How would you handle?

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by Rufus

You get the idea. I know how I would handle as a basketball official but was wondering how you would typically address those kinds of comments (if at all).

One standard approach:

1. Ignore the first (few) comments.

2. Look: if it starts to become a problem, give a long look into the dugout.

3. Warn: if the look doesn't register, at the next comment call time and tell the coach that's enough. (And don't be fooled by, "I wasn't talking to you, I was talking to my catcher/pitcher/players" etc.)

4. Eject: if it's still not working, toss him (or restrict him to the dugout).

It's a bit different in basketball, where the coaches are right on top of us.