Pre-Game
 

I was reading over the NFHS Officials' Quarterly magazine. In it they have an article about game management. One of the points the article points out states, "Do not answer rules or mechanics questions that may be offered."

I'm pretty new when it comes to umpiring. I've seen some umpires ask if there are any questions, and some who do not.

According to this article, it says to NOT answer any questions they have on rules or mechanics. What do you say to the coach to not answer a rule or mechanic question they have?

If I can answer the question in 15 words or less I will. Otherwise, something along the lines of, "Coach, we don't have time to address that in detail right now."

The pre-game meeting is not a rules clinic.

Can't expand much more on that!

I think I can answer most questions with 20 seconds or less. I don't count words.

we don't ask for a coaching clinic, coaches should worry about doing their job, we should worry about doing ours. If I'm asked nicely about a coverage or rotation in between innings or something I will talk with the coach about it...it can help dispel myths

Be careful how the coach's question is phrased. If it starts with, "In the game we had LAST week...", you might want to opt out of trying to give a detailed answer. Usually that phrasing means the coach had a ruling go against him and he's looking for validation that those umpires were wrong. Besides that, he's had enough time since that game LAST week to investigate the ruling those umpires made without putting you on the spot.

One of my baseball rules of thumb - "Before you respond/react to anyone, consider the source."

JJ

The one problem with feeding the bears is...

The Pre-Game meeting with the coaches is "short and sweet" and I do not say "are there any questions"

It goes something like this

1. Intros (if need be) In HS after year 2 for the most part you know most of the coaches so the intro is a formality

2. Exchange line-ups

3. Skip take us around

4. If there are unusual field conditions etc. go over any special type ground rules.

5. Jewlery warning

6. Teams properly equipped

Time to play. The Pre-game takes all of about 3 minutes

As mentioned I do not say "any questions"

The coaches are supposed to attend the Pre-Season meetings so that's where they can express their concerns or ask questions NOT at game time.

Pete Booth

Sportsmanship
 

Coach,
Thank-you for the duplicate copies of your lineup with all potential subs listed
Any ground rules? Questions about ground rules?
Are your players legally and properly equipped.
I hope they play well for you today and display good sportsmanship.

Nicely done! I have the same pregame except for #5, but that's not a bad one to include an informal warning to remind everyone (since someone always forgets to take his necklace off after school).

Also, #6 is very important for liability issues

You forgot:
7. Display good sportsmanship

And, in some organizations, #1 is a must. My org services all but 4 of the high schools in the area. We have over 200 umpires. Introductions are needed almost every time.

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.

I dropped the Jewlery warning.... Doesn't seem to work and don't want to toss a kid with that being my first warning.... Now when I find someone with jewlery, I give the warning right then to the HC and the point is taken with generally no futher problems.

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".

Mentioning it at the plate meeting does NOT constitute the first (and only) warning.

Cover it generically under "legally and properly equipped" and give a warning only if needed during the game.

Understood... However I also try to make my pre-game short and to the point and the jewlery seemed logical to delete because they didn't enforce it until after I warned a player in the first place... Just me. Also seems as if each association has their own POI and it doesn't seem to be very important here (this is my first year in this association so i am still learning the ropes here)

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."

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.

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.