Controlling a game

[Durham]

I think that the key to control is being consistent. If you have taken the time to identify possible problems and have also taken the time to consider how you are going to approach them, and you are vigilant about handling them when they arise you will have fewer things to deal with. When they pop up any way, then they shouldn't be too hard to id, and they should be very apparent that they need to be dealt with, so deal with them.

Be the guy that will take care of the situation. Don't be a d i c k about it, but don't pretend it isn't there. If you are professional and keep it in the context that it is your job to handle such things and not a personal pleasure to exert your position and power, things will work out for the best, and you will even gain some respect in the long run for dealing with it in a professional manner.

Recent situation: 3-man game, I am working 3rd. No one on, 0 outs, BR is obstructed by pitcher right at the bag. BR in turn crashes hard into pitcher and causes both players to fly off in opposite directions onto the ground. They get up and shoulder each other near the bag as they both head back across the infield pitcher to mound and BR to the 3rd base dugout, U1 called BR out at 1st.

Pitcher spit down at his own feet, BR now 10 feet away from Pitcher spit hard in the direction of the pitcher. During all of this U1 was warning the 2 players. I was the crew chief and immediately issued warnings to both teams. The head coach of the defensive team asked why I was issuing warnings. I responded, "Well, I am not a coach, but if I was and someone spit at my pitcher after they knocked him to the ground, I would throw at someone. Now I have no control over what you guys do, but I can let you know that if your throw at someone the pitcher and the head coach will be ejected." The game continued without incident.