Batter swings..hits hands...ball in fair territory

[Rich]

Originally Posted by CoachJM

Rich,



Works for me. Not only courteous, but firm as well.

I was trying to come up with something clever about him getting his runner picked off by a snap throw from the catcher, but I haven't come up with anything yet.

On a more serious note, I've been reading a book titled "Verbal Judo" the last few days. It was recommended by a presenter during a "Handling Situations" session at a clinic my association put on earlier this year. While I question whether all of the author's points/theories are applicable to umpiring, I'm of the opinion that many of them are.

Anyway, it's got me thinking that a major contributor to "situations" arising in the first place, and not going especially well when they do arise, is a result of ineffective communications by the umpire(s). One chapter is titled, "The Greatest Speech You'll Ever Live to Regret". It's kind of got me thinking I don't want to make one of those while I'm umpiring. Having a natural tendency towards sarcasm, this is not always easy for me.

JM

JM,

Friend of mine espouses the five words or less theory. Theory is, more an umpire talks, the more problems he has. Just about any situation on the field can (and should) be described to the coach in five words or less:

Examples:

He started and stopped.

He lowered the shoulder.

Batter stepped over the plate.

etc.

Knowing what to say, saying it confidently without being an arrogant prick, and knowing the rules well enough to get from "batter stepped over the plate" to "that's interference, batter's out, runners return" are the keys.

Verbal judo, huh? I'll have to check that out.