Can you do this?

[tmielke]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

While I can't tell you what to do, tmielke, it would be wise to think about what it means to do what you did: wilfully violate a rule for the sake of winning. It would also be wise to think about the fact that this is a 12U team, and doing what you did accomplished 4 things:

1 - The kids now believe you must win at all costs, even if it means violating rules, or
2 - Your decision was the correct one, and the kids now think this is the rule, and
3 - If the illegal sub got injured, you're now opened up to the possibility that a slick enough lawyer could argue that as an umpire, you should've known better, and you're responsible for her injuries.
4 - You've possibly now gained an ill reputation among other umpires in the area, some of which you may or may not call with. However, you'll probably face them again, and you've lost credibility with them.

Just food for thought, and that's all I'll say, coach.

Dave,

A youth coach placing to much importance on the win?

Although 2-4 are valid, I felt pretty convicted on number one. Caught up in the moment, I made the wrong decision. Fortunately #3 didn't happen. I can deal with #4. I am sure the girls were oblivious to the situation so no #2.

Tom

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by tmielke

Dave,

A youth coach placing to much importance on the win?

We've all seen that happen.

Originally Posted by tmielke

Although 2-4 are valid, I felt pretty convicted on number one. Caught up in the moment, I made the wrong decision. Fortunately #3 didn't happen. I can deal with #4. I am sure the girls were oblivious to the situation so no #2.

Tom

That's fair enough. I'd read in your post, "When I am coaching I care about who wins the games," and I took that to mean "win, win, win."

As for being caught up in the moment... even umpires get caught up in the moment. Live and learn, I guess.

Anyway, just wanted to toss that out there as a "heads up" for all.

[HawkeyeCubP]

Originally Posted by tmielke

When looking at a rule, and you need to make a decision for your team, if you understand and are willing to accept the consequences is it OK to violate a rule?

This is an ethics question. My feelings, although not worth anything to anyone but me, are that you are both an ambassador of the game and a role model - for better or worse, accepted or unhappily burdened by either/both.

On soapbox.

I took a class in graduate school on Ethics in Sport a few years back, and the debates on topics were never truly settled (to be expected) over the course of the semester. However, what generally held true, and what was, in my mind, both unfortunate and culturally reflective, was that those who were coaches at some level (and were aspiring to become higher level coaches) and the majority of those who had competed in NCAA Div. IA sports believed that decisions like the one you made are completely acceptable.

I think it boils down to the fact that (for worse) there are two separate camps of the "play/coach the game the right way" ideology, and that type of decision exists in one camp, and is not even an entertainable option in the other.

Off soapbox.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by tmielke

Dave,

A youth coach placing to much importance on the win?

Tom

Oh, yeah, it is possible.

But I think the bigger question would be how you would have acted had you been caught? How would others in the league reacted to an umpire who was caught? How would other umpires have reacted?

I think your integrity as an individual, coach or umpire, is more important than the win, anytime.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

While the term rat is pretty prevalent among the MLB umpire groupie wannabies who promulgate the BB Board and whose claim to fame is umpiring HS Ball (the sole requirement of such is to pay your assoc dues, buy a shirt and run around with a ball bag) and ejecting a couple of meat heads...

You wont see the term on this board.

And what's the requirement of working softball, the inability to get around a 90-foot-field?

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by Rich Fronheiser

And what's the requirement of working softball, the inability to get around a 90-foot-field?

Do you have anything constructive to add to the topic at hand? Or is the trolling just slow these days?

[Rich]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

Do you have anything constructive to add to the topic at hand? Or is the trolling just slow these days?

Just responding to the comments about the baseball board and the "rat" designation. I don't see you scolding THOSE people.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by Rich Fronheiser

Just responding to the comments about the baseball board and the "rat" designation. I don't see you scolding THOSE people.

Because I prefer to add something constructive to the conversation, as I'm not compelled to trash someone who asked an honest question.