I worked for and I've seen others get thoroughly abused by a coach who will just not shut up and continues to harp the same issue over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over... that's got kind of a rhythm to it!
For this kind of engagement, an official has got to be able to say STOP! Coach I heard you, and this is my answer. NOW WE ARE DONE WITH THAT SUBJECT. Let's move on.
Any further ... comments on the 'over and over' issue must be penalized - either to the dugout or gone. The umpire is the one that says STOP. And it must STOP. Nothing else is possibly acceptable; the umpire must control the game and NOT THE COACH.
Otherwise, you've got to treat a coach as a person so you can be treated as a person. If you treat a coach in any other method besides respectfully, you will likely be treated something besides respectfully too. This, of course means that when you say "this is my answer" it has got to be a good and respectful answer. It cannot be "sit down and shut up coach."
Now I have said before "I've heard enough umpiring coming from this dugout gentlemen. It is time for you to be players and coaches. I'll do the umpiring; nothing else would be fair for the other team." That's pretty close to sit down and shut up... but much more respectful.
Confidence. An umpire has got to have confidence that he is doing the right thing and making the right calls... if you are unsure, you are going to get slaughtered... or shall we say bloody.
Here's to a season of bloodless games!
