Babe Ruth Coaches could you help me out here or Umps?

Question

My son had his first Babe Ruth Baseball play off game. Our kids worked really hard to come to this level as they had not one a game in 4 years. The Ump made a couple of really bad calls in the first inning towards our team. I want to add I am in full agreement that the ump is always right. I do know that and my children are taught that as well. In the top of the 2nd he again made another call that I would say was kind of odd and the team on the bench all started saying OHHH or OOOO I cant remember but they were not booing at all. The ump told the coach to control his bench and the coach said something back to the ump..not really sure what he said but I know it was not offensive really. Something like well if you wouldnt keep making bad calls...the ump through him out of the game with no warning. Our coach was in his first year of coaching and I am not sure if he did not know he had to do it or just ignored it but a 2nd coach was not listed on the roster but his assistant was right

there the whole game acting as 1st base coach. The other teams coach immediately came running out to the field saying this team does not have a coach now because I dont have a 2nd one on the roster. So sadly these kids had to forfeit and lose out on playoffs because of grown men acting ridiculous. I do want to add our coach has never once showed poor sportsmanship and I really liked him all year because it was more about having fun then anything. This was his attitude towards his players. So because he made one mistake these boys lose out on the chance at a championship.Why is this like this? Why do these kids have to suffer? If you are a coach would you have allowed the assistant coach to play out the game so these kids could have a chance at win? And finally coaches...is this how you would want to win a game? My friends son is on opposing team and even he said he felt cheated and didnt feel they deserved to move because they did not win fair and square. What do you think? Thanks.

Ricky I really admire you. In my 9 years of being a baseball mom I have yet to see an Ump like you. I guess what I meant as the ump being right is you never argue with them because that is how things like this happen. I am just so sad for our kids who have to pay the price for the adults acting foolishly. As I said this coach is really great. He is not hot head and has never once argued with an ump or talked back. He has a great attitude and has always taught his players to keep a smile on their face and have a good time and you will have a good game. Well we do have next year and I am sure the coach did not realize he had to list his assistant. He had 2 men their that assist him but neither was listed on the roster for this game. He made a mistake the other coach wanted the automatic win and 15 kids lost out on a chance to win the playoffs. Politcs of sports ugh...they frustrate mom ya know?

Answer 1

My husband has been an umpire at the high school and college level for many years and he said these issues are extremely common in what he calls "town league" play, that is regular season or play-off situations, as opposed to All-Star play where the rules are more clearly spelled out (and there are no "league specific rules) and the coaches and officials are more experienced.

As to your son's situation, it is extraordinarily unfortunate the outcome was as it was but, the rules must apply, although I believe the opposing coach was a jerk frankly since it is about playing baseball first and winning second. He should have allowed the 1st base coach to be added to the roster right there so the kids could play (after all that is what it is all about) and the umpire should have gone along. In fact, an experienced umpire would have pushed that fairly hard.

In our opinion your son ran into a coach who needs to go take the on-line coaching clinic that Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken offers and will REQUIRE next season and the umpire needs to get HIMSELF under control. In around 3,000 ball games, my husband threw out less than a dozen players or coaches.

My husband worked with an umpire in Massachusetts at the HS and college level who just felt the compulsion to make a controversial call in nearly every game. He had many years experience but was eventually removed as an umpire.

Sorry your son and his team (both teams frankly) had to go through this, perhaps the league will address this issue before next season.

Answer 2

It's sad. I was an umpire for several years, and I've always said that the biggest problem with organized baseball for kids has been the "win at all cost" adults.

A similar situation happened to me once. A manager got into an argument with me over the ground rules, and wouldn't budge. After he ignored a warning to cease and desist, I was forced to eject him before the game even started. He then took it a step further by standing in the middle of the infield, refusing to leave. I had no choice but to forfeit the game. It made me sick. These kids came to play ball, and one person spoiled it. And I'm sure the umpire you talked about felt exactly the same way.

Most coaches and parents are fine. It's the few that get out of hand that spoil it for everyone, and yours is a good example. Yes, a couple of calls didn't go this coach's way, but that happens. It's baseball. And a good coach would never permit his team to scream at the umpire. The umpire was justified in telling the coach to control his bench, and ejecting him for failing to do so.

I will admit that there are occasionally bad umpires, but they're few and far between. Normally the leagues do a pretty good job of weeding out those who really shouldn't be an ump. But there are more civilized ways of dealing with umpire complaints than ranting and raving. If an umpire misinterprets a rule, the game can be played under protest, and it will be investigated. Action will be taken if warranted. However, with judgment calls, such as fair or foul, ball or strike, out or safe, you're stuck with the call made.

If there's any advice I could offer to the adults, it would be this. Parents, attend the games, cheer your kid and his team on. If your kid makes an error, strikes out, or fails to get a clutch hit, don't berate him. Screaming at him will humiliate him terribly. Yelling at the coach or umpire does nothing but make you look foolish.

Coaches and managers, try to let every kid play at least an inning or two, regardless of their abilities. If a player makes a mistake, talk to him privately. He's embarrassed enough about it as it is. If you disagree with an umpire's decision, it's perfectly okay to go out and question him. But yelling, wild gesturing, kicking dirt around, and going on a tirade is not the answer. The umpire is not going to change his decision, and all you'll be doing is encouraging others to join in. The only ones that suffer are the kids who came out to play.

If all the adults would act like adults, the kids would be able to act like kids and enjoy the game they love.

Answer 3

I am not sure I really understand what exactly happened here. The manager on every team can list one or two coaches that are part of the team and can manage the team in the absence of the manager. In a big game such as this why were the approved coaches not at the game? As far as the umpire is concerned, you never know where he is coming from and I have seen managers thrown out of a ball game for less than what you are saying here. I would bet you that the umpire had no idea that there was no coach in the dugout that could take over the team. I place the blame right on the shoulders of your manager for not having approved coaches there with him to take over. It's a hard lesson to learn but there can be no fault placed on the umpire.

Answer 4

This is a sad story that gets repeated over and over again.As for the ump always being right I disagree,We make mistakes just as much as everybody else,We just hope it doesn't cost a team the game as it apparently did your team.As for the coach he was doing what he was supposed to do,win the game for his team.This is a valuable lesson for your kids,showing them Life is not fair.Again I say BASEBALL is LIFE,all the lessons in life can be learned in the game of Baseball.

Answer 5

i playsoftball and all my choaches want is to win and sometimes they will do anything. they will get other people out for just one to go home and i know that what happened stinks but in the game you have to listen or else.