[thumpferee]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by CoachJM
[B]Rich & GB,

Come on now, I thought the umpires had to follow the rules too.

"Rule 2.0

THE MANAGER is a person appointed by the club to be responsible for the team's actions on the field, and to represent the team in communications with the umpire and the opposing team. A player may be appointed manager.

....

(b) The manager may advise the umpire that he has delegated specific duties prescribed by the rules to a player or coach, and any action of such designated representative shall be official. The manager shall always be responsible for his team's conduct, observance of the official rules, and deference to the umpires."

Since "communications with the umpire" is a "specific dut[y] prescribed by the rules" which the manager may "delegate ... to a ... coach", it would seem that you're refusal to talk to such a coach could be deemed "contrary to these rules" - i.e., illegal.

Am I missing something here? ;-)

JM

QUOTE]

Yes you are missing something here coach!

Once the manager advises the umpire that he has delegated specific duties prescribed by the rules to a player or coach, any action of such designated representative shall be official.

Which means that person is now the manager.

THE MANAGER is a person appointed by the club to be responsible for the team's actions on the field, and to represent the team in communications with the umpire and the opposing team. A player may be appointed manager.

The manager shall always be responsible for his team's conduct, observance of the official rules, and deference to the umpires.