Touching during an arguement

[PeteBooth]

quote:

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Originally posted by Blaine Gallant:
GUYS:

This situation arose last week in a game. It has been disucssed elsewhere but input form others would be interesting.

The crux of my question pertains to a part of the arguement I was involved in. To get to the point of contention, here is a very brief lead up. I was working with a younger umpire at in adult baseball. There is an ongoing arguement between him and the coach. I get between them and put my arm around the coach to "escort" him back to the dugout. He took exception to me touching him. The incident got a little heated but nothing worse happened.

Here is my questin to you. Do you think my touching the coach is way out of bounds? If he put his arm around me to discuss something, I don't know how I would have reacted.

your thoughts guys.

Blaine Gallant
Member, UT

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Blaine - I'm with the others - NO TOUCHING. I do not even put my hands on F2 when calling Balls / Strikes as was done years ago.

Since you were the verteran in this game - you should have stopped the argument sooner.

This could ruin a young umpires confidence.
The hardest part about umpiring is IMO GAME CONTROL. This area of umpiring one must learn through experiences. Rules / Mechanics can be taught but Game Control comes with experience.

The coach should have been tossed. Also, after the game, away from the action and in private, explain to the young Blue what he could do better the next time to help him in this area.

I know when I started I welcomed aid from a veteran umpire when I got myself in a "pickel" or had a problem with the coach.

It seems standard in all the coaching ranks - "Let me see how far I can go with this rookie" It's up to the verteran to put an end to such nonsence.

Also, heated arguments are never a good idea as bad things can only happen. Give the coach his due but after that - it's play ball or see ya.


Pete Booth



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Peter M. Booth