Coach bringing a rule book on the field....

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by dsimp8

First of all,you don't bring a rule book and/or by-laws onto my field.

YOUR field? You own the field? If not, it isn't your field or your game. Those belong to the teams, not you or your assn.

The league that we call in (Rec league-adult and youth)states in the by-laws that a coach can bring the by-laws and rule book on the field. This was not in the by-laws that our assoc. looked over for approval. The league director said that we shouldn't have a problem with a coach bringing the rules on the field if we are doing our job correctly. The problem I have with it is you are trying to show me up.

Despite the fact the LD doesn't have a clue, your assumption is not always true.

We ,as an assoc have made the decision to ignore that rule and IF a coach comes on the field with either one of these....he/she is gone.

The only valid decision your assn. has to make is whether you are working that leagues games or not. If you chose to not work the league because of this disagreement, so be it. However, to accept the assignments and attached remuneration for the service provided, you call what the league tells you to call. After all, they're the customer, not you.

What would you do if A)this "rule" was slipped in at the last moment w/o your assoc knowing it and B)if a coach brings the rule book and/or by-laws on the field?

As noted, the assn. has only two choices. Depending on what the assn. decides on the first issue determines if the second is even a discussion.

[AtlUmpSteve]

I agree completely with Andy. The act of bringing a rulebook or by-laws on the field doesn't show me up. How it is done is the issue.

If a coach comes out to ask you a question, does so in a completely calm and polite manner, discusses and leaves, are you shown up? Now, suppose you discover, as he turns away, that he had a rulebook in his back pocket the whole time; is that an ejection?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

I agree completely with Andy. The act of bringing a rulebook or by-laws on the field doesn't show me up. How it is done is the issue.

If a coach comes out to ask you a question, does so in a completely calm and polite manner, discusses and leaves, are you shown up? Now, suppose you discover, as he turns away, that he had a rulebook in his back pocket the whole time; is that an ejection?

The coach has the book turned open to a page that s/he "believes" supports the argument at hand. However, too often the coach hasn't turned the page or isn't aware that the parameters of the play do not apply to the call made, etc. I do not want to put on a clinic researching a rule book in the middle of the field. I will not reference the book no matter what the coach is trying to point out.

If s/he wants to file a protest, give me the scorebook, I've already got a pen.

[Skahtboi]

I think that Mike spelled it out pretty clearly. I agree that you as an independent contractor or your association can refuse to work the games, but if you accept the games, then you should enforce the rules that you are being paid to enforce. We don't get to pick and choose what rules we want or don't want in the game.

[CecilOne]

I'd be happy to meet a coach who had a rule book.

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

I'd be happy to meet a coach who had a rule book.

I know of quite a few, especially at the collegiate and high school levels.

Now....getting them to open them is a horse of a different color.