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Originally Posted by Dave Reed
14U division of the Las Vegas Desert Classic last October. In total, 180 teams from 18U down to 10U, so there were 360 pool play games during two days. I was there as a spectator.
A. Following the plate conference, the home coach, following normal procedures, settled in on his bucket in foul territory to call the pitches. PU approached the coach and politely required that the coach and his bucket move just inside the dugout at the open doorway. He met the protests from the coach implacably, and moved over to the visitor's coach and (presumably) had the same conversation.
B. Are there any circumstances in which you would routinely alter the strike zone significantly to make a point?
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A. I have coached in, and worked tournaments where TD was emphatic about coaches and players staying in the dugout, unless legally permitted on the field (ie on deck hitter). My state is also pretty emphatic about it in HS ball. The more experienced coaches abide by the rules, and the newer ones have to be trained. I don't consider it OOO when the TD is emphatic about it at a summer tournament, and the state is emphatic about it for HS play. As to moving over the visitor's dugout to have the same conversation I would not do that until it was necessary. It is usually a much larger issue keeping players in the dugout, than the coaching staff.
I'm sure you have heard of the game in Western NC that was forfeited when half the team came out to congratulate a home run hitter who had just hit a go ahead home run (multiple runners) in a late inning. Everyone out of the dugout was ejected causing the other team to win by forfeit. Now THAT is OOO, and wrong, since the ball is dead when it went over the fence.
B. Routinely-NO, to make a point-YES (see FYC).