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vcblue Mon May 25, 2009 11:15pm

coach pulling out the rule book
 
After I made a judgment call the coach did not like he pulled out the rule book to read. He did not come out of the dug and play did not stop.

I have always heard that a coach should not be allowed to go to the rule book during a game. Is this an umpire thing or is there a specific rule (I could not find one) or ASA code?

Stat-Man Mon May 25, 2009 11:52pm

Devil's Advocate
 
i'm going to go out on a limb and say if the coach looked something up, did not further argue it or otherwise cause play to stop, why keep him or her from learning something (or learning what they originally thought was wrong :D)? As one of the sayings I've learned on here goes, why look for trouble that doesn't exist?

I've never seen any rule in basketball, softball, soccer, or volleyball that precludes a coach from reading a rulebook during the game. That said, I would 100% agree that if a coach brings it out on the field or tries to use it to show up an official, that needs to be dealt with immediately.

Welpe Tue May 26, 2009 01:13am

There's nothing illegal (or wrong!) with coaches reading the book in their dugout. If a coach comes out of the dugout with it and is shoving it in my face, they are probably going to be done for the game.

Skahtboi Tue May 26, 2009 08:57am

Heck...for all I know, every coach I have had this year has pulled out his rule book and read it in the dugout. I would never know. I have too many REAL issues to worry about between the lines to ever notice what goes on in a dugout.

Dakota Tue May 26, 2009 09:20am

I have on occasion suggested to coaches that they check the rule book (in the dugout).

As to bringing it on the field, the reason, timing, and demeanor are more important to me than what the coach may or may not have in his/her hand. Showing up the umpire is cause for ejection, not merely having a rule book in the hand. I do understand the traditional view on this; it has just not been an issue for me in practice.

But, in the dugout? No problem; have at it. He might learn something.

CajunNewBlue Tue May 26, 2009 09:28am

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

vcblue Tue May 26, 2009 09:55am

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 Tue May 26, 2009 11:11am

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 Tue May 26, 2009 11:44am

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...

JEL Tue May 26, 2009 01:03pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by vcblue (Post 604559)
After I made a judgment call the coach did not like he pulled out the rule book to read. He did not come out of the dug and play did not stop.

I have always heard that a coach should not be allowed to go to the rule book during a game. Is this an umpire thing or is there a specific rule (I could not find one) or ASA code?

Good!

Let him spend his game time doing something he should have already done such as learning the rules. It will keep him quiet and out of your hair!

If he then desires on field classroom instruction from you while toting his new found rule book, toss him.

wadeintothem Tue May 26, 2009 01:52pm

I've had both situations - a rule book where I ejected and a rule book where I showed them the rule. So IMO, it is a case by case basis thing. I think showing up an umpire is an ejection... so it will depend on what exactly is going on.

I'd think it best to leave the myth/implication out there that it is ALWAYS automatic just to keep em honest.

Welpe Tue May 26, 2009 01:58pm

There are very few game management situations where the word "automatic" applies. ;)

archangel Tue May 26, 2009 02:43pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcg NC2Ablu (Post 604633)
... 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 Tue May 26, 2009 02:51pm

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 Tue May 26, 2009 08:15pm

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 Tue May 26, 2009 08:30pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by vcblue (Post 604739)

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! :cool:

wadeintothem Tue May 26, 2009 08:37pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by vcblue (Post 604739)
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 Tue May 26, 2009 08:39pm

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!

vcblue Tue May 26, 2009 09:12pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by wadeintothem (Post 604745)
Very bad call by you.

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by argodad (Post 604744)
DAMN! A ten year old hit one 600 feet? Get that kid's name! :cool:

Ha! fixed the mistake 200 feet. I was on a football board before I wrote this.

vcblue Tue May 26, 2009 09:16pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by wadeintothem (Post 604745)
Very bad call by you.

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

200 feet not yards, and in my judgment she would have only got 3rd (slow), however I must disagree with your bad call statement (unless it was based on my 200 yard mistake). Pre-game sets the ground rules, the host league set up the tents and we had to deal with them. We stated what the call would be and no one disagreed.

I am sure the other coach would have come out if we did anything but put her at second.

MichaelVA2000 Tue May 26, 2009 10:39pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Welpe (Post 604571)
If they come out of the dugout without, shoving it in my face and trying to prove a point, they are probably going to be done for the game.

So if they come out of the dugout and do shove it in your face not trying to prove a point, are they probably going to remain in the game?:confused:

wadeintothem Tue May 26, 2009 11:57pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by vcblue (Post 604752)
200 feet not yards, and in my judgment she would have only got 3rd (slow), however I must disagree with your bad call statement (unless it was based on my 200 yard mistake). Pre-game sets the ground rules, the host league set up the tents and we had to deal with them. We stated what the call would be and no one disagreed.

I am sure the coach would have come out if we did anything but put her at second.

200 feet - good call .. ground rules were set and thats the way it is.

200 yards - bad call ;) Thats a helluva hit.

Welpe Wed May 27, 2009 12:46am

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelVA2000 (Post 604783)
So if they come out of the dugout and do shove it in your face not trying to prove a point, are they probably going to remain in the game?:confused:

First of all, I edited my post to make it clearer and to convey what I originally intended. If they're shoving it in my face, they'll probably be gone. ;)

Second, it all depends upon how they approach me. Nicely, I'll ask them to put it away. Coming at me in a not-so-nice manner, I'm telling them to put it away. If they're being an Adam-Henry about it...buh-bye.

Ref Ump Welsch Wed May 27, 2009 10:18am

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwwashburn (Post 604746)
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!

Wow, an administrator with congeniality? Somebody fill my glass up with some more Jack and Coke! :D

Welpe Wed May 27, 2009 10:22am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ref Ump Welsch (Post 604858)
Wow, an administrator with congeniality? Somebody fill my glass up with some more Jack and Coke! :D

Perhaps they'd be more congenial with you if you weren't drinking on the job. Just a thought. :D

kcg NC2Ablu Wed May 27, 2009 10:53am

Quote:

Originally Posted by archangel (Post 604687)
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 Sun May 31, 2009 09:01pm

coach read?
 
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!:D


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