How far can he push...

[urout17]

HS Fall Ball....

Bottom of the first.....0 outs, runners on 1B and 3B.  Catcher wants time so he can signal their coverage play.  I say no, just signal your play.  He looks back at me like I have three eyes.  He makes no signals and just gets back in his crouch for the next batter.  The HC wants to know why he didn't put a play on and he just shrugs his shoulders.  Now the HC wants time, which I grant and he goes out to the mound.  I know he's waiting for me to come break up their meeting,.  I take a few steps out in front of the plate and say "OK guys, let's play".  Of course he doesn't budge.  I'm thinking "Really?  You want to do this in the first inning of an inconsequential game?  OK, I'll play, so I head out.  I get half way there and he turns to me and says "Why are you making this game about you and having an attitude?"  Of course I ask "What?"  "I'm talking to you in a normal voice."  I then ask "Why does your catcher need time to signal an infield play? Your pitcher is standing on the mound with the ball in his hand and your catcher is standing in front of the plate."  If I called time I'm taking away any possibility of the offense to run."  He then tells me he wants his fee for the game returned (for fall games we get paid before the start of the game).  I tell him I'll give him his money back and do the game for free as long as he's sitting in his car.  He turns, walks back to his dugout and we don't hear another peep out of him the rest of the game.

I've working with other umpires who always grant this time and it bugs me.  When I ask them between innings or after the game all they say is it's always been that way. 

Anyway, three innings later, same situation for the same team, catcher steps in front of the plate, signals, returns in his crouch, done.  Sometimes the rats just like to see how much they can get away with.

[maven]

I agree with not giving time for signals.

Maybe try this (which I use): instead of saying "No" (so negative, dude!), ask him, "Why? Don't you want to get an out if they try something?"

You know, put a thought in the kid's head. It only stings for a moment.

[beerguy55]

I call bullSH*# on the "it's always been this way".

Never in 35 years as a player (as a catcher or an infielder) or as a coach, have I seen a catcher on my team, or the other team, ask for time in this scenario.  The catchers just do it.  Hell, a lot of the catchers give a signal without anyone knowing they've given one.

They're granting time because it's one less discussion/argument they need to deal with, and they don't care enough to want the game to move along (especially if it's a time limit game). The coaches who practice and teach this are both idiots and asshats.    I think everyone is watching too much MLB where the play is killed every time someone farts, and we all want our U12 rec league games to look like pro games, don't we?   So we have to call time after every play.  We should start supplying those games with 100 balls as well - you need to swap out the ball every time it hits the bat or the ground.

[The Man in Blue]

This is just like the infield wanting “time” to throw the ball back to the pitcher.  Not happening on my field.

The only thing I would have done different is I wouldn’t have said anything.  I just wouldn’t have granted “time”.  The most I have ever given was a slight head shake if the fielder is waiting for a reply.

The coach was just an ass.  I would hope that you reported his demand for his check back to his AD, your assignor, or the league (whichever was appropriate).

@beerguy55 is spot on (IMO) about umpires who just don’t want to deal with it.  They feel it is just easier to grant “time” than actually keep the game moving and explain/teach when it is appropriate to call time.  But like @UROUT said, it is mainly about the coach seeing how much control he can exude or take away from the umpire, not actually getting “time”.

 

[urout17]

1 hour ago, The Man in Blue said:

This is just like the infield wanting “time” to throw the ball back to the pitcher.  Not happening on my field.

The only thing I would have done different is I wouldn’t have said anything.  I just wouldn’t have granted “time”.  The most I have ever given was a slight head shake if the fielder is waiting for a reply.

The coach was just an ass.  I would hope that you reported his demand for his check back to his AD, your assignor, or the league (whichever was appropriate).

@beerguy55 is spot on (IMO) about umpires who just don’t want to deal with it.  They feel it is just easier to grant “time” than actually keep the game moving and explain/teach when it is appropriate to call time.  But like @UROUT said, it is mainly about the coach seeing how much control he can exude or take away from the umpire, not actually getting “time”.

 

"This is just like the infield wanting “time” to throw the ball back to the pitcher.  Not happening on my field."  I totally agree,

My assignor did call last night to talk about weekend availability and I did bring it up.

[Tborze]

This is an opportunity to educate, especially during fall ball. Grant the TO. Dust off the plate and let the catcher know the runners weren't going anywhere.  

Between innings, go to the coach and explain there is seldom a situation where time is needed and most umpires are not going to grant it. No different than the infield requesting it or a runner diving back to the bag on a pick off attempt. 

Not only does this give them an opportunity to work on it at practice, but maybe you earn some respect in the process without coming across as a OOO.  

In your situation, when the catcher shrugged his shoulders, I may have took that opportunity to talk to the HC then. 

[BLarson]

Couldn't you just expand your no to: No, you don't need time called to signal a play...go ahead.
Seems like you would only have to say that once.

 

[yawetag]

Thinking about this, I'd probably call time the first time, but let F2 know as he's coming back to the plate that he's not getting it the rest of the game.

[urout17]

19 hours ago, yawetag said:

Thinking about this, I'd probably call time the first time, but let F2 know as he's coming back to the plate that he's not getting it the rest of the game.

I agree but the problem is these fall ball games.  They're looking for a few players for next years team so they're constantly moving players around and in/out of the lineup.  I'll see two or three different catchers throughout a game. I do like the comment that @Maven suggested and will use that in the future. ("Why? Don't you want to get an out if they try something?").