Quote:
Originally posted by Blaine Gallant
Well said Garth.
I agree 100%.
At lower levels, I do a lot of "teaching". There is no sense in calling 20 balks. We are there to TEACH the kids. And Warren, at house league levels, don't give me this, "you are the umpire, not the coach stuff" More often than not, I know more about coaching then the coaches and usually they appreciate the help. ...[snip]...
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I agree with Garth too! I thought that's what I said and Garth was actually agreeing with me! *grin*
I don't understand the term "house league". If you mean a sort of adult recreational league, I seldom see those. All the same, we can't take the chance of failing to enforce the rules at any level. If someone is injured because we elected NOT to penalise an infraction then we could be held liable for the consequences.
It isn't our job to "help" the coaches. If you adopt that approach there is a chance you will unduly influence the outcome. Leave the coaching to the coaches, no matter how incompentent they may be in your view. I'm not averse to helping "teach" kids (and their coaches) at 14U juniors and below. But above that level I believe I owe it to the players of both sides to call the game the way the rules require - in both the letter AND the spirit wherever possible. I believe ALL of my fellow umpires also owe their league and the game that same duty.
Cheers