up from book): John, I'm confused...

U1:You can have the next hour or so in the parking lot to study your stinkin' book, 'cause YOU'RE GONE!

Guys like this are the reason we now have to issue warnings.

PS: He never did buy me that beer.

 

 

 

[LittleBlue]

Wow. Good on you for getting the call right. We've all been there with a partner that thinks they know all the rules because they've been around forever. I find that the quick hooks come from young guys who don't know how to game manage and older guys who don't want to be bothered. Not saying all are like that cause I've worked with many who were great on the field. Just hope you don't have to work with him again!

[NorthTexasUmp]

Yes he kicked the rule (and owes you a beer). However, bringing out a rulebook on the field during an argument is an immediate ejection, IMO, even with the new FED rule.

[Thunderheads]

14 minutes ago, NorthTexasUmp said:

Yes he kicked the rule (and owes you a beer). However, bringing out a rulebook on the field during an argument is an immediate ejection, IMO, even with the new FED rule.

Naw .... you have to be there .....  BUT ...... as described I'd probably say ........  "Jim, if you're coming out here to ask a question I highly suggest you put that book away"  (he'll get it)

NOW ....  I'm NOT saying there are times where that IS INDEED immediate .... I just don't think this time is it......

[stkjock]

why is it such a violation for a coach to check a rule book on the field?

 

if he comes out and quotes a rule (without the book) that's ok?  Then if  an umpire may have gotten the rule wrong and it's in question and the umpire will not verify the rule in the book, doesn't that leave a protest-able situation in the offing?

[NorthTexasUmp]

1 hour ago, Thunderheads said:

Naw .... you have to be there .....  BUT ...... as described I'd probably say ........  "Jim, if you're coming out here to ask a question I highly suggest you put that book away"  (he'll get it)

NOW ....  I'm NOT saying there are times where that IS INDEED immediate .... I just don't think this time is it......

On the field, I would too. Just my poorly worded way of saying that it is ejection worthy.

[ricka56]

3 hours ago, FleasOf1000Camels said:

PS: He never did buy me that beer.

Maybe that's because you never saw him again...

...after this rule knowledge display he deserves only freshman (one-man) assignments. 

[FleasOf1000Camels]

If I ever expect to collect that beer, I'll have to get it from his estate.  He's been dead for about 3 years.

 

[renegadewolf]

6 hours ago, stkjock said:

why is it such a violation for a coach to check a rule book on the field?

 

if he comes out and quotes a rule (without the book) that's ok?  Then if  an umpire may have gotten the rule wrong and it's in question and the umpire will not verify the rule in the book, doesn't that leave a protest-able situation in the offing?

Bringing a rule book onto the field for a coach is no different that a batter drawing a line in the dirt.  They are showing everyone that you are wrong and here is how.  Coming out onto the field and quoting a rule and having a discussion that way is something else entirely, and yes, if in the course of the discussion the coach feels the rule is not being interpreted correctly they may protest.  It's all about the approach and the respect.

[stkjock]

Thank you RW for the reply.