Coach's Lament?

[Stu Clary]

Last weekend I called an IP when the pitcher took at least 30 seconds to pitch. I heard two "You're the only umpire that's called that all year"s.

[JEL]

Regional HS playoff two years ago.

Late in the game, I called a LH slapper out for stepping out of the box. Of course lines were gone, but foot was clearly out. I'm calling "dead ball" and two runners cross home which of course get sent back, and BR is removed from 2B and called out.

Coach asks "How can you make that call in a game like this?"

I reply, "How can I NOT make that call in a game like this?"

Fans didn't like me much after that (well, half of them anyway!).

[NCASAUmp]

Wait, was I supposed to feel sorry for this coach?

Crap, I screwed up. Queue the music again there, Mike. I forgot to get all sniffly.

[CecilOne]

Called an IP, coach yelling "NO WAY" from dugout. After a few more, while running in and out of the dugout, he informed me "she is a PIAA pitcher", then "72 games never illegal".

Should I have said:
"I don't care if she pitches for Team USA, crow hops are illegal"
or
"71 bad umpires"?
I almost had to bite my tongue.

[Welpe]

Mike, maybe he was just trying to give you his best Johnny Cash rendition?

The comment, "how can you make that call now" always gets me, no matter the sport. I didn't realize we were to ignore certain rules depending upon the game situation. Maybe we ought to just let the players call their own game starting in the 5th inning... "Well we got you all started, I think you know enough now to take it on your own."

As long as we get a full game fee, that would work for me I suppose.

[BuggBob]

Lefty slapper, steps on the plate as the pitcher starts the pitch, swing and a miss – I got nothing. Next, pitch same thing, swing and a double one-run crosses the plate. The instant of contact I call out the dead ball out. Out comes the coach asking me how I could make that call. I tell him well she did step on the plate, so the call kind of made itself. The assistant coach (who used to be a head coach at another school and still thinks he has head coach privileges) comes out to argue that if I’m watching the batters foot I’m not watching the ball. “Dang my secret is out.” Play stands as called, batter out, runners return.

I think that coaches argue, just to argue. At least it didn't end up in hte press like all the IP against AZ in the CWS.

[MD Longhorn]

LOL ... just last Saturday:

I'm PU, pitcher CLEARLY lands WAY outside of the 24" lane toward 2nd base while pitching - I ring up the IP. Coach yelling, "She's been pitching like that for years - no one has ever called that!!!" Yada yada. Rest of the game she pitches close to that 24" but never out of it.

5 games later, same team, I'm waiting for the game to end so I can take the bases on the next game. PU dings her on the very same thing. Coach yells, "Come on blue - NO ONE has ever called that." I'm outside the field, but about 5 feet from coach. Just loud enough for him to hear it, I say, "Really?" He sees who it is and skulks back to the dugout.