Tossing a coach

[bluezebra]

Originally posted by akalsey
The first out, there were more than one comment. The comments were still being hurled at me when the next batter took his place in the box. He told me I was in the wrong position. He told me that I should watch the play next time. He asked if I'd like him to clean the bag off for me. In short, he said all the things I've said to umps as a spectator.

I don't want to dump someone. I'd like to do anything I can to avoid it.

You let that guy play you like a fine-tuned violin. You let him take charge by doing nothing.

An umpire doesn't run anyone, they do it themselves. Umpiring in a slo-pitch league I never worked before, I was getting comments from the second baseman, who was also the manager. Someone always has to test "the new guy". When I had enough, I called time and stepped out from behind the plate and pointed at the loud mouth. "I'll make a deal with you. You don't tell me how to umpire, and I won't tell you how to play softball. If you can't agree, you can leave, because I get paid to be here". No more chirping for the rest of the game, and season.