[UmpJM]

When I coached, I did not behave like a "rat".

Now that I umpire rather than coach, I still do not refer to coaches as "Rats", either on boards such as this, nor in conversation with umpires I know.

Just as there are, in fact, umpires who engage in "Smitty" behavior, so too are there coaches who engage in "ratlike" behavior. That was apparent to me back when I was coaching, and my experience as an umpire hasn't changed either perception.

When I first started posting on this board as a coach, I noticed the use of the term, but decided it was not worth concerning myself about. When my colleagues now use it in conversation it doesn't bother me in the least.

My personal opinion is that it is best not to go into working a game with the mindset that "all coaches are rats", but it would be foolish to go into a game without realizing that ANY coach could become a "rat" in a NY minute.

I find that if I treat all the participants in the game with respect, they are much more likely to respond in kind. But I don't much care for being taken advantage of, so I remain warily vigilant as well.

JM