When to call catcher's interferance?

[w_sohl]

with letting the coach know what his options are? We aren't "coaching" him on what to do, we are just saying it's either A or B, he still has to make the decision.

[Emperor Ump]

Originally Posted by w_sohl

with letting the coach know what his options are? We aren't "coaching" him on what to do, we are just saying it's either A or B, he still has to make the decision.

I discussed this exact situation with Hunter Wendelstedt and he gave a great reply:

Warren: In this example with catchers interference; at the Major League level do you offer the option to managers or not? Would the answer change at the amateur level?

Hunter: I don’t think that my answer changes from one to the other. This gets into “coaching” the teams. Even though they probably don’t the players and coaches are required to know the rules, too. We are not supposed to tell them what they can do, only allow them to make the decision on their own. However, that doesn’t mean that a reasonable question can’t be given a reasonable answer. And remember, some of their questions won’t have that question mark at the end of it. It may just be a statement like, “Hunter, there’s got to be a way I can get that run.”

My reply would be, “Why yes there is,” and then wait. If he asks how that is, I tell him. If not, too bad.

[mbyron]

Evans also teaches that it's not an umpire's job to tell the coach when he has an option.

On catcher's interference/obstruction, the correct mechanic is to (a) wait until the play ends; if the BR and each runner reaches his advance base, then ignore the CI/CO, and (b) if not, then enforce the award, unless the coach asks to take the play.

Do not ask the coach what he wants.

[johnnyg08]

I had a call a couple week ago where I explained my call to the coach and he proceeded to tell me that I didn't give him a thorough enough of an explanation...I wanted to say, but didn't, "I'm here to umpire a baseball game, not conduct a rules clinic. My explanation to you was the correct explanation. If you still disagree with my decision, feel free to protest the game." If not, we're playing on.

[UmpJM]

Originally Posted by mbyron

Evans also teaches that it's not an umpire's job to tell the coach when he has an option.

On catcher's interference/obstruction, the correct mechanic is to (a) wait until the play ends; if the BR and each runner reaches his advance base, then ignore the CI/CO, and (b) if not, then enforce the award, unless the coach asks to take the play.

Do not ask the coach what he wants.

mbyron,

While the Evans instruction is certainly appropriate for professional play, both Roder and Childress recommend offering the option to the coach in amateur play.

That is the practice I follow.

JM

[johnnyg08]

It's probably appropriate to do that at many amateur levels. What's good about it...IMO, is that an umpire correctly ruling on that play will hopefully educate the players and coaches in their future games that they have the option...once they know that, the future umpires might not have to explain it again.