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Thu May 24, 2001, 12:09am
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This happed a few weekends ago. LL game: Top of first, runner on first.. batter hits a ground ball towards the first baseman.. ball deflects off his glove into runner.. I blew this call last year and called the runner out.. this year.. NO CALL.. One of the assistant coaches came out after the completion of the play to ask why the runner was not out.. I explained.. he walked away no problem.. as soon as the deflected ball struck the runner.. an over agressive parent would not shut his trap about how the runner was out because he got hit by the ball. I tried to ignore it.. but the man just got louder.. (after a pitch or two to the next batter) I called time and pointed in the direction of this man and yelled "quiet now".. the man shut his mouth for the rest of the game.. after this half inning the coach came up to me and said hey you made the right call.. went over to the "fan" and explained it to him.
My question is, should I have handled this guy differently... should I have gone to the coach and had him take care of this guy.. or just ignored it all together, even though I felt that it was distracting to both teams involved? Thanks! Ben 
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Thu May 24, 2001, 06:40am
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Quote:
Seems like you and the Coach handled it just fine. There are several ways to deal with that sitch, sounds like the way it washed out was just fine. If the Coach had not dealth with it, I, probably, would have found my way over to the fan and explained the ruling. mick
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Thu May 24, 2001, 07:03am
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Ben
When I worked Youth ball I had a rep as an umpire that was "approachable". Parents knew that if they would ask politely about a ruling I would explain it in between innings. This helps in several ways: It shows your confidence, (helps to give you a rep as a "rules guy") It educates fans. I noticed later in the season the same fans would be explaining things to others in the stands. Remember, at the Youth level we're teaching coaches, players AND fans. I don't do LL, I work Dixie. In Dixie baseball the MGR is responsible for the conduct of fans on his half of the field. I also don't yell at fans, I usually let everyone yell for a half inning about calls before I'll go to a manager. Good luck, Will
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Conqueror of Mothra
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Thu May 24, 2001, 07:23am
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Originally posted by mick
Ben, If the Coach had not dealth with it, I, probably, would have found my way over to the fan and explained the ruling. mick I would strongly recommend as a general rule that you NOT engage with fans. Your job as an umpire is to explain the rule to the coach and the coach only. If a fan has a question, they can ask the coach. First off you are stopping play (needlessly) which could be detrimental to the game especially if it's getting dark. Second, next thing you know you find yourself getting into it with a fan. This particular time it worked out, but it could turn into something ugly. If a fan is giving you a hard time your first recoarse is to have the coach assist you. If the coach can't help, then the director on duty should handle this. An umpires job is inside the diamond not outside. Pete Booth
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Peter M. Booth
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Thu May 24, 2001, 07:41am
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Point Taken
Quote:
I agree with your "...as a general rule... with fans". I avoid them as politely as I can; between innings, I avoid the backstop and the fence. I have been quite fortunate that I rarely get grief from fans, or managers. However, from time to time, I have found that a brief, polite word to a fan can keep the game civil.  mick
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