Who becomes coach?

[MikeStrybel]

Originally Posted by yawetag

If you want to restrict a coach, that's definitely your choice. My stance, however, is that you shouldn't make that choice on whether or not you missed the call. If you feel a coach's actions are worthy of an ejection, then eject; if they're worthy of a restriction, then restrict; if not, then do nothing.

Andrew,
Thanks for the civil reply. I believe that if you know you missed a call that it should weigh into the latitude shown to a coach. I won't let coaches argue balls and strikes and keep them in the dugout. They know that about me. If a banger happens and they need to bark, I listen and guide the game back to play. If I blow a call and cannot get help to change it, I listen a little longer. Long ago, a veteran umpire told me this. He kicked a steal play at 2nd and the coach was livid. His response, "Skipper, if I had to do it all over again, maybe I would call it the other way. I gave you the best look I could at the time and I'm sure you saw it differently." That almost always placated the coach. It has for me. I ask them if they are done and the only response they can give is one that allows me to get the game going again.

Sometimes we simply don't have a great angle or enough information to nail the call. I saw a trapped fly ball in the outfield during a pro game a few days ago get kicked by an umpire who is much better than I am. He commented after the game that he kicked the call. He also let the coach chew on him for a while. No ejection. When I see the best umpires doing that it reaffirms the lessons I received long ago. Tolerance and discretion are just as important as confidence and commitment.

Thanks again for being civil.