Manager Acts Like a Dipstick, I'm Sorry to Say

[Daryl H. Long]

Balk: NF Rule 6-2-4b : failing to step with the non-pivot foot directly toward a base....when throwing or feinting there....

"Step directly toward" is defined in NF Case 6.2.4 Situation B: To comply with the requirement to step directly toward F1 must step to the first-base side of a 45-degree angle between center of pitcher's plate and between home and first base.

Coach, the pitcher is required to step directly toward 1st base to throw there. He failed to do that so it is a balk".

Answer to Q1: Just say he didn't step toward 1st. Make no mention of 45 degree stuff as it will take much too long to explain.

Answer to Q2: I have no problem talking to a coach between innings to answer a quick question. Since I am a strict adherant to only 1 minute between innings there is not a lot of time to fully explain the rule. Just say he didn't step toward 1st. Depending on coach I might politely tell him as umpires we are taught how to visually determine whether step was directly toward the base or not and we can discuss it after the game if he so wishes. In parting I would ask him to take care of his asst. coach so I don't have to next time. Let's play ball.

Answer to Q3: If balk was so blatant that a blind man could call it why did you say earlier in the post you were 70-75% sure it was a balk?

(JK: Isn't Ohio weather great. Glad you got your game in. Here in NW Ohio we started season with 78 degree days then last weekend...SNOW. I was at the Toledo Mud Hens game Saturday night which was suspended in the 4th inning due to snow.)

[UmpJM]

jkumpire,

I believe that DG has given you the best advice.

Keep it short & sweet.

I like to think I would have said,

(Q1) "No direct step, Coach."

(Q2) "That is a balk."

(Q3) Silence.

When you "overexplain", you just create the opportunity to get yourself in trouble.

One thing I have learned in my brief umpiring experience is that, on the rare occasion when you are not 100% certain of your call, if you make the call as if you are 110% certain, you tend not to get so much grief about it. If you externally exhibit any signs of doubt or uncertainty, you are almost sure to get some grief about it.

Also, as DG suggests, don't worry about the coach's evaluation; just focus on getting the calls right and properly managing the game. I'm sure this varies from one area to the next, but I have heard of cases where getting a bad evaluation from certain coaches can actually improve one's chances of getting post-season assignments.

JM

[mrm21711]

Originally Posted by CoachJM

jkumpire,

I believe that DG has given you the best advice.

Keep it short & sweet.

I like to think I would have said,

(Q1) "No direct step, Coach."

(Q2) "That is a balk."

(Q3) Silence.

When you "overexplain", you just create the opportunity to get yourself in trouble.

One thing I have learned in my brief umpiring experience is that, on the rare occasion when you are not 100% certain of your call, if you make the call as if you are 110% certain, you tend not to get so much grief about it. If you externally exhibit any signs of doubt or uncertainty, you are almost sure to get some grief about it.

Also, as DG suggests, don't worry about the coach's evaluation; just focus on getting the calls right and properly managing the game. I'm sure this varies from one area to the next, but I have heard of cases where getting a bad evaluation from certain coaches can actually improve one's chances of getting post-season assignments.

JM

I got in a bit of trouble by saying too much this past weekend myself...short, few word answers are perfect. When you end up repeating yourself, the coach will get the message. Hang in there!

[DG]

Originally Posted by CoachJM

I'm sure this varies from one area to the next, but I have heard of cases where getting a bad evaluation from certain coaches can actually improve one's chances of getting post-season assignments.

I expect my assignor knows which coaches are full of crap and who are legit. A fairly new coach who complains every 2 or 3 games is full of crap. A veteran coach who complains every 2 or 3 years probably has a legit complaint.

In our pre-season clinics there are always a half dozen coaches mentioned for the new umpires, to wit, they rarely complain and if they do they will do it calmly, and you probably blew it, so listen and learn.