How many coaches?

[Andy]

This question came up at a tournament I was working this past weekend:

Defensive team requests and is granted time for a conference. One coach comes out of the dugout to talk to the pitcher and catcher, another coach comes out to talk to the outfielders to make sure they understand the game situation. Are multiple coaches allowed to come out during the conference?

Here are the applicable rules from the 2007 ASA book (don't have the 2008 book online yet):

Rule 5. Section 7. CONFERENCES.
B. Defensive Conference. There shall be only three charged conference(s)
between the manager or other team representative from the dugout with any
defensive player(s) in a seven inning game. For every inning beyond seven,
there shall be one charged conference per inning between the manager or
other team representative from the dugout with any defensive player(s).
EFFECT: The fourth, and each additional, charged conference in a seven inning
game, or for any charged conference in excess of one per inning in an extra
inning game, shall result in the removal of the pitcher from the pitching position
for the remainder of the game. The removed pitcher can play another position
on defense but cannot pitch again.

9. CHARGED CONFERENCES.
A. Defensive. A defensive charged conference occurs when the defense requests
a suspension of play for any reason, and a representative enters the
playing field to communicate with any defensive player. Should a defensive
player approach the dugout and receive instructions, this is considered a
defensive conference. The umpire should advise a team representative
when a defensive conference has been charged. A TEAM IS ALLOWED
THREE CONFERENCES PER SEVEN INNINGS. They may use all three
conferences in one inning or spread them out over a seven inning game.
Once the three conferences have been used, the pitcher must be removed
for each additional charged conference. In extra inning games, there will
be one charged conference allowed in each extra inning. On the second
conference in an extra inning of a game, the pitcher must be removed. If
the pitcher returns to the pitching position after being removed and one
pitch is thrown, the pitcher is disqualified.

Both the rule and the rule supplement mention a (one) manager or a team representative, but is it limited to a single person and, if so, is there a penalty if more than one team representative comes out of the dugout to confer during suspension of play?

[AtlUmpSteve]

In my opinion, there isn't that limit. During the defensive conference, the offense may talk with their players, and that is most usually more than one coach. Why would we limit the coaches on the team that is actually charged, but not limit the team that gets the free piggyback ride?

I would treat it the same as I treat the offense here; I granted time to Coach X for his conference; any and all side conferences must end when I end Coach X's conference (within reason), or else they are charged for their separate conference. If it is another defensive coach holding us up to confer after Coach X is done, then we have two charged defensive conferences.

[NCASAUmp]

So long as the conference is done efficiently, I don't care how many coaches/managers come out. I wouldn't limit them to just one coach just because the book didn't include all possibilities.

Remember, during a defensive conference, the offense's coach can come out and talk with their players, so long as the defensive coach is still holding their conference.

As long as the game is still moving along, I wouldn't sweat it.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Andy

Both the rule and the rule supplement mention a (one) manager or a team representative, but is it limited to a single person and, if so, is there a penalty if more than one team representative comes out of the dugout to confer during suspension of play?

Add me to the list of those who do not care how many come out of the dugout. If you think about it, the conference is going to take less time if there are more communicators involved.

Please note 5.7.B
Defensive Conference. There shall be only three charged conference(s)
between the manager or other team representative from the dugout with any
defensive player(s) in a seven inning game

It says a conference between players and a representative from the dugout. No mention that someone MUST leave the dugout. What would you do if the infield gathered at the dugout and more then one person spoke to them?

As Steve noted, I wouldn't worry about addtional coaches on the field unless one went long.

[Steve M]

Add me to the list of those that don't care how many coaches get involved in a conference - for the same reasons.

[NCASAUmp]

And since Irish went down that path, I'll just clarify that a coach merely shouting instructions from a dugout does not necessarily constitute a conference. If it stops the game, that's a different matter.