Chatty umpires

[ntxblue]

Never have been asked this one before - never encountered it either. I wasn't at the tournament, so this is second hand from my daughter's perspective.

During a tournament this weekend, the BU just wouldn't keep quiet. He talked the whole game to whatever player was near his position. Normal chatter between BU and player usually happens during "breaks". But this BU talked all the way up to the pitch - probably affecting the concentration of the infielder. Also, his position was extremely close to the players, which also made them feel uncomfortable.

Usually common sense and courtesy prevail. How should a player handle such a situation? Should she have the coach talk with BU? Suggestions please.

[Bandit]

Not only the concentration of the player but I would have to question the concentration of the BU himself/herself. I very rarely have any converstion with a infielder while on the bases. Every now and then I may ask a outfielder to be and sure and ask me to adjust my postion to some extent if I'm blocking their view from a position their coach wants them to play, and this is done within the flow of the game and only to the extent that it won't effect my ability to make a particular call. I have to say I have more conversation with a catcher while behind the plate than I ever do with infielders. I would want a coach to come to me in a polite manner during a timeout or inbetween innings if any fielder thought I was being too "chatty".

[Skahtboi]

I definitely think that the coach needs to address this, with the PU present as well. There is no way that the BU could be focusing on all that he/she needs to be focusing on.

Scott

[oppool]

My guess and I may be wrong but I would bet this BU is a rookie ump and if that was the case the PU probably should have said something or a UIC that was watching. As for a coach or a player to say something directly to the BU during the game may not be a great idea but the coach should probably go to the tournament UIC after the game and discuss it.


JMO

Don

[ntxblue]

Don,

Actually, the BU was a veteran of many years (probably too many). My daughter and wife were joking about having never seen so many OLD umpires.

This was not an ASA tournament. The sanctioning body was having difficulty securing enough umpires to cover the fields. I was called five time over the past three weeks but like most of the ASA Blues, we declined their offer. Many of us would like the opportunity to call ASA Nationals and don't want anything to derail that goal.

They actually were waiving the registration fee if the attending blues would buy their shirt and hat! No time to study their rule book - just show up and call. I guess it's just easier to "borrow" good umpires than cultivate your own.

I guess I should probably get off my ASA soapbox. I do understand that many umps need to call for more than one organization. We're lucky here, there is usually an ASA tournament to call every weekend.

Don, Chris was hoping you would have been available this past weekend. We sure could have used you. It was a great tournament. There's another 16U tourney this weekend.

[Andy]

Interesting subject. When I work the bases, I usually "chat" with some of the players, but only during dead times during play like after a strikeout. Just light conversation like, "How is the tournament going for your team?" or "Where are you all from?" I do not continue up until the time of the pitch and try to be sensitive to the reaction of the player...if she ignores me or gives me a short answer, I won't talk anymore. I would be receptive to a player or coach telling me that I was making them uncomfortable or affecting their concentration. I've always thought that it was a way to establish a rapport with the teams and coaches and show that I am a human too and not just the big, bad umpire.