coach pulling out the rule book

[CajunNewBlue]

hrmmm... I thought coaches already knew everything. just ask them!

[vcblue]

Like I said It did not bother me, I was just wondering if there was some rule or code I did not know about. It was the first time I have noticed such an action (it probably happens all the time (I was BU so it was right in front of me). After the game a young ASA umpire (many years hardball) ask why I allowed him to do that and he would have said something. My response was, "why? I rather just have the girls play ball".

[Andy]

There is nothing specific about a coach using a rule book during a game.

As Tom said, it's all about the manner in which that rulebook is used. If a coach comes onto the field waving the book and demanding that I show him where a rule is to back up a call, he is going to have plenty of time to look it up for himself as he waits in the parking lot for the game to be over.

I had a JV coach this year that came to me between innings with the rule book out and asked me, very politely, to show her where something was that she questioned from the prior inning. I asked her to put the book away and told her that I would be happy to talk with her after the game. She complied and we continued the game.

[kcg NC2Ablu]

judegment call = no rules question... unless the interpretation of a rule being applied calls for judgement and your rule application or interpretation is wrong. as for a general purpose ... anytime there is a question that you arent 100 % sure of about a rule and a coach brings a book out why not prevent a protestable situation and look it up? Protests are demeaning and just generally not a good thing.. if your 100% positive your right then ok ... but if your not then check the book. as for the OP if it was a judgement call and no rule application.. this guy shouldnt be coaching if he istryin to throw a rule book out at you...

[archangel]

Originally Posted by kcg NC2Ablu

... anytime there is a question that you arent 100 % sure of about a rule and a coach brings a book out why not prevent a protestable situation and look it up? Protests are demeaning and just generally not a good thing.. if your 100% positive your right then ok ... but if your not then check the book....

In theory (depending on the sich as others have said) it may sound good, but in reality?? ---"Time!, ok, let me have the book, coach......no, thats not the page, ......maybe this one.......nope.......hold on coach, I'll find it.......wait, I think this is it......

Game is delayed, all are watching you thumb through the book, partner is most probably thinking "What the hell?"...

The reason I use this example is because if an umpire is unsure of a rule, he probably will have trouble finding it in the book(lack of studying?). If one is sure of the rule, no book is needed......Or clueing in the coach can wait till after the game

[Welpe]

Not to mention the issue of where you have a ruling that requires you to string two or three rule references and an RS/AR together in order to prove you are correct. That takes quite a bit of time during a game, and in my opinion, makes it look like you don't know what you're doing out there.

[vcblue]

Ok so now I know there is no rule. Here was the situation. The last few year our association has placed less season umps on final games for all-star tournaments with some disastrous(yet funny) results. At the tournament I worked this weekend the director request seasoned umps. So my partner and I (both have done nationals) did the 10gold championship.

The field was typical rec, no fences and tents for the snack bar area set up about 200 feet in fair territory down the third base line. We went over the ground rule and explain that if a ball roles in to that area it would be a GRD. The coaches did not protest.

Of course a ball was hit in to the tents and as the BR rounded second we killed it and awarded second. The coach came out to me a said, "there is a rule in the book that says you can award her more bases". I said yes coach that is spectator interference, however we agreed at the beginning of the game this would be a GRD.

So to be honest with you I have no idea why he went to the book. I explained to him the only two things this could be, but oh well that's 10rec.

[argodad]

Originally Posted by vcblue

The field was typical rec, no fences and tents for the snack bar area set up about 200 yards in fair territory down the third base line. We went over the ground rule and explain that if a ball roles in to that area it would be a GRD. The coaches did not protest.

Of course a ball was hit in to the tents and as the BR rounded second we killed it and awarded second.

DAMN! A ten year old hit one 600 feet? Get that kid's name!

[wadeintothem]

Originally Posted by vcblue

Ok so now I know there is no rule. Here was the situation. The last few year our association has placed less season umps on final games for all-star tournaments with some disastrous(yet funny) results. At the tournament I worked this weekend the director request seasoned umps. So my partner and I (both have done nationals) did the 10gold championship.

The field was typical rec, no fences and tents for the snack bar area set up about 200 yards in fair territory down the third base line. We went over the ground rule and explain that if a ball roles in to that area it would be a GRD. The coaches did not protest.

Of course a ball was hit in to the tents and as the BR rounded second we killed it and awarded second. The coach came out to me a said, "there is a rule in the book that says you can award her more bases". I said yes coach that is spectator interference, however we agreed at the beginning of the game this would be a GRD.

So to be honest with you I have no idea why he went to the book. I explained to him the only two things this could be, but oh well that's 10rec.

Very bad call by you.

Someone hits a ball that far, give them the dang home run.

[jwwashburn]

I had a Varsity HS DH a few years ago...The head coach(also the AD) had the flu and was home, the Asst coach had injured her ankle teaching PE and was at the hospital, The JV team was playing elswhere.

The principal met me and my partner in the Parking lot to tell us the sitch. She asked if they had to forfeit. I said, that she could be the coach as long as she got some school colors on.

She pulled out the rules book so many times because she was so confused. She had all kinds of questions between innings...trying to learn. What a nice lady. She could not have been nicer! She complimented us on our knowledge and hard work and on how we were helping her learn softball!

It was all we could do not to crack up! Her team swept the DH because their pitchers were amazing.

Joe In Missouri

PS I did not eject her!

[kcg NC2Ablu]

Originally Posted by archangel

In theory (depending on the sich as others have said) it may sound good, but in reality?? ---"Time!, ok, let me have the book, coach......no, thats not the page, ......maybe this one.......nope.......hold on coach, I'll find it.......wait, I think this is it......

Game is delayed, all are watching you thumb through the book, partner is most probably thinking "What the hell?"...

The reason I use this example is because if an umpire is unsure of a rule, he probably will have trouble finding it in the book(lack of studying?). If one is sure of the rule, no book is needed......Or clueing in the coach can wait till after the game

If I am not 100 percent on a rule which its more likely that Im not 100% on an effect of a crazy situation I can damn sure tell you rule and section that I need in the rule sets that I work. aka NCAA PONY ASA NFHS soooo no if you need it get it if you dont then don't. Bottom line PREVENT protests

[first2third]

Clarification 10 u coach:

A. Coach can read?
B. Coach has a rule book?
C. Coach stayed in dugout to read said rule book?

Give this coach a medal, I am impressed!