Hello,
I have a problem that is similar but on a greater level. I am a volunteer umpire with only 6 seasons worth of experience. I currently find myself in a Little League (FED rules) filled with coaches that feel that it is one of the "rights" of coaching to comment on any balls and strikes calls. I have pointed out that In their Little League rule books they will find rule 4.06(2) that prohibits them from using any language that makes reference to or reflects on umpires..players..other coaches. When I informed the local boards vice president of Softball (who also is a coach that advocates the right of coaches to openly question the balls and strikes), that violating this rule will be enforced with those penalties as directed by the official rule book. He then in formed me that I was no longer welcome to volunteer as an umpire.
I will tell you that this league suffers from a lack of volunteer umpires. No big surprise huh? Therefore most of the home games around here (district 15, Schoolcraft MI.) are umpired by a parent who has been drafted off the grass before the game! It will be my goal to bring organization and support structures into place that will foster a recruiting program for umpires, educational clinics, and above all, a Little League home environment that will nurture new umpires as they grow and learn and possible make mistakes.
This season I have only Dads at my training disposal and they have assured me that they have no interest in being embarrassed throughout a game by the coaches running commentary. I have instructed them that the rules support a warning then an ejection for commenting on their balls and strikes calls. It isn't going win them popularity contests but the coaches will soon learn of the "rights" the do and don't have. I know that I am drawing a hard line, but when faced with a "Wild West" league whose board allows the coaches to interpret that rules as they wish, is there any other way deal with this.
I apologize for the length of my post. I don't wish to be like the other umpires in this area who came before me and just threw up there hands and walked away. Any guidance from you seasoned umpires out there would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You in advance
Mike Devenney