Quote:
Originally posted by BigUmp56
Since you've once againg taken exception to one of my comments, let me be the one to reply.
No rookie umpire, or experienced umpire should have to worry about being able to quote rules to a manager. He shouldn't be on the diamond without an experienced partner. That's one of the reasons we allow conferences, so that we can put at least one more head into the mix to sort things out, away from the manager.
What rules are we talking about here anyway? You're stuck on the newsletter and it's interpretation of verbal obstruction and there's a simple solution to that discussion any way.
You just tell the coach that obstruction can be either physical or verbal, and that it was verbal obstruction in your judgement. End of conversation. If he files a protest, you can write it up the way you called it, and let the protest committee decide.
You brought up being able to quote balks. What do you do, cite the rule by number? I doubt even your arrogance would allow that to happen. Let's say a pitcher does not come set before delivering the ball. Are you going to cite the rule by number, or just tell the manager the pitcher didn't come set, and he can't do that.
I'll explain my calls to a point, but if the manager want's to know where it is in the rules, I'm not doing his work for him. He can look it up on his own after we get the game going, or he can lodge a protest. Either way is fine with me as to how he proceeds.
I only have 15 years experience umpiring and probably only 800-900 games. I'm sure that would make me a rookie compared to you, but in all those games. I've never had a protest upheld.
Tim.
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1) In many parts of the country, one umpire may be all that is available or budgeted. Rookies get the bottom of the barrel stuff as well as some nice treats. I've lived in places that had players moving farm equipment from the outfield just before the game. Those rookies were the only thing that allowed the game to happen. Stop speaking in generalities.
2) I'd just rather not call the verbal obstruction in the first place. I am one of those picky umpires that likes to see the rule in writing before enforcing it.
3) I have called balks that required a chapter and verse to a manager with a degree in moronics. I've called it and had the guy come out to ask me to show him what the guy did wrong. Instead of acting like Marcel Marceau, I tell him what it was and if he wants to look up x-y-z, he can do it after the game is restarted. It shuts them up quickly when the guy in dark blue polyester knows what he's saying. Maybe you can't pull it off yet, but trust me, it works.
4) I've never lost a protest, since I'm not playing anymore. I can't recall a protest being lodged as a result of my calls either, but I'm getting old. Being able to support your call is based on both communication and intelligence. Sometimes a simple look replaces a five minute rookie conversation. Other times, it is nice to know that if I have a coach that vehemently diagrees with my explanation, I can tell him to look up a-b-c while we get the game going again. It gets him off my field, let's him cool down and if he comes back to argue about it an inning later, he's crossing a very big line.
I'm not Yoda yet, but I like to think that I'm more than a Jedi in training. The robes are cooler!