Dealing with 10U Coaches

[oneonone]

Invite your TD to the field when you know that you will be calling a game of one of the habitual offenders. Point out to the TD or highlight in what ever rule book your league is following the rule that prohibits the coaches from arguing judgements calls before the game begins. Have the TD join the pregame meeting with the coaches and let the TD set the tone of the game, the TD will read the rule, verify the coaches understand it and then you tell the coaches that you are sure there wont be a problem but if there is, one warning will be issued and the next violation will include their dismissal from the field. Unfortunatle many coaches at this level feel that "they" are not governed by the Blu, only thier players are. Having the presence of a TD or a local league official involved may provide the "show" of support you need to control the coaches that have trouble giving you the respect that you are due.

[Mountaineer]

Originally Posted by oneonone

Invite your TD to the field when you know that you will be calling a game of one of the habitual offenders. Point out to the TD or highlight in what ever rule book your league is following the rule that prohibits the coaches from arguing judgements calls before the game begins. Have the TD join the pregame meeting with the coaches and let the TD set the tone of the game, the TD will read the rule, verify the coaches understand it and then you tell the coaches that you are sure there wont be a problem but if there is, one warning will be issued and the next violation will include their dismissal from the field. Unfortunatle many coaches at this level feel that "they" are not governed by the Blu, only thier players are. Having the presence of a TD or a local league official involved may provide the "show" of support you need to control the coaches that have trouble giving you the respect that you are due.

I agree that the show of solidarity is good. I don't think I need the TD (or want him) at my plate meeting. I simply tell coaches if they want to discuss a rule to call time and be properly recognized - if they want to discuss a judgement call to just simply bang their head on the dugout - might not do them anygood but at least they'll have a red mark on their forehead to show for it!

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer

I agree that the show of solidarity is good. I don't think I need the TD (or want him) at my plate meeting. I simply tell coaches if they want to discuss a rule to call time and be properly recognized - if they want to discuss a judgement call to just simply bang their head on the dugout - might not do them anygood but at least they'll have a red mark on their forehead to show for it!

My standard plate meeting includes the Sportsmanship Speech. In this, after the usual yadda yadda, I say the following, "If either of you coaches have a question about a call or a ruling, I am happy to discuss it, so long as you request TIME, and when granted approach me in polite, professional manner. I am less willing to argue about calls, though. You will get a result if you yell across the field, but it may not be the result you want." This is delivered, not as a lecture, but in a somewhat lighthearted tone, with a smile.

I've found that the coaches of younger teams joke back at this, but get the message. For the few that don't, I can refer them back to the plate meeting as a reminder to calm them down short of ejection, etc.

[SRW]

Originally Posted by Dakota

My standard plate meeting includes the Sportsmanship Speech. In this, after the usual yadda yadda, I say the following, "If either of you coaches have a question about a call or a ruling, I am happy to discuss it, so long as you request TIME, and when granted approach me in polite, professional manner. I am less willing to argue about calls, though. You will get a result if you yell across the field, but it may not be the result you want." This is delivered, not as a lecture, but in a somewhat lighthearted tone, with a smile.

I've found that the coaches of younger teams joke back at this, but get the message. For the few that don't, I can refer them back to the plate meeting as a reminder to calm them down short of ejection, etc.

The lines that usually work for me are similar, with the inclusion of:

a. Coach, don't remove yourself from this game. Your players need you here...
b. Coach, I don't need you in this game to continue, but your players do....
c. Coach, I want to keep you in this game. Now here's what's going to happen...

[BretMan]

Man, I can't believe some of the horror stories you folks are spinning!

So far this year I've done about 50-60 games. I have had one coach argue a call with any real vigor (10U baseball) and one other (12U softball) be a general jerk and come up to the brink of ejection before I cooled him off.

I've had zero incidents of abusive parents.

I must be doing something wrong!

[scottk_61]

Originally Posted by BretMan

Man, I can't believe some of the horror stories you folks are spinning!

So far this year I've done about 50-60 games. I have had one coach argue a call with any real vigor (10U baseball) and one other (12U softball) be a general jerk and come up to the brink of ejection before I cooled him off.

I've had zero incidents of abusive parents.

I must be doing something wrong!

Hurmph,,,must be a homer or something.