Mechanics

[Tru_in_Blu]

I've not done HS games long enough or frequently enough to have developed relationships with the coaches. There may be 2 exceptions. One is a JV coach that I played softball with many years ago. The other is a varsity coach who also runs a couple of invitational tournaments during the summer that I've worked with. This season, I'm scheduled to only work the varsity coach's team in a scrimmage next Tuesday. Since we're supposed to get snow on Monday and have daytime high temps in the mid-30s on Tuesday, it will likely get postponed.

Otherwise during introductions, I'm Mr. L and my partner is Mr. X. Most coaches undoubtedly forget our names about 3 minutes later. From there, "blue" or "ump" is fine.

About the only time I'll use "girls" to address team members is if it's 10U and I haven't done many of those (knocking on wood here). I do use "ladies" and hear a lot of coaches using that term as well. Coaches also use the gender-neutral (these days) "guys" when pulling the team together. And some do use "girls" as well.

I address coaches as "coach" in any HS or tournament games. In our rec leagues, because I've met with team captains and league officers in pre-season meetings and help critique/draft various bylaws drafts, it's more on a first name basis. Things are much less formal and only get formal when someone doesn't care for a particular call.