The Walk Away Technique
 

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
2) Re-enacts the play
3) Gives the umpire the finger
4) Incites yelling from the fans
5) Follows the umpire to whereever he is going
6) Says "hang on can we have an appeal?"
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

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?

:o

Hope you like my answers.

Why the distinction between coaches, rats and players?

Big Rat, Invisible Rats, Little Rats.

With Respect
 

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.

With Respect (con't)
 

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.

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.

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

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.

Best of the best in Major League Baseball, and the managers and coaches NEVER go ballistic on them. And D-I NCAA. Never seen anyone go ballistic on them. :rolleyes:

It's one thing to advocate techniques to minimize confrontations, it's another to live in fantasy land.

Once the "discussion" has started, the umpire should turn only once it is over. The partner should be there to escort the coach back to the cage and deal with any clean-up.

That's different however, from turnign to go back to position after the call and *before* the discussion. Too many umpire, imo, make a call, then stand around to admire it and /or (worse) look to teh coach for affirmation. That just invites a discussion. Make the call and hustle to your next position.

Don't see an issue in turning to your position after the rat has had his reasonable say. Otherwise there would be little point in saying, "Thats enough, lets play ball" if he just kept fussing and held you there rooted to the spot. That shows you are in control of the situation, in that you can terminate it at any time and have a position to get to. Any more histrionics/following by the rat makes him the aggressor, which makes your next action all the more easy.

And I second that.

The best way to handle these situations is to:

1. Learn the rules.

2. Employ good mechanics.

3. Be decisive and be confident. If you know 1. and 2. this will come naturally.

4. Learn what to say and when to say it. This can't be taught. Some never learn this. You learn this through trial and error.

5. If you give respect (where warranted) you will be respected.

In other words become a good umpire and get away from bad baseball where most of this happens.

I think you'll find the majority of the really ugly situations involve coaches who have noone to answer to such as a Principal, Athletic Director, Park District etc. When working such games Coaches have no lee way. I have my hands around their neck. The first time I hear (from a Coach) "where was that pitch" The mask comes off and I'll ask "are we discussing balls and strikes" The answer is no and rarely if ever am I bothered again. If I'm doing good baseball will I do this? I may or may not. It just depends. I have no fast and hard rules in handling situations. Suffice it to say "I just know what to do".

We all started doing bad baseball. Confrontations can be avoided if you know the rules, and employ good mechanics. When they do occur you have to take care of business.