1. Delaware County Chapter PIAA Baseball Umpires
Handling Situations
(Something To Think About)
Note: This information is not found in a rule book or mechanics manual. I organized it solely for this meeting, at the request of Tom and, I assume, the Chapter leadership. It’s based on information I’ve gathered or heard over the years and my personal experiences on the field, specifically what’s worked for me and what hasn’t worked so well. So, because it’s not based on actual rules or mechanics, I’m not going to tell anyone that this is the way you’re “supposed” to handle things. All I’m saying is the information we’re going to talk about is something you might want to think about before your next game.

2. Handling Situations To be clear, “situations” refers to: My Goals
Circumstances that require game management skills
Not “rules” scenarios
My Goals
Compliance with the rules / Get the call right
Maintain the flow of the game
Keep everyone in the game, when possible

3. Handling Situations Three Common Approaches
Reasoning
Negotiating
Enforcing
“Ignoring” And “Avoiding” Are Not Acceptable Approaches
“Avoiding” and “preventing” are two different things

4. Negotiating Coming To A Mutual Agreement First
“Coach, I’ll explain my call if you lower your voice.”
“I’ll watch for that but you have to stopping yelling ‘balk’ every time he moves.”
“There’s no need to point.”
“Sure, I’ll go for help, but you have to go to your dugout first and understand that our decision will be final.”

5. Reasoning Providing Justification For A Call
“By rule, the runner must slide legally and in a direct line between the bases. On a force play with less than 2 outs, the runner and batter-runner are out.”
“In my judgment he ran more than three feet out of the base path.”
“By rule, the baseline is a direct line between his position and the base to which he’s moving, not the dirt area.”

6. Enforcing How You Look And How You React
Appear in control with a confident, comfortable presence
Not unapproachable!
Set a tone by words or presence
Ready, willing and able to take immediate, appropriate action

7. Handling Situations Sometimes there’s an evolution.
Stage 1: Negotiate. “I’ll answer your questions but you have to lower your voice.”
Stage 2: Reason. “Coach, the 3rd to 1st move is not a balk at this level.”
Stage 3: Enforce. “Coach, that question has been asked and answered, so you’re just delaying the game. If you don’t leave now I’ll be forced to eject you.”

8. Handling Situations Sometimes there’s not. Warn once, then eject.
Balls and strikes
Assistant or player arguing a call
Bench jockeying
Eject without warning
“You…”
Throwing equipment
Profanity

9. 3 Keys To Success Your Preparation Your On-Field Personality
Rules, Mechanics, Appearance, Pre-game
Failing to prepare is preparing to fail
Your On-Field Personality
Professionalism: Be Approachable
Any reasonable request deserves a reasonable response
Your Reaction
Do not let their actions affect your emotions or mind set
Use the appropriate approach

10. Common Situations Balls / Strikes / Strike Zone Checked Swings
Complaining / whining: shut it down!
“Where was that?”
Depends on the tone and frequency
Checked Swings
Give `em what you got
Know the situation
From “B” or “C”?

11. Common Situations Bench Jockeying Managing Dugouts
If it’s directed at an opposing player: shut it down
If it’s loud chatter without a target: manage it
Hanging on the fence: sit them down
Choreographed: shut it down
Managing Dugouts
In general, U1 has the 1st base dugout
Must work as a team

12. Common Situations Mound Conferences Injury Time Outs
Give them some time
Go get `em
No discussion on balls and strikes!
Injury Time Outs
Go with them to monitor the discussion
Inform the other team that it’s an injury time-out
If not about an injury, it’s a charged conference

13. Common Situations Hit By Pitch Interacting With The Catcher
If it’s in the box, he gets the base
If he moves into it, he’s staying.
Time!
Point to the box, “Stay here!”
Interacting With The Catcher
Introduce yourself in 1st inning.
Let them know what you want.
Thank them for protecting you.

14. Common Situations The Angry Pitcher: 3 Options Lightening
Privately, have the catcher talk to him
Go to the mound to change baseballs
Warn and eject
Lightening
Be prepared in advance: have a watch.
Safety first. What is thunder?
Do not get talked into playing.
Thunder is caused by the rapid expansion of the air surrounding the path of a lightning bolt.

15. Common Situations Multiple Arguers The Irate Coach
Only the head coach can discuss a call
All others must remain in their positions
Warn (negotiate) and act (enforce)
Partners: You handle the “extras”
The Irate Coach
Use appropriate body language.
Don’t be too quick to act.
Less is better.

16. Common Situations Rain & Deteriorating Field Conditions Darkness
Safety is 1st
Monitor the situation (field & equipment)
Safety of the players and quality of play are the deciding factors
Darkness
Visibility.
Play as long as you can, based on the situation.
Don’t tip your hand.

17. QUESTIONS???