Pre-Game Conf, Things NOT to say!!

[bigda65]

This came from a partner with 1 yr experience 38 times.

"Now remember guys all throws out of play will be two bases, the one they are going to, plus one"

One manager looks directly at me, with that you know that's not right look.
As we walked back toward the 1st base dugout he asked me why I didn't say anything. I replied "Skip if there are any base awards in this game they will be right"

[UMP25]

My plate man in a D-1 game last night: "Is there a 10-run rule we need to know about?"

Uh, last time I checked, NCAA Division 1 games don't play under that. Duh.

[GarthB]

Pre-Game Conf, Things NOT to say!!

Most everything other than:

Everyone legally equipped?
Skip, take us around.
Have a good game.

Originally Posted by GarthB

Pre-Game Conf, Things NOT to say!!

Most everything other than:

Everyone legally equipped?
Skip, take us around.
Have a good game.

That about wraps it up eh?

[UMP25]

"Is everyone legally equipped?"

I still maintain this is one of the stupidest things to ask. What do we expect a coach to say--"Uh, no. We have three illegal bats, two cracked helmets, and a wad of vaseline we intend to use."?

[PeteBooth]

It might sound stupid to you but it could save you a heck of a lot of money in the long run.

Pete Booth

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by UMP25

"Is everyone legally equipped?"

I still maintain this is one of the stupidest things to ask. What do we expect a coach to say--"Uh, no. We have three illegal bats, two cracked helmets, and a wad of Vaseline we intend to use."?

FED rules require this question, UMP25. It referees to F1 having a cup and any other proper protection required (such as proper batting helmets). The question can only be answered by the responsible adult for the team (in my eyes, the head coach). It is also supposed to legally remove our responsibility if someone gets hurt because he didn't have his cup on (I'll believe that when I see it). The question has nothing to do with illegal bats (FED requires the umpires to check the bats for legality before the game) or Vaseline or anything like that. NCAA doesn't have anything that stupid - but it does want you to talk about sportsmanship and a couple of other things at the plate meeting, hummmmmmm?

Regards.

[SouthGARef]

Had a coach ask at the pregame meeting the other day what my partner's strike zone was like.

I was shocked he answered. Even more shocked when he said "I'll give your pitchers probably a half ball on each corner."

[UMP25]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

FED rules require this question, UMP25.

Oh, I know, and I'm not advocating people ignore FED's instructions regarding this. I just personally think it's stupid. It's not our job to be lawyers, just umpires. I'm still curious to know if any coach has ever said "No" when asked if everyone was legally equipped?

[bellsjc]

Originally Posted by UMP25

"Is everyone legally equipped?"

I still maintain this is one of the stupidest things to ask. What do we expect a coach to say--"Uh, no. We have three illegal bats, two cracked helmets, and a wad of vaseline we intend to use."?

It may be a stupid thing to ask but you do ask it right? Are we forced to ask it for legal, or liability issues? I basically say... Are both teams properly equipped according to Federation rules? Would like you remind both teams about sportsmanship requirements, I give the groundrules, I usually don't ask the coach to give them, have a good game.

Originally Posted by bellsjc

It may be a stupid thing to ask but you do ask it right? Are we forced to ask it for legal, or liability issues? I basically say... Are both teams properly equipped according to Federation rules? Would like you remind both teams about sportsmanship requirements, I give the groundrules, I usually don't ask the coach to give them, have a good game.

Somewhere along the line the home team coach has to provide to you what the prevailing ground rules are for his field. The umpire does not SET ground rules, only enforces them and decides what they are if BOTH coaches cannot come to an agreement on what they should be. Part of the pre-game conference is to talk about existing conditions and if they differ - for example - for a gravel area next to a dugout at the end - is it live ball or dead ball territory. I worked one game where there was an area within the confines of the fence but tarped over with old tires holding it down. It was made clear by HT that the area was DBT however it got there, even though fielders had full access. I said OK, let's go, and that was that.

[UMP25]

Originally Posted by bellsjc

It may be a stupid thing to ask but you do ask it right?

No. I don't.

But that's because I don't do FED ball anymore.

Disclaimer: I have nothing against those who do. Hopefully this will discourage some hypersensitive chap here from throwing a hissy fit.

[budjones05]

Originally Posted by UMP25

"Is everyone legally equipped?"

I still maintain this is one of the stupidest things to ask. What do we expect a coach to say--"Uh, no. We have three illegal bats, two cracked helmets, and a wad of vaseline we intend to use."?

Of course!:P

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by UMP25

"Is everyone legally equipped?"

I still maintain this is one of the stupidest things to ask. What do we expect a coach to say--"Uh, no. We have three illegal bats, two cracked helmets, and a wad of vaseline we intend to use."?

No, I expect him to say "yes." Then when, as in a game last week, his catcher comes out with an illegal helmet and mask after being warned in a previous game, I toss the coach's sorry butt along with the catcher.

[lawump]

Just so we're clear, at least as of 1997, it was an accepted and taught mechanic at pro school that the umpire, if he knew the ground rules, could and should give the ground rules at the plate meeting.

This would be especially true if you were in higher levels of baseball where they post the ground rules in the umpire's locker room (before the game) OR if you've been in the league for multiple years such that you knew the ground rules in each park backward and forward.

I always give the ground rules at the pre-game meeting if I now them (which I admit, is not always the case on the amateur level). If I'm wrong, the home coach will correct me (hasn't happened, yet.)

I have, however, finished a plate conference and had a coach say, "Damn, son, you're the most prepared umpire I've ever met." (That is a true story). Needless to say, I did not hear a peep that game.

IMHO, it shows that one is in control of the game in a positive manner (not in a dictatorial manner). I think the Star Wars references are out-of-place in this matter.

It is, of course, perfectly acceptable to allow the home coach to give them. I'm just suggesting that it is also perfectly acceptable for the plate umpire to give them in the alternative. I've found the positives far outweigh the negatives.