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

[rainmaker]

At my 8 yr old son's baseball game. Not T-ball, btw. My son's team is up to bat. Little kid at the plate is very small. Pitcher has some speed. First pitch, batter steps back out of the box, just as the ball is released, ball bounces on the plate, ump calls "Strike!" Everyone looks dumbfounded. Coach ( who is standing near-by says nothing). I think, hmmm... Coach say, "Manny, stay in the box. Don't step back." I realize, it's a strike because he stepped out of the box.

Next pitch batter holds position, ump calls ball because it was way, way outside. Next pitch is way inside, batter ducks back, ump calls strike. Next pitch, same thing. 3 strikes, and the 3rd out.

Coach comes down to the plate and quietly says something to the ump while holding onto the batter's shoulder. Batter is crying. Coach says "Ump, I really think that ball was a threat." Ump says, "He stepped back before the pitcher released the ball." Coach says, "I understand, but..." Ump interrupts, "he didn't wait to see where the ball was going." Coach looks annoyed, but turns to walk away, with the kid, who I now realize is her (coach's) kid. Ump walks after them and repeats, "Coach, he stepped out before the ball was realeased." She says, "I get it okay? Sheez!" There is this tense moment, then they both turn and walk away from each other.

Dad behind me says, "That's her husband."

I'm wondering what the heck the kid is thinking!!

[ChrisSportsFan]

that's some interesting dynamics.

[Mark Dexter]

Yow - and I thought that umpiring my younger brothers' little league games could be tough sometimes!

[NewNCref]

Originally Posted by Mark Dexter

Yow - and I thought that umpiring my younger brothers' little league games could be tough sometimes!

My sister is a pitcher in a softball league in the county in which I reside when I'm not in school. During the summers, I drive 30 minutes to umpire in the adjoining county simply to avoid that conflict.

[mick]

Oh, my !

I am glad I am not a parent.

[Mark Dexter]

Originally Posted by mick

Oh, my !

I am glad I am not a parent.

Glad to be done with those days?

Maybe situations like this are why one of my friends tells me that I need to marry a girl with "good reffing genes" like my own.

[mick]

Originally Posted by Mark Dexter

Glad to be done with those days?

Uh, ...that would be a "Yes!"

[tjones1]

Oh my...what a twist. Certainly didn't see that one coming!

[Bad Zebra]

Originally Posted by rainmaker

I'm wondering what the heck the kid is thinking!!

The kid's thinking "I shoulda played soccer".

[rockyroad]

Originally Posted by Bad Zebra

The kid's thinking "I shoulda played soccer".

Yeah - then his dad would be too old to ref his games!

Sort of the same type of thing...my oldest son started reffing football last fall (he's 17)...his second Saturday, he told us he had games at such-and-such times, and I said that meant he would miss his younger brother's game (7th grade team)...anyway, we show up at the field where younger son is going to play, and there is my oldest son as linesman. Uh-oh...talk to younger son's coach - he doesn't care, talk to other coach, he doesn't care...talk to the White Hat, he doesn't care - only one I forgot to talk to was my youngest son!! Second quarter, flag thrown by oldest for face-masking by youngest - interesting conversation in the living room that evening!

[JRutledge]

Huh???



Peace

[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?

[Old School]

Originally Posted by JoeTheRef

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?

It's 8 year olds, get over it!!!!

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by rainmaker

Dad behind me says, "That's her husband."

I'm wondering what the heck the kid is thinking!!

I'm wondering where the heck the umpire slept that night.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

I'm wondering where the heck the umpire slept that night.

They probably kissed and made up.

Peace