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my3sons Thu Apr 14, 2005 06:12am

Wanted to find out how people feel about addressing the manager or head coach by name when dealing with him. Also would you rather have him call you blue or use your name. How many of you find out the catchers name and address him by name during the game.

bob jenkins Thu Apr 14, 2005 06:49am

I call the manager and catcher by the first name. I tell them my name, but I don't care (within reason) what they call me.

I don't speak to the assistant coaches. ;)


Tim C Thu Apr 14, 2005 07:54am

Hmmmm,
 
My name is not Blue.

50% of the time when I umpire I wear colors other than Blue.

I always call catchers and coaches by their first names.

I can not talk to assistant coaches as they do not exist.

David B Thu Apr 14, 2005 09:07am

Quote:

Originally posted by my3sons
Wanted to find out how people feel about addressing the manager or head coach by name when dealing with him. Also would you rather have him call you blue or use your name. How many of you find out the catchers name and address him by name during the game.
I address all coaches as coach ____.

I know their name, and they know mine.

I dont' worry about the catcher's name although I do know most of them just from working with them.

I don't talk with assistant coaches once the game starts.

Thanks
David


blueump Thu Apr 14, 2005 09:18am

I know many of the coaches from "outside" the game field. As a result, I address them always a "coach" while I'm working a game. This prevents the look of unprofessionalism when I'm calling one coach by the first name, cause I know him, and not the other coach. On the field he's the coach, not my buddy.

I don't have a problem being called "blue" either. I prefer it in fact. They call me by my first name, and it sends chills down my spine. Off the field, okay, but not when I working a game. It may be just me, but I'm the umpire when I'm on the field...that's my title, that's what I want to be called. Calling me by my first name on the field is crossing the line to me.

Just my opinion, and preference.

Tim C Thu Apr 14, 2005 09:35am

AND,
 
I make the effort to KNOW BOTH COACHES first names.

My name is not "Blue" -- I do not care for the term.

I think some of us are too self important (From the back row, Tee jumping up-and down, "Me, me, me").

UmpJM Thu Apr 14, 2005 09:43am

During the pregame, I always introduce myself to the umpires by name. If the umpires choose to offer theirs (sometimes they do, sometimes they don't), I do my best to remember them.

When I have occasion to address the umpires during the game, I will use their name if they offered it; otherwise I will use "Blue" (even if they're wearing a RED shirt) or "Ump".

Sometimes the umpires will address me by name, but it's usually "Coach". Either way is fine by me.

To me, using the person's name tends to set a more "gentlemanly" tone to any discussion we might have.

JM

Kaliix Thu Apr 14, 2005 10:21am

I occasionally use the coaches first name, but usually it's just "coach".

I actually prefer the term "blue". It's what I used to refer to the umpires as when I played. Some may not like the term and that is certainly there perogative.

I always introduce myself by name to the coaches. The only way you get playoff games here is if the coaches recommend you and they can only do that if they know your name.

Tim C Thu Apr 14, 2005 10:24am

Kaliix,
 
Pragmatic, but accurate.

I sometimes try to slip in "Skip" or "Skipper" rats seems to like that.

David B Thu Apr 14, 2005 10:40am

Re: Kaliix,
 
Quote:

Originally posted by Tim C
Pragmatic, but accurate.

I sometimes try to slip in "Skip" or "Skipper" rats seems to like that.

that's funny but true.

Also, I just love it at a few of our larger schools where they want to send the little asst. coach (just out of college) to the pregame to make them look so proper or whatever.

I always hate that I have to say and "now the head coach's name is ______ and that's who we'll be talking to if we have a problem etc.,"

Thanks
David

ozzy6900 Thu Apr 14, 2005 10:50am

I write the managers'name on the lineup card. I make noteof the catcher's name as I can. I give my name to the managers and usually they call me by name. If a manger calls me "blue" I do respond but I remind them of my name.

Assistant coaches? What is that - a new food group?

bbump82 Thu Apr 14, 2005 12:09pm

Assistants
 
Quote:

Originally posted by David B
Quote:

Originally posted by Tim C
Pragmatic, but accurate.

I sometimes try to slip in "Skip" or "Skipper" rats seems to like that.

that's funny but true.

Also, I just love it at a few of our larger schools where they want to send the little asst. coach (just out of college) to the pregame to make them look so proper or whatever.

I always hate that I have to say and "now the head coach's name is ______ and that's who we'll be talking to if we have a problem etc.,"

Thanks
David

"little asst. coach (just out of college)", we have a couple of HS head coaches that fit this descrpition. Hell, for one of the teams I thought that it was a player in the 3B box.

I'll refer to them as "Coach" during the game, and will answer to "Blue", but would prefer "Mr. Blue".

Rich Thu Apr 14, 2005 12:32pm

Quote:

Originally posted by my3sons
Wanted to find out how people feel about addressing the manager or head coach by name when dealing with him. Also would you rather have him call you blue or use your name. How many of you find out the catchers name and address him by name during the game.
Always first name. I always try to find out their first names before meeting them, whether by Internet or from one of their players.

scyguy Thu Apr 14, 2005 12:41pm

does the informalities change with the situation? Is it "That's enough John" or is it "That's enough, coach"

Rich Thu Apr 14, 2005 12:44pm

Quote:

Originally posted by scyguy
does the informalities change with the situation? Is it "That's enough John" or is it "That's enough, coach"
Nope. No change for me. Why should there be?

bluezebra Thu Apr 14, 2005 02:42pm

When you're on a first name basis on the field, you're making it too personal.

Bob

mcrowder Thu Apr 14, 2005 03:33pm

Depends, BZ (and Rich).

If I'm doing a league where I'm not likely to see people numerous times, "Coach" and "Blue" are fine (and preferred).

If I'm doing a league with just 6 teams, where I'm working 3 nights a week, and see these guys constantly (and at school board meetings, and at other sports, and one coach is a fellow official in another sport... and another coach is the commish of another sport, etc...), sometimes you can't help but be on a first name basis. When that happens, I don't take umbrage if someone happens to call me Mike instead of Blue.

DG Thu Apr 14, 2005 11:02pm

I don't memorize any names of the coaches or players. The only first name I memorize is my partner's. I talk to the catcher, but I don't know his name. I call coaches "coach" and they can refer to me by name or they can call be "blue", it does not matter to me. If an assistant asks me a question in a civil way I will answer it. I might even answer a question from a fan, if they are close enough to ask a question. I use what interpersonal skills I have to be...interpersonal, while not being too personal.

Tim C Fri Apr 15, 2005 07:51am

" . . . I might even answer a question from a fan,"

Hahahahahaha,

What a kidder!

largeone59 Fri Apr 15, 2005 11:25am

I'm 19, so i'm still in the mode of calling adults significantly older than me by their formal title (Mr., Coach, etc). So by that fact alone, i always use "coach".

His High Holiness Fri Apr 15, 2005 12:38pm

All;

Most college coaches make great efforts to remember the names of their umpires and all past games that the umpire worked for them, even if it was in another league years ago. Coaches at that level will walk up, greet me by name, and recall details of a game from two years ago and I cannot even remember their names. Usually, I have a foggy recollection of the game.

Do not call a college coach "Skip" or "Skipper." Some will intrepret that as an attempt to "big league" them. They are familiar with the protocol of pro school and are very turned off by minor league umpires and their attitude. OTOH, never call a minor league manager "Coach." They will be insulted. Only their name or "Skip" (per) will do.

These are some of dozens of niceties that should be mastered if one wants to go to the top.

Peter

harmbu Wed Apr 20, 2005 01:46pm

Don't exist
 
I once had a game that only had one umpire. I have also worked a game as an umpire without a partner. Because of this, when I am coaching, I don't talk to base umpires because they don't exist.

For those of you who claim assistant coaches don't exist, I bet if there is a foul ball that ends up near the first base coach's box you expect that non-existent coach to pick it up and get it off of the field. I bet when the head coach shouts substitutions from the dugout in a manner that is difficult to understand and the assistant stops to clarify them for you on his way to first base, you ignore him and bring the game to a halt by making the head coach come out and explain the changes to you.

[Edited by harmbu on Apr 20th, 2005 at 02:53 PM]

mcrowder Wed Apr 20, 2005 02:12pm

I shouldn't respond to you, since it's obvious to me that you're an ASSt coach. But against my better judgement...

Assistants are there to assist the head coach. Both of the actions you describe are of that vein. And I don't really care who gets that foul ball off the field. We aren't playing until someone does.

Assistants are NOT there to chirp at the umpire. And if they do, they are not there at all.

PS - good luck ignoring BU. So ... how do you know if your runners are safe on the basepaths?

PPS - your analogy is actually kind of stupid. Head coach / Manager is a different animal than ASSt coach. BU and PU are simply different positions of the same animal, interchangeable often every game. Neither is inherently more or less important than the other.

harmbu Wed Apr 20, 2005 02:35pm

Thanks
 
All good points. I am an assistant coach and I feel that the job I do is also important to the game.

I know that I am there to assist the head coach. That is what I do. My two points were that sometimes as an assistant coach I do something that causes an umpire to say "thanks Coach."

I agree 100% that assistant coaches are not there to chirp at the umpire. That is why I never do so. In fact, the only time that I even ask a question of an umpire is if my head coach has specifically asked me to do so. My question always begins with, "Coach wanted me to ask...."

My analogy may have been stupid, but the point I was trying to make was that a game can be effectively played without a base umpire as well as without an assistant coach. I obviously wasn't clear about what I meant. I do agree that one umpire is no more important than the other. One thing that drives me nuts is to hear someone say, "the home plate umpire should overrule him. He is in charge."

I guess where my frustration comes from is that there are a lot of good assistant coaches out there who do their jobs and are professional. I don't like being lumped in with the ASSistant coaches any more than the many, many great umpires like being lumped in with the few boneheads that have no idea what is going on. I have actually been an umpire in the past and I always stick up for them when I hear players or parents complaining about them.

If you were to ever call one of our games, you would definitely not go away with a bad impression of me. I only speak when spoken to and I am ALWAYS professional and cordial even if I don't agree with a call. I am sure I would be equally impressed with your skills as an umpire.

Thanks

JRutledge Wed Apr 20, 2005 02:42pm

I never call coaches by their first name. It seems disrespectful to do so or too informal. Even if I know the coach I try to call the coach as "Coach Johnson" as an example.

I will call players by their first name if I know it. The only reason I see doing this is with the catcher. Usually I will call a player by their number or last name if that information is on their back.

Peace

thumpferee Wed Apr 20, 2005 02:56pm

Re: Thanks
 
Quote:

Originally posted by harmbu
All good points. I am an assistant coach and I feel that the job I do is also important to the game.

I know that I am there to assist the head coach. That is what I do. My two points were that sometimes as an assistant coach I do something that causes an umpire to say "thanks Coach."

I agree 100% that assistant coaches are not there to chirp at the umpire. That is why I never do so. In fact, the only time that I even ask a question of an umpire is if my head coach has specifically asked me to do so. My question always begins with, "Coach wanted me to ask...."

My analogy may have been stupid, but the point I was trying to make was that a game can be effectively played without a base umpire as well as without an assistant coach. I obviously wasn't clear about what I meant. I do agree that one umpire is no more important than the other. One thing that drives me nuts is to hear someone say, "the home plate umpire should overrule him. He is in charge."

I guess where my frustration comes from is that there are a lot of good assistant coaches out there who do their jobs and are professional. I don't like being lumped in with the ASSistant coaches any more than the many, many great umpires like being lumped in with the few boneheads that have no idea what is going on. I have actually been an umpire in the past and I always stick up for them when I hear players or parents complaining about them.

If you were to ever call one of our games, you would definitely not go away with a bad impression of me. I only speak when spoken to and I am ALWAYS professional and cordial even if I don't agree with a call. I am sure I would be equally impressed with your skills as an umpire.

Thanks

Great attitude harmbu and I'm sure officials appreciate it when calling your games. You have to admit though, you are not the norm when it comes to assistant coaches.

Some officials here do not recognize assistant coaches when it comes down to game situations, but not me. Hell, who is gonna wipe off the wet baseballs when it's raining?

JK, keep up the good work!

mcrowder Wed Apr 20, 2005 02:57pm

Harmbu - thanks for the comments. I'm sure that after working a few games with you out there, you would have earned my respect, and questions asked cordially would probably be answered.

This may be a my-neck-of-the-woods problem, but judging from posts by some of my more experienced colleagues here, I suspect it's not just here. MOST (and by that, I mean more than 80%) of the assistant coaches here are ASSistant coaches. Many (maybe half) are just there because their kid is playing and don't have the first clue about game etiquette, rules, or even coaching. They are more short-tempered than the manager, and have less reason to question rules than manager - a volatile combination. With this the situation the vast majority of the time, you can see why many of us have simply shut off communications with them

By the way, your moniker, "Harm BU" probably leaves several of us wondering what you have against BU (especially since you have rendered him irrelevant!) :)

I would ask you to reconsider whether a game could be run without a BU. I've worked games solo - and I'm POSITIVE that I've missed a runner missing a base or an obstruction here or there in each of those games. And I've probably missed an occasional out/safe call because I could not get all the way into the optimal position. Trust me - your game is in MUCH better shape, regardless of level (possibly excepting 8U or teeball) having 2 umpires (or more) out there.

Tim C Wed Apr 20, 2005 03:03pm

Hmmm,
 
I might have said this before:

Assistant coaches do not exist.

I do not speak to them at all.

thumpferee Wed Apr 20, 2005 03:14pm

Re: Hmmm,
 
Quote:

Originally posted by Tim C
I might have said this before:

Assistant coaches do not exist.

I do not speak to them at all.

Not even when posting, eh Tim. Too funny!

harmbu Wed Apr 20, 2005 03:19pm

thanks again
 
Please don't get me wrong. I was simply trying to state that a game can be run without a BU. It is not ideal. I was just saying that it can be done. I appreciate your comments and the fact that you are willing to discuss the issue. Because of this, I believe that you are a top notch umpire.

I agree that many assistant coaches have no business on the field or around the game. I do my best to keep my distance from those people as they tend to make me look bad.

Rich Wed Apr 20, 2005 04:28pm

Quote:

Originally posted by bluezebra
When you're on a first name basis on the field, you're making it too personal.

Bob

Oh, really. It's terrible to recognize them as more than a faceless coach and just as bad for them to recognize us as a person inside the uniform?

Get real.

thumpferee Wed Apr 20, 2005 04:41pm

What is the difference?

Your gone coach!

or

Your gone Jack!

Rich Wed Apr 20, 2005 04:43pm

Quote:

Originally posted by thumpferee
What is the difference?

Your gone coach!

or

Your gone Jack!

Well, both incorrectly use the possessive form :)

DownTownTonyBrown Wed Apr 20, 2005 05:08pm

You're correct!
 
Quote:

Originally posted by Rich Fronheiser
Quote:

Originally posted by thumpferee
What is the difference?

Your gone coach!

or

Your gone Jack!

Well, both incorrectly use the possessive form :)


thumpferee Wed Apr 20, 2005 05:23pm

DUH
 
You're gone coach!

or

You're gone Jack!





[Edited by thumpferee on Apr 20th, 2005 at 06:32 PM]


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