Thread: That one team..
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Old Wed Jul 13, 2005, 10:44am
orioles35 orioles35 is offline
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Spring Hill, TN
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First of all, I've seen many inexperienced umpires go out of their way to be friendly and conversational with coaches...my only guess is they do this to try and create a "friendly" relationship and to avoid BS during the game. Fellas, that doesn't work...it only makes you MORE approachable during the game. You aren't there to make friends, laugh, carry on, chit-chat or whatever. Be polite, answer any questions directed to you, but other than that your focus is what's ON THE FIELD. Not in the dugout. Not in the stands. Call the game. After its over, leave.

As for the history you might have with a team, some coaches (and I use that term loosely) attempt to intimidate umpires. No matter what, tell yourself you will call the game as YOU see it and no amount of comments are going to change how you see each pitch, or each play in the field. I've told coaches that before, "Coach, I don't expect you're going to agree with this call but our discussing this isn't going to change this call OR any for the rest of the game. Let's play."

It's much easier to blame someone ELSE (umpires) for your shortcomings (that coaches team losing), than to admit you just got beat and move on.

You're in charge of the game. Make this clear at the outset by calling "PLAY", saying "let's have a batter!" when the batter is even just a few seconds in delay getting in the box. Ask coaches to close gates, pick up bats, run down foul balls and show them YOU'RE running the game. If they don't want to cooperate, they deal with the circumstances.
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