Umpire: "No More." Coach: "OK.....chirp chirp" - Toss or ignore?

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by Tru_in_Blu

I work NFHS softball, but not baseball. I logged in one day to take the on line test for softball but it wasn't available yet. The baseball test was available, so on a lark, I decided to take it.

There were several questions relating to "written warnings". I'd never heard of those, but there were about 4-6 questions about them so I figured maybe they were a real thing. I asked one of our softball guys who also does baseball, and sure enough "written warnings" are real. Apparently the umpire must note them on the back of the line up card. I don't know the impact or penalties associated if a coach gets a written warning.

BTW, I flunked the baseball test. Don't know enough about written warnings and pitcher's positioning.

The "written warning" in NFHS Baseball, which was adopted last year, is a three step process. Step #1: When a head coach's conduct deteriorates to the point that a warning must be issued, that is the point at which the umpire makes a written note on the lineup card. Step #2: Any further minor misconduct results in the head coach being restricted to the bench for the remainder of the game. Step #3: Any further misconduct after being restricted to the bench by the head coach result's in his ejection. This does not preclude an umpire from ejecting the head coach before Step #1 if his conduct warrants an immediate ejection.

Coaches thought the written warning was like a traffic ticket and that they were to receive a copy of the warning. They also thought that all ejections had to follow the three step process. I know this from personal experience. I ejected a head coach for vehemently arguing against a foul ball call I had made and he went straight to ejection mode; he argued that I had not given him a written warning, LOL!

MTD, Sr.