Quote:
Originally posted by SMEngmann
I wonder what, given my context, some baseball umpires think of this ejection. I used no profanity, nor did I ever make a personal comment toward him. If I was officiating basketball, I couldn't justify giving a T. I feel that it is within my right as a coach to demand a certain level of respect from umpires, and I also think that, especially within the context of a conflict, that both parties should avoid familiarity. What do you guys think? Sorry for the long post.
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I complete agree with Bob here, but have to elaborate a bit.
It is a pretty common practice in all sports that I officiate and I know others officiate, that Assistant coaches are to be seen an not heard. It is that way in Basketball and it is that way in Football as well. So you might not have used profanity, but it is not the obligation of an umpire to first of all listen to a request from a coach period if they do not want to, but is seen in unconfrontable way when an Asst. does this. I know many that might have thrown you out for just questioning them on the issue of what the pitcher did in the first place. I myself tend to be strict, but at the HS level most coaches do not understand this concept, so I usually give them a second to correct the situation. A couple days ago I had an Head Coach and an Asst. Coach try to question me about a call I made, and I said very clearly to the Head Coach, "why is he talking to me about this?" The Head Coach made it clear for the Asst. to be quiet and the Asst. did not say another word. But I know umpires without hesitation would have ejected the Asst. on the spot for even daring to question a call. And I know Basketball officials that will T Asst. for saying anything that questions them in any way. I tend to not be that way, but I do make it very clear that I am only going to listen to one coach throughout the game.
I understand that might be frustrating for you, but it does not help the game or us as umpires to listen to 2 or 3 voices when there is a dispute actively going on. For one we are not going to hear everyone's point of view clearly or anyone's point of view if 2 or more coaches are talking. Secondly, I had to earn the right to become an umpire at the level of that game, if you want to have the right to argue with umpires, become a Head Coach at that level (and this goes for Varsity coaches acting as Assistants in JV and lower level games as well). And this seems to be a very common practice of all the officials that I know at different levels. At least in the area I live.
Peace