Who's Wrong? Me or Blue?

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Aug 26, 2015
590
16
Here's the situation:

Recently, I had a game (REC) where the umpire was trying to be helpful and show the pitcher and catcher where the strike zone was. He began telling my catcher where to setup. I let him know that I have her setting up a certain way and she'll keep doing so. Pitcher is fairly new and she is working on trying to hit specific locations, so she was working on all outside pitches. Blue gets upset that I wouldn't let him coach the player. Needless to say, we didn't get any close calls. Our 2nd catcher couldn't play so DD had to catch. She knows what I'm expecting of her and how to execute it. Blue kept trying to tell her to move her glove left or right or whatever. Mind you: blue was safe back there. Wasn't hit once and there were at least 8 opportunities due to wild pitches. So, it wasn't a safety issue. After the game, he tried explaining that he was showing the catcher how to work with the pitcher. My response was that's my job as a coach to get them to do that. I just want you to call the balls and strikes as they are if you ever call another game that I'm coaching. It's my understanding (albeit limited) that the umpire's role is to be an impartial caller of the game and to step in if there is a safety concern. Going forward, what is the approach that you all recommend I take?
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
Some umpires have coached DD a little bit which I am more then OK with, I appreciate thier advice.

If I ask them to leave players alone though they better. You want to get to person in charge of leaque, they should get to who schedules umpires, who should take care of it. Not a battle you should need to fight. Like you said, it is your Team.
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
In my experience, it's not uncommon for umpires to offer "helpful" advice to players during rec ball games in younger age groups. Generally speaking, I don't have an issue if it has to do with safety or general procedure with a new player who is just learning the game. However, I have also seen it be taken too far.
 
Sep 14, 2011
768
18
Glendale, AZ
Players play, Coaches coach, Umpires umpire....

If all involved could just follow this simple mantra, it would make things so much easier.

Unfortunately, some umpires can't help themselves when it comes to coaching the kids, especially at the REC league level.
You made your position clear to the umpire, if it happens again, take it to the league administration to address with the group that provides the umpires for the league.
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
Photographer taking DD's picture a couple years ago asked her to change her batting stance, everyone is a coach. :)

(and an umpire too I guess)
 
Feb 15, 2013
650
18
Delaware
I had an umpire in a game telling my runners not to slide coming home. In between innings I asked him to not do so as it could be a safety concern for a girl running full speed about to slide only to be told 5 feet from home not to slide. Thankfully no one was hurt THAT GAME. Very next game the ump is doing the same thing while i'm watching and a girl twisted her knee up pretty bad. I've never been the one coaching a base to make the safe call with my arms, never been tossed from a game and always try to let the umps make calls. If I disagree I ask them to check with the other umpires etc.
 
Jul 4, 2013
126
43
I don't care for umpires coaching either. But if the ump is giving advice and the ump believes the catcher is following it, some just love it. My daughter has had that experience. I don't know if she really changed anything or not, but the ump thinks she did. Now she's a "really smart player" and a "great kid." It's been all fist bumps and first names since then. I'll stop short of saying it gets the team calls (because that seems prudent).
 
Jan 22, 2011
1,610
113
I'm a rec umpire who is an ex-president and ex-VP of the league. Its tempting to coach some, especially at the 8u REC level, when I see pitchers with a little adjustments can do a lot better. What I do in that situation is talk to the coach briefly after the game, or perhaps the parent (after I've left the field).

If its a safety issue with the catcher or how the batter is set up in the box, in 8u and early in the season in 10u REC, I'll call timeout and ask the coach if he wants to make any adjustments.

If a catcher is blocking my view of the plate, I may mention that to them. In 12u REC if a catcher is pulling pitches in, I may quietly mention to her if she is moving her glove that much she is telling me she thinks those pitches were balls.
 
Aug 29, 2011
2,581
83
NorCal
I think it's OK for the ump at younger rec ages to offer a few friendly pointers.

But if the coach comes up and asks him not to coach his players because they are working on specific things, he should refrain from giving any more friendly pointers.
 

JAD

Feb 20, 2012
8,231
38
Georgia
Hard to decide who is right or wrong based on the info provided, but I say I have seen a few umpires who think they know more than they do, and I have seen a TON of coaches who think they know more than they do...
 

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