Pre-Game

[UmpJM]

Originally Posted by Forest Ump

I dropped #7 Good Sportsmanship this year. I added in that all coaches must be in the dugout during live ball. It's a POE in our association. I don't like a long plate meeting so something had to go and it was the good sportmanship line.

Forest,

So, I take it you're not doing any FED game this year?? (Ref. 4-1-3a).

I would be as likely to mention jewelry or coaches in the dugout during the plate conference as I would the "3 strikes and 4 balls thing".

JM

[Forest Ump]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

Forest,

So, I take it you're not doing any FED game this year?? (Ref. 4-1-3a).

I would be as likely to mention jewelry or coaches in the dugout during the plate conference as I would the "3 strikes and 4 balls thing".

JM

I understand what you're saying JM and that's how you roll but I have to do what my association says to do. It came straight from the top that we tell them at the plate meeting to be in the dugout during live ball. I walk the company line.

I could keep the sportsmanship line in there. It takes maybe 5 seconds to say, "Gentlemen, we expect good sportmanship to prevail throughout this contest". Not much to it when you think about it. I'll consider reinstating it. But I'm drawing the line at the "3 strikes and 4 balls thing".

[yawetag]

Originally Posted by Forest Ump

I could keep the sportsmanship line in there. It takes maybe 5 seconds to say, "Gentlemen, we expect good sportmanship to prevail throughout this contest". Not much to it when you think about it. I'll consider reinstating it. But I'm drawing the line at the "3 strikes and 4 balls thing".

Not to mention that we have to. Here's my plate:

[Introductions and Line-ups]
"Are your players properly equipped, including no jewelry?" (wait for yes)
"Okay, [Home Coach], take us around the field." (wait for completion)
"I'd like to emphasize good sportsmanship at all times. Are there any questions?" (wait for q's or "nope")
"Great. Let's have a good game, coaches."

[Publius]

Has anyone ever answered "no" when you ask if everyone is legally equipped? Has anyone ever sneered, "So what?" when you gave the sportsmanship spiel? Both are a waste of time.

When the NFHS or my association is my employer, they can tell me what to include in my plate meetings.

Introductions, lineups and ground rules are all I ever cover at those meetings. Uniform, equipment and behavior violations are dealt with appropriately if they are observed.

[yawetag]

Originally Posted by Publius

When the NFHS or my association is my employer, they can tell me what to include in my plate meetings.

As an IC, you agree to follow the rules and regulations set forth in the contract. I'm sure the contract includes following the rules of the league you're umpiring. NFHS is, somewhere in the chain, the rules of the league. Therefore, you are told, through NFHS rules, to include both in your plate meeting. Declining to do so is, in effect, a breach of your contract.