Taking signs while off the rubber - with a twist

[GA Umpire]

Although my response might have been less authoritative than Walt's, I would have said something like "OK. He wasn't. Let's go. Play!"

I'm still not going to spend the time to explain it. If he wants to learn the rules, pick up a few books like us and learn them. Then, he can have the same level of understanding as we have. Otherwise, leave him as dumb as he was when he stepped in the box.

Simple, short baseball answers. I'm not there to give a rules clinic. Just to call a game.

[spokanelurker]

I absolutely understand where most of you guys are coming from! Why would any of you want a player to think you're not just another arrogant prick? But seriously, Georgia, if the kid was right about the rule, what's your point in saying, "Leave him as dumb as he was when he stepped in the box"?

Waiting for the "rat" references.

[SanDiegoSteve]

My response to the batter: Okay, so what? What is the proper penalty?

Okay then, get in the box and bat.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by spokanelurker

Waiting for the "rat" references.

If the cheese fits...

[mbyron]

"No, he's OK. Let's go."

Same as when a coach asks about a balk move that isn't. I'm going to answer the question, not give a rules clinic. I try not to be an azz about it.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by mbyron

"No, he's OK. Let's go."

Same as when a coach asks about a balk move that isn't. I'm going to answer the question, not give a rules clinic. I try not to be an azz about it.

I think this answer is okay. I'd probably go with something along the lines of, "Maybe -- but that's allowed."

While we should address the question, and not be arrogant, we should also try to keep the "rules clinic" to 5 words or less.

[David B]

Originally Posted by mbyron

"No, he's OK. Let's go."

Same as when a coach asks about a balk move that isn't. I'm going to answer the question, not give a rules clinic. I try not to be an azz about it.

that's more what I would do and what I like. Short and simple, but you did answer his legitimate question.

Hey, the kid might be an umpire one day ...

Thanks
David

[SanDiegoSteve]

Barkeep, give me a Taking Signs While Off The Rubber with a twist, please!

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by spokanelurker

I absolutely understand where most of you guys are coming from! Why would any of you want a player to think you're not just another arrogant prick? But seriously, Georgia, if the kid was right about the rule, what's your point in saying, "Leave him as dumb as he was when he stepped in the box"?

Waiting for the "rat" references.

You apparerently understand umpiring as much as you understand the concept of lurking.

I love coaches. First they scream, "don't coach my players" if an umpire talks to the catcher. Then they whine when an umpire decides getting on with the game is more important than coaching their batter.

It's summer time, spokane, don't you have t-ball game to prepare for?

[jicecone]

Ah!!!!!!!!

The arrogant official.

Thanks for validifying my point guys.

I am sure though, your nose is too far in the sky to care.

[johnnyg08]

Sometimes when they ask a simple question, I will answer them...for me it depends on how the game is going...if I haven't had any issues up to this point, I'll simply say that he's waiting for you to get set in the box. I will not explain the rule...I think another poster had stated..."nope, he's good" and we play on. Ultimately we are there to umpire the game and they are there to play the game. Sometimes we have to give attitude, sometimes we can simply answer the question.

[GA Umpire]

Take it as you want. The umpire is not there to put on a rules clinic. If they want one, go to one. I think I am going to start taking Tim_C's attitude on these things and say "Go hug a tree".

The coach is there to teach him. The umpire is there to call the game. If something happens that the coach doesn't understand, then he is the one to talk to the umpire and get a clear understanding. If he doesn't have a problem with it, then his players don't have a problem with it.

Pretty simple philosophy isn't it? Coach teaches, umpire calls. What about that doesn't the batter get? If he has a question, ask his coach and his coach can ask the umpire if he can't explain it himself. Nothing arrogant about that.

[jicecone]

Originally Posted by GA Umpire

Take it as you want. The umpire is not there to put on a rules clinic. If they want one, go to one. I think I am going to start taking Tim_C's attitude on these things and say "Go hug a tree".

The coach is there to teach him. The umpire is there to call the game. If something happens that the coach doesn't understand, then he is the one to talk to the umpire and get a clear understanding. If he doesn't have a problem with it, then his players don't have a problem with it.

Pretty simple philosophy isn't it? Coach teaches, umpire calls. What about that doesn't the batter get? If he has a question, ask his coach and his coach can ask the umpire if he can't explain it himself. Nothing arrogant about that.

I don't disagree a simple "He is fine" would be suffice however, that is not what was stated.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by jicecone

Ah!!!!!!!!

The arrogant official.

Thanks for validifying my point guys.

I am sure though, your nose is too far in the sky to care.

Hmmm, I have to take issue here. It isn't arrogant to tell a player to mind his own business and to concentrate on his own job. What it is is preventative maintenance.

We aren't allowed to coach the players, and they aren't allowed to coach us. Little Bucky Beaver shouldn't be worried about where the pitcher is taking his signs. That's our job. Do we grab his bat and say, "here's how it's done, son?" No. So he has no business trying to interject his opinions about the rules. If he wants to become an umpire, he will first have to change clothes.

[jicecone]

Steve, I guess its ok for us to POINT to who calls time out so we can keep everyone happy and it makes us look like we really know what were doing but, when we get a chance to verbally let them know, then we don't want to play the part anymore because it may look like were human beings under that uniform. Heaven forbid that evers happens.

To bad respect isn't just as easy as singing about it like Aretha Franklin did.

Then again, some may just not care, whatever.