Should conceding defeat be allowed?

[John Robertson]

Just to clarify a few things...

I did not talk the team into quitting--my partner did. I had no idea what he was discussing with the coach until he told me what the conversation was about prior to the fourth inning.

Personally, I would not have suggested the idea to the coach either. However, I think it's not an entirely bad rule to institute. A team is getting creamed. They're totally outclassed. Having the option of honorably conceding defeat is not so terrible an idea. Just my opinion, though.

Yes, there have been some miraculous comebacks--but it wasn't going to happen in this game. There is a better chance of a Royals-Pirates World Series this year than the team that was losing 18-0 coming back to win that game. I was there.

[jwwashburn]

Originally Posted by John Robertson

Just to clarify a few things...

I did not talk the team into quitting--my partner did. I had no idea what he was discussing with the coach until he told me what the conversation was about prior to the fourth inning.

Personally, I would not have suggested the idea to the coach either. However, I think it's not an entirely bad rule to institute. A team is getting creamed. They're totally outclassed. Having the option of honorably conceding defeat is not so terrible an idea. Just my opinion, though.

Yes, there have been some miraculous comebacks--but it wasn't going to happen in this game. There is a better chance of a Royals-Pirates World Series this year than the team that was losing 18-0 coming back to win that game. I was there.

I will clarify, as well. I think that a team should quit if they want to. My only beef is with an umpire engaging in ANY type of conversation trying to get a team to quit.

[Mountaineer]

I have no problem with an umpire in passing working the conversation to the winning coach to the point he talks about how bad the game is. I can usually get them to say, "These games aren't any fun to umpire or play."

"Well, coach, you can help determine how long we play. I don't think you'll probably win this game without scoring another run - let me know if you're gonna have players step off or anything. . ."

I'm sure there are some that will have a problem with that - but I don't. I didn't ASK or TELL him to do anything. Instead, I put an idea in his mind that will help the suffering on everyone's part end sooner.

[jwwashburn]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer

I have no problem with an umpire in passing working the conversation to the winning coach to the point he talks about how bad the game is. I can usually get them to say, "These games aren't any fun to umpire or play."

"Well, coach, you can help determine how long we play. I don't think you'll probably win this game without scoring another run - let me know if you're gonna have players step off or anything. . ."

I'm sure there are some that will have a problem with that - but I don't. I didn't ASK or TELL him to do anything. Instead, I put an idea in his mind that will help the suffering on everyone's part end sooner.

Way out of line. I don't chat it up with the coaches at ALL...ESPECIALLY not a conversation trying to get the coach to quit. You are borrowing trouble.

[Mountaineer]

Originally Posted by jwwashburn

Way out of line. I don't chat it up with the coaches at ALL...ESPECIALLY not a conversation trying to get the coach to quit. You are borrowing trouble.

You TOTALLY misread then - you might want to reread. I have no problem with talking to coaches. In my experience, it's the opposite that gets you into trouble. Of course there are times when you stay the hell away - but talking between innings is not a problem for me.

[jwwashburn]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer

You TOTALLY misread then - you might want to reread. I have no problem with talking to coaches. In my experience, it's the opposite that gets you into trouble. Of course there are times when you stay the hell away - but talking between innings is not a problem for me.

In 16 years, I have seen the chatting cause some problems.

I cannot fathom any circumstance where just umpiing the game without chatting could possibly cause you a problem.

Tring to convince a coach to quit? Do you actually not see the myriad of potential problems here?

[mcrowder]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer

You TOTALLY misread then - you might want to reread. I have no problem with talking to coaches. In my experience, it's the opposite that gets you into trouble. Of course there are times when you stay the hell away - but talking between innings is not a problem for me.

If you are truly working the levels you quote, I'm amazed you got there. Chatting up with coaches between innings is hard to do from right field, which is where you should be between innings (unless you're U3 - where left field or even center is where you should be). I caught the riot act from an evaluator early in my career for merely being on the 3BL when I should have been in the outfield between innings (as U3).

[Mountaineer]

Originally Posted by mcrowder

If you are truly working the levels you quote, I'm amazed you got there.

You base my ability to umpire on this forum? You are a funny man! If you are THAT good, you should be able to predict the outcome of a game without a pitch being thrown. For your information, our conference wants the umpires to come down toward the plate instead of in the outfield - glad I don't have your evaluator . . . and since she is also our HS clinician - we do the same there. Guess that makes me available to the coaches.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by mcrowder

If you are truly working the levels you quote, I'm amazed you got there. Chatting up with coaches between innings is hard to do from right field, which is where you should be between innings (unless you're U3 - where left field or even center is where you should be). I caught the riot act from an evaluator early in my career for merely being on the 3BL when I should have been in the outfield between innings (as U3).

I hate that mechanic and have absolutely no problem with umpires occupying the base line between innings. For that matter, I prefer partners be in a position to speak to each other during the game instead of conspicuously standing out in the grass of the outfield.

I consider the reason given for the change to be weak and a sorry excuse for changing a positive mechanic.