Being Looked Upon as an OOJ

[RKBUmp]

Don't you just love when you specifically warn a coach about something and then they want to complain about it later?

Not sure I would have put up with batters being smart mouth about keeping a foot in the box. After a couple I think coach and I would have had a talk about the next one that made a comment would be leaving.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by RKBUmp

Don't you just love when you specifically warn a coach about something and then they want to complain about it later?

Oh, you think they are listening.

[Tru_in_Blu]

Originally Posted by RKBUmp

Not sure I would have put up with batters being smart mouth about keeping a foot in the box.

I didn't see anything about smart mouth batters.

[RKBUmp]

OK. I read it as the batters were the ones making the comment. Rereading it was the parents being mouthy.

[Dakota]

I've never made an issue of the one-foot-in-the-box deal as a literal point to be made with players or coaches. I have always considered it (correctly, I think) as a game-management rule to keep things moving.

If a team likes to conduct these little walks halfway to 3rd coaching sessions between pitches, I will start with saying, "Let's go batter." That usually does the trick. After all, I don't really care about where they keep their feet, only that they don't waste time.

If that doesn't do the trick, I will get louder, "LET"S GO, BATTER"!

Rarely have I had to resort to anything more punitive, but the next step would be asking the coach if he wants TIME for a conference.

Frankly, I find the arm band multi-color signal encyclopedias everyone seems to be using these days to be much more of a time waster. I had a team yesterday that had a multiple page arm band, where the players would have to open the thing up to find the signal.

Had another team a week ago where the coach would relay the pitch signal to the catcher, the catcher would signal the pitcher, the pitcher would stare at her arm band for a few seconds, and then finally prepare to pitch. On the bright side, there were no quick pitches!

And, both of these were 16 or 18 year olds!

But, jeez... how may nuances does a team need for softball signals?

[RKBUmp]

I've never made an issue of the one-foot-in-the-box deal as a literal point to be made with players or coaches. I have always considered it (correctly, I think) as a game-management rule to keep things moving.

While I agree and really dont care if the batter has a foot in the box or 2' outside of it, as long as they arent delaying the game what difference does it make? But, go to nationals and the UIC tells you the batter WILL keep a foot in the box you best make sure they do or your tournament grade will show the result.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by Dakota

I've never made an issue of the one-foot-in-the-box deal as a literal point to be made with players or coaches. I have always considered it (correctly, I think) as a game-management rule to keep things moving.

I typically don't either. But again, it was a point of emphasis in the tournament which I felt compelled to mention during the plate conference.

If the girls stepped one or two steps out of the box, I wouldn't have said anything. But this team went a little above and beyond, and I reminded the coach. If he would have responded with, "No worries, Blue; I'll take care of it," no problem. But instead, he had to ask me if it was in the rules, and then told me his batters have ten seconds. Why do they have to be that way?

[Rita C]

Originally Posted by Manny A

I typically don't either. But again, it was a point of emphasis in the tournament which I felt compelled to mention during the plate conference.

If the girls stepped one or two steps out of the box, I wouldn't have said anything. But this team went a little above and beyond, and I reminded the coach. If he would have responded with, "No worries, Blue; I'll take care of it," no problem. But instead, he had to ask me if it was in the rules, and then told me his batters have ten seconds. Why do they have to be that way?

I'm glad it's not just me.

Rita

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by Rita C

I'm glad it's not just me.

Rita

Are you sure?? All of the above is fiction!