[ctblu40]

First of all, it's hard to get a good grasp on game management issues because many of them involve YHTBT type comments and tone. That being said...

You call a balk and skip comes out of the dugout and asks for an explaination. Do not have 90' conversations with a manager. If he really wants an explaination, he'll come to you to get it. If you keep your raised voice to ball, strike, safe, out and the like, you seem much more professional. Ignore him until he wants to have a discussion.

F1 hits a batter and yells from the mound, "That was a strike!" I wouldn't run him but I'd make it very clear that I was not going to be yelled at by a 16 year old wanna-be. About half way to the mound, I'd say something like, "I'll be back here all game long, you don't wanna be on my bad side!"

Now skip is chirping about balls and strikes from the coaches box. This one is tough. If he's not really yelling too loud or leaving his position, what do you do? Maybe a laser stare, or a, "that'll do," just loud enough for him to hear. Then a discussion between innings about what he can and can't do. I usually say something like, "If you start arguing balls and strikes, I must eject you, you understand that right?" Use a matter-of-fact tone, not threatening.

You overhear his plans of being ejected. I hope you informed your partner of this rat's plans. I'm sure I'm in the minority on this, but if I were to hear that... No way is he going anywhere! Short of a bump or really losing his mind, he's staying. He'll cross the line and you can bet his players will follow, they start going... he stays, the whole long game!

Bottom line, we all meet coaches who just don't get it. And we also run in to coaches and players who for whatever reason, just cross the line. The key is to give yourself an honest post game critique, and learn from it. These are the ways I probably would have handled this manager... but that's just me!