New mechanic? "Coach, I have a ball..."

[SeeingEyeDog]

I really don't enjoy it when a coach asks the plate umpire, "Where was that one?" or "Where did you have that?" or anything having to do with where the location of the previous pitch was. Whether the coach is aware of it or not (and...they are) the message they are sending is that they think the plate umpire missed a strike. I also find this more common the younger the players are. I simply do not see this at the Varsity level and above in my market.

This summer at Cooperstown, we were discussing this around the campfire one night and someone simply said, "Stop...stop doing that, brother." I said, "What? Excuse me? Stop doing what?" He continued, "Stop telling them where you had the pitch..." and I looked around at our other brothers there and I followed up with, "Ok, so...what do/should we say when we asked where we had that pitch?" And without hesitating he simply smiled and said, "Tell them, 'Coach, I have a ball.' Eventually, they will figure it out and stop asking you. If they continue asking you, you tell them, 'Coach, we're not doing this.' and then issue them a ball/strike warning."

Well, brothers that was several months ago and I have returned to my market and have rolled out this mechanic with great success. I typically have the above exchange once in the first inning with each team and then...I don't hear anything about it for the rest of the game.

~Dawg
 

[The Man in Blue]

Very sound advice.  If you keep answering, they will keep asking.  If the question doesn't get an answer, they won't ask the question.

 

[grayhawk]

In my experience, this is level-dependent. Might work well in games where the kids aren't shaving yet, but it'll get you the wrong reputation (unapproachable) at higher levels. Sometimes, they're just trying to get a feel for your zone, and other times they're arguing balls and strikes. It's usually easy to tell the difference. "Steve, did you have that down?" is quite different from, "Where was that?" Tone of voice will also give it away. But answering, "I have a ball" makes you sound rigid and obstinate. College coaches expect you to work with them, within limits, and stonewalling them like this will deter from having at least a civil relationship, especially beyond just that one game.

[Velho]

Though coming from the other end of the level of play spectrum than @grayhawk I'm in agreement: it's situational so read the room.

Just had it last week in a 14U LL Fall ball game. I know the coach. These are true development players. He asked where it missed in a good tone. I can tell he's trying to figure out what coaching cues to give F1 to find the plate.

"Not hearing" the question in the first place is another tool as well.

[SeeingEyeDog]

On 10/23/2025 at 4:33 PM, grayhawk said:

In my experience, this is level-dependent. Might work well in games where the kids aren't shaving yet, but it'll get you the wrong reputation (unapproachable) at higher levels. Sometimes, they're just trying to get a feel for your zone, and other times they're arguing balls and strikes. It's usually easy to tell the difference. "Steve, did you have that down?" is quite different from, "Where was that?" Tone of voice will also give it away. But answering, "I have a ball" makes you sound rigid and obstinate. College coaches expect you to work with them, within limits, and stonewalling them like this will deter from having at least a civil relationship, especially beyond just that one game.

Fair enough...and also amongst the many reasons I choose not to umpire college baseball.

~Dawg

[grayhawk]

22 hours ago, SeeingEyeDog said:

Fair enough...and also amongst the many reasons I choose not to umpire college baseball.

~Dawg

We all have to determine which level(s) work best for us. I'm curious about the many reasons. What are some of the other ones?

[SeeingEyeDog]

On 10/26/2025 at 3:04 PM, grayhawk said:

We all have to determine which level(s) work best for us. I'm curious about the many reasons. What are some of the other ones?

I have small children. College baseball in my market would require too much travel and being away from them for too long. This could be reassessed in about 13 years...

~Dawg

[grayhawk]

30 minutes ago, SeeingEyeDog said:

I have small children. College baseball in my market would require too much travel and being away from them for too long. This could be reassessed in about 13 years...

~Dawg

That's the best reason of all!