ASA - Coach of Team Playing In the Stands

whiskers_ump · #1 (**permalink**) Mon Jul 07, 2003, 10:42pm

Ok, jump on me here but,

Can a coach of one of the teams that is playing on the
field take his bucket and go into the stands, approximately
fifteen [15'] from PU on either side of the field, then when
his team comes in to bat, now be the 1st or 3rd base coach.

I got into a big argument with the tournament UIC and ASST
UIC over this during a 14U B State tournament.

I told the coach he must be in the dugout. At the umpires
meeting, we were told all players and coaches would remain
in the dugout when on defense except the nine [9] position
players. UIC did say that he did not care who F1 was receiving
signals from, as long as they followed the rule of simulating
taking it from F2. Anyhows [east texas talk] I told him to either
stay in stands for rest of game and not take part on the field, or
position himself and remain in the dugout.

Was this the wrong ruling?

During the very next inning, the UIC shows up and tells me I am wrong
and to allow the coach to sit in stands and give signals and that
he would be allowed to come back when team was on offense.

Is this normal for ASA?

glen

LT · #2 (**permalink**) Mon Jul 07, 2003, 10:53pm

Trust me...that would not happen in the tourneys that I work.

Dakota · #3 (**permalink**) Tue Jul 08, 2003, 12:09am

Glen,

You were correct (ASA). Your UIC was, let's see, how shall I put this... a weenie!.

ASA Rule 5-12 says Coaches, players, substitutes, or other bench personnel shall not be outside the designated bench dugout area except when the rule allows or justified by the umpire. EFFECT: The first offense is a team warning. Any repeat offense shall result in the ejection of that team member.

ASA Case Play 5.12-1. Team "A" manager is outside the dugout directing defensive positioning. The umpire warns the manager to remain in the dugout. The manager returns outside the dugout in the next inning. RULING: The manager is ejected for a repeat offense. (5-12)

Seems pretty clear to me.

bluezebra · #4 (**permalink**) Tue Jul 08, 2003, 01:44am

Are there more than 10% of UIC's who ACTUALLY read the rule books, and have any idea of what's going on?

Bob

whiskers_ump · #5 (**permalink**) Tue Jul 08, 2003, 05:55am

I actually wanted to walk, but this was a State tournament, so
I just stated my objections and did as told. The UIC even
wanted to know why I would stop the game and call him over.
I did not, because I had already made my decision on the
field. After the UIC made his decision, the opposing coach
ask for time before the next pitch and wanted to protest.
PU called the UIC again. I stayed away from this, but of
course no action was taken.

Thanks guys.

glen

BTW, because of rain, rain, and more rain, most of us [players
and umpires went 30 hours straight to complete this tournament
of 47 teams.

Joel, be glad you did miss this one. Tony was there. Will
e-mail you on that.

Bob, not sure, but they [UIC/ASST UIC] did inform us that they
were both ISF certified.

Awaiting my evaluation.....It will probably be short and sweet. LOL

glen

kono · #6 (**permalink**) Tue Jul 08, 2003, 06:41am

Glen -

What your coach in question was probably doing was giving the signs to the catcher who would then relay them to the pitcher. My daughter's coach used to do this all the time. It's easy when the dugouts are close to home plate, but when they were farther away, he would plunk himself down outside the fence a little closer to the dugout. Granted, this was PONY, but nobody ever gave him any grief (even at the Nationals in Raleigh).

I would probably let it go unless he became a distraction.

-Kono

kellerumps · #7 (**permalink**) Tue Jul 08, 2003, 07:31am

Coach you gotta be in the dugout. Letting him sit there could open up a whole new can of problems.

I would privately ask the UIC why he/she overturned your decision and if it was because they didn't know the rules or "Well ol'Joe isn't gonna cause you any problems." then I would then go to the next level up.

JEL · #8 (**permalink**) Tue Jul 08, 2003, 08:56am

Yeah, you definitely got a problem with your UIC. As kono posted, he was giving signals, and probably had done this all season long. Your ruling you gotta be in dugout is the proper ruling, but not always enforced, especially in tournament ball. Was coach allowed to continue? or did you argue further to UIC? I might have refused, but make UIC remove me, rather than walk off. I commend your patience.