Answering 'Rules' questions during a game

[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.

[BillyMac]

This kind of reminds me something that happened to my Babe Ruth baseball team (13, 14, 15 years old) back in the late 1960's. It was mid season. My team, Orange Diagnostic, hadn't won a game. The opposing team that night, Giordano's, also had not won a game, our early season match-up had been rained out. We were both desperate to win our first game, and one team would do so that night. Lots of excitement in the air. The opposing coach, Mr. Atkinson, I remember his name forty years later, watched our best pitcher, Gary Rispoli, now an IAABO official here in Connecticut, take his warmup tosses, before the top of the first inning was to begin. After Gary's first real pitch, Mr. Atkinson came out of his dugout, with an official Babe Ruth rule book in his hand, and approached the umpire. Back then, there were all kinds of rules regarding how many innings pitchers could toss in a week, and how many days rest they had to have between pitching at least one pitch in a game. Our coach has miscalculated the days off rule due to a madeup rain out game, but Mr. Atkinson knew that Gary had pitched a few innings only a few days ago, and didn't get the required rest. Mr. Atkinson demanded a forfeit, and the umpire gave it to him. He could have protested before Gary's first pitch, and our coach would have put in another pitcher. No baseball game that night. We all went home. Mr. Atkinson's team got their first win of the season, and we went winless the rest of the season, 0 W -15 L. I remember the situation like it was yesterday.

Look up poor sportsmanship in the dictionary, and you'll see a picture of Mr. Atkinson, the coach of the 1967, Giordano's, Orange, Connecticut, Babe Ruth baseball team. And, boy, does he look proud of himself in that photo.

[Amesman]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

No baseball game that night. We all went home.

Saddest part of the story. At 13-15 years old, even his own players had to feel cheated, especially when you're playing only 15 games a season. Musta been some bad blood between the coaches, or was this guy just that miserable of a human being?

[Brad]

Originally Posted by 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.

Nevada - you never fail to deliver!

Just answer the dang question!

[JRutledge]

I simply answer the question the best way without going into too much detail. If is before the game this is easier to do. If it is during the game it is much harder and the answer might be shorter. Most of all the way and how I answer is determined by the person asking the question with their professionalism and demeanor. Just because they ask a question does not mean they need an answer. That is not our primary job. But if they ask us when we are not preoccupied and we have are able to answer, why not answer a question on some level.

Peace

[Texas Aggie]

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

I STRONGLY recommend you do NOT make these kinds of comments. One thing I've learned is that my sense of humor is not often shared by others, even if its just a time and place discrepancy. Just answer yes or no to questions called for it. Later, if things are light and there's a few seconds for a follow up comment, you can say your other comment if you think its appropriate, but never use it in a primary answer.

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by Texas Aggie

One thing I've learned is that my sense of humor is not often shared by others

And you let that stop you?!?!?!?!?!

Originally Posted by Texas Aggie

I STRONGLY recommend you do NOT make these kinds of comments.

I appreciate your concern, I might be SOME dumb but I'm not PLUM dumb

Before that exchange I clearly said "this time of year". I try to educate coaches, players & fans alike in the off-season. Some of the things I do or say during this time of year, I would NEVER do in a real game situation.
But, when I see some of these same people during the season, it's always love, because of the time I took to explain this or that during the summer months.

Of course you also gotta know who you're dealing with when answering a stupid question with a smart-a$$ remark.

Also, not that I'm in it for the money, but if you're gonna pay me 1/3 of in-season pay rates... ummm we're ALL going to have some fun on my court.

I'm pretty good with my communication skills, so I tend to stay out of trouble. T'd exactly 0 coaches last season & I had all the coaches with big, bad reps.

[Smitty]

Originally Posted by Ch1town

Also, not that I'm in it for the money, but if you're gonna pay me 1/3 of in-season pay rates... ummm we're ALL going to have some fun on my court.

I don't get this kind of logic. If you agree to work a game for 1/3 of in-season pay rates, why do you think that entitles you to do 1/3 the job you signed up for? If you don't want to work for that rate, don't work. But if you accept the game at that rate, you are getting paid to do the job, so do the job. Don't half-a$$ it.

[bigwhistle]

Originally Posted by Smitty

I don't get this kind of logic. If you agree to work a game for 1/3 of in-season pay rates, why do you think that entitles you to do 1/3 the job you signed up for? If you don't want to work for that rate, don't work. But if you accept the game at that rate, you are getting paid to do the job, so do the job. Don't half-a$$ it.

he's not 1/2 assing it....he's 1/3 assing it!!

Originally Posted by Smitty

I don't get this kind of logic. If you agree to work a game for 1/3 of in-season pay rates, why do you think that entitles you to do 1/3 the job you signed up for? If you don't want to work for that rate, don't work. But if you accept the game at that rate, you are getting paid to do the job, so do the job. Don't half-a$$ it.

Dang Smitty, are you serious? I had to go back & re-read what I really said. I still can't figure how you came to the conclusion that I'm "half-a$$ing it."

I drip sweat no matter what time of the year it is!
I hustle to the endline to receive the play, I position adjust for angles year around! I work hard each & every game!!!

You totally misunderstood... I put up with much less BS (whinning, ignorant coaches/players/fanatics) when I'm not paid accordingly for MY TIME is all I was saying.

I never disrespect the GAME!
Game 1st, partners 2nd & myself last is the approach from Jan to Dec

[Smitty]

Originally Posted by Ch1town

Also, not that I'm in it for the money, but if you're gonna pay me 1/3 of in-season pay rates... ummm we're ALL going to have some fun on my court.

Originally Posted by Ch1town

You totally misunderstood... I put up with much less BS (whinning, ignorant coaches/players/fanatics) when I'm not paid accordingly for MY TIME is all I was saying.

But then you did it again. First you contradicted yourself. You stated everyone has more fun because you don't make as much money. And then you said you don't take any BS because you don't make as much money. So maybe the only person having any fun is you? I'm confused.

Then you made a point once again to complain about being paid "accordingly for your time". You definitely have an issue about the money, which again implies that you put in less than your best effort when you feel like you're not being paid "accordingly for your time". In big bold letters no less.

And for what it's worth (which is probably nothing), I thought your informal comments were inappropriate as well for the questions you were answering. Not because I think they're rude, but because I think they add more confusion than help.

I can't argue whether you are a hard worker on the court in the summertime because I don't know you. But what you say and how you say it implies something different to me than what you're trying to convey. So take it for what it's worth (which is probably still nothing).