Handling a problerm school.

[MPC]

We all have those schools that just don’t get it. In particular, I have a school where I often umpire that has zero respect for umpires. Ie: catcher’s holding balls, pitchers shaking their heads, catcher telling you the rules as only he knows them, catcher selling you out with the coach on the close corner pitches, games never starting on time, never keeping balls available, bring you balls between batters that are still in the wrappers, etc. I’ve had several ejections because of such behavior at this school and some have resulted in game altering moves like ejecting the starting catcher and bringing in a frosh who’s never caught and allows runs on past balls.

Then you have jv snipers in dugout yelling about pitches and making bush comments and the coaches don’t do anything about it. They leave that up to you and freak out when you deal with it. My next game at this school is it’s biggest rival and as much as I don’t want to anticipate problems, it is inevitable for this one school.

I never start the game with a warning but I feel in this case, I need to tell the coach up front in the pregame that: 1. You take care of the bush comments in the dugout 2. You make sure your catcher isn’t talking smack to me during the game and demonstrating 3. You make sure your pitcher and other players don’t demonstrate if they don’t like a call. I’ll have zero tolerance with this and if you don’t want to prevent it from happening, don’t be upset when each action gets ejected.

This seems like a red tail way to handle it but I think it may be good preventative umpiring in this situation. The school has a decent team and the coach is always looking for an excuse in a loss. He knows his kids are out of control but won’t deal with it. As mentioned before, when you do deal with it, he thinks it is harsh and unfair but the more you let go the worse it gets.

I am a vet umpire that most of the respectable schools want on the big games. Reg and post season ratings are always high but this one school always tries to get around me because they think I have a bone for them.

What are some of the methods in handling these problem schools that some of you guys use?

[chris s]

Most effective, start tossing folks. Right from the get go. The sportsmanship spew is all the warning they need. as far as balls in wrappers, I'll throw the whole package to the F1, or hand them to F2....still in wrapper.Write up consice reports and hope the state deals with it.

[FVB58]

I agree with Chris. Toss 'em. If the officials who worked their game before you, and the officials who worked the game after you do the same, maybe, just maybe, they might start to "get it."

As far as the catcher goes I have found a couple of things work. Usually a few words of caution help. If he still doesn't "get it," an expanded strike zone during his at-bat should send a pretty clear message. If he isn't working with you by then...he's got to go.

[jicecone]

My first question to umpire's that have problems during their games is, what did you do about it?

You don't have to be a tyrant to control your game. I don't eject people, I ask them to leave. I don't tolerate cat calls about balls and stikes and I don't give a list of warnings at the begining of the game. Neither do I yell, scream or speak in a demeaning way. I will also say thank you when people comply with my reasonable requests.

I will address all personnel on the field, regardless of their title if they respectfully address me. And when they don't I will stay calm and take matters into my own hand , if that is the option I must use.

I also go out of my way to know the rules, my mechanics, my authority and I will enforce safety rules no matter how ridiculus.

These things have worked well for me and I am OFTEN called for those possible problematic games, that we get through nicely.

Hope some of these points can help you in future games.

[MichaelVA2000]

When I want to get a message across to the catcher relating to something negative they have done, after the catcher as assumed their position I dust the plate and while doing so, look them straight in the eyes and tell them whatever it is they were doing won't be tolerated. If it's pitcher related, I have the catcher deliver the zero tolerance message to the pitcher.

When I get balls that are to be put in play still boxed or wrapped and the home team is suppling the ball, I hand them still wrapped or boxed to the home team catcher. If the visiting team is on the field I let the person know who brings the balls to me that I don't accept them still wrapped.

Games never starting on time. Arrive at the field early enough to meet with both coaches. Let them know that the game is sheduled for 6:00 PM and that you will be doing the plate converence at 5:55 PM. Also find out if there will be any pre-game ceremonies.

Snipping from the dugout will only get worse if it is not delt with quickly. I will warn the coach that comments from the dugout regarding balls and strikes is unsportsmanlike and arguing judgment calls is a violation of the rules. If these rules continue being violated I will take further action.

I would not give any warnings prior to the game other than you expect sportsmanship.

Michael

[Rich]

Originally posted by MichaelVA2000
When I want to get a message across to the catcher relating to something negative they have done, after the catcher as assumed their position I dust the plate and while doing so, look them straight in the eyes and tell them whatever it is they were doing won't be tolerated. If it's pitcher related, I have the catcher deliver the zero tolerance message to the pitcher.

When I get balls that are to be put in play still boxed or wrapped and the home team is suppling the ball, I hand them still wrapped or boxed to the home team catcher. If the visiting team is on the field I let the person know who brings the balls to me that I don't accept them still wrapped.

Games never starting on time. Arrive at the field early enough to meet with both coaches. Let them know that the game is sheduled for 6:00 PM and that you will be doing the plate converence at 5:55 PM. Also find out if there will be any pre-game ceremonies.

Snipping from the dugout will only get worse if it is not delt with quickly. I will warn the coach that comments from the dugout regarding balls and strikes is unsportsmanlike and arguing judgment calls is a violation of the rules. If these rules continue being violated I will take further action.

I would not give any warnings prior to the game other than you expect sportsmanship.

Michael

I don't know why wrapped balls bother umpires. I mean, we have to rub them down anyway, so what's the big deal about taking them out of some plastic. Once in a while I'll leave a wrapped ball in my off-hand bag and throw it out in the 5th inning or so to see the reaction. Many of the good programs will already have unwrapped the balls and rubbed them down nicely, but I certainly don't expect that -- that's what a base umpire is for

Bad catcher behavior is the first sign, to me, that a coach and his players simply don't get it. What can a coach possibly accomplish by allowing his player to annoy the plate umpire. Does he really think that doing that will buy him some strikes? With some umpires I know, such behavior will end up shrinking the strike zone. Brush off the plate and tell the catcher to knock it off. If he continues to do that, tell the coach to give you a new catcher.

As far as games not starting on time, I have a real problem with pushing that issue under certain circumstances. I've seen home teams take batting practice until 10 minutes before the game starts, turn the field over to the visitors, and then nag me immediately about starting on time. I am not going to play that game and that's when I am actually happy to start a few minutes late.

Personally I don't mind starting a few minutes late. Do what your state and association wants. Pick your battles wisely.

--Rich

[DG]

This is an awful lot to deal with, but so be it. I like to arrive on the field at 15 minutes before game time. If the home team squeezes the visitors I don't mind starting a few minutes late. The visitors should get their 10 minutes, and then the meeting with coaches 5 minutes, but probably less.

I love home teams who give me rubbed up balls before the game. If they give me un-rubbed balls before the game an early enough for me to do something with them, I will put some dirt on them to take the glaze off. If they give me a new ball during the game, I play it as-is. If they give me one in the wrapper (rare in my neck of the woods), I take the wrapper off, put the wrapper in my off bag and play it as-is.

If I am having a problem with a catcher, I speak to him while dusting the plate. I don't look him in the face, but I make sure he knows I am talking to him. If I am having a problem with the pitcher, I speak to the catcher about it while dusting the plate. If I am having a problem with the bench, I discuss with the head coach the first time it happens.

I have only give warnings in pre-game about situations that have recently happened. Like, "coaches, in my last game I ejected a player for malicious contact, I will not tolerate it, and I know we will not have one today". Malicious contact is my personal pet peeve, so it is about the only thing I can think of that I would warn about.

[3appleshigh]

Check the rule book, but a manager is responsible for the acts of his players. Now I know i'm looking for things, but It worked with a team I'd had trouble with for two years, where the players were unruly and the manager did nothing about it. I had chucked players, even enough in one game so the forfited (which was only two that day), and still nothing changed. Then one day had a kid in the box out right scream in disgust about strike three, (in the same spot as Strike 1 and 2 no less too) and he got tossed, he then went on a verbal tirade for conservativly 2 min. with horrible language and the like. The manager stood a 3rd base and twiddled his thumbs, when the kid finally stopped, I chucked the coach for a lack of control of his players.

That caused a good scene, but I never threw a player from that squad for the remainder of the yar and the next season was without a hitch. They are angels on my diamond now. Give it a shot.

[Edited by 3appleshigh on Apr 14th, 2004 at 04:29 PM]

[DG]

Good work 3apple...

[DownTownTonyBrown]

MPC, I feel your pain.

I have a couple coaches (in different sports) that over the years like to push... continually... asking for justification of my calls, wanting to tell me how rules are supposed to be enforced, catchers shrugging shoulders and pulling pitches, pitchers trying to convince me of my errors... etc.

I don't think any discussion about the rules, as spelled out in the rulebook, is warranted in the pregame. Just enforce them. I only speak to ground rules, sometimes I will ask that everyone is properly equipped (no jewelry), "Let's have a great game," and GO.

What it really comes down to is what are your limits/what is your tolerance? If you don't establish those limits, the coaches and players (and then the fans) are going to push until you erupt. The way you establish them, is rule enforcement, and demanding that behavior which is beyond your limits, stop immediately. One warning is enough. Further, poor behavior warrants immediate, non-emotional ejection.

It must be done for your sanity.

Some suggestions:
I ask for balls before I need them. I've never been handed a ball in a wrapper during a game. I think I might hold it up by a corner of the baggie for all to see, look at it, and either send it back or walk back to the dugout and hand the bag back to the person that sent it out that way. "Next time, give me a ball that is ready to be used. I don't need a new ball, just one that can be used. This one isn't ready to be used and now you are making me delay the game because you want to be a smart aleck."

With a hand held up, "Coach, that is enough."

"I have heard absolutely enough about balls and strikes from this dugout. STOP IT NOW."

Coach, you don't have any input on how I enforce and interpret the rules. You are here to coach; not continually bicker and beg for me to accept your interpretation of how the rules should be applied to your benefit. STOP.

"Let's go Number 4; get in the box."

To the catcher continually holding and pulling pitches, "That pitch was inside. Quit trying to sell me, and everybody else, on pitches that are out of the zone."

"Trying to tell your pitcher (or your coach) that my calls are wrong is not going to make your situation better. It's only going to get ugly. You need to encourage them to put the ball in my zone and accept that I'm the only one that calls strikes."

Or whatever your limits are... establish them and enforce them... every time. It is when you vacillate that you will be pushed more, and your pain/agony will grow.

I'm rather upbeat and approachable with coaches and it is when they aren't the same that my limits get pushed. It is then that detached professionalism must be used.

Just my opinions and some comments that I might use. Good luck.