Missed a big opportunity here, Big. Anytime I have a player or coach mention running out of the base line, I simply tell them there is no rule prohibiting it. That usually sets them off or sits them down :D

Hrmmm... My October calendar doesn't have a Monday with a 23 on it.

;)

My favorite to use on a coach is the obstruction rule. They love to tell you that the defense can't "block the bag" or "stand there". Of course, there is no rule prohibiting their location so I just antagonize them for a minute disagreeing with them before quoting the rule and letting them know that they could be committing obstruction but that does not limit them from being in any one place.

I actually had one coach, who is known to be difficult at times, who was very familiar with both myself and the other members of my crew (including other sports), who, when I did this, left me stomping her feet and marching off to my partner calling him by name like a school kid going to the teacher because they felt they were mistreated in the classroom. It was great.

I had a runner come in to score from
 

second all the while yelling and screaming at me (Oh, this is boys "adult" t-ball aka slowpitch) that I'm supposed to pick up the bat. When I inform him that the discarded bat is not my responsibility he proceeds to tell me that the playing conditions of the field are my responsibility. I agreed with him and advised him that the playing field was in great condition. While sitting in the dugout fuming he yells at me that he wants an address where he can send a letter. I told him to look online.

Should have asked him if he needed someone to write if for him. ;)

Did he specify what the letter was to be about? If not, I'd have been tempted to direct him to "Dear Abby" for his troubles.

Skaht, boy this coach sure does some traveling!

I've run across one guy (he's in his second or third year) in my area in a few different tournaments and leagues who seems to think that getting the bat is the umpire's number one priority, no matter what else is happening on the field.

A runner singles with nobody else on, he's hustling out to pick up the bat. A batter walks and he's grabbing the bat she dropped. Plays being made on the bases (not at home plate) and he's busy either picking up the bat or kicking it out of the way.

You can only hope the guy gets some good training somewhere along the line or, better yet, an evaluation. Maybe we'll get assigned a game together sometime and I can drop a hint...

Someone needs to take one of those bats and smack him with it.

Wait until some superstitious monster screams at him to moving the bat and jinxing his routine. Don't laugh, I've seen it happen.

lol... that reminds me of the movie major league...sacrificing a bucket of chicken to his bats.

Before that happens, he's probably going to have a bigger problem with missing something out on the field because his attention is focused on his "bat boy" duties.

I ran across this guy again in a fall league a few weeks ago. He was working a game solo. Every play where the batter discarded a bat, he's going after it- I mean, really hustling out there with gusto- apparently oblivious to runner's advancing, throws being made, where the ball was...

If we ever work together I'll probably say something, but I'm not one to offer unsolicited advice to another umpire while he's in the middle of a game that I have no involvment with.

Or, perhaps
 

he will have picked the bat up and has to hustle down the 3rd to make a call and yells "SAFE!!!!" and when he makes the prescribed hand signal the ball will go flying and hit the base coach.

Ahhh... One can only dream... :rolleyes:

It is my understanding that the NY HS school for Sb umpires actually teach their umpires to pick up the bats.

I have had this argument at a number of tournaments with NY umpires that it is a bad idea.

Not only is it a bad idea, but it is putting all of the organization in line for one of those crazy lawsuits!

I attended the NY State Softball Umpires school last year. I was never TEACHED that!