What do you say to the coach?

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by GrizzlyUmp14

Pre-season high school scrimmage last week. I'm at the plate and there is a ground ball to the shortstop. There's a play at first, but F3 drops the ball, so the runner is safe. The coach asks my partner - "Would he have been safe or out if he had caught the ball?" I don't think my partner heard him, so he didn't answer. What would you say? The ball was clearly there before the runner, so if you say he is out, the coach says - "My player had possession." If you say he was safe, the coach has a right to complain. It seems that he's trying to bait us into saying something stupid. What do you do?

"Sorry coach! Would be, could be, might be means nothing. The call is over - let's move on!"

[RPatrino]

"Yes Coach, he would have been either safe or out if he caught the ball."

[archangel]

Somewhat interesting that of the 11 comments so far, most seem to be a little flippant toward the coach's question (safe or out, IF HE CAUGHT THE BALL). The coach just implied that F3 didnt catch it, plus its only a scrimmage, so why not just answer the Q in a civil way (if the Q was asked that way).
I agree with durham, so why make more out of it then it is, ego maybe?
Yes, we all know that coaches try to pull tricks, gain an edge at our expense, but I certainly have no problem with being civil , if treated the same way, and will immedialely deal with coaches who arent...

[UMP25]

This hypothetical reminds me of the batter who swings at a pitch then asks, "Would that have been a strike if I didn't swing?" I answer "yes" every time, regardless of where the pitch was, just to get them to swing the frickin' bat and stop asking me such questions.

[johnnyg08]

Originally Posted by UMP25

This hypothetical reminds me of the batter who swings at a pitch then asks, "Would that have been a strike if I didn't swing?" I answer "yes" every time, regardless of where the pitch was, just to get them to swing the frickin' bat and stop asking me such questions.

I say the same thing...if they swing at one that they know is a ball they don't ask if they ask, it's probably close to being a strike so i just say yes and move on...to answer the coach's question here...if the coach wants to be a prick and try to bait you...then you can decide how to deal with him in the future...if you don't know the coach, don't play games back at him...if he asks for time and he's not showing you up...answer the question that was asked...if he would've caught the ball and all other things being equal...he would've been either safe or out...leave it at that...if he chooses to be a prick, you'll know that next time he tries...

[LMan]

If the ball was 'clearly there before the runner,' as the OP states, why is the coach asking? Can he not see? Is he implying you can't see?

That's like me asking him why he's batting his .195 guy in the 4-hole. Nunmybizness.

Sorry, but if a coach is asking this kind of question on an obvious call, I'm thinking he has a motive. Why give him ammo? I didn't say be rude about it, I'm saying 'decline to enter' into such a discussion during the game. Civilly.

[JRutledge]

The coach would have to call time and come out to ask me such a stupid question. I would just ignore him the rest of the time.

Peace

[GarthB]

Any time a coach or player asks a hypothetical question about a play, I repsond truthfully, civily and concisely: "I'd have to see that."

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by GarthB

Any time a coach or player asks a hypothetical question about a play, I repsond truthfully, civily and concisely: "I'd have to see that."

This is where your personality has to come into play. If I were to say something I would likely be a smart azz and the tone would not be right. So I just prefer to ignore stupidity with silence.

Peace

[soundedlikeastrike]

"What would you say?"

Ah, yeah' he'd a been out by a mile.

Maybe, I'll get a new SS that can get the ball there?

[Rich]

Originally Posted by archangel

Somewhat interesting that of the 11 comments so far, most seem to be a little flippant toward the coach's question (safe or out, IF HE CAUGHT THE BALL). The coach just implied that F3 didnt catch it, plus its only a scrimmage, so why not just answer the Q in a civil way (if the Q was asked that way).
I agree with durham, so why make more out of it then it is, ego maybe?
Yes, we all know that coaches try to pull tricks, gain an edge at our expense, but I certainly have no problem with being civil , if treated the same way, and will immedialely deal with coaches who arent...

Yup, it's ego. Always ego. Asked and answered.