Common Sense Umpiring

[Tim C]

I wrote an article on the ABUA website about handling arguments.

Much like Garth when a Skipper comes out I use the Doug Harvey "20 Second Rule" . . . I let the coach talk for 20 seconds, uninterupted and let him get out what ever he wants.

I then ask,

"Coach tell me what YOU saw!"

Often the coach, knowing that I have worked for decades, will say something like, "Darn Tee, it looked pretty clear from the bench that he was under the tag."

So I answer something like, "Well skip, I KNOW you're not out here questioning my JUDGMENT but just cuz we're friends it was a great play, a great slide but from my view, hmmm, about 12 feet away, he sure looked dead-out to me."

THEN I WALK AWAY. As far as necessary letting him know the conversation is over . . . and I keep walking (once all the way to the RF fence) letting the coach know that the discussion has completed.

Also like Garth I had a coach that always wanted to talk about building model airplanes when he came out to protect a player. Some guys are weird.