Quote:
Originally posted by WindyCityBlue
DG -
I'm curious why you would offer any type of explanation to the fans.
I don't think that is good advice to any umpire at any level. Don't converse with spectators. If you do, you are either looking for a pat on the back or a kick in the pants.
Make your ruling and if the coach needs and explanation, provide it and resume play. You can bet that the coach isn't going to stop his duties to explain the play to the fan, why would you?
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Well first of all, I am assuming we are not dealing with a higher level game, since we are discussing the actions of a league president, which implies to me we are discussing some kind of spring/summer ball, ie Babe Ruth, Little League, Dixie Youth, etc. The players are probably young and the parents/fans and many of the coaches (not all) unfamiliar with all the rules. I don't see anything wrong with explaining a few basic rules to the fans, especially between innings and especially if asked in a nice way. I see this as being somewhat a normal person with normal interpersonal skills, not a stone wall that nobody can talk to.
I had a very nice lady ask me between innings last year about a call that happened in another game. I had just called a 3rd strike on a batter who swung at the pitch, but the catcher did not catch it. The catcher threw to first for the out. She asked if on a third strike call like that, and the catcher did not catch, did it have to be a swinging strike? Of course I say no. She says an umpire last week said it had to be swinging strike. I say "he was wrong". Nice conversation, a fan is educated, it cost me 30 seconds, but no game time, the pitcher was warming up.
I like the game, I like the players, I like most of the coaches and most of the fans. I call em like I see em and I don't mind spending a few seconds between innnings with the fans, especially if they want to talk to me in a nice way. I also know when not to talk to fans, not be available, not be anywhere near them. It's a helluva game...