I know it sounds like I am issuing a challange but I'm not.
There is a natural adversarial relationship between coaches and umpires. Umpires are there to maintain order and report the progress of the game, ball/strikes, out safes. The other thing we do is interpret rules and apply them to game situations. Coaches are there to run their teams and clarify with umpires strange situations.
As umpires it is paramount that we understand the rules of the game and to make sure what ruleset the game is playing under. Many of us officiate multible rulesets and it is very important we are using the right rules in the right game. This can be tough and will cause problems on occasions.
Managers need to do much the same if they are going to do the best job for their team. They should always know the ruleset they are playing under and what that means in rule differences. When a situation comes up where you feel the umpire has enforced a rule incorrectly the manager needs to go out and get clarification. That means asking the umpire what he has called and why. He should then explain his understanding of the rule and protest if needed.
The problem is in baseball you play 80% of the game with 20% of the rules. When you dip into the other 80% of the rules it can be an adventure. The more the manager knows and understands the rules the more likely he will convince the umpire he was incorrect.
I will cite two cases where I kicked rules on the field and how the manager handled it.
Sitch 1:
DP attempt, missed both ends and the middle infielder threw the ball out of play. I awarded the BR second, R1 third,TOP. The manager calmly came out and asked why not third and home. I said it was two TOP. He said it was second play by an infielder, TOT. I said he was absolutely right and awarded correctly. I had a brainfart and corrected me.
Sitch 2:
Two outs, top of seven, home team leading. They need one out to win, first round of play-offs. Groundball to SS, bad throw to F3 pulling him down the line toward home. Instead of just tagging the runner he wacks him hard enough he changed the runner's direction. I called defensive MC and ejected him. What I did wrong was placed the runner at first instead of calling the play and then ejecting the fielder. The manager came out and wanted to tell me how stupid a call it was and That he really didn't hit him that hard. He never questioned my enforement in any way. The game should have been over but instead it went to extras and he lost and almost got tossed.
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