Giving a Coach Options

[chris s]

Carl, here is the one good reason, we are told by PONY NOT to.At tournament level of play, the umpires are NOT to give options unless asked. I am not sure if you are aware of the re-entry rules PONY allows, but we had a case last season where a coach had played all subs and re-entered starters, thus no available subs. Player gets hurt and coach comes up to us with line-up card in hand asking who can go in.The "player last removed from lineup" is the player who is legally allowed to enter back in. If coach screw up, it is up to the opposing coach to pick it up.Umpires are to call the game, not give assistance.
This policy was spelled out quite clearly before tournament action began by the PONY field directors, thus an OBR type setting, which is what PONY wants.
In a regular season game, I do not have a problem offering the option without it being asked, but tourneys or travel team action, coaches better know.......at least where I am at, that is the policy.........chris

Originally posted by Carl Childress
Someone wrote that he wouldn't explain an option to a coach in a game using the OBR.

I suppose in Pony division game of Pony League, Inc., with volunteer coaches, that umpire would simply pretend he was in a game with professional players.

I repeat an earlier statement:

Can anyone give me one good reason why he should not explain the catcher's interference option to an amateur coach?

The "option" is not a secret, but my mailman (who coaches my grandson's team) might not know about it.

We're not professional umpires. Harry and Jim notwithstanding, we're no longer their students after we fail to get a contract. We must modify our behavior to suit the conditions of our games.

(a) You send the runner back and the batter to first.

(b) The offensive coach comes out and talks.

(c) He leaves.

(d) You bring the runner back to the plate and remove the batter from first.

Can you imagine the furor on the field? In the stands?

One note rings true: I am happy to read that those who want to adopt the professional practice admit they haven't had to enforce the rule where an option was available. I hope they modify their opinions before they ever have to do it.

Lah, me (as I am wont to say).