Game Management??

[3appleshigh]

You have a complete and utter Blow out of a game. 13-1 going into the 4th inning and we are 6 runs into this inning (now 19-1). H/S kids but POOR quality Baseball all round. Coaches are simply teachers who do this "so the kids can play" and have no clue about rules written or unwritten. The leading team is still Running on passed balls and stealing on regular pitches. As Ump's we are now looking for Strikes and out simply to help everyone end this game. Coaches do nothing to curb the base path manipulation even when reminded by me. (I simply got coaches attention and said, Hey, Remember the score here") This is a league know for Hot head kids due to the ages and relative skill level. On a subsequent play, I have R1 steal on the pitch, F2 throws the ball, Slightly off target, as the SS trys to get to the ball on the 1st base side of 2nd, he collides with the sliding runner. I choose to Call the runner out for Interference (even though it was simply a train wreck) and lecture him about running up the score. Next couple of pitches we have out number three. I talk to the coach as he leaves the field, he agrees with me, says he was embarrassed and Didn't send the runner, he was sorry. Last half inning goes quickly and we have our mercy. Game over.

So Critiques, and Ideas of what to do differently should this arise again. I hate to "enforce" rules somewhat incorrectly, but felt that in this situation things could have gotten out of hand were they not dealt with.

[TussAgee11]

Don't make up rules to advance your cause of ending the game.

I don't even endorse widening the strike zone because what if the team comes back. Granted, its unlikely, but then you have a serious problem if anyone notices that you made it bigger. I may open it up by a ball or so on the outside and maybe half a ball on the inside, but thats IT. That way nobody knows but me.

Don't make up rules.

[Justme]

Originally Posted by 3appleshigh

The leading team is still Running on passed balls and stealing on regular pitches.

It's not "classy" baseball but it isn't illegal.

Originally Posted by 3appleshigh

As Ump's we are now looking for Strikes and out simply to help everyone end this game.

What? Maybe you and your partner need to find another hobby.

Originally Posted by 3appleshigh

Coaches do nothing to curb the base path manipulation even when reminded by me. (I simply got coaches attention and said, Hey, Remember the score here")

Why would you, the umpire, say anything? It's not your place to do so.

Originally Posted by 3appleshigh

On a subsequent play, I have R1 steal on the pitch, F2 throws the ball, Slightly off target, as the SS trys to get to the ball on the 1st base side of 2nd, he collides with the sliding runner. I choose to Call the runner out for Interference (even though it was simply a train wreck) and lecture him about running up the score.

So you cheated the runner because you wanted to go home? Why would you lecture the runner about running up the score? You'd have a short umpiring career doing that kind of crap around here.

Originally Posted by 3appleshigh

I talk to the coach as he leaves the field, he agrees with me, says he was embarrassed and Didn't send the runner, he was sorry.

Umpires talking to the coaches telling them how to run their team? You should be telling the coach that you're sorry...but he has probably realized that by now.

Originally Posted by 3appleshigh

So Critiques, and Ideas of what to do differently should this arise again. I hate to "enforce" rules somewhat incorrectly, but felt that in this situation things could have gotten out of hand were they not dealt with.

Yea, one suggestion....umpire the game by the rules, you can't make up rules as you go along.

[ozzy6900]

1. You and your partner are there to call the game, you have no business telling the coaches how to play the game.
2. If you and your partner are "fabricating" outs or expanding the strike zone, you are both cheating! Something that I and many others do not take too kindly to.
3. If you and your partner do not like these kind of games, don't take them! Not all HS games are played by the "cream of the crop". We sometimes have to deal with sub-sub-sub Varsity ejects - so what? It should not change the way you officiate!

You people with your "touchie-feelie let's all sing cum-bya attitudes do not help the players. You just make a mockery of the entire officiating world!

Now go forth and sin no more!

[Jimology]

3 Apples,

Would you make up rules to extend a good game? Of course not. Can't make up rules shorten bad one either.

[RPatrino]

I had a much worse situation tonight, HS level play, two teams that definitely were inferior. Final score, 37-7. I seriously considered (but did not) widen or alter the zone, even though the pitchers struggled throughout. Winning coach was stealing, taking the extra base, etc. etc.

3apples, I feel your pain!!! However, we are not on the field to provide our opinions on how the coach should be handling their team or their business. Call your game, the same game you would use in a 1-0 game, from the 1st inning to the last.

Oh, and BTW, I actually had a spectator interference call. A kid in foul territory picked up a live ball and handed it to the left fielder...Sheeze.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by RPatrino

A kid in foul territory picked up a live ball and handed it to the left fielder...Sheeze.

How on earth did a play get off with a kid in liveball territory?

[ChapJim]

Originally Posted by GarthB

How on earth did a play get off with a kid in liveball territory?

All he said was a kid picked up a live ball, not that the kid was in liveball territory when the play started. If all you have is a line, maybe an imaginary one at that, it's pretty easy for a kid to step across and pick up a ball headed his way.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by GarthB

How on earth did a play get off with a kid in liveball territory?

Are you saying you wait while a dugout person chases down a foul ball that's against the fence down the line?

[mcrowder]

Apples, I think you're going to find it pretty unanimous - just call the game. There are those who will stretch the strikezone a bit (I don't - but some do and I don't fault them for it), but you surely don't want to be "looking for outs" or calling interference when it isn't there.

But to me, the worst thing you did was lecture the kid about running up the score. If there is any sportsmanship talk that needs to occur, it's with a coach, not a player (and in my opinion, it shouldn't come from the umpire, but rather from the coach's supervisor). How do you know the coach didn't put in his backup backup 2B, who bats 4-5 times a season. That kid is trying to show his coach he can steal a base. It is NOT our place to tell kids not to try their hardest in every situation. Shame on the coach ... but never the player.

I have "stretched" things in a manner like you describe exactly twice. Both similar... the most recent - one team was just KILLING the other and the bad team just couldn't throw strikes at all. 30-something to 2 or 3. The coach, for about 6 batters, was chiding his players if they didn't swing at anything close (meaning head-high and 6 inches outside). After about 6 batters he calls time and comes to me - tells me just to call anything within reach a strike, just to get his kids to swing. And even with "permission", it took me another 4-5 batters before I really did what he asked, and it felt wrong to do it.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by Rich Fronheiser

Are you saying you wait while a dugout person chases down a foul ball that's against the fence down the line?

The post said "spectator", not "dugout person." I don't allow play with a spectator in liveball territory, but that's just me.