Coaches trying to Appeal Calls

[cwbaseball11]

I wasn't sure what to title this, but I am sure many of you run into the same issue. Coaches live under the assumption that having two or more umpires on a field means that they can appeal calls they do not like with the opposite umpire. In my opinion, its like the child who doesn't get their way with mom, so they try to go to dad. When I am the "offending umpire," I usually say, "I can check with my partner and see if he saw anything." We get together, and I am happy to reverse my call if he saw something that would warrant that.

I never reverse a call made by my partner, and my partners have never reversed a call made by me. We have a great association!

The problem I have is knowing what to say when I am the umpire to which they are trying to appeal. Here's what I have used so far:

• "That's his call, if you have a question you need to speak with him."
• "I didn't see anything that would change the call."
• "I cannot reverse calls" (This one is terrible. I shouldn't have used it, but I did in a moment of frustration)

My suspicion is that the first one is best, but I am open to other suggestions. I don't want to say anything that is going to throw my partner under the bus.

[Velho]

Speaking just for younger/rec level, when a Manager comes towards me after a call my partner made I make eye contact and give a small point (literally, I point) them to my partner. They almost always know they should not be coming to the other umpire. 
 

I also am proud of how the youth I’ve worked with will stand their ground when appropriate. Managers who think they can bully kids into deferring to an umpire that was 100ft away on a banger are ridiculous. 

[wolfe_man]

If a manager comes out and wants to ask a question, then make sure to call "time". I'm surprised how many guys just let them walk right out while the ball is still technically in play.  

I've learned to point them to my partner as @Velho suggests.  Words can many times be used against us or sound feeble, so the less said the better off we are is often true.   "It's his call on that, so you will need to direct any questions to him" or something like it works well.  

I would avoid giving them any information (I didn't see that, I'd make the same call if I were out there, etc.).   It's been said to let them talk first and explain what their question is before we start assuming they are out there to argue or complain.   He may not even be asking about that specific call, but about a missed base before it or something else. Before we start explaining why we're right, let them ask their question first, it may save us some headaches.

Yeah, you're right on the last one. I've said it in the past and immediately regretted it as it sounds terrible like you said. Lesson learned and never-to-be-used again in the future - core memory unlocked. 

[umpintosh]

53 minutes ago, cwbaseball11 said:

I never reverse a call made by my partner, and my partners have never reversed a call made by me. We have a great association!

When I first started umpiring, I made an out call at 1st, and almost as soon as I made it, I heard my partner scream "NO HE'S SAFE!" and overrode my call without talking to me. Although this was 6u Coach Pitch, it was infuriating at the time.

Also, this was 6u coach pitch playoffs, so 2 umpires instead of 1. 

[Velho]

10 minutes ago, umpintosh said:

6u Coach Pitch

🤨

[umpintosh]

2 minutes ago, Velho said:

🤨

im never doing it again

[BLWizzRanger]

1 hour ago, umpintosh said:

im never doing it again

The bigger question is did you grab any balks for the pitching dads?

[Velho]

1 hour ago, umpintosh said:

im never doing it again

My league has added 8U playoffs since I went through it with my son. Worse, the UIC I replaced this year let himself get roped into umpiring the Final (and an IF game!).

Same for 8U and 10U softball (which both have coach pitch).

Ugh. I feel very stuck. No more below that though as long as I'm on the Board.