Calling Balks and the value of reading these forums.

[GarthB]

Originally posted by bern barton
cudo's to Rich for telling the pitcher what he needs to improve upon. Let's face it, guys -- we're not at the Professional level of baseball -- we're at a level where the coaches, and certainly MOST players, do not always know the rules. Sure, it would be nice to have the coach explain what the rules are to the kids, but it's also incumbent upon Umpires, and those of us that love the game, to supply MUCH needed knowledge to these kids (and their coaches) to help them learn. Trust me, all of them gain a new respect for you if you're willing to impart your wisdom, notwithstanding the fact that we're making our sport much better by educating players and coaches on how the game should be played. Kids need encouragement, and helping them understand what they did wrong in a proactive, rational and non-defensive way allows them to respect the Umpire for his knowledge, and take away something from the game.

Sorry for the soap-box.

One doesn't have to be a professional umpire to realize he isn't a coach. I don't know what level you work, but if you were to attempt "to supply MUCH needed knowledge" to any players in any games I work, you'd have a coach on your a$$ for the rest of the game and your partner on your a$$ after the game. Your job is to umpire, not coach. If you have a burning desire to coach, become one.

[David Emerling]

Originally posted by Tim C
" . . . but it's also incumbent upon Umpires, and those of us that love the game, to supply MUCH needed knowledge to these kids (and their coaches) to help them learn."

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I'm sorry I am an umpire and not a rat.

I'll stick to umpiring.

Maybe you're a ratty umpire. (g)

I've met a few of them in my time.

I never instruct players or coaches during a game ... unless they ask. And I am a coach!

When I coach, I don't even allow the umpire to update my relief pitcher as to the situation. I interrupt him and say, "I got it, Blue." And then I tell him.

David Emerling
Memphis, TN

[LDUB]

Originally posted by David Emerling
When I coach, I don't even allow the umpire to update my relief pitcher as to the situation. I interrupt him and say, "I got it, Blue." And then I tell him.

I hope that you very seldomly have to do that.

[cowbyfan1]

Originally posted by David Emerling

Maybe you're a ratty umpire. (g)

I've met a few of them in my time.

I never instruct players or coaches during a game ... unless they ask. And I am a coach!

When I coach, I don't even allow the umpire to update my relief pitcher as to the situation. I interrupt him and say, "I got it, Blue." And then I tell him.

David Emerling
Memphis, TN

People need to step off their pedistals around here. Garth and Tim I would agree with you if you are calling high school and above. Below that, probably 80-90% of the time, the umpire is the only one on the field knowledgable enough to say what happened and why. These games usually have time limits and to explain to a coach who then in turn tries to explain to the kid what he did takes too long. I don't tell a high school or college pitcher what he did. If a coach asks it tell him, short and to the point. "No set", "distance and direction", "stop and start", etc. Keep in mind that it is a whole different world calling ball below the high school level. One that appearently you have forgotten since you think your big time.

[GarthB]

Originally posted by cowbyfan1

People need to step off their pedistals around here. Garth and Tim I would agree with you if you are calling high school and above. Below that, probably 80-90% of the time, the umpire is the only one on the field knowledgable enough to say what happened and why. These games usually have time limits and to explain to a coach who then in turn tries to explain to the kid what he did takes too long. I don't tell a high school or college pitcher what he did. If a coach asks it tell him, short and to the point. "No set", "distance and direction", "stop and start", etc. Keep in mind that it is a whole different world calling ball below the high school level. One that appearently you have forgotten since you think your big time.

Nothing big time about doing your job correctly, regardless of your level.

[Rich]

Originally posted by GarthB

Nothing big time about doing your job correctly, regardless of your level.

Exactly. We train our LL umpires to do nothing different than if we were training HS umpires. Set expectations low and the results will reflect that.

[Tim C]

Again, I have never nor will I ever work small diamond baseball.

Much like you when I make a balk call I explain it from the center of the diamond with a quick statement EXACTLY as you intone in your post.

I don't coach on the field, I umpire.

I have talked with 6 guys who DO DO Little League in my area and NONE of them coach on the field.

If you think I am "big timing it" so be it . . . I just umpire correctly.