IMHO you're either approachable or you isn't. 15 seconds of a plate meeting isn't going to change the attitude of either a coach or an umpire.

In about three hours I will be working (PU) with two teams I have had three times each in the last two weeks - my pre-game meeting will be about 30 seconds long -just long enough to point out dead ball lines and wish the girls good luck!

Unless both teams have bought entirely new sets of bats and hats in the last 48 hours, THOSE checks will be EXTREMELY brief...

My guess is we will be started at 3:45 instead of 4....


In all the PONY tournaments we do, we always have the team who traveled the farthest call the toss, we remind them of the time limit, and get them started!

At that level, IMO, jewelry and sportsmanship should be a given! We do gently remind the coaches while checking bats and hats, but never at the pregame..

Most teams also know enough that its 5 pitches the 1st innings, and 3 thereafter...

Introduction of crew
Check line up cards and confirm with coach
Ground rules for this field
Ask for questions
Coin flip.

Takes 3-4 minutes. If it takes more than four minutes, somebody asked a dumb question.

Asking about equipment is a waste of time, effort and creates a false sense of security.

No warnings, no personal quirks, no rules clinics, no anything, just give me a defense in position and a batter in the box. Play ball.

They did WHAT?
 

The main reason I do a double flip almost always (sometimes I don't...if the UIC says one flip, it's one flip) is a throwback to the honor of the old original Knickerbocker Rules. rule 3 says, among other things (and this is a paraphrase) that the two teams will toss to determine who calls it, and then there is a second toss.

Not trying to be an elitist...just my little quirkish deference to the roots of the game.

Of course if I wanted to get to the REAL roots of softball, I could use the rule from the 1890s that allowed the leadoff batter to run the bases either clockwise or counter-clockwise. :eek:

Now, that would be worth a few sheckles to see!!

Sort of like touching one base and sitting down on a HR. Either you are running or you're not.

If you are going to designate the heads/tails, just go with that flip. Why bother with a second?

My team use to walk to the pre-game and ask the other team if they wanted the hammer. Usually stunned, but most said yes. No flip necessary. We figured that if we couldn't outscore them in 7 innings, being first or last was irrelevant as if we didn't succeed, we didn't deserve to win the game.

I almost always (unless I forget) ask, "Does anyone wanna be visitors?" Had a situation where I had to flip anyway in a recent tournament -- both teams wanted first ups. But if I get a taker, no flip, let's go, play ball, another 1:20 closer to relazing with an ice cold Diet Pepsi (the Strawberries and Cream is ok, but this new Caramel Cream deal doesn't sit well with me...but if we're lucky this weekend we get FREE RED BULL).

Oh, did I fail to mention that in most tournaments we played, home team was required to supply two new balls?

We don't need no stinkin' balls! That leaves more money for beer.

One of my favorite tournaments from back in my olden days in TX was a slowpitch tournament where each team had to supply two balls for each game.

Each ball was carefully marked, and the TD would require the team to either pitch what they brought OR hit what they brought...but they would never know for sure which they would get to do until the plate conference. There were minimal requirements...blue dots, black dots, various COR and stuff...made for a very interesting and fun weekend.

Hate those type of tournament rules. AFA I'm concerned, the ball that comes out of my bag is the ball with which we are playing. Don't like the ball, hit it out of play (especially if it's a 1-pitch tournament :D )

Why do folks flip the coin twice? From whence did that particular occurrence evolve?

Probably from someone who didn't have the nerve to designate someone to make the initial call, yet that is done when they flip twice.:rolleyes:

As mentioned just above, Knickerbocker Rules #3 called for two tosses, one toss to determine who called the toss, and another to determine who was in and who was out.

I doubt they were the first ones, but that's where it comes from for these games we play.

From an NFHS mind, not always in this order:
Intro umps
Lineups verified
Dead ball limits & app if odd
Sportsmanship required
Coaches certify equip.
Quick reminder about jewelry & helmets
Coin flip if needed
Partner's comments
"Rule one is have fun, take the field please".
Don't care if it takes 3.41 or 4.5 minutes.

If a coin flip is necessary, it should always be the last thing an umpire does. Once you conduct the flip, those in the meeting will not paying attention and anything said will fall on deaf ears assuming they are still standing there after the flip.

Agree, that's why it's at the end. Revised:
Partner's comments
Coin flip if needed