Calling coaches and players by first names

[argodad]

At our HS association meeting yesterday we discussed the article on pp. 4-5 of the Winter NFHS Officials' Quarterly. The author suggests calling coaches and players by their first name whenever possible. That contradicts what I've been taught and always done. I don't care if it's my next door neighbor, on the field he's "Coach Smith." And I sure don't want the coach yelling from the 3B coaching box, "Ah come on, Larry!"

How do you do it / teach it in your area?

[Dakota]

I always just call them "Coach." I know most of the local coaches by name, but on the field they are "Coach." I believe it establishes the desired business relationship and conveys a certain measure of respect for their position. And, it is very easy for me to remember!

[SRW]

It's "Coach" or "Sir" from me... and expected that it's Blue, Ump, Sir, whatever... but not my name from them. I've actually corrected coaches who have called me my name ... "Coach, please call me Blue or Ump out here on the field."

[orangeump]

so you would rather be called some color than your God given name?

That to me is disrespectful more than calling me by name and it's not even close

[IRISHMAFIA]

I do not want players, coaches or even fans calling me by ANY name, first, last, middle or nick.

An umpire's name is Sir, Mr. Umpire, ump, Blue or "Hey, man". Call me "Umpsie" and you may end up with a warning.

For any official or any sport, display of personal familiarity is a curse and add absolutely not positive aspects to the game the individual has be assigned to officiate.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

I do not want players, coaches or even fans calling me by ANY name, first, last, middle or nick.

An umpire's name is Sir, Mr. Umpire, ump, Blue or "Hey, man". Call me "Umpsie" and you may end up with a warning.

For any official or any sport, display of personal familiarity is a curse and add absolutely not positive aspects to the game the individual has be assigned to officiate.

IrishMafia:

I agree with you completely, BUT more importantly is I don't care what they call me as long as they don't call me late to dinner.

MTD, Sr.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Call me "Umpsie" and you may end up with a warning.

If I got called that, I'd probably be too busy laughing my tail off to issue a warning.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by orangeump

so you would rather be called some color than your God given name?

That to me is disrespectful more than calling me by name and it's not even close

Anyone besides me notice the irony here?

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by Dakota

Anyone besides me notice the irony here?

[Andy]

I read the article and have some mixed feelings about the authors points.

I will call a coach by first name, but only if I have a relationship with both coaches involved in the contest. I'm damn sure not going to introduce myself to a coach I don't know with a "Good afternoon, Coach. My name is Andy", and go over to the other coach that I do know with a "Hey, Joe! How are ya?, Good to see you!"

I don't mind being called by name on the field, I guess that is just a personal preference.

As I have started doing more college level ball the last few years, I have noticed that the college coaches seem to like calling the umpires by name. I think they do it for just the reasons the author of the article suggests; they think is establishes a more personal relationship and your calls will go their way more often.

[bluezebra]

Originally Posted by orangeump

so you would rather be called some color than your God given name?

That to me is disrespectful more than calling me by name and it's not even close

God didn't give me my name, my parents did.

When I officiated, I preferred "blue", "ump", etc., but not by my name. I referred to a coach as "coach", even if we were aquainted. Players were by position or uniform number. THAT is respectful. Calling me by my name is familiarity, and THAT is disrespectful.

Bob