Was I a jerk?

[BretMan]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

A couple of you mentioned that I should have called time to go argue the point. I find this odd. As an umpire, if I make some offhand comment from a medium distance to a coach, and he then calls time to come confront me about it, I see that as a problem. So as a coach, I don't think I should do that.

As an umpire, I don't have a problem with a coach requesting time to ask me to clarify a rule for him. That's different than "arguing the point" with the umpire or "confronting" the umpire.

I think that as a coach you should be able to handle this with the same cool-headed approach we're expected to use as umpires when dealing with coaches. Request time, wait until it's granted, calmly ask for clarification, state your case, then if all you have left to hang your hat on is a protest, file the protest.

Maybe you don't want to be the guy that files a protest in an 11U rec league game, but if it really concerns you that the rule be enforced correctly, it's a better route to take than being the guy that smarts off to the umpires!

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by BretMan

As an umpire, I don't have a problem with a coach requesting time to ask me to clarify a rule for him. That's different than "arguing the point" with the umpire or "confronting" the umpire.

I think that as a coach you should be able to handle this with the same cool-headed approach we're expected to use as umpires when dealing with coaches. Request time, wait until it's granted, calmly ask for clarification, state your case, then if all you have left to hang your hat on is a protest, file the protest.

Maybe you don't want to be the guy that files a protest in an 11U rec league game, but if it really concerns you that the rule be enforced correctly, it's a better route to take than being the guy that smarts off to the umpires!

A fair point.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

Second - a couple of you mentioned that I should have called time to go argue the point.

Well, I'm not sure if I'm one of those "couple", but I never said anything about arguing. I suggested advising him what you know the rule to be, and why there is no problem with where your fielder is positioned, rather than retort with your comment. If he then had a problem with it, go ahead and lodge the protest, and BretMan suggested.

[LIUmp]

Originally Posted by chuck chopper

Since you were obviously not getting anywhere by explaining that your player can be anywhere at the time of the pitch, I would just inform his UIC .

Originally Posted by Andy

As an umpire, I try not to have these conversations with a coach by talking across the field.

Might have been better to call time and walk out to have a private converstation with umpire.

Just my thoughts....

PS...and definately make sure he is taught or presented with the correct ruling.

Spot on. I agree. He was wrong. But I think you know it could have been handled better from both sides. If he's not going to do the right thing, then you do it. It's about the kids.


Side note: I had a coach one time call time and yell at me to BACK UP away from his DD, who he thought was too close to me in "B". So after he yelled across the field, I backed up - about 40 feet. When the call at first on the next play was safe, he came out to question. I said, "sorry coach, but I did my best to see it from all the way out here. I had to back up because a coach told me where I should go on the field."

He walked away angry but he understood his mouth caused the issue to begin with.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by LIUmp

Side note: I had a coach one time call time and yell at me to BACK UP away from his DD, who he thought was too close to me in "B". So after he yelled across the field, I backed up - about 40 feet. When the call at first on the next play was safe, he came out to question. I said, "sorry coach, but I did my best to see it from all the way out here. I had to back up because a coach told me where I should go on the field."

He walked away angry but he understood his mouth caused the issue to begin with.

Humorous, I guess. But I don't like to play those kinds of games with coaches. They only serve to raise the temperature on an already heated atmosphere.

I would have simply ignored him until he either came over to me in a more civilized manner, or until he crossed the line and gotten himself ejected.

[HugoTafurst]

Originally Posted by Manny A

Humorous, I guess. But I don't like to play those kinds of games with coaches. They only serve to raise the temperature on an already heated atmosphere.

I would have simply ignored him until he either came over to me in a more civilized manner, or until he crossed the line and gotten himself ejected.

Agree 100%.
Those kind of gotcha's are amusing to talk about over beers or on forums, but smart aleck responses are NEVER appropriate on the field.

We don't need to have the last word...... we have the final word.

[Rita C]

Originally Posted by Manny A

Humorous, I guess. But I don't like to play those kinds of games with coaches. They only serve to raise the temperature on an already heated atmosphere.

I would have simply ignored him until he either came over to me in a more civilized manner, or until he crossed the line and gotten himself ejected.

What is a DD?

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Rita C

What is a DD?

An average Hooters waitress?

It's Internet-cutesy speak for "dear daughter." I want to puke every time I see someone use it, too.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by Rich

An average Hooters waitress?

Not the ones I've gone to.

Originally Posted by Rich

It's Internet-cutesy speak for "dear daughter." I want to puke every time I see someone use it, too.

I thought it was "dearest daughter". It's pretty prevalent in the softball world, and speaks volumes about how some parents, especially parents who are also coaches, feel about their kids playing the game. I, too, want to hurl when I see it.

[Tru_in_Blu]

And all this time I thought it was "darling daughter".

[Crabby_Bob]

Originally Posted by Tru_in_Blu

And all this time I thought it was "darling daughter".

"Dollar Destroyer"

[Rita C]

Originally Posted by Rich

An average Hooters waitress?

It's Internet-cutesy speak for "dear daughter." I want to puke every time I see someone use it, too.

Hah hah

Anyway, I'm guessing you mean those daughters who pitch illegally and you're the first one to ever call it so we're going to videotape her pitching to show everyone what a mean nasty umpire you are who won't just let the girls play and have fun?

Rita