You are either being set-up, or the person who gave you the advise is ignorant.
If you have trouble with a judgment call on the bases;
- Ask for time, and wait for it to be granted.
- Jog out to the umpire who made the call, and stop before your nose is touching his.
- Confidently tell the umpire what you think the call should have been, and why.
- Ask him what he saw, and why he made the call he did.
- If you think he was not in the best position to see the play, say that, and ask him if he would ask his partner what he saw, if anything.
- Do not go to another umpire.
- Do not ask the umpire that made the call to ask another umpire for 'help' (say what is listed above).
- Remember, one umpire can not override another's call, so don't ask for that either. If an umpire chooses to discuss a play with a partner, it is up to the umpire who made the call, to change his call, 'IF' he wants to based on the discussion.
- Most important, don't abuse talking to umpires about calls. Pick your battles carefully !
If you have trouble with a Rule Interpretation;
- See 1 & 2 above.
- Confidently explain what you think the play should have resulted in.
- Quote the rule !
- Have a rule book ready, but don't pull it out unless the umpire asks you to. If I have a decent coach, who is usually pretty good with rules, I will give them 1 minute to show me the rule, and where I was incorrect.
If you think there is a problem with the Strike Zone;
- Don't talk to an umpire about pitches during an inning. Approach them in between innings.
- Talk to your catcher first ! Ask him where the pitches are missing. You may be surprised to find that your catcher agrees with the umpire.
- You don't have the best position for seeing Inside or Outside pitches...Remember that.
- Ask him where your pitcher is missing. Don't tell him what is wrong with his Zone. Approach the conversation as though you both know YOU don't have a good enough view to know where the ball is (because you don't).
- If you choose to talk to an umpire about their Zone, expect to be ejected quickly.
Most (good) umpires talk after a game anyway. They DON'T need you to tell them what to talk about.