Coach handling??

[DG]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

And yet you never hear anyone ask a coach if he's bigger than the game -- even in tirades that end up on SportsCenter. And yet we're accused of it if we even try to demand that players and managers respect the game and show proper decorum.

Exactly. At least Bobby Cox was usually getting ejected to support his players and he knew what he was doing would get him ejected, his players would love him for it, and they would stay in the game.

Earl Weaver was another story...

[MrUmpire]

Rich, I've been accused of thinking I was "bigger than the game" twice. Once was when I called a balk on a Syracuse pitcher for a move in the 9th inning that I called a balk on their opponent in the third inning.

The second time was when I called a runner out at the plate on a ball buster suicide squeeze that would have tied the game.

By my experience and that of others, I've come to see that the accusation of being "bigger than the game" usually is made when an umpire does his job during a critical moment of the game.

As for umpires who make that accusation against other umpires....they're usually Smittys or wannabees.

[David B]

Originally Posted by MrUmpire

Rich, I've been accused of thinking I was "bigger than the game" twice. Once was when I called a balk on a Syracuse pitcher for a move in the 9th inning that I called a balk on their opponent in the third inning.

The second time was when I called a runner out at the plate on a ball buster suicide squeeze that would have tied the game.

By my experience and that of others, I've come to see that the accusation of being "bigger than the game" usually is made when an umpire does his job during a critical moment of the game.

As for umpires who make that accusation against other umpires....they're usually Smittys or wannabees.

Very perceptive IMO. I agree also. The only times I've had that type of stuff thrown my way was when i actually had to make a "big call" usually in a "big game".

Of course, the reason that you are in position to make that "big call" is because you "are" willing to make the right call at the right time, no matter what coaches, assignors, or anyone else wants to say about it

Thanks
David

[ODJ]

O.P.

Did the catcher do a poor job framing/presenting the pitch? Was it in or outside? Did you simply miss the pitch?

[JFlores]

Originally Posted by ODJ

O.P.

Did the catcher do a poor job framing/presenting the pitch? Was it in or outside? Did you simply miss the pitch?

Left handed batter, outside pitch, catcher did a horrible job of presenting pitch all game, and to be honest I probably did miss it but it makes it much easier to ball when the catcher doesnt help out.

IMHO the coach was one of those that just likes to bark and hear himself talk, during the game he was on the far end of the dugout on his phone. The conduct of his players reflected on him. At the end of the day the game got settled between the lines, the opposing team being down 6-2, came back and won 14-6 behind 5 homeruns.

[Simply The Best]

Originally Posted by JFlores

IMHO the coach was one of those that just likes to bark and hear himself talk, during the game he was on the far end of the dugout on his phone. The conduct of his players reflected on him.

This is exactly why the question of how to handle coaches is never black and white. You have to take into consideration all the variables; treating coaches and situations with one broad brush approach is a recipe for disaster. Yet I see it all the time mostly from officials who simply don't have the mental savvy to think on their feet.

Here you have a coach who deserves very little consideration in terms of dicussing your B/S calls. Or much of any call for that matter as he is not only an arse he's teaching arse to his kids.

Cut to the coach who is the exact opposite. Refuses to allow his players to get in your ear and only asks, at the appropriate time and with respect, if you and he can discuss what's going on. Not why you missed the call but what should he and his catcher, in this case, do to to help you in your job.

You see, this coach is getting his point across and enhancing his chances for success and setting a solid, proper example. Let him. He deserves the consideration.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Simply The Best

This is exactly why the question of how to handle coaches is never black and white. You have to take into consideration all the variables; treating coaches and situations with one broad brush approach is a recipe for disaster. Yet I see it all the time mostly from officials who simply don't have the mental savvy to think on their feet.

Here you have a coach who deserves very little consideration in terms of dicussing your B/S calls. Or much of any call for that matter as he is not only an arse he's teaching arse to his kids.

Cut to the coach who is the exact opposite. Refuses to allow his players to get in your ear and only asks, at the appropriate time and with respect, if you and he can discuss what's going on. Not why you missed the call but what should he and his catcher, in this case, do to to help you in your job.

You see, this coach is getting his point across and enhancing his chances for success and setting a solid, proper example. Let him. He deserves the consideration.

Exactly why would you think that coaches are treated with one, broad brush? A coach gets all the respect he returns in every game and every sport I work. If a coach asks a question the right way and actually listens to the answer and I know he doesn't get upset for no good reason then of course I'll listen when he's upset -- he's proven that he's worth listening to and knows how to treat umpires/officials.

Internet posting is very one dimensional -- it's hard to express nuance from a keyboard. There are some absolutes, as far as I'm concerned (my ejection last season was for being called ridiculous after we had interference on an infield fly that resulted in a double play -- no coach is going to stay after calling me a name), but no good umpire/official is going to survive long without having a mouth AND an ear and knowing when to use the right one at the right time.

[ODJ]

Originally Posted by JFlores

Left handed batter, outside pitch, catcher did a horrible job of presenting pitch all game, and to be honest I probably did miss it but it makes it much easier to ball when the catcher doesnt help out.

IMHO the coach was one of those that just likes to bark and hear himself talk, during the game he was on the far end of the dugout on his phone. The conduct of his players reflected on him. At the end of the day the game got settled between the lines, the opposing team being down 6-2, came back and won 14-6 behind 5 homeruns.

From this description, I'd take the coach at his word that he was frustrated and barking at his catcher, not you.

In this case, I say nothing or wait until the inning is over.