First! Hello All. My first post.

My question.. as stated in the title.. what do you discuss with the coaches pregame? (besides verifying the lineup is what they want)

I am ASA and do the local small town league girls soft ball for the various age groups.

Just curious...

Welcome to the board.

Normally, I start off introducing myself and my partner, or if we're familiar with each other already, just shaking hands.

1) Go over time limits or number of innings

2) Any special rules you're playing by that night or tournament.

3) Any dead ball areas you are familiar with and any potential hazardous areas ( sprinkler heads, holes, etc.)

4) Injuries and how to handle them. I deal with the youth leagues mostly and always cover this. Get out there as quickly as possible and take care of it.

5) Get 'em on and off the field within the 1 minute time limit.

6) The proper way to handle discussions with my partner and me, ie don't cross that foul line until we call time for you.

7) All substitutions come through me, the PU

8) Get the jewelry off ( sometimes they even listen to this one. )

If I haven't run out of breath, and the time limit hasn't expired, I may cover a few more things, but this is what I generally discuss.

I reminded them to go the umpire who made the call, then ask him/her to check with their partner.

I always try to miss the first game, come in on plate
for second game.

"Coach, you have both played here today, received your
special ground rules, know rule run limits." "Play ball,
you're on the clock!"

Just Kidding...

Not much to add to TexBlues post.

My friend from Texas covers it pretty well. I'll just go through what I cover in the conferences.

1. Introductions--me, my partner(s), coaches

2. Line-ups--I include any special situations (free substitutions, bat everyone) that may be local league rules.

3. Field Conditions--ground rules

4. Time limits/inning limits

5. Talk to the umpire that made the call

6. sportsmanship

7. Any questions? Just ask us.

8. Let's have a good game.

I'm sure there are other things, but I don't remember them at this time.

I, personally, believe in keeping the pregame short. For high school ball, I simply:

Introduce myself and my partner.
Ask if there is a site administrator on duty and who they are.
Ask if the team is properly equipped as per the NFHS rule book.
Go over any ground rules, run ahead rules...etc.

Play ball.

I really never like to remind coaches that if they don't agree with the call to go to the umpire who made it...etc. That, to me, almost sounds like ecouragement to question any call that they don't agree with. JMO

Originally posted by Skahtboi:

<b> __________________________________________________ _____

I really never like to remind coaches that if they don't agree with the call to go to the umpire who made it...etc. That, to me, almost sounds like ecouragement to question any call that they don't agree with. JMO
__________________________________________________ _________
</B>

Yep, you're right. And they get about 2 chances to conduct theirselves in a professional manner. If they start abusing the privilege after every close call, you don't hafta give 'em time and talk.

Yeah, I see your point with not telling coaches to talk to the umpire that makes the call, but I look at it this way:

If I say, "if you have a question, talk to the umpire that makes the call" I've in effect told them that yelling at the umpire will not be accepted. So to me, it's just a reminder that we care about professionalism from coaches.

And the two chances to act professionally is about all they get. If they continue to rant and rave, I won't even listen to them.

I guess it boils down to personal opinions.

With me, it was "zero tolerance". Start ranting, a warning, and then leave. I let the coaches know that we will discuss, but never argue.

meetings...
 

Would you guys suggest discussing the new changes for ASA in pitching (foot drag) and obstruction (no ball=obstruction)? Or would you just let that be until a call?

I usally mention .. I want the girls swinging... and the strike zone will reflect such.. do you do that?

I don't give a rules clinic. I don't mention the strike zone. I would never say something like "I want the girls swinging." What does it matter what I want?

Now, I will call a generous zone a lower levels of play, but I would never tell or imply to the coach that I will be encouraging batters to swing at bad pitches.

Especially early in the season, I'll also mention major rules changes new for this year, and the year's points of emphasis per national & local directives. Yes, the coaches should already know these, but I've found this reminder seems to help, and sometimes prompts a question better answered before it arises, rather than after. After a couiple of weeks, I'll drop this back to something like "Remember the rules changes new this year.", and a couple weeks after that, I drop even that.

Also, if I'm aware of a recent local controversy from experience, or postgame meetings with other umpires, I may bring that up and explain the key point, but only if I'm well aware of the issue. That is preventative umpiring, but seems to work well around here. (In my area, we seem to have a pretty decent group of coaches, and they mostly react well to upfront efforts to prevent problems.)

I think the rules changes is optional. If you want to, do it. I don't. If it's a low level game, rec league or young age, I'll usually talk to the coach in between innings and tell him if a pitcher is doing something illegal. If it's in a tournament, or high talent game, I don't mention it at all, I just call it.

I never talk about my strike zone at all. If asked about it, I just give some generic statement like " I try to be as close to the rule book's strike zone as I can, in my judgement." Which basically, means nothing at all.

I agree that it is not an umpire's place to either school coaches on the rules or to give a mini clinic on rules/rule changes at the plate conference. They are the coaches, they should be reading the rule book on a regular basis if they want to do the job.

Discussion of the strike zone is something else that will not occur. As I stated earlier, I like to keep the pregame conference short, sweet, and to the point.

My strike zone thoughts..
 

First.. I really appreciate this forum...

I usually work alone and I dont think I've ever even met a ranked elite ump or anything like that.. I just do my lil ole thing behind the plate...

So I'm bouncing ideas here.. some of you guys do the top level.. maybe I'll try to get into that... it's just such a drive to get out from my hole in the middle of nowhere..

Strike Zone...

I dont work high talent.. I would agree I would change if I did start doing that.

Let me give some examples...

I will give a wide outside... and a little high.. inside I dont stress on inside due to potential of these girls to hit their hands.. so i'm dead on the plate on inside... a little low on the middle.. its a strike.. if in doubt on low outside, where it seems hardest to see.. i will call a strike instead of the norm on unsure a ball.

If some little girl comes up and scrunches her strike zone to 3 inches... i might call a strike if its acrossed her forehead because I believe the coaches are doing that girl a disservice by training her to draw walks instead of taking her licks.

Thoughts?

I review the line-ups and ask for verification.
I cover the ground rules for that field.
Remind them of any recent "local" rule changes.
Ask if there are any questions.
Flip a coin if necessary.

That's it.

interesting reading ... as always

here's one for you all ... when you introduce yourself, do you state your name ?

i don't

i usually just say "I'm your plate ump for this game ..." and then do the special playing rules like others have suggested. (e.g. In some divisions, all the girls bat, so I'll mention that rule where applicable. Or, the younger girls don't use the drop 3rd strike rule, so I say that.)

anyway, someone suggested to me that it's better to keep your name out of it as best you can

... that's my 2 cents .... bob

Yes, I introduce myself and my partner by name.

I also introduce the crew by name. I wonder what the motive is to try to be anonymous?

We're so small in Delaware, they know our names (not always a good thing :) ), so it isn't necessary from the State level down.

Re: My strike zone thoughts..
 

Wade-in, I deleted a bunch of your post (above)...

Your zone sounds fine. Whatever you are going to do, do it, and do it consistently throughout the game. BUT THERE IS NO NEED TO DISCUSS IT during the pregame. Just do it.

If you discuss how you are going to call something, you are going to get caught somewhere, sometime. There are always the gray areas and your gray areas are different than the coach's. Even after you have explained yours during the pregame, his are still different. You are going to see a pitch and call it the way you saw it and the coach is going to come unglued because he saw it different and feels it is different from the way you explained you were going to call it.

If you explain how you are going to call something during the game, you are setting yourself up for pain. You've got the rules in your head; just enforce them. Don't give the coach any opportunity to preconceive anything; just call your game.

JMHO :D

here's one for you all ... when you introduce yourself, do you state your name ?


Last BB clinic I attended taught by MLB Blues, they suggested when discussing play with coaches call them by name. That seems a bit personal to me, I would prefer to call them "coach".

I do want them to know my name, and want to know their names also. Unles we are mutually acquainted, I will introduce myself by name.

I can understand that, if you are calling in the majors. That would be the same thing as being in business and talking to a coworker in another department.

Intro's
 

I always use my name in intro.

It doesnt matter... in the game the terms used are still invariably "Blue" / "Coach" etc.. Coaches like to be called coach, its their title.

Some good points made about telling coaches I want the girls swinging... I think I will remove that from my pregame meet up in all future games.

Cant wait for the season to start!

Ooohhhh
 

And, "Are your players all properly equipped?"

In addition to other things, this means "NO JEWELRY" because that/jewelry would be improper.

In Indiana, the High School Coaches vote for the umpires that apply to work the state finals...so you almost MUST introduce yourself by name. I say it very clearly, and make sure that I state who is working what position. I try to remember all coaches names...I've done enough in this area that unless they are new, we probably know each other. I still do give the introductions though.

I never discuss my zone...people know my zone...it's legendary (at least in my mind). If a coach asks a catcher to ask me where a pitch was, then I'll tell the catcher. But coach isn't going to do this every pitch, just the "close ones".

I don't call a coach by name, unless they call me by name. I let them make the first move...that way, it's them wanting to use the names instead of "blue" and "coach".

"what do you discuss with the coaches pregame?"

Depends on the game. In the local youth Rec Leagues, where the same teams play each other on the same fields twice a week before the same umpires, after the first couple weeks they all know the local rules and the ground rules, so lets introduce, shake hands, and play ball.

In my men's and women's FP leagues, where many of the same players have been playing for 10 years or more, we don't even have pre-games. Just send them on the field and get the games going.

High School is a different story. In nearly all of 50+ games both I and the visiting team are probably at this particular field for the first time. Even though I may have been at this school before, it probably was not the same team (Var vs JV or FR). Thus the pre-game is going to be much more formal and much longer.

All the things previously mentioned:
Introductions
Line up cards
Properly equiped?
Ground rules
Game lengths, time between DH, weather conditions, etc.
Early in the season discuss new rules or special emphasis.
And - Always - Required "no taunting, positive sportsmanship" statement.
Then - Play ball!

WMB

As pertaining to calling a player or coach by name.

If you know both teams and they know you, that is one thing. If this is not the case, the perception that you are the "other guy's" friend will appear quickly in the opposing team's mind if they hear you refer or call a coach or player by name. Remember, reality isn't always good enough, perception rules.

I try to avoid it unless it is essential I get their attention immediately and they are not responding to anything else (jersey #, position, etc.).

Please don't legislate/redesign the strike zone. Call it as defined with a little spread if both pitchers are really bad.
Keep the pregame to things that vary from game to game and not book rules. That way, you are not implying they are your rules. Checking if anyone has questions on rule change the first week is part of "things that vary from game to game".

After discussion...
 

I agreed that I should not do that during the pregame meet.. and I wont for now on (a good reason this forum is a help to those of us not as experienced as some here) .. however

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Cecil Said: Please don't legislate/redesign the strike zone. Call it as defined with a little spread if both pitchers are really bad.
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by advocating a "little spread" under a certain circumstance, the two sentences appear to me to be inconsistent..

I think an ump can have a wide strike zone as long he is consistent. I don't feel I am legislating or redesigning anything; especially considering how common it is at 14U to provide a decent strike zone. I dont feel I go to far at all...

I start out by:

Introducing my partner and myself.

Advise the coaches to go to the umpire that made the call if they have questions about a play.

I check the lineup from the home team coach, ask if there are any changes befor making it official. I repeat this task for the visiting coach.

Inquire about any time limits.

For FED games I ask both coaches if their players are legally and properly equiped.

I cover sportsmanship, jewelry, whether or not their district has adopted any mercy rule, and whether or not they use the ITB in case of a tie game at the end of 7 innings.

I then have the home team coach give the ground rules.

If there are no questions I let the home team know they can take the field.

Re: After discussion...
 

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Cecil Said: Please don't legislate/redesign the strike zone. Call it as defined with a little spread if both pitchers are really bad.

I believe the meaning here is don't define your zone at the pre-game.

by advocating a "little spread" under a certain circumstance, the two sentences appear to me to be inconsistent.

A little spread is of course not in the book, but sometimes is needed. In 10U FP, if you call "By The Book", you may be in for a long night. If the pitchers hit 1 strike out of 7,or 8, I call anything hittable a strike.

I think an ump can have a wide strike zone as long he is consistent. I don't feel I am legislating or redesigning anything; especially considering how common it is at 14U to provide a decent strike zone. I dont feel I go to far at all.

Consistencey is the key. If you use a wide zone, that is fine, but again, don't tell coaches at any time you are adjusting your zone. Back to 10U, seems a lot of new hitters swing at eyeball high, and bounced pitches, and watch the big fat happy one down the middle! Set your zone and stick with it.

Jel wrote:

<i>A little spread is of course not in the book, but sometimes is needed. In 10U FP, if you call "By The Book", you may be in for a long night. If the pitchers hit 1 strike out of 7,or 8, I call anything hittable a strike.</i>
__________________________________________________ ____

Jel,

Secion 2 Plate Mechanics - FastPitch - NFHS Umpires Manual.

<b>In calling balls and strikes, it is generally most accepted to
bring the pitch down or up into the strike zone and widen it out, making
sure to give a good corner.</b>

Sure, go for it.

Please don't let Sam be on this board! :) Sorry, I couldn't resist!

I like to add a couple of things. I do mostly AA ball (that's alleged adult for our new member) and I remind them that I want no hitting above the belt, slide give yourself up or go around. Torso to torso gets a judgement call that you could have avoided. I think that it's important to remind them that this is recreation and we want no injuries so everybody can go to work the next day.

I introduce my partner(s) and myself by name.

"This is Mr. Smith and I'm Mr. Tafurst"

Always last names, not first names.
I don't know why.
I think it sounds professional.
Except for very casual games (which I do once in a while)I think it sets a proper tone.
I even do it with guys that maybe used to coach my daughter and that I've gone out drinking with.
It's a reminder that for the next 7 innings, our relationship is a little different.

Hugo (Dr. Jeckle/ Mr. Hyde) Tafurst