To youth coaches out there.

[daspollak]

I am writing this to get some frustration out of my system, and I am putting it on here because I doubt any of the leagues or coaches I reference here will read it.

I have officiated youth sports for the past 14 years. I have went on to call high school, and in baseball I am certified to call college. This year has been the hardest to call recreation level youth baseball. Over the course of this season alone I have had to eject 6 different coaches, all for arguing judgement calls. It may be easy to say that I have a short fuse, but I did go 5 years without tossing anyone at any level.

Yesterday I had to eject a coach from a machine pitch game involving 8 year olds. I had to called a ball foul from behind the pitcher's mound (I have to feed the machine to pitch to the kids), from my point of view the ball landed just foul. The coach claimed it landed on the line, and it may of, but I ruled it foul and the play was dead. The coach started to say it was a terrible call, and I am fine with that. It is his opinion and he has a right to that. Then he started calling me a terrible ump, and said that was the second call that is costing his team. This is a no-no. Don't attack me and don't preceive that I am trying to call against your team. After this I said that was enough, but he decided to keep going. So I ran him. This was just latest this year of coaches who have no clue.

If you're a youth coach some things to remember and it may work to your advantage. One, ask the ump or official what they saw. You don't have to agree with it or like, but respect it. Two, don't make it personal. Once you start attacking me as a person you're gone. I'll let you have your say about the call, but leave me out of it. Three, I have one set of eyes. I can't see everything on the field, and I can't call what I don't see. Finally, everyone is out there for the kids. Think about what you're saying about this game through your actions. If you project a winning is everything attitude you take away the opportunity for kids to learn and better themselves at this game. I have seen kids not try for a ball because if they failed their coach would yell at them, and even worst they looked like they were having a miserable time out there.

The reason I am writing this again to get the frustration out of my system since I can't do it on the field. Sorry for my venting.

[Flipper]

I tip my hat to you, blue. I could never do that job...I do not suffer fools lightly

[musicman2343]

I'm there with you. I've officiated basketball for 7 years and for my first 4 I did nothing but CYO and YMCA leagues. Honestly, those games are worse than high school level games. I'm sure you've heard it from your fellow umps, "The younger they are, the louder the parents/coaches yell." It's ridiculous. I've never given a technical in my years of basketball officiating.

But you have it dead on - the second they make it personal and switch from yelling at your call to yelling at you is when they have to go. Unfortunately, this is where I am too easy-going at times - I can count about 3-4 times where I definitely did a team a disservice by not given a technical to the coach.

I did umpire baseball/softball for about 3 years and luckily never had any situations with coaches.

Don't worry about the venting. I've done it a couple times!

[footballguy51]

I've reffed flag football and soccer. Really hard to do when you are one of two refs on the field. You cannot call everything, and at their young age you could call a penalty on every play, or a free kick at almost every turn. You have to let some things slide just to keep the game going, and sometimes you just don't see the calls to make them. I remember I blew the whistle inadvertently during a flag football game. These kids are 5th and 6th grade. I had a coach screaming at me. We came up with a solution to fix the problem, but both coaches were pissed.

[musicman2343]

and sometimes you just don't see the calls to make them. I remember I blew the whistle inadvertently during a flag football game. These kids are 5th and 6th grade. I had a coach screaming at me. We came up with a solution to fix the problem, but both coaches were pissed.

And this is what really bugs me at times. So many times I've wanted to just say point blank, "Coach, when you're perfect, let me know. I'd love to see it."

Hell, it's hard enough to cover a basketball court with two officials let alone a soccer field. The problem is that hardly any of these coaches have been on the other side of the game. I think it should be a requirement that all coaches should have to referee at least a year just so they know how it looks from the field perspective (and just to see how asinine coaches can be on the sideline).

[FortWayneFalcon]

I been coaching machine pitch (7&8yr olds) last 3 years in the largest (and greatest) little league in Fort Wayne. We've never had umpires. Various coaching positions are assigned to make calls. Mostly, the defensive coaches have the responsibility to call plays at the bases. It seems to work well for that age group, and it's still very competative.
Unfortunately, for the kids, most coaches have never had to call a game. An umpire has to have his balls and his brains in the right place. A coach just needs a mouth and free time to be "qualified".

[footballguy51]

and sometimes you just don't see the calls to make them. I remember I blew the whistle inadvertently during a flag football game. These kids are 5th and 6th grade. I had a coach screaming at me. We came up with a solution to fix the problem, but both coaches were pissed.

And this is what really bugs me at times. So many times I've wanted to just say point blank, "Coach, when you're perfect, let me know. I'd love to see it."

Hell, it's hard enough to cover a basketball court with two officials let alone a soccer field. The problem is that hardly any of these coaches have been on the other side of the game. I think it should be a requirement that all coaches should have to referee at least a year just so they know how it looks from the field perspective (and just to see how asinine coaches can be on the sideline).

I've often said the same thing about people working in service/retail positions. These employees get treated so poorly by customers, and most customers have never been in that situation.

With soccer, we basically called when the ball went out of bounds, when there was a goal, and anything that was a blatant or extremely clear foul. Other than that, most likely the action was not near us that we just let them play out of lack of a good perspective.

[Lord_Byron]

I did football for about 12 years from Pop Warner up to varsity. Some of my favorite things to say to coaches were:

"Sorry Coach, I didn't hear that. Would you like to repeat it?" (They never did)

or if they used the Lord's name in vain:

"Coach, no need to blaspheme!" They were usually too dumbfounded to continue.

Baseball and Softball are tough because you don't have an option for penalizing and leaving the coach in the game. No fifteen yarder or "T".

[1987alum]

Yeah, I've done baseball and softball for more than 20 years and mixed in some basketball and football.

I'll say that being an official for all those years made me a much better - and more tolerant - coach.

[Flipper]

I was a player coach in rec league softball a few times...the worst thing I ever sadi to an ump was "you want to make that call in this league?" (called my shortstop out for stepping completely on home as he lined an outside pitch to right). Basketball was a bit different..as a player all you want is consistency and fairness. If I tell you a guy is hooking me with an elbow to get around me to the baseline...call it or I'm going to drill him next time and then you have a situation to deal with...

[daspollak]

Basketball is a bit different. The game is fast paced that by the time the coach can yell about a play he needs to turn his attention to continue to coach his team. I love calling basketball, because there is always action going on, and as an official I can manage a game a little more than I can baseball. The problem that I am seeing in youth sports today is that they are becoming more about winning than development. I have coached HS baseball for 3 years, and I would get kids that did not know the proper way to slide. They could hit, field, and throw a ball great, but the finer points of the game was lost on them. I know there are many wonderful youth coaches out there, and I enjoy working a game that there team is playing. It just a shame that there are too many knuckleheads out there that are allowed to coach kids.

[h2oville rocket]

My dad and I both quit umping due to coaches/parents whining. Hoops was always pretty much a free for all and refs could call fouls on every possession but the only real argument I ever heard was between two refs. The chief ref for the league told the other guy he stunk and said he wasn't paying him ofr the game- the other ref walked off and wouldn't return until the chief guy wrote him a check. Took half an hours negotiations to get the game back on track.

Soccer refs pretty much just had to be awakened in the last minute so they could declare the game over-off sides were ignored, in-bounds passes were all legal whether they were or not and the coach nearest the play usually had to decide who got the in-bounds. Worst amateur sports refs I've ever worked with and consistently the worst. Always. Many barely moved from their spot near mid-field.

[hammb]

I was a player coach in rec league softball a few times...the worst thing I ever sadi to an ump was "you want to make that call in this league?" (called my shortstop out for stepping completely on home as he lined an outside pitch to right). Basketball was a bit different..as a player all you want is consistency and fairness. If I tell you a guy is hooking me with an elbow to get around me to the baseline...call it or I'm going to drill him next time and then you have a situation to deal with...

I'm a player/coach for my CoEd team and I ridicule the umps all the time. We pay them $24 a game and they are TERRIBLE. Games last an hour, so pardon me if I expect some consistency in calls for the ~$20/hr under the table that they make.

Usually my complaints stem from them not enforcing rules and allowing guys to just run women over on the basepaths. That and they have the uncanny ability to just make up rules as they go along.

I umpired youth baseball/softball when I was younger too. I dealt with overzealous parents/coaches, and I agree with the OP that it's out of hand. At the adult softball level though, I'm not going to hold back too much. They get paid pretty damn well, I don't think it's asking too much that they do their job.

[daspollak]

I was a player coach in rec league softball a few times...the worst thing I ever sadi to an ump was "you want to make that call in this league?" (called my shortstop out for stepping completely on home as he lined an outside pitch to right). Basketball was a bit different..as a player all you want is consistency and fairness. If I tell you a guy is hooking me with an elbow to get around me to the baseline...call it or I'm going to drill him next time and then you have a situation to deal with...

I'm a player/coach for my CoEd team and I ridicule the umps all the time. We pay them $24 a game and they are TERRIBLE. Games last an hour, so pardon me if I expect some consistency in calls for the ~$20/hr under the table that they make.

Usually my complaints stem from them not enforcing rules and allowing guys to just run women over on the basepaths. That and they have the uncanny ability to just make up rules as they go along.

I umpired youth baseball/softball when I was younger too. I dealt with overzealous parents/coaches, and I agree with the OP that it's out of hand. At the adult softball level though, I'm not going to hold back too much. They get paid pretty damn well, I don't think it's asking too much that they do their job.

Adult softball is a different breed. I expect punishment there, but I also expect adults to know when to stop as well. I make $35 a game down here calling that, and I never complain. They can yell at me all they want, but I usually smile and laugh knowing that I get paid for this.

One last thing I will say on this topic. Whether you're an official, coach, player, or fan know the rules. Don't make a statement that is a rule unless you're sure. For baseball if I am calling the plate I still carry a rule book in my bag. If a situation occurs that my partner or I don't know the rule on, I look it up. I encourage all coaches to do this, and approach the offical in an appropriate manner. If you're wrong don't push the issue and try to rationalize it. I know I will take my lumps and move on. Remember just don't make it personal.

[hammb]

I was a player coach in rec league softball a few times...the worst thing I ever sadi to an ump was "you want to make that call in this league?" (called my shortstop out for stepping completely on home as he lined an outside pitch to right). Basketball was a bit different..as a player all you want is consistency and fairness. If I tell you a guy is hooking me with an elbow to get around me to the baseline...call it or I'm going to drill him next time and then you have a situation to deal with...

I'm a player/coach for my CoEd team and I ridicule the umps all the time. We pay them $24 a game and they are TERRIBLE. Games last an hour, so pardon me if I expect some consistency in calls for the ~$20/hr under the table that they make.

Usually my complaints stem from them not enforcing rules and allowing guys to just run women over on the basepaths. That and they have the uncanny ability to just make up rules as they go along.

I umpired youth baseball/softball when I was younger too. I dealt with overzealous parents/coaches, and I agree with the OP that it's out of hand. At the adult softball level though, I'm not going to hold back too much. They get paid pretty damn well, I don't think it's asking too much that they do their job.

Adult softball is a different breed. I expect punishment there, but I also expect adults to know when to stop as well. I make $35 a game down here calling that, and I never complain. They can yell at me all they want, but I usually smile and laugh knowing that I get paid for this.

Yeah, I know when to stop. I didn't mean to sound like I'm a major league manager or anything. Never kicked dirt, got into a yelling match, or stolen one of the bases (although I should do that, would be hilarious...).

Usually it's just a little barking...the only time I've ever gotten into it is because in our league close plays at the base the runner is supposed to slide. On more than one occasion I've seen some dude think he's a big man and just plow the catcher over (always a girl), rather than slide. I won't stand for some jackass guy who thinks he's trying out for the big leagues to take out a girl...that's bush league. The rule states the runner should be out, and as far as I'm concerned they should be thrown out of the game. The umps rarely make that call properly though...