sort of on topic -- at least, it's about coach/official relationship

[JoeTheRef]

Originally Posted by Old School

There's this thing called common sense that seems to be missing in officiating. It seems like we are so focus on the rules that we forget about the other parts of our job, which is, managing the game. If the ball is thrown in, on an 8th grader, just say no pitch or ball because it was not hit-able. However, if the pitcher threw a perfect strike and the batter step out too late, easy call to make. When I umpiring or ref'ing kids, I'm more interested in the kids having fun then the parents and the rules.

One question, HITH do you manage the game without focusing on the "rules"? Is it safe to say that you officiate baseball like you do basketball, null and void of any written rules, but strictly moreless according to your own personal rulings, interpretations, opinions and judgements of said game that you are officiating?