Handling a Situation, looking for advice

[jkumpire]

I appreciate the comments!

I had it in the back of my mind he was trying to work me, which is why I did consider ejecting him at the time. The whole point of the matter is that in the two games I have him this year he has been out on me 4 times, with a quiet manner, but it is over simple stuff he disagreed with, like a runner running out his baseline, or why my partner didn't throw someone out, etc.

I just got tired of the act, when he's the only guy who has come out on me all year. I'm not just missing calls in his games to cheat him.

Will try and forget it, and move on.

[KJUmp]

JK
Your OP stated that this happened in a college game. Assuming that it was an NCAA DI,II,or III game, the CCA manual has pretty specific language and provides clear direction as to how to handle coaches when they question/challenge our calls.
Their approach along with the advice passed on to you by jicerone in his reply should give you a pretty good foundation on how to react to and deal with coaches at that level.
A couple of thoughts I read that I try to always keep in mind:
"Knowing how to work with players and coaches is just as important as knowing the rules and knowing the mechanics."
"Handling arguments starts with handling yourself."

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by jkumpire

I appreciate the comments!

I had it in the back of my mind he was trying to work me, which is why I did consider ejecting him at the time. The whole point of the matter is that in the two games I have him this year he has been out on me 4 times, with a quiet manner, but it is over simple stuff he disagreed with, like a runner running out his baseline, or why my partner didn't throw someone out, etc.

I just got tired of the act, when he's the only guy who has come out on me all year. I'm not just missing calls in his games to cheat him.

Will try and forget it, and move on.

JK, as you know, working you is not illegal. And it can succeed only with your cooperation and complicity.

It sounds like you handled it correctly until you let him "get to" you. When he asks a question, answer it calmly, as you did. If he persists or repeats himself, tell him that you've answered his questions and now it's time to play ball.

Rather than raise your voice ("YES HE DID" -- you're now arguing with him, which is a loss of control), simply tell the coach, "In my judgment, the runner did not leave early. Now let's play ball." This statement keeps control, since your judgment is the only one that counts, and there's no arguing with it.

He'll try to get the last word in. Let him have it: he's leaving the field and you win by going on with the game. The "last word" means nothing unless you invest it with meaning, in which case he wins. Of course, if the last word is obviously over the line, he has to go; but otherwise, who cares?

[UmpJM]

jkumpire,

I myself am fairly new to calling college games, and am so far only doing "lower level" games - DIII JV & JUCO.

There may be an element of paranoia on my part, but my perception is that the college coaches are more prone to "test" someone they haven't seen.

So, they come out on some trivial play that you got right, but was "kinda' close". They want to see if you get flustered. They want to see if they can get you to go to your partner when there's no reason to. That way they'll be better prepared to challenge you should an IMPORTANT close play occur subsequently.

Just be confident and concise.

Were it to happen a second time in a game, I'd be inclined to ask the coach what he was doing.

JM

[jkumpire]

The points made are very obvious, and I appreciate them.

The point of the matter is that I was mad, and I let my temper get the best of me. It should have never happened, and that is really discouraging, because I know better. I should have either quietly dumped him, or disengaged as fast as I could and let him decide if he wanted dumped. Instead I yelled first.

Oh well, he's only the second guy that has come out on me in 30 college games or so, so it's time to learn and move on. Now, if I can just let it go, I'll be okay.

[umpire99]

What I do in situations like this is dump the coach the first time he questions me. That way he will know that I am not taking any of his crap in the future. This works for me.

[cviverito]

Originally Posted by umpire99

What I do in situations like this is dump the coach the first time he questions me. That way he will know that I am not taking any of his crap in the future. This works for me.

This may work for you. I don't think I agree that it is the correct thing to do. Questioning close plays are part of the game.

I let them ask. I explain what I had. Then I let them reply. If they disagree with me I say just that. "agree to disagree". If they ask another question I listen. If it's a sensible question I answer that. If it's the same question worded differently I tell them I've already answered that and it's time to move on. Chances are they are not getting a third question. If the persist I warn them that we are done. If they continue...they get the heave-ho.

But honestly...that RARELY happens. In most cases the coach disagrees and starts putting on a show and sputtering insults. In those situations they get tossed right after the insult or whatever it is that is out of line.

Had my first of the year last week. Had the conversation as described above until he shouted "this game is no longer about the players, it's about YOU!". One step over the line sweet Jesus.

But the UmpJM's point - some coaches will test you when they see you for the first time. Handle them professionally and without emotion and you should come out of it feeling pretty good about the end result...whatever it is. And you will be respected for it too.

[ozzy6900]

Personally, I think that you need to realize that you are not doing "kiddie ball" anymore. This is college ball so simply, answer the first couple of questions then tell the "kiddie ball" coach "Okay Bill, it's time to get back to the game.", turn and walk away. The next time he approaches for a piddly complaint, hold up the stop sign and don't allow it.

He played you very well because he saw that you didn't have the gonads to stop him. I know that the NCAA is becoming little girls with all of their "let's huddle", "let's get the call right", "let's hold hands and talk" BS. Stand on your two feet and umpire.

Don't forget to take 2 TUMS and call me in the morning!

[PeteBooth]

[QUOTE=umpire99;675078]

What I do in situations like this is dump the coach the first time he questions me. That way he will know that I am not taking any of his crap in the future. This works for me.[/

QUOTE]

Exactly what did the coach DO to get dumped?

This is a College game so the coach better do more then simply question us.

Now if the coach said Hey JK get your head out of your you know what that was the worst fu****g call that I have seen all year is quite a different matter.

Pete Booth

[DG]

In an early season college game I had a coach question calls 3 times in the same inning. The first 2 times he was livid, but did not say anything personal or profane and did not prolong the discussion so I did not dump him. In the first case I was clearly correct on a ruling (funning lane violation). The 2nd was a very close play at the plate. Neither call went his way while on offense. The 3rd was a batter hit by pitch in the box while his team was on defense, and he did not move. When he came out on that, I told him "coach, I know you know the box belongs to the batter in college baseball" and he turned and walked away without another word and made a pitching change. They eventually won 4-3 and this was first game of DH. We had no issues in the 2nd game nor any of the other games I have worked at that same location this year.

This was first time I worked his team's game. He tested me, and found out it was pointless and has been very cordial every since.

I will say he tested me far more than a HS coach would have. College is different.