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.