My Problem, Your Replies Valued..

whiskers_ump · #1 (**permalink**) Wed Apr 03, 2002, 09:59pm

This is concerning NFHS softball...Since I value the input that
is offered on this forum, I would like to hear how the ones of
you that call FED ball would handle this. Thanks

Last night in the second of my two games, this the varsity game,
I made I call that I was absoluately sure of. A bounding ball
down the third base line just about centering the base as it
bounded over it and then landed approximately 18 inches to maybe
24 inches in foul ground. All the time I am indicating fair ball.
Home team hit the ball, their dugout on the third base side of the
field. Visiting coach immediately rushes out of dugout when action
over, but time not called. [Runner had safely reached 3rd], neither
myself nor partner had called time. I did as soon as I saw her on
field and headed my direction. She is screaming and yelling about
how far the ball landed foul. I agreed with her. She apparently
thought I was being smart and started cursing. I told her to hold it
down and that she had best re-enter her dugout and that she was
restricted. Before the game was over I had time to think about her
actions and that the only other person who could have possibly
heard her remarks to me, was her catcher. I did not make an incident
report of the situation. Should I have?

BTW...Friday, I am scheduled for the plate with her team and the
other team that is tied for 1st in this district.

Thanks - glen

ntxblue · #2 (**permalink**) Wed Apr 03, 2002, 10:09pm

Glen,

Sounds like you're going to have some FUN on Friday!!

The coach definitely deserved to be restricted - before she cursed at you. Coming out onto the field during a live ball, she should know better. Being as her "remarks" were not broadcast for all to hear, I probably wouldn't write up the incident report. Believe it or not, some coaches actually feel guilty about their behavior - sometimes.

Be sure and let us know how Friday's game turns out.

Gary

IRISHMAFIA · #3 (**permalink**) Wed Apr 03, 2002, 10:22pm

I think the volume of the remarks are irrelevent. The coach didn't come out to discuss the Cherry Blossom Festival.

Any coach who isn't smart enough to understand you do not leave the dugout during a live ball period certainly isn't going to hesitate to do it again unless dressed down by an authority other than the one with which she was already arguing.

You are not doing anyone (other umpires) any favors by overlooking the incident.

JMHO

Steve M · #4 (**permalink**) Wed Apr 03, 2002, 11:10pm

I agree with Mike. A report is warranted because of the way she handled things in coming onto the field during the live ball. If no action is taken, she'll think it's OK to do that and then other coaches will, too. Had she properly asked for time and then swore during your discussion, maybe you can choose to ignore that if nobody else heard anything.

Gulf Coast Blue · #5 (**permalink**) Thu Apr 04, 2002, 12:02am

Sure glen..........

Submit an incident report.......

Since you restricted her to the dugout (instead of ejection).........there is no real penalty......(unless she gets enough incident reports in her file........grin)

Stick to the facts........

i.e. - "Coach entered the field of play in an unsportmanlike manner during a live ball situation........very unsportsmanlike in her tone and volume. Restricted to the bench.....yada, yada, yada....."

Also note her attitude for the remainder of the game......

Good luck...........

Guess you won't be on her playoff list............lol

Joel

Skahtboi · #6 (**permalink**) Thu Apr 04, 2002, 09:54pm

Gotta agree with the "file the report" crowd. There is no cause for this, and she certainly needs to learn that it will not be condoned by anybody. Chances are, this is not the first time that she has done something along these lines, but it certainly needs to be the last time.

Scott

refjef40 · #7 (**permalink**) Fri Apr 05, 2002, 10:55am

I noticed Joel mentioned the coaches playoff list.Here in my part of Cal. the assoc. picks playoff off. with no other input .My question is to any of you does your assoc. pick playoffs with coaches our how do you do it?

ntxblue · #8 (**permalink**) Fri Apr 05, 2002, 11:45am

As of now, coaches make their "requests" for the playoff crews and the scheduler tries to comply, if possible. Of course, you always end up with alot of the same people requested by all of the coaches.

Currently, there is no standard evalution procedure. We scramble just to cover all of the regular district games. For playoffs the "Good Ole Boy" network lives on.

whiskers_ump · #9 (**permalink**) Fri Apr 05, 2002, 01:31pm

In this area of East Texas, coaches submit a list of usually
4-5 umpires that they would like to see work their games.
[Some coaches list or not that long, but then others are more.]
The Scheduler then makes final choice. This does not always
work out too well, but at present, it is the only system that
we have.

glen

Roger Greene · #10 (**permalink**) Sun Apr 07, 2002, 12:11pm

In North Carolina crews for playoff games are sent from a neutral Booking Agent, unless the ADs from both schools involved request and agree to an agent that serves one of the schools. This way, in most cases the crew officiating a playoff haven't seen either school and have no history with the coaches or teams.

To be concidered for playoff games you must be a class 1 official (highest classification on our 1-4 levels.)

This being said, coaches who make the playoff's on a regular basis do ask their atheltic directors to " unoffficially request" certain officials if they are available. A booking agent would probably comply with this request if there are no objections from the opponent. The quality of the local booking agent's association as a whole has more to do with the number of playoff assignments than any other factor.

Roger Greene

[Edited by Roger Greene on Apr 7th, 2002 at 12:16 PM]