Quote:
Originally posted by tcannizzo
Based on my 15 years of coaching experience, I will simply state that a certain percentage of the umpires that called my games would engage in some light banter about the weather, the schedule, the game, a play, etc.
I don't think I was "sucking up" to these umpires, any more than they were "sucking up" to me.
Depending on the game situation, such as a "blow-out-in-progress" there may have been discussions about certain specific mechanics of pitchers, fielders, batters, catchers, base-runners, etc. either during or after a game.
There are many other "neutral" situations that could deem such dialogs as "OK". Of course, there are just as many other situations where such dialog is not OK.
This comes under the category of Game Management. You need to know when it is OK and when it isn't. If you are in doubt, then assume it isn't. But never be so inflexible to adjust to the sitch.
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Like I said earlier, most people that have been doing this a while (both coaches and umpires) usually have a good sense of what the game is all "about".
There are such things as casual/friendly games. Such games exist when everybody knows everybody and nothing of substance is on the line. Everybody is on the same page.
I think such games would provide a small exception to what we're talking about here.
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Example: I once was working the plate during what amounted to not much more than a practice game between two teams. I called a pitch a "ball" and immediately realized I had blown it. Even though nobody complained I commented to the batter and catcher, "that was probably a pretty good pitch." Then, jokingly, I told the batter, "the strikezone just got bigger." The next pitch was a bit low which I called a "strike." I looked over at the offensive coach and said, "I had to make up for the last bad call. Now we're even." He just chuckled. He was a friend of mine! I knew all the players. We were all just having some fun. No big deal.
I wouldn't DREAM of having these type of exchanges under different circumstances.
David Emerling
Memphis, TN