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

[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.