Pre-Game Conf, Things NOT to say!!

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?

[sargee7]

Originally Posted by 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?

UMP25, you're correct, we are umpires, not lawyers, but, if something should happen to a player or coach because you didn't do something that you had control of, you might need a lawyer.

[UMP25]

Originally posted by sargee7
UMP25, you're correct, we are umpires, not lawyers, but, if something should happen to a player or coach because you didn't do something that you had control of, you might need a lawyer.

But how far do we take it? FED's requirements often, IMHO, go a bit too far.

BTW, how much do you want to bet that we all are, in some way, guilty of not doing everything EXACTLY as we "technically" should?

[PeteBooth]

IMO, Apples / Oranges.

I believe most FED umpires do EXACTLY the way we should regarding Safety issues. Jewelry is a little more difficult to enforce sometimes because you cannot always see it visibly especially in the cooler months where the kids hide it under their sweatshirts.


Also, let's get real here.

Is your team properly equipped

takes all of 15 seconds to ask so what's the BIG deal.

Pete Booth

[LDUB]

Originally Posted by UMP25

I'm still curious to know if any coach has ever said "No" when asked if everyone was legally equipped?

Visitng coach: "No. Our catcher forgot to bring his mask on the bus with him today."

I guess that team either had only one catcher or only one set of gear because they ended up having to borrow one from the home team.

[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.

[RPatrino]

Please explain to me how as an umpire, you could be expected to know the ground rules of each and every field you work on? Why would you not want the home team coach to cover the ground rules at his park?

I had two games scheduled in one week at the same school. In the span of 2 days, what used to be open field was now fenced with temporary fencing and other additions were made to the field. The ground rules had changed considerably between Tuesday and Friday. Don't assume anything.

[bellsjc]

Originally Posted by RPatrino

Please explain to me how as an umpire, you could be expected to know the ground rules of each and every field you work on? Why would you not want the home team coach to cover the ground rules at his park?

I had two games scheduled in one week at the same school. In the span of 2 days, what used to be open field was now fenced with temporary fencing and other additions were made to the field. The ground rules had changed considerably between Tuesday and Friday. Don't assume anything.

I would love to explain to you why I give the ground rules. I am conducting the pre-game conf. I am in control. I like to give the ground rules because it shows that I am in control. If I have never done a game on the field... I usually say "ok ground rules... stop me if you have something different and we will discuss it." I can usually go around the field without much trouble, if and when I get to an area where I am unsure, I ask a question. It just shows the coaches and players that I am the authority... not them. I like it when the coaches don't say much at the pre-game conf. and throughout the game itself. Just my opinion, for what its worth.