Controlling a game

[PeteBooth]

IMO, the Bread and Butter of Umpiring is Game Management or Controlling a game. It is also a catch 22 situation for an official.

I did not have the opportunity to attend PRO School where they do go over game management type situations. I have attended clinics but in most of those clnincs the majority of time was spent on rules / mechanics. You had to learn through experience how to control a game.

Also, in today's society it seems that most are looking for someone else to blame rather then be a "man" and admit their error. We have baseball players who took steroids saying they didn't know better etc. etc.

here's some examples of what I am talking about.

Some who post here are also basketball officials as well. One of the "hot topics" during last weeks games was the Foul at the end of the game committed by Odem of the Buckeyes. many said that should have been called a flagrant foul but it wasn't.

Let's also assume that the Foul was not Odem's 5th hence he would have still been in the game. The game went into OT and if a Xavier player had retaliated ie; Committed a hard foul against Odem in OT, the officials would have been chastized.

Another example was the Wichita St fiasco which resulted in a serious injury to the on deck batter. Some said it was Blues fault because he didn't enforce the on-deck batter rule and let's face it up unitl that incident how many umpires went by the LETTER OF THE LAW concerning that rule.

then there is the boxing referee who can't win. Either the fight was stopped too soon or he let the fight go too long and one of the fighters was injured.

Therefore, how do you control a game without being to Over officous.

One thing that has been discussed is this business of F4/F6 dancing, getting in the way of a runner BEFORE anything happens. Some say if we do not put a stop to it something will happen.

What factors do you use.

1. if there is bad blood between rival teams do you stress sportsmanship at the Plate Conference?

2. What do you do in the second game of a double Dip in which there were problems in game number 1.

3. Do you have a quicker "trigger finger" than normal if you hear trash talking chaterring back and forth, etc.?

4. if F1 throws a high pitch around the head area will you warn right there or simply EJ F1 so a riot doesn't break out.

I could go on and on but my question how do you control a game?

Pete Booth

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by PeteBooth

What factors do you use.

1. if there is bad blood between rival teams do you stress sportsmanship at the Plate Conference?

If I am told this by my assigner or I know of a problem then, yes, I will stress sportsmanship at the plate meeting. If I hear of it as "hear-say" then I say nothing.

Originally Posted by PeteBooth

2. What do you do in the second game of a double Dip in which there were problems in game number 1.

My partner and I would probably have discussed our strategy between the games. I guarantee that we would not tolerate any escalation in game 2 based on the happenings from game 1.

Originally Posted by PeteBooth

3. Do you have a quicker "trigger finger" than normal if you hear trash talking chaterring back and forth, etc.?

Not really because I don't allow the comments to get that far either in HS or Summer or Fall leagues. Talk can only go so far then it becomes abusive or offensive. Once the players know that they cannot get away with it, they usually get their minds on something else.

Originally Posted by PeteBooth

4. if F1 throws a high pitch around the head area will you warn right there or simply EJ F1 so a riot doesn't break out.

As the father of a pitcher, I get a little more insight when this happens. I've seen many a ball come in head high and everyone wants something done. My first look is to F1 because he is going to tell me just by his body language what happened. The few times that I got the "wrong" readings, I immediately went out and warned both benches. Just remember that in a FED game, you cannot warn the offensive bench for something that F1 does. You are only allowed to warn the defensive bench in FED. In OBR & NCAA, both benches get the warning.

[Thom Coste]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

Just remember that in a FED game, you cannot warn the offensive bench for something that F1 does. You are only allowed to warn the defensive bench in FED.

Could you tell me, please, where this comes from? According to FED rules, I don't have to warn anyone, and I can dump a pitcher for throwing "close to a batter," even if he doesn't hit the batter ... not that I would, but I could within the the rules.

So, if I elect to warn a pitcher, I am sure as heck going to warn the other bench lest they think they get a free shot.

[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.

[BretMan]

Originally Posted by Thom Coste

Could you tell me, please, where this comes from?

It comes from the FED rule book.

Look at the rule dealing with a pitcher intentionally throwing close to a batter. There you will find the options that the umpire has to deal with this. The choices are either: a) eject the pitcher, if the act is judged to be intentional, or; b) warn the pitcher, if his intentions are in doubt.

I don't see anything there about warning the other team or other pitcher. So tell us, please, where did you come up with that?

[LMan]

Originally Posted by BretMan

It comes from the FED rule book.

Look at the rule dealing with a pitcher intentionally throwing close to a batter. There you will find the options that the umpire has to deal with this. The choices are either: a) eject the pitcher, if the act is judged to be intentional, or; b) warn the pitcher, if his intentions are in doubt.

I don't see anything there about warning the other team or other pitcher. So tell us, please, where did you come up with that?

Ya know, I bet the opposing team's players (offense) will make some audible commentary when F1 buzzes their batter, which qualifies for a 'remarks reflecting unfavorably upon any other person' violation to me

[Durham]

L,

I agree. Also, I would say that the Fed rule/case book do not require that you warn both teams, but I also bet that you would in no way be placing yourself into a protestable situation if you in fact issued warnings to both sides. They are just warnings, edicits that state, play nice and all will be fine, act up and well, we have to take care of it.

[Thom Coste]

Originally Posted by BretMan

It comes from the FED rule book.

Look at the rule dealing with a pitcher intentionally throwing close to a batter. There you will find the options that the umpire has to deal with this. The choices are either: a) eject the pitcher, if the act is judged to be intentional, or; b) warn the pitcher, if his intentions are in doubt.

I don't see anything there about warning the other team or other pitcher. So tell us, please, where did you come up with that?

I don't see anything there that prohibits me from warning the other team.

Ozzy said I "cannot warn the offense for something F1 does." I contend that I am within the rules at that point to tell the offense that if their pitcher throws at a batter it will be construed as intentional and he will be ejected.

If that is not a warning, then OK, I didn't warn them. I'll just eject.

[RPatrino]

Durham is exactly right. I had the situation in a game several years ago that taught me an incredible lesson. You can't ignore situations that you have a responsibility to handle. Pretty much the exact situation that Durham had in his game. BR legs a triple out, hard slide, there is an 'entanglement' at 3b.
Both players come up shouldering each other, glaring, testosterone flowing freely!! I am PU, BU doesn't say a thing, I don't because it's 'his job'. Long story short, by games end 8 players are ejected, police are standing by for he rumble in the parking lot after the game!!!

Last season, two teams are playing that have a 'history' together, unknown to us. Assistant coach in 3b box starts jabbering at the pitcher. We call time, warn HC about addressing players other then his. Warn the other team, about the same thing. Very next pitch, F1 throws behind the batter. Me PU...he's gone!!! Clearly intentional, and I warn both bench's. Things settle way down, only 1 EJ, game continues without incident (Other than the pitcher's loud mouth Mom chewing my butt after the game).

Originally Posted by Thom Coste

I don't see anything there that prohibits me from warning the other team.

Ozzy said I "cannot warn the offense for something F1 does." I contend that I am within the rules at that point to tell the offense that if their pitcher throws at a batter it will be construed as intentional and he will be ejected.

If that is not a warning, then OK, I didn't warn them. I'll just eject.

From 10-2-3f
f. Penalize for rule infractions, such as balk, interference, baserunning infractions, delay, unwarranted disputing of decision, or unsportsmanlike conduct.

A warning is a form of penalty and I can't find anything in the rules that prohibits an umpire giving a warning for anything (unless the offense is automatic ejection)

I would also emphasize to both coaches what was discussed in the pregame meeting about good sportsmanship

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by Thom Coste

Could you tell me, please, where this comes from? According to FED rules, I don't have to warn anyone, and I can dump a pitcher for throwing "close to a batter," even if he doesn't hit the batter ... not that I would, but I could within the the rules.

So, if I elect to warn a pitcher, I am sure as heck going to warn the other bench lest they think they get a free shot.

Actually, the real FED language is 6-2-3:

SECTION 2 INFRACTIONS BY PITCHER

ART. 3 ... Intentionally throw close to a batter.

PENALTY: The pitcher shall be ejected if the act is judged to be intentional. In case of doubt, the umpire may first warn the pitcher.


NCAA reads a bit differently - Section 9.2:

SECTION 2. The pitcher shall not:

g. Intentionally pitch at the batter;

PENALTY for g.—If the umpire believes such a violation has occurred, a warning shall be issued to the pitcher and both opposing coaches that future violations by any pitcher will be cause for immediate ejection of the pitcher and the coach from the game.


OBR is similar in 8.02(c):

(d) Intentionally Pitch at the Batter.

If, in the umpire’s judgment, such a violation occurs, the umpire may elect either to:

1. Expel the pitcher, or the manager and the pitcher, from the game, or

2. may warn the pitcher and the manager of both teams that another such pitch will result in the immediate expulsion of that pitcher (or a replacement) and the manager.

If, in the umpire’s judgment, circumstances warrant, both teams may be officially “warned” prior to the game or at any time during the game.
(League Presidents may take additional action under authority provided in Rule 9.05.)

Rule 8.02(d) Comment: To pitch at a batter’s head is unsportsmanlike and highly dangerous. It should be—and is—condemned by everybody. Umpires should act without hesitation in enforcement of this rule.

__________________________________________________ ___________

As you all can see, NCAA and ORB are specific in that both teams can be/may be warned. The FED reads only that the pitcher is warned (or ejected immediately). FED looks down on the "both team warnings" for all aspects of the game. I do not agree but that is the FED but I am not there to make my own rules or read into them anything that is not written.

Still have doubts? Then go to your FED rule interpreters and ask them what the FED says - not what all umpires think the FED says. It is quite surprising how the FED who is so safety concerned frowns on giving both teams a warning.

How do I know this? Simple - 3 years ago, I got nailed with a letter of correction from the State (CIAC) because I warned both teams because the Home F1 threw at a batter. The letter was generated by the Visiting Coach. I was shocked to learn that FED does not want the offense to get a warning for something that they did not do (yet). I was also informed that it is against FED policy to warn teams before the game (as in NCAA or OBR).

You people do what you want, I've already gotten my a$$ chewed for it. I also haven't gotten any post season games since then.

Please don't bother to complain to me anymore about this - I've had my day in court and I lost.

Regards,
Ozzy

[lawump]

Originally Posted by LMan

Ya know, I bet the opposing team's players....

Silly LMan, there's no betting in baseball, ask Pete.

[archangel]

Originally Posted by SAump

Coaches, 1) I have a situation telling me it is time to eject early and often. 2) Call your league or school administrative officials here to control this situation now or this game will not continue. 3) Take responsibility for controlling your roudy team or team fans. 4) Do I have your support?

Don't leave meeting without that support and don't resume play until officials arrives.

In theory that may work, but good game mngmnt and the fact that I have the power, tells me that I'm not asking/waiting until school/league admin show up- I'm handling it myself--if that means multiple ejections, so be it.

"Coaches, 1) I have a situation telling me it is time to eject early and often."-If you do have that sich, Then Do It !

[Toadman15241]

Originally Posted by PeteBooth

IMO, the Bread and Butter of Umpiring is Game Management or Controlling a game. It is also a catch 22 situation for an official.

What factors do you use.

1. if there is bad blood between rival teams do you stress sportsmanship at the Plate Conference?

2. What do you do in the second game of a double Dip in which there were problems in game number 1.

3. Do you have a quicker "trigger finger" than normal if you hear trash talking chaterring back and forth, etc.?

4. if F1 throws a high pitch around the head area will you warn right there or simply EJ F1 so a riot doesn't break out.

I could go on and on but my question how do you control a game?

Pete Booth

I agree with you Pete that game management is one of the most impotant things an umpire does.

To answer your questions:

1. No. The coaches don't listen at the plate conference. If I know that the two teams have some bad blood between them, I will hand deliver the ball to both pitchers in the first and tell them that I don't want to play any games. Then, when behind the catcher for warm up pitches I ask for him to help me keep control of his team. I find that this kills 2 birds with one stone, building a good relationship with F2 and helping control the game.

2. Same as above with the addition of warnings to both benches to begin the game.

3. As long as it is just trash talking, I don't have a quicker trigger, unless it gets personal. Two years ago I had a player say "Hey Joe, your sister was great in bed last night." I confronted the kid, and told his coach that if I heard another peep from him all game he was gone. The coach took care of it for me, benching the kid the rest of the game.

4. I either eject or do nothing. If the other team then retaliates, I issue a warning to both benches. I don't see any reason to let one team throw at a batter, and then eject the opposing pitcher for retaliation. Either eject both, or issue warnings after the retaliation.

The way I look at it, it is our job to make the players hold each other responsible, sometimes it just takes some encouragement.

[DG]

Originally Posted by PeteBooth

1. if there is bad blood between rival teams do you stress sportsmanship at the Plate Conference?

2. What do you do in the second game of a double Dip in which there were problems in game number 1.

3. Do you have a quicker "trigger finger" than normal if you hear trash talking chaterring back and forth, etc.?

4. if F1 throws a high pitch around the head area will you warn right there or simply EJ F1 so a riot doesn't break out.

I could go on and on but my question how do you control a game?

Pete Booth

1. I always stress sportsmanship at the plate meeting, regardless of who is playing.
2. If I am PU I tell the coaches that we had some issues in the first game that will cause us to be less tolerant in the 2nd. "You understand, correct?"
3. No. But I will put a stop to trash talk, in the 1st game or the 2nd.
4. Warning unless I think he intentionally threw at the batter, which would be rare. Depends on the situation, especially what happened immediately prior to the batter's at bat.