How would you handle?

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by Rufus

Mbyron - I've found that having the ability to assess technicals also helps in these situations in basketball (i.e., one more tool in to use). It all depends on the circumstance, of course, but I'll usually try and talk a coach down first in basketball but, if he earns it, call a technical. That usually shuts them up. It's interesting how you almost have to be more tolerant in baseball for the same kind of behavior. I wonder if that's because there isn't a "T" equivalent?

Would you ever picture a scenario where, instead of progressing through the steps you outline, you simply tell the coach after the first utterance "Coach, we're not discussing/listening to comments on judgment calls" then toss him/her if they did it again?

1. The FED rule allowing umpires to restrict coaches to the dugout is supposed to be a kind of warning step, similar to sitting them down in basketball.

2. Absolutely, and a friend of mine ejected a coach last night for it: if he comes screaming out onto the field without any willingness or interest in listening to why I made a call, his rope is shorter. The line about "not discussing" I generally restrict to questions about balls and strikes.