New Umpire Blues

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by Andy

I think you handled it well. Since this was only her third game ever, you buffered her from the angry coach.

But this brings up a new question for me...at what point do we let the "rookies" fight their own battles with the coaches? Developing this skill is just as important as learning what position to be in for a call and where the strike zone is.

Your thoughts?

The only part of this that I disagree with is when the veteran announced the call and not the umpire whose call it was. I would have had the conversation go like this:

"Yes the ball got there and the third base player tagged her on the shoulder with the ball."

"Okay then that is what you saw that is what we're going to call... Now I'll step away, and when I do, you face the base, stand up tall and give a good, crisp signal with a solid 'Out!' Ready?"

Having been assigned to a number of rookies over the last number of years... It all depends. Some rookies are naturals and need no covering. Some get the look of a deer in headlights as soon as they see a bang-bang play and the coach wants to talk to them.

The question isn't, "when do I let the rookies handle it?" but rather, "when should I step in?" See if the rookie can handle it first. If the coach gets out of hand, step in.

Look, if you step in right away, you've completely taken away any legitimacy your partner ever had. You're feeding them to the wolves, and you're not doing them any favors. If you step in way late, same thing. You'll know when the time is right to step in.

From the outside looking in, no one should never see you treating your partner as a rookie, and "covering" for them will do exactly that.