Did I handle this situation correctly?

[canadaump6]

Kiddieball game. I am plate umpire. I notice first base coach is standing 2 to 3feet away from the base, call time, motion with my hand, and say "move over". Later in the game, he is standing there again and once again I tell him "move over" and "this is the last time I'm going to say it". Later on I catch him standing there, so I call time, walk up to him, and say "you're gonna have to go to the bench". He goes to the bench and we don't have any problems from then on.

Should I have tossed him rather than have him go to the bench? I didn't want to take extreme measures when he was being much more stupid than defiant. If I eject in these kinds of situations, not a lot of baseball is going to get played.

[Tom H.]

Originally Posted by canadaump6

Kiddieball game. I am plate umpire. I notice first base coach is standing 2 to 3feet away from the base, call time, motion with my hand, and say "move over". Later in the game, he is standing there again and once again I tell him "move over" and "this is the last time I'm going to say it". Later on I catch him standing there, so I call time, walk up to him, and say "you're gonna have to go to the bench". He goes to the bench and we don't have any problems from then on.

Should I have tossed him rather than have him go to the bench? I didn't want to take extreme measures when he was being much more stupid than defiant. If I eject in these kinds of situations, not a lot of baseball is going to get played.

Perhaps rather than just a "move over" (and I would get away from the "OR ELSE" - at any level! no "....one more word!" or those kind of threats.....but I digress), seeing as how you stated "Kiddieball", a more effective tack might be to educate this up-and-comming "Rat".
Try: "Coach, I know that the lines are not clear but could you do me a favor and be in the box before the pitcher is ready?" "Thanks a lot Coach!". Or have a word with the Manager about it (really the only one you have to talk to anyway).

Now if he still continues - it ain't stupid - it's on purpose and he deserves a BF (with in reason....Kiddieball and all ).

[bobbybanaduck]

was he bothering anybody other than you? if not, why not just let it go? there are more important things to worry about than where a coach stands.

[RPatrino]

As PU I'm probably not going to be bothered by where the coach's are. Now, when I'm in A, I will mention to the coach to move over a bit. I have never had anyone give me grief over that.

I think sometimes we go looking for boogers to pick.

[UmpJM]

canadaump6,

When there is some minor issue like this that I feel deserves my attention, I tend to approach it in a kind of low-key way. For the situation you describe, were I to feel it needed correcting, I would probably wait until the half-inning ended and go speak privately with the coach without drawing undue attention.

I would then say something like, "Coach, I need you to back off the line a good 3 steps while the ball's in play. You want to talk to your runner when he come back to the base, no problem. But I'd hate to have to call your runner out because I thought you interfered. Thanks."

And then I'd walk away and go stand on the baseline or short RF, depending. This technique seems to work pretty well for me. Emphasis on "courteous" and "firm". They almost always do what I say.

I must admit, like Bob P. and bobby, I'm a little puzzled as to why you thought this needed your attention.

JM

P.S. You've got a good post here. You've asked a question and gotten some good feedback. Ball's in your court.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Unless the coach is interfering, blocking your vision in A, or the other team's coach is complaining of his being outside the box, I would suggest that you ignore such a minor detail. I certainly is not worth your going out of your way to enforce.

If the other team's coach complains, then enforce the rule for both teams and don't let either team's base coaches stand outside the box. But leave them alone unless one of them complains.

You really don't want to go out of your way to look for violations as if you were a police officer. That will get you a very bad rep quickly.

[mick]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

I must admit, like Bob P. and bobby, I'm a little puzzled as to why you thought this needed your attention.

JM,
I can remember feeling Canada's pain.
Before I called, "Play" , I wanted the players and the equipment in the dugouts, I wanted all the coaches where they belonged, in a dugout or in a box.

I thought I could break the bad housekeeping habits that had been common in local leagues long before I showed up, just by following the book.

I wondered what was wrong with these teams that they don't know and understand the rules. I knew the rules; they should know them, too. I wondered where the bad habits originated.

I thought, the better I kept my field in order, the more likely the next umpire, that had these teams, would be blessed with more *tidiness*. And I worked hard at it !

So, when I subsequently watched game after game and other umpires and teams and playing fields in need of *housekeeping* on a regular basis, I eventually became jaded.

I decided not to fight 'em; I never enjoyed that part of umpiring, anyway. As long as there was no safety issue, I no longer gave a brown-spot in that regard.

Yet, as I continue to work games, it comes of no surprise to me, that the teams that more closely follow the guidelines are the teams with experienced managers, with disciplined players, and with winning records.

Anyway, ...I remember the pain.