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Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA
I agree. The only problem are the coaches mentioned at the end. Too many are starting to get to the point where they do not want an umpire to talk to their pitcher or catcher.
If you cannot talk to them, you cannot offer a heads up. Problem is these coaches have an ego the size of the outfield and cannot (or will not try to) understand what you are doing.
But you start calling IPs and see how much they like playing by the strict rule.
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100% Agreement. I had a coach tell me once not to talk to his players when I was trying to tell the catcher to go correct something. Next pitch - IP . . . he came out mad and his catcher stepped in front of me and said "that's what he was trying to tell me to fix before you yelled at him!" He muttered something and went back to the dugout. She looked at me, smiled and said "Isn't part of my job to protect you? Besides, he's a jerk!"
Luckily, most coaches here don't mind you talking to their players. There are only about 30 softball only umps in my area and the top 10-15 are very well liked and respected by coaches, players and parents . . . and we have good relationships with them all. I was at a restaurant tonight with my kids and a player and her mom from a HS team came and sat down at our table and started giving me a good-natured hard time . . . very enjoyable. I'm glad we don't have a lot of coaches that are like you described, Mike.