Quote:
Originally Posted by mbyron
IMO, this is an art. Some people like to pretend that ASSt. coaches don't exist; this has not worked for me, and around here umpires are expected to interact with ASSt. coaches.
What I say often depends on how the coach asks me. If he's shouting, I'll tend to ignore him and look over at the head coach (usually in the 3rd base coaching box or the dugout) and see whether he has a question about the play. If he persists, I'll tell him that the head coach isn't concerned, and we're going to play ball. Otherwise, I'll answer the head coach.
If the question is quiet and respectful, I'll generally answer it on my way back to my position: "That's my call all the way, and I saw the whole play; if I needed help, I would have already asked for it."
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The seen and not heard philosophy is basically what you just said most people do that I know. We only ignore the AC when they are acting like a fool and the HC is saying little or nothing. Or if the HC and the AC is going crazy, we only address the HC. In other words, I am not having multiple discussions with multiple people. The HC is the main person in charge (which the rule makes even clearer) and that is usually the reason most umpires/officials decide not to pay much attention to ACs in the first place. It does not literally mean that people totally ignore a coach that is very respectful and doing their job. Some ACs are the ones that communicate certain issues with an umpire and that is totally appropriate.
Peace