Charter member of the rodent club

[Hock9]

How do you guys handle a true "rat's rat", ie: someone who always has an "under his breath" comment every time he walks by, ie" something like "you're struggling today", or "I don't have to say anything to you, because the crowd's getting on you now", or other non-profane, immature, no-class, rodent-like comments (heard by no one else, with no overt overtures, no arm waving, etc)

[BlueLawyer]

Don't escalate the volume of the conversation. On the other hand, when you've had enough, say so without shouting. "Coach, I've heard enough about my strike zone today."

One very effective technique I've seen applied without using it yet myself goes something like this:

Coach comes out to 1B Ump to argue safe/out call. On his way back, he says, in a normal voice, to 3B Ump something like: "Your partner sucks today and you ain't any better."

3B Ump:"You really think so?"

Coach (stops): "Yep."

3B Ump (normal voice, no gesture yet): "You, Sir, are ejected."

Coach now screams and throws fit. 3B Ump NOW makes the heave-ho gesture.

I thought it was clever, if not a little deceptive.

Strikes and outs!

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by BlueLawyer

Don't escalate the volume of the conversation. On the other hand, when you've had enough, say so without shouting. "Coach, I've heard enough about my strike zone today."

One very effective technique I've seen applied without using it yet myself goes something like this:

Coach comes out to 1B Ump to argue safe/out call. On his way back, he says, in a normal voice, to 3B Ump something like: "Your partner sucks today and you ain't any better."

3B Ump:"You really think so?"

Coach (stops): "Yep."

3B Ump (normal voice, no gesture yet): "You, Sir, are ejected."

Coach now screams and throws fit. 3B Ump NOW makes the heave-ho gesture.

I thought it was clever, if not a little deceptive.

Strikes and outs!

Just made me smile and brought back one of my favorite coach/umpire between inning dialogs I've ever had.

In 1990, I was working a "big" varsity game, and it was around the 5th inning, and I was doing quite well (At least in my opinion, anyway).

Between innings, the head coach of the visiting team (anyone from SoCal probably knows or knows of this guy) comes up to me on the foul line and says, "Steve, you see that umpire over there?" He nods in the direction of my partner in short RF. I say, "Yeah, what about him?" He says, "Well, I think you're doing a helluva good job, be he thinks you're horsesh*t!"

I just chuckled because it was funny.

He tried to pull it on me the next year. I guess he didn't remember or thought I wouldn't remember, I'm not sure. He gets to the punch line again, but I beat him to it and say, "Coach, I think you're a great coach, but my partner thinks you're gone!" And he laughed, and I laughed, and continued the game.

Sometimes you have to leave the gun in the holster, like WW says.

[FitUmp]

Originally Posted by Hock9

How do you guys handle a true "rat's rat", ie: someone who always has an "under his breath" comment every time he walks by, ie" something like "you're struggling today", or "I don't have to say anything to you, because the crowd's getting on you now", or other non-profane, immature, no-class, rodent-like comments (heard by no one else, with no overt overtures, no arm waving, etc)

"Hey Coach, come here. Coach, anymore from you today and you are gone."

[briancurtin]

Originally Posted by FitUmp

"Hey Coach, come here. Coach, anymore from you today and you are gone."

stick to your word though, and toss him after any more.

[bossman72]

*said with pi$$ed off look in your eye*

"Coach, i don't want to hear it. That's enough."

*with brief 4 second stare down afterwards*

[mattmets]

Originally Posted by bossman72

*said with pi$$ed off look in your eye*

"Coach, i don't want to hear it. That's enough."

*with brief 4 second stare down afterwards*

Or 75 second stare if you're Jim Wolf.

[mcrowder]

Rule number 1 - Don't make threats.
Rule number 2 - see rule number 1.

"Any more from you coach and you're gone" is completely inappropriate.

"That's enough, coach," "That's the last I'll hear about the strike zone today," etc, are appropriate. But don't put yourself in a situation where you've given a coach an ultimatum or threat.

[PeteBooth]

Originally Posted by Hock9

How do you guys handle a true "rat's rat", ie: someone who always has an "under his breath" comment every time he walks by, ie" something like "you're struggling today", or "I don't have to say anything to you, because the crowd's getting on you now", or other non-profane, immature, no-class, rodent-like comments (heard by no one else, with no overt overtures, no arm waving, etc)

Let the coach have his say and IMO give it back to him.

"Hey skip I might be having a bad day but not as bad as yours is going to get when Mr / Mrs Jones confronts you about not giving their son playing time when his replacement has already committed 3 errors and K'd twice"

Also, break up the moment with a little humor. On his next time by say "Skip have a lifesaver" it does wonders.

Also, do what we do best - Simply tune it out.

Pete Booth