Rules Interpretation

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

It only adds 10 seconds to the conference. Most SP coaches have zero clue about how to ask us questions.

Furthermore, it also lets the coaches know that as an umpire, I'm approachable, and that I don't view myself as above being questioned. It helps to defuse a situation before it even happens.

I'll jump on here. Introduction, check line-up cards, recheck line-up cards w/coach, ground rules SPECIAL tournament rules, request for confirmation/questions concerning what was just covered, coin flip, play ball.

Once you deviate where do you stop? If you start covering this and that and miss a particular issue or part, now you may have just added to the confusion. Not only that, but as noted, you have already predetermined how situations should be handled. Well, by this point you have noticed, not all situations play out in the same manner. This can easily create a "not one more word" situation.

You talk about "defusing" a situation when there is no situation to defuse. Much like when you have umpires who spend 10-20 seconds WARNING teams about their pet peeve du jour whether profanity, collisions, getting out of the way if ODB, complaining about balls/strikes, throwing a bat, conferences, smack talk, whatever.

And when I talk to these umpires, they give me the same spiel, it's preventive umpiring. Well, no it is not, it is antagonizing and opening up a can of worms that need not be open the entire game, but you have already done so.