Umpires-Love them or Hate them

My biggest pet peeve with umps is the strike zone. There really shouldn't be any such thing as a high strike zone or a low strike zone. I don't ever want an ump to "establish his strike zone". The strike zone is clearly spelled out in the rules. If all umps would call balls and strikes as spelled out in the rule book, and make a real effort to do so, then it would be a mute point. I hate hearing an ump say "I'm gonna make them swing the bat".

 

come on coaches.... back to the dugout

Mr. Ump,

I think some coaches argue too much, especially in the college game. The call is not going to be changed.
Question, does it really serve a purpose for coaches to come on the field to argue a call? Does it affect your call later in a game or in a season? Or are you oblivious to these antics?

I also think that many fans at college games are really obnoxious with all the abuse they lay on "blue". You guys either have very thick skin or just tune it out.

 

50/50

I am going to say that it goes both ways meaning some umps will call for the coach that argues and some will call against those coaches. interesting how it can have an effect either way.

 

True Story...

A few years ago we were in a conference game as the visiting team. We had a couple of plays at first where I believe we had the runner picked off 1st base. Obviously the umpire did not agree with my views. My asst. coach at the time was livid. Finally I said "you need to settle down, and let me handle this". I went out to discuss this with the umpire who was "green". The ump was xpecting me to go off on him, he was all bristled up. I asked the umpire "what did you see?" He replied as to what he saw. I asked him if this is where he was looking from? He said "yes" (puzzled). I then asked him if he moved into better position (as I pointed to where I thought he needed to be) didn't he think he would have a better view of the play? He said he would try, and I went back to the dugout. The next 3 close calls (including a pick) went our way and we won the game!! From then on, my asst coach allowed me to handle the officials...

 

"Discussing calls with Umps"

Coaches want the umpires to know they are watching carefully, it puts more pressure on the ump to stay in the game. I have been apart of several games, where a coach has over stepped the line and the umpire squeezed both pitchers for a bunch of walks. There is a fine line that needs to be straddled. Sometimes you push over and let the ump have a good ear full and sometimes you hold back to let the ump get away with one (usually you bring it up later for good measure).

Another big issue is to fight for your players so that they know you are about giving them the best chance to win. The players cannot get involved with the ump, so the coach has to. I have seen a number of coaches that let too many questions go and their players felt left down.

 

I think this needs to be done with respect on both side. All to many times coaches (Not All) get caught up in the heat of the moment. They come out and blast the ump. This is not the pros where it (drama) is part of the game. At the HS level coaches should be showing the kids on the bench that it is a game of repect. Maybe ten second rule should be in affect.

 

There's a right way and a wrong way to approach an umpire. Same as for anyone else. Nobody wants to be screamed at in their work in front of everyone. Umpires are no different. Treat them with respect and most likely you'll get the same in return. When the time allows, approach the umpire quietly and don't scream accross the field. Ask your questions, make your point, talk away from the kids and move on. You don't have to act like Coach K. I don't think you need a time limit.

 

Nothing better than the good ones who stay quietly in the background. There is nothing worse than those that like to showboat. They typically have that little man syndrome and use their position to bully coaches. I have only ran across 2 put they were baiters that can down the hill to eject someone. They need to go! I was ejected from a world series game by an ump who was a high school rival coach who started the whole thing. I defended my team.

 

Little man on the loose

This gives me a perfect idea!!!!

 

Everytime

I have been tossed by an umpire I have deserved it and actually wanted to get thrown out. Only once did I believe it was not deserved. I actually walked over to an umpire between innings and told him that I wanted to be tossed on the next close call. Please do not take it personal I just need to be thrown out. So I am going to go off and you just throw me out and I will go to the bus. Sometimes your players need to see you show emotion and not emotion directed at them all the time. Ive been tossed four times in 12 years thats not too bad is it? But three of those times I asked for it and I got it. I think its very important to not allow your players to get caught up in the umpire stuff. They will use it as an excuse if your not carefull. But at the same time if your opponent is getting every close call. You are not getting a certain pitch called a strike and the other team is then you have to show the boys you are not going to sit back and let them get hosed without a fight. Then on your way to the bus you tell them "Don't lose this game"! If you do it all the time it doesnt mean anything to the players. If you only do it when its legit then it will. Its a very rare thing when you feel your getting the shaft. Most of the time if the umpires are bad they are consistently bad for both teams. But sometimes its a fact you get hosed and Im not going to sit there and let my players get the shaft without saying something about it. And if you do get kicked out you can always take the bus to Bojangles and then come back after the game and pick them up. So its not really that big of a deal.