Chuck......if you have succesfully navigated the basketball court.......you can handle a softball field......
I have said it numerous times.......Idiot Basketball fan beats any other set of fans out there......but personally......I try not to pay attention to the fans......I hear what they are saying, but try not to let it bother me...
As for coaches that are getting out of line........there is usually a line of progression.......I have never had a coach just explode in a game.......they usually build up to "excusing themselves from the game" gradually....
A well placed
LOOK (If you have kids....you know the look), a "Knock it off Coach", give the stop sign and tell em' "that's enough" has always worked well for me (this is final.....if they still continue.....dump em).....
Your an experienced official and you can expect some chirping from the coaches......but let them know when they are getting close to your limit.......most times it will quiet down from there......
Last year in an 18U tournament game.......I was BU and had a couple of bangers at first in a half inning.........one was a safe and one was an out call......
After the 2nd one I was brushing the base and the 1st base coach sarcasticly commented that the 2nd was a good "Makeup call".....
I quietly asked him if he was implying that I was cheating? This was an experienced 18U coach and he knew immediately that he had crossed the line with his comment and just about fell all over himself backpeddling and letting me know that he did not mean anything by the comment.
I did not hear a peep from him the rest of the game......he even approached me and partner after the game to let us know he thought we did a good job.....
Here is a link to a piece on game management.........I liked it so much, I put it on my website.....
The author (T. Alan Christensen) also refereed college basketball for many years........if you have problems accessing it......let me know......
http://www.eteamz.com/admin/sitez/do...195&site=56753
Joel