Does he stay or does he go?

[GarthB]

FED game. R1, BU calls a balk on the pitcher using our association mechanics:

"Time! That's a balk. Did not step toward the base. You, second base."

Assistant coach from the dugout:

"You can't make that call from there." (Loud enough for BU and both dugouts to hear)

"You can't make that call in two man mechanics!" (A little louder)

"I know your mechanics better than you do!!" (Louder still)

Question: Does assistant coach see the next pitch from the dugout or the parking lot?

[jkumpire]

IMO, he just ejected himself with the last comment, along with all the other ones. I hope your umpire got him.

[DG]

This is a trick question, right?

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by DG

This is a trick question, right?

Nope. I knew there would be those who would "try to keep him in the game" and choose to take this from an assistant coach. I have seen umpires who accept being loudly shown-up by coaches yelling across the diamond about judgment calls. I am embarrassed for them.

In Washington the online FED clinic emphasised getting control of assistant coaches. It explained, again, that only the head coach is given the right to discuss issues with the umpires and that assistant coaches would be ejected if they forgot this.

Coaches are required to take our on line clinic and pass a short quiz that accompanies it. They must have problems retaining what they have learned beyond the 40 minute clinic.

[UmpireBob]

Players and coaches are not allowed to question judgement calls. HTBT, in order to really get a feel for the tone. Plus, it's really your call as to whether you ignore this coach or not. I would probably allow the first pop-off, and after the second, issue a warning as I'm "discussing the line-up" with him, or anything else I can come up with to enable a discussion with him while allowing him to save face. If it's an assistance coach, then I'm having the convo with the head coach, and holding him responsible.

It is hard to say that there is a hard and fast limit to what I might allow or disallow. Like I mentioned before, really had to be there.

I don't mind a coach popping off once due to frustration, or just to communicate his disapproval of the call. Past that, "I've heard you coach, and I understand what you're saying, but we're moving on now." If he continues to pop off, he's gone.

Bob

[DG]

This is a trick answer, right?

[UmpJM]

Hmmm,

Being kind of new at this....

I didn't even hear the first comment.

The second comment gets a "1,000 yd. stare".

The third comment convinces me that the coach has someplace else he'd really rather be, and I oblige him.

What a moron.

The MLBUM specifically mentions "step balks" as being in the same class as balls & strikes in regard to "objecting" by coaches. What good a coach might think could possibly come from commenting on an umpire's mechanics during a game is something I've never understood.

JM

JM

[DG]

BINGO.

"You can't make that call from there." (Loud enough for BU and both dugouts to hear) - STRIKE ONE

"You can't make that call in two man mechanics!" (A little louder) - STRIKE TWO

"I know your mechanics better than you do!!" (Louder still) - STRIKE THREE, you are gone.

No need for warnings, just count them off in your head and when the assistant is tossed everybody in the park will know why.

[GarthB]

Here's how it played out in real time. I was BU.

"You can't make that call from there." ...I ignored him.

"You can't make that call in two man mechanics!" ...I looked over towards the dugout to determine which coach was the moron of the moment and just as I identified him as the assistant, he said:

"I know your mechanics better than you do!!" Now it was my turn:

"Time! (pointing with my left hand) Coach...(signalling the ejection with my right) it's time for you to go."

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by CoachJM

Hmmm,

Being kind of new at this....

I didn't even hear the first comment.

The second comment gets a "1,000 yd. stare".

The third comment convinces me that the coach has someplace else he'd really rather be, and I oblige him.

What a moron.

The MLBUM specifically mentions "step balks" as being in the same class as balls & strikes in regard to "objecting" by coaches. What good a coach might think could possibly come from commenting on an umpire's mechanics during a game is something I've never understood.

JM

JM

That's what I'm thinking, Coach. I tend to ignore more chirping that I probably should but I would've had a hard time not giving this guy the hook.

[umpduck11]

Originally Posted by UmpireBob

I don't mind a coach popping off once due to frustration, or just to communicate his disapproval of the call. Past that, "I've heard you coach, and I understand what you're saying, but we're moving on now." If he continues to pop off, he's gone.

Bob

Bob, you seriously allow assistant coaches to do this ?

My answer to the question ? AMF.

[TussAgee11]

How quickly did these 3 statements come? In succession? Or was he just trying his best to get recognized?

If they were in succession, I'm having a talk with the head coach.

If there was any pause in between any of them, well I'm going to try to have a talk with the manager after the 2nd one, but if he pops the third comment before I get to discuss "the lineup" with the manager... its...

BOOM!

(just kidding about the boom, i don't advise you say that LOL)

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by GarthB

"I know your mechanics better than you do!!" (Louder still)

Yeah? How do you like this mechanic: You (point to rat), Gone (point to parking lot).

(No -- I'm not entirely serious with this response)

[Don Mueller]

"I know your mechanics better than you do!!" (Louder still)

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

Yeah? How do you like this mechanic: You (point to rat), Gone (point to parking lot).

(No -- I'm not entirely serious with this response)

Absolutely the best line I've heard in a very long time.
Too bad you wouldn't seriously use it.

[tjones1]

The first comment I likely wouldn't of known who it came from, however, it would have started to get me looking in that direction.

But no question, I with everyone else. He sees the next pitch (or balk ) from the parking lot.