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Originally Posted by canadaump6
In light of Tim's "Run Him?" thread, I would like to discuss the technique of turning and walking away from a coach, rat or player who is arguing a call. Please consider the following actions by a game participant towards an umpire whose back is turned and who is moving in the opposite direction:
1) Continues yelling at the umpire
2) Re-enacts the play
3) Gives the umpire the finger
4) Incites yelling from the fans
5) Follows the umpire to whereever he is going
6) Says "hang on can we have an appeal?"
7) Acts like a victim and starts complaining to various game participants that the umpire walked away from him and wouldn't give him an explanation
All the actions I listed are something that a rat might do to show up an umpire who is walking away from the play but cannot see whatever the rat is doing. How should an umpire (or his partner) deal with the actions listed above?
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The best way to handle these situations is to:
1. Learn the rules.
2. Employ good mechanics.
3. Be decisive and be confident. If you know 1. and 2. this will come naturally.
4. Learn what to say and when to say it. This can't be taught. Some never learn this. You learn this through trial and error.
5. If you give respect (where warranted) you will be respected.
In other words become a good umpire and get away from bad baseball where most of this happens.
I think you'll find the majority of the really ugly situations involve coaches who have noone to answer to such as a Principal, Athletic Director, Park District etc. When working such games Coaches have no lee way. I have my hands around their neck. The first time I hear (from a Coach) "where was that pitch" The mask comes off and I'll ask "are we discussing balls and strikes" The answer is no and rarely if ever am I bothered again. If I'm doing good baseball will I do this? I may or may not. It just depends. I have no fast and hard rules in handling situations. Suffice it to say "I just know what to do".
We all started doing bad baseball. Confrontations can be avoided if you know the rules, and employ good mechanics. When they do occur you have to take care of business.