I think it's the coaches responsibility to know proper protocol on an appeal. We, as umpires, are not there to hold their hands and coach them. For instance, when the catcher interferes with the batter and he puts the ball in play, we just enforce the penalty. If the coach wants to take the result of the play,
the coach has to exercise that right. It's so frustrating.
For instance, R1 and 1 out. F1 pitches the ball and R1 running on the pitch, The ball sails across the plate high. As the catcher receives the ball, the batter starts to swing, and I call "b----all" loudly. I let the catcher attempt to throw R1 out at second and then correct my call to a strike on the swing.
The defense coach comes storming out of the dugout because he "wants obstruction called" on the batter. I told him to "plant it back into the dugout. If you would like to talk about it, call 'time' and approach me in a gentlemanly manner." He goes back into the dugout and calls time. He comes out and wants an explanation of my call. I told him that the pitch came in and I called it a ball, the batter offered at the pitch (although extremely late), and the catcher attempted to throw R1 out on the steal. Although I called the pitch a ball, the batter offered at the pitch and I corrected it at first opportunity. He felt that the batter purposely swung late to disrupt the catcher's throw.
He insisted that I ask my partner if there was obstruction
I tried to tell him that I believe he meant batter's interference but he wasn't having it. So I obliged and asked my partner if he saw obstruction. Of course, he didn't see obstruction. What can I say, I tried but I'm not going to coach for him.
I give up coaching coaches, they know more than me anyways
-Josh
Sat Jul 05, 2008, 08:51pm
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