Whining about your "Strike Zone"

SLICK ?!

If anybody said that to me, I ask for his shirt number, then warn him with a caution to say nothing to me for the rest of the game, if he wants to stay in it. We are supposed to treat players with respect; that goes both ways. Another @W#$@%^$ word from this guy, and he is gone.

I'm new on here, having just begun looking into/working toward officiating; BUT, I've been on the other side coaching for quite a while. I've got teams that range from as young as 14u all the way up through collegitate teams, so the perspective I'm offering is that of a coach.

If I had a player say something like you indicate this player said, I'd hope that #1 you'd exercise some discretion at first by quietly warning him that references such as "Slick" won't be tolerated at all, and he just got his one and only warning. #2, I'd hope you would say something quietly to the coach between innings about the player's comment and tell the coach that he got his only opportunity and if it happens again, he's out of the game. I wouldn't do it in a confrontational tone, but rather to give the coach a head's up so that he can deal with it. He doesn't want to lose a player, you don't want to dump a player, and the player wants to stay in the game. Dealing with it tactfully early on can be a way to make it all work out without drama. It's also an opportunity to give a coach another reason to regard you in a favorable manner.

The first part of his comment about calling the pitch the same for both sides I view a bit differently. In that case, with this guy giving you crap in the first inning, I'm thinking this is a player who might be inclined to chirp throughout the game, so I wouldn't dignify his comment with a response. The key is 'Is he giving you crap, or does he have a legitimate comment or question?' He doesn't deserve a response to that comment unless it's a legitimate and sincere question, especially at the beginning of the game.

From a coach's perspective, I don't think it is acceptable for players to give an umpire grief just to complain, but I do think he's within bounds to ask a legitimate question. The key is to know when he's doing one thing, or the other. I also view that differently than asking about a pitch location. I think a player is within bounds to ask if a borderline strike is at the limit of your zone, espcially early in the game. That allows him to know what to expect going forward. If you tell him whether it is right out toward the edge of your zone or not, you've given him something to go on, and you'll find most players appreciate you working with them, and you'll earn their respect. Both sides will have an easier day when everyone works together in a respectful manner.

If an umpire comes over to me and tells me he's having a problem with a player, I'll deal with that player right away. I've had that happen before, and generally unless the player has a darned good reason to be upset, I'll tell him that if he doesn't knock it off, the umpire won't be the one removing him from the game, I will be. I've found that handling a situation this way can diffuse any tensions, and you'll have more respect and consideration from a wider range of players and coaches.

All anyone expects from a plate umpire is a consistent zone. Hopefully, the boundaries will be reasonable, but whether they are or not, if they're consistent everyone knows what they have to work with. As for whining, just call 'em like you see 'em, and go on to the next batter. If it happens again, then you deal with it.

I've got a lot to learn about this side of the game. Hopefully, I can help those who haven't coached get some better insights into that side of the game.

Welcome to the group and thanks for the well written and insightful article.

You MUST be an attorney. I also coached high school and college and have called balls and strikes for 20 years. When possible, in some situations, I will go to the coach and ask him (tell him) to control this player. In the situation here, he would immediatly be gone. Some stuff is just way to far beyond any warning. See you at the meetings.

Chris,I think you handled it perfect!  As we get older, and in the game for awhile, we sometimes keep our mouth shut and say nothing.  This player was the shortstop, so I'm sure he was able to see your zone the entire game, and if both pitchers and catchers said you did a good job, take it and run.  We don't always have to have a response, and I'M SURE that when this young man came to the plate that you called the "entire" strike zone and that your mechanics were very SLICK!  Just remember, it's better to have the hitters shaking their heads at your zone then catchers holding pitches asking you "where is that at!"  Congrats on handling the situation.

Chris: I think you handled the situation as best as you could have. However, the only problem I see you could have run into, was the fact, that this player called you "SLICK", in the very first inning and you did nothing to prevent another "lousy comment" thruout the rest of the game. A warning, specifically stating you would not tolerate that kind of comment, would have been the proper thing to do. At least you were given compliments from both the pitcher and the catcher you did a great job, and I'm sure you did, but, remember to excercise "Preventing Umpiring". It works. Congratulations. A great point of discussion.
Manuel Provedor Sr

Chris,
     First of all welcome to umpiring.  We sometimes get spoiled when working school ball because all actions have a consequence to be enforced by the teams coach or school.  In MSBL, NABA etc. the structure is very loose and there are some knuckleheads out there.  These guys don't respect what we do and they figure they can talk to us however they want.  Not only do they not respect us they don't respect there coaches either, so I don't have a lot of faith in the coach when I am talking to him about a players actions.  In this situation you could have been aggressive, but I feel you handled it pretty good.  Telling him to play ball was sufficent enough to get your message to him.  If he continues to chirp then you will have to deal with it.  They are our customers, but you are not out there to take crap from anyone.  You need to pick your battles and when you do be strong.         

i know that as a coach at the high school level this gets me no where good ...... all i ask for is consitiency good bad or otherwise i really dont care ......