What's your pregame like?

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally posted by GarthB

Introductions
Exchange line up cards
Are all players legally equipped?
"Coach, you want to take us around?"
Good luck.

I don't put any negatives in coaches minds during the plate conference and I don't tell them how to manage their players. Maybe in LL this is necessary, but many coaches above that level find it offensive. That's not a good way to start a game.

Garth,

Great analysis of the proper pre-game conference.

We had this one guy a long time ago who would say to the coaches in the pre-game, "Okay, this is your warning right now, I don't put up with any crap!" Then he proceeded to umpire the game with a chip on his shoulder, just looking for an excuse to run someone. I thought, wow, why are you starting out the game on a negative tone like that. I asked my assignor not be be assigned any more games with him.