Short Right Field.

[JRutledge]

I am just curious what would others do. This has happen to me twice this year that has not happened but maybe one other time in my career.

I was working the bases the other day and I called a player out on a pick off while standing in the B position, which my partner did not think was close at all. This was the first out of the inning and no other incidents in the inning. The inning ends and I go to short right field.

As I turn around, I see the coach of the team that was up to bat walking slowly out to right field.

He gets there and asks me what I feel it a very dumb question in a very calm voice, "Did he tag him?" To make a long story short, I did answer the question after I told him "I cannot believe you came out here for a play that happened early in the inning."

Now I am wondering is the becoming common for coaches to come to short right after the inning is officially over to discuss plays? How do you handle those situations if they occur? Would you just eject a coach for doing such a thing, or handle it in another way?

Peace

[GA Umpire]

I do not feel there is a reason to eject him. He didn't make a scene about it or do anything to show you up. So, I'd leave that alone b/c it will cause undue issues for the rest of the game.

As far as coming out to you, I don't see a problem with that b/c nobody knows why he is coming to you and maybe, he didn't feel a need to hold up the game to ask this. He knew it wouldn't change the call so do it at a time which allows the game to proceed. I would have just told him the runner was tagged and I had an out.

I have not had a coach do this but I would not worry about it as long as he wasn't there to argue.

[johnnyg08]

I think just because we retreat to short RF, that doens't mean that a coach can't come out and talk to us. It makes it a bit more tough, but if a coach isn't foaming at the mouth or making a scene, I'm going to listen to him as long as he's not delaying the game. You probably don't want the reputation of being unapproachable.

[Durham]

I have had this happen, and the best advice I can give is to simply answer his question in the most professional manner that you can. Yes it is odd, but usually being professional about it will be the end of it. If it isn't and he wants to make more of it, warn and eject.

[Fritz]

Originally Posted by johnnyg08

I think just because we retreat to short RF, that doens't mean that a coach can't come out and talk to us. It makes it a bit more tough, but if a coach isn't foaming at the mouth or making a scene, I'm going to listen to him as long as he's not delaying the game. You probably don't want the reputation of being unapproachable.

I would add that in such an instance, if they appear to be coming out in a relatively non-confrontational manner, I will jog in to meet them for the discussion. Making them come all the way out to me makes it look like I am avoiding them or playing a power trip - which then starts the conversation off in a bad manner.

[johnnyg08]

I think I would agree on a case-by-case basis.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Fritz

I would add that in such an instance, if they appear to be coming out in a relatively non-confrontational manner, I will jog in to meet them for the discussion. Making them come all the way out to me makes it look like I am avoiding them or playing a power trip - which then starts the conversation off in a bad manner.

That is kind of my take. I always go there no matter what happens in the inning. Unless I really need to talk to my partner for some reason, I am in short right field.

I also had more of a problem with this particular situation because it was well after the fact of the original call. I just do not find that very professional.

Peace

[johnnyg08]

In situations like that...sometimes I will say that I don't remember that particular play...esp if it was a play that wasn't obviously a controversial one that I wouldn't forget. Sometimes a coach will come over in between innings and nicely ask where a certain pitch was on x batter...I will say...I have no idea...I don't remember a pitch from x batters ago. It usually ends right there. You never really owe coach an explanation, esp if it was from a play a while back...but you don't want to be seen as unapproachable...if he's being civil, listen to him, let him show that he's standing up for his team, and move on. Sometimes they just want to make a point to their players that they're sticking up for their team.

[ozzy6900]

Rut, look at it this way. He has to walk all the way out there to talk to you. You get your jollies, then he has to walk all the way back while you get to just stand there!

Makes my day!

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

Rut, look at it this way. He has to walk all the way out there to talk to you. You get your jollies, then he has to walk all the way back while you get to just stand there!

Makes my day!

I will admit there was a little satisfaction he had to come all the way out of there.

Peace

[tballump]

Was he trying this slow walk out and slow walk in to get more warm-up pitches for his pitcher? They use this ploy of nicely talking to you or asking questions when bringing in the relievers also, trying divert your attention from the number of warm-up pitches their pitcher is taking to get him any extra ones they can get. Never underestimate a rat.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by tballump

Was he trying this slow walk out and slow walk in to get more warm-up pitches for his pitcher? They use this ploy of nicely talking to you or asking questions when bringing in the relievers also, trying divert your attention from the number of warm-up pitches their pitcher is taking to get him any extra ones they can get. Never underestimate a rat.

That is unlikely considering I was the BU. I do not usually pay attention to warm-up pitches unless my partner is doing something. And even in RF I am not doing such a thing. If that was his motive, he talked to the wrong person for that.

Peace

[jicecone]

Wait a minute. If I am HP umpire that pitcher gets 5 pitches or eight if he is new. This will be enforced even if his mother runs out on the field. (then again if its 10 year olds, never mind ,I won't go there)

There is nothing wrong with being approachable during a game, no matter where you are standing. Remember though, perception is in your favor here. That coach came all that way to make a point, just about any reason you toss him for at that point, he will look like the aggressor.

Your in a win-win situation.

But as much as you have the upper hand there, be professional.

[DG]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

"Did he tag him?"

Well sure coach, why else would I call him out?

It's not common to come out after a half inning to ask about an earlier out. In fact I don't recall that ever happening to me.

Sometimes coaches have other motivations for coming out. Last year I had the HC who was in the 3B box come down to me after I kept his batter in the box for not avoiding a pitch, and in fact leading his thigh into it. He says "You and I know he leaned into that pitch but his Dad is in the stands and I know he is going to chew on me if I don't come down here to say something to you about it, so please don't smile as I walk away, because all I want is him off my butt". His head was bobbing like he was making an argument but he was really satisfying another need.

[gordon30307]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I am just curious what would others do. This has happen to me twice this year that has not happened but maybe one other time in my career.

I was working the bases the other day and I called a player out on a pick off while standing in the B position, which my partner did not think was close at all. This was the first out of the inning and no other incidents in the inning. The inning ends and I go to short right field.

As I turn around, I see the coach of the team that was up to bat walking slowly out to right field.

He gets there and asks me what I feel it a very dumb question in a very calm voice, "Did he tag him?" To make a long story short, I did answer the question after I told him "I cannot believe you came out here for a play that happened early in the inning."

Now I am wondering is the becoming common for coaches to come to short right after the inning is officially over to discuss plays? How do you handle those situations if they occur? Would you just eject a coach for doing such a thing, or handle it in another way?

Peace

Hi Rut,

Had a similar situation. The Coach came out and I made him walk all the way out to me. When he got there I said What are you doing out here? He looked at me and without saying a word turned around and walked all the way back to the dugout. Only time it ever happened to me.