The Walk Away Technique

[TussAgee11]

Originally Posted by canadaump6

In light of Tim's "Run Him?" thread, I would like to discuss the technique of turning and walking away from a coach, rat or player who is arguing a call. Please consider the following actions by a game participant towards an umpire whose back is turned and who is moving in the opposite direction:

1) Continues yelling at the umpire Very short leash, he better be walking back to the dugout and not getting PPP
2) Re-enacts the play Gone
3) Gives the umpire the finger Gone
4) Incites yelling from the fans Gone
5) Follows the umpire to whereever he is going Gone eventually
6) Says "hang on can we have an appeal?" Ignore
7) Acts like a victim and starts complaining to various game participants that the umpire walked away from him and wouldn't give him an explanation Ignore until he gets prolonged about it, then Gone

All the actions I listed are something that a rat might do to show up an umpire who is walking away from the play but cannot see whatever the rat is doing. How should an umpire (or his partner) deal with the actions listed above?

Hope you like my answers.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Why the distinction between coaches, rats and players?

Big Rat, Invisible Rats, Little Rats.

[jkumpire]

I did not read the other thread, though I will now, but the second you turn your back IMO you lose control of the game and situation. IMO you are giving the person arguing a free shot to say or do anything he wants before either going to the dugout, or doing something to get ejected.

Also, IMO, turning away is to me going to be perceived as "blinking", you are showing weakness by turning away from the other person in the discussion.

If you are in a situation you can't blink, and you have to see it through to the end.

Your list of responses are good ideas, but I wouldn't use them.

[jkumpire]

I must admit I am in the no big deal camp here with this discussion. Nor do I think the BU was in the area too long. I'd get out when I can, and leave the 3B coach talking to air, but BU was not there too long, and as long as 3B is not hostile, he can say his piece, and then get out there.

[TussAgee11]

I have only used the walk away a couple of times. I think its best used when you've given your answer, and the coach is starting to go loony either arguing the same point, or arguing a separate issue, or arguing something that is meaningless.

A good, smart coach will realize it is your way of keeping him in the game. If you ain't there, he doesn't have anyone to talk to, and if he doesn't have anyone to talk to, he can't get dumped.

Its kind of like an implied warning.

But don't use it in times when it can show a weakness.

The reason that walking away is a bad idea is it make you appear unapproachable. That will only lead to more problems.

Also, it makes it look like you "blinked" like stated earlier. But most important, it also appears that you don't believe your call enough to "discuss" it with the coach.

If you are a good official, and well respected, they are not going to go too ballistic on you, and usually the exchange is going to be short.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by rei

The reason that walking away is a bad idea is it make you appear unapproachable.

Unapproachable = rat-speak for "you won't sit here and take my bull$hit"

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by rei

If you are a good official, and well respected, they are not going to go too ballistic on you, and usually the exchange is going to be short.

This is a load of bull. The best officials have coaches go off on them all the time for the some of the dumbest reasons.


Tim.