Answering 'Rules' questions during a game

[Adam]

I'll answer a direct question anytime.

Provided it's asked in the appropriate manner, I have no problem communicating with coaches. This time of year there always seems to be a plethora of concerns

Coach: Do we get it at half court?

In 3-5 years if they are fortunate enough, absolutely. But not today sir/ma'am.

Coach: Can we run the baseline?

Absolutely, but I'll call the violation because there was not a made basket.


Saying "coach you can do whatever you want" & then making the call against them when they do it, is not good GM.

[bbcof83]

Originally Posted by Ch1town

Saying "coach you can do whatever you want" & then making the call against them when they do it, is not good GM.

Agreed, especially when the ump new this move would decide the game (and if I read the OP correctly he must have). At least in basketball our actions never DIRECTLY decide the outcome of a game (ie. a FT must still be made after a technical) so if we give an answer like this it's almost a little more excusable. I find this action as bad as it gets as he knew this would end the game and it didn't have to be that way.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by bbcof83

Agreed, especially when the ump new this move would decide the game (and if I read the OP correctly he must have). At least in basketball our actions never DIRECTLY decide the outcome of a game (ie. a FT must still be made after a technical) so if we give an answer like this it's almost a little more excusable. I find this action as bad as it gets as he knew this would end the game and it didn't have to be that way.

In your opinion it would have been OK if it happened in the 3rd inning and the defensive team was up by 5 runs?

[bbcof83]

Originally Posted by bbcof83

Agreed, especially when the ump new this move would decide the game (and if I read the OP correctly he must have). At least in basketball our actions never DIRECTLY decide the outcome of a game (ie. a FT must still be made after a technical) so if we give an answer like this it's almost a little more excusable. I find this action as bad as it gets as he knew this would end the game and it didn't have to be that way.

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

In your opinion it would have been OK if it happened in the 3rd inning and the defensive team was up by 5 runs?

No, I guess what I meant was that the ump new that by giving the coach this response he was more than creating an advantage, he was giving runs to one team. This crappy situation was completely preventable.

I would never think of giving such an arrogant answer to a question about a rule, regardless of the situation. By doing so you are making the choice to forego an opportunity to teach and be a good steward of the game. Do you disagree? I'm not saying I would sit and explain the entire rule from A to Z. Certainly a "That would be an illegal move, coach. I can explain why between innings." would have done the trick.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by bbcof83

No, I guess what I meant was that the ump new that by giving the coach this response he was more than creating an advantage, he was giving runs to one team. This crappy situation was completely preventable.

I would never think of giving such an arrogant answer to a question about a rule, regardless of the situation. By doing so you are making the choice to forego an opportunity to teach and be a good steward of the game. Do you disagree? I'm not saying I would sit and explain the entire rule from A to Z. Certainly a "That would be an illegal move, coach. I can explain why between innings." would have done the trick.

I basically agree with you. For me it all depends on what/how the coach is communicating. If he/she just makes a statement "I'm going to blah-blah-blah" then I won't say anything. But if they ask "Is blah-blah-blah permissable by rule" then I would give a rulebook related answer.

In the softball situation from the OP I don't know what was actually said by any of the parties.

[Nevadaref]

If a coach doesn't come to a contest prepared with solid rules knowledge that is a detriment to his team. I don't believe that it is the game official's duty to help him, and his team, through his ignorance.

I would likely respond by telling the coach that it would inappropriate for me to provide information that would alter or aide in his coaching strategy. Those are choices that he has to make on his own and possibly learn as he goes.