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Originally Posted by ozzy6900
To be honest with you wish7694, I have had many a player question a call here and there. It is part of the game. But when they get out of line, I simply remind them that I am the umpire, not them. I can pretty much count the players that I have ejected for stepping over the line (this does not count the players that get ejected due to rule violations aka malicious contact and the like).
To follow a player or coach that is walking away is just wrong! I don't teach that, I do not condone that and if I am observing an umpire on our board, his report won't be too favorable! Now, I carry this over to the summer leagues that I am involved with also and it has cut down on the problems over the years.
Head coaches and managers have the most freedom when it comes to argument. If a manager or head coach is coming out to me, I know it is not to discuss the world economy but it is also a time when I have to keep an open ear. I try to treat them with respect and expect the same in return. I allow them to speak their mind until they have made their point, repeat themselves, or just stop talking. I explain my position and for the most part, they know that the call won't change - the conversation is done! Most managers and head coaches then know it's time to get back to the game.
The trick is respect - a two way street. When it comes to High School or NCAA, we all know that jobs are on the line. I'm going to reason with you and flat out tell you that I am trying to keep you in the game. So if I eject you from a FED game, you really ejected yourself!
The only thing that I can suggest is keep this umpire's face or number embedded in your mind. When you run into him again, handle him with kid gloves and keep your players in line so that he has no reason to eject anyone. If this doesn't work, get hold of his association and lodge a complaint.
Best of luck.
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ozzy - best post yet. I too coach and umpire. I coach 15-17 and umpire 13-14 and over 18. As an umpire there are some coaches that are just plain jerks. As a coach there are some umpires that are just plain jerks. As a coach you teach your kids respect for the umpire. As an umpire you try to find a way to keep people in the game by defusing a situation. As an umpire the other day I tossed a 13 year old - rung him up on strike 3, he took two steps towards the bench and proceeded to throw the bat like a javelin to the fence some 25' away. Nobody on that side said a word. After the game the kid, no longer in uniform, came up and personally apologized. I suspect his parents had something to do about it, but he was genuinely contrite. I accepted his apology and shook his hand. I could have ignored him but I didn't. Coaches in that league know I'm a fair umpire, but they also know I won't take any crap. You get a lot of respect that way. There are several really bad umpires and I confess I have to bite my tongue, but I do. I do everything I can to set a good example for my players when I am in coaching mode. I think it's pretty clear from the post that wish7694 does the same. I wish him well.