Calling coaches and players by first names

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by scottk_61

Calling a coach or player by any name other than their position (coach, #9, or short stop etc.) is just asking for trouble.
It lends itself to an easy claim of us showing favoritism towards one team/player/coach over the other.
I have always been taught that the best thing to call a coach is "Coach or Sir or Ma'am".
Players are always addressed by their position or their jersey number.
In turn the participants should only call you Sir, umpire, heck I will even accept Blue. I do remember when a coach calling you Blue was a sure way to be on the smelly end of the stick for him.

I'm in complete agreement with scott. Or... Blue. Even if both coaches are great friends of yours, it doesn't paint a picture of impartiality and opens you up to avoidable criticism. I *might* use a player or coach's first name if they're not a part of the game I'm working, but I also try to limit my chatter during games.