2014 Clinic Balls & Strikes Part 1

[@jamesnorton3197]

This is really good information. Its good to be prepared to handle situations instead of just "winging it"

[@russellbrooker2122]

Three warnings then eject. One warning then eject that is an incredibly long leash. Trainer says I have him a warning, then I dumped him on the second time you have nothing to stand on. I'm confused you gave him a warning you have everything to stand on.

[@jimanderson29]

I understand not tolerating arguing balls and strikes (nobody has a better view than the home plate umpire), but I don't have any problem with answering "where a pitch was" from a coach, catcher or pitcher. If the umpire calls a ball and can say with confidence where the pitch was the discussion almost always ends right there. And if it doesn't, then it is clear the umpire's strike zone is being questioned and then it is time for the warning.

[@MrBaseballsam]

Tv. 0ju

[@MrBaseballsam]

XC xC

[@franenjem]

There is no need to speak to assistant coaches. In your pregame, tell HEAD coaches that they are the only ones that communicate with you today. If you need to put a stop to an assistant coach, you go directly to the head coach, in a calm and professional manner and you tell the head coach to put a stop to it. Do not look at the assistant coach and do not say anything to the assistant coach. Go to head coach only. Stand side ways while speaking to the head coach and keep your face and eyes slightly down when speaking to the head coach. Do not make your self appear to others that you are being confrontational or aggressive toward the head coach. Say it calmly at a low professional voice and be quick about it... Short and direct and then walk away.

[@franenjem]

Do NOT say anything negative nor be confrontational with a player. Players are minors, yes even HS players are minors. If you direct anything at them that is in an authoritarian manner the parents can complain and blow things out of proportion and then you'll spend more time defending yourself later to Assignors and ADs If anything is said to you by a player that is unsporting or if you have politely asked a player to do something and they don't comply or they act or say something inappropriate and/or unsporting then you go directly to the head coach in a calm , professional manner and have the head coach fix it or put a stop to it. Be quick about it, short and direct, but calm and professional and walk away. Give an official warning if necessary. For example: there are no batters boxes lined left and the batter is too close to the plate ... You say politely "batter, pleas move away from the plate about 3 inches". If they do not comply or if they give a verbal hard time, then you do not reply to them. Just go directly to the head coach with a short, to the point explanation of what just occured and you have the coach fix it. Now you can't be accused of bullying or being to aggressive to a minor. Just let the head coach handle it. If you leave all communication to only the head coach ... About all team members... and have them put a stop to it, you will have almost no stress, the game will flow better and nothing can be used against you. I have found that if I'm polite and cordial to both the players and coaches right from the start and throughout the game, then I very rarely have issues. And when I do have that occasional issue with anyone other than the head coach and I go directly to the head coach, then the head coach always takes care of it for me.

[@dougthegreat1808]

I have NO problem saying "ball down", "ball up" etc. If the coach asks the catcher where the pitch was, I tell the catcher with my mask on, better say it was a ball!!!!

[@alexchavez3383]

At decent trainings, you would be told never to verbalize up or down on balls, as that is the only type of pitch that coaches actually have a great look at. You would probably also be told that the second part of your statement seems a bit confrontational. Catchers will either understand or not understand relationships will umpires. Us demanding that they say one thing or another doesn't move the needle the right way

[@tggmjcg]

I would not enjoy being any part of any baseball these guys are involved with!! STRANGE is the only word I could come up with, after watching. And that umpire, doing his "jog" to first for mechanics on a ground ball.. Runs like a flaming closet 'ed 50 year old!! This group most be a joke to watch work baseball.

[@ajmartin7115]

Hope life has been great for you.

[@nyasha3132]

I'd hate to be an umpire in the US, if umpires are going to spend so much time discussing how to defend their strike zone!!! I guess is a reflection of American society, with so much anger, selfishness, lack of respect for elders and authority, I could go on...

[@franenjem]

They aren't defending the strike zone decisions. They are discussing how to handle the coach in order to prevent escalation. They are idea sharing for scenerios.