Coaching the coach...
 

Yesterday - Jr college game, NCAA rules, bases loaded, no outs.
I am BU. Long fly ball hit to F8, I come into the infield to pick up the tag ups at first and second, my back is to third base.

The ball is caught, both of my runners hold their bases.

The defensive coach comes out of her dugout toward me yelling that "she left early, oh my god, how could you not see that, what were you looking at?!" My first thought was....what the h*ll is she talking about?????

The coach turns toward my partner at the plate and states her concern again that the runner on third left early....my partner tells her that the runner on third is not my (BU) call...you need to appeal. Finally, we get a proper appeal and my partner declares the runner out for leaving early.

I started thinking how I would have interacted with the coach had she kept coming out to me.....Should I have just told her that the runner on third is not my responsibility and she needs to talk to my partner? I'm also interested to hear if any of you here would tell her she needs to make a proper appeal? I don't think I would have...she should certainly know this basic procedure.

Opinions??????

Andy,
She should know a lot of things, but... I agree with you in not telling her to make a proper appeal. Had she kept coming at you, tell her to talk to your partner as that runner is his responsibility and leave it at that.

If she came out the way you said she did, I would first advise that she needed to calm down or find a seat on the bus. If she calmed down and acted in a civil manner I would then advise her that it was my partners call and she need to speak with him/her.

I'm wondering why your partner told her she had to appeal. Shouldn't a college coach know when an appeal is required? And, doesn't the appeal have to be made by a player?

No, no, no. this is just too big a door to not walk through.:D

Let the coach keep coming, don't say a word, just smile.

When she reaches you, simply ask, "What's the problem, coach?"

If she just says THE runner left early, simply tell her that neither of your runners moved. When, or if, she specifies R1 left early, tell her, "didn't see that runner leave early coach." Guarantee she'll ask how you could possibly miss it and you will tell her, "Coach, my responsibility is the two trailing runners."

I'm almost willing to bet instead of just turning to your partner, she would ask who's responsibility it is. :)

I would have let her know that it wasnt my call....but not tell her how to appeal.....


If u get time.........let me know which of our wonderful coaches it was.....

I agree, though I must admit that I like Mike's approach to this situation. :eek: