Approachability: Has It Gone Too Far? Umpires Can't Become Pushovers When Dealing With Coaches

By John Magnusson

The last few years umpires have really thrown around the word “approachability.” Overall, umpires have made big strides in that area.

Coaches and administrators wanted to know that we were approachable. We were asked to change from the way we acted in the past — no longer could an umpire tell a coach to shut up and sit down.

As part of that initiative, umpires have truly learned to be more professional. For the most part, officials have stopped cursing on the field and now use much more positive body language and a calmer demeanor when coaches come out on the field to visit.

Of course, officials in all sports have used those techniques, but baseball umpires have had them really stressed because coaches actually enter the field of play for discussions with umpires.

Umpires have learned to use listening skills and to give relevant answers. If they can make an adjustment and “get the call right,” they do so. And the days are long gone when it was acceptable for umpires to yell into the dugout or show up players and coaches.

Despite those positives, I’m still very concerned about the subject of approachability as I travel around observing umpires. The tables have turned and I see and hear coaches screaming at umpires from the dugout, but nothing is being done to stop it.

I believe some of the problem comes from the media. Every intense argument gets replayed countless times on television. And the highlights usually appear on Internet sites before the games are even over.

Coaches show looks of disgust and throw histrionic tantrums. That can’t be allowed in the amateur game.

Just as umpires are expected to be more professional, the same must be expected of coaches and players at the amateur levels. Umpires are doing a disservice to the game by allowing that behavior to occur at the beginning levels.

Coaches and players do not have the right to act like kindergarten students. Remember, by rule in college baseball, only the head coach is permitted to discuss anything with the umpires. Everyone else needs to be quickly warned and ejected if they persist in inappropriate conduct.

Head coaches know that rule and if they aren’t willing to come out and discuss a play, there is no reason to allow an assistant coach or player to carry on.

But once a head coach does come out for a discussion, the umpire must act correctly.

The distinction that must be made is simple. As an umpire, are you approachable or are you a pushover?

Baseball is unique in that coaches are permitted to interrupt the flow of the game and come onto the field to discuss a play. If the discussion is done correctly, you will definitely demonstrate approachability.

Umpires cannot allow coaches to scream at them, either in a head-to-head confrontation, or worse, from the dugout. When a coach yells, “Where’s that pitch?” he should be quickly informed that unacceptable actions will result in an ejection. Umpires who don’t put a stop to that inappropriate conduct are pushovers.

Also, when the head coach enters the field to discuss a play, require him to use the same tone and mannerisms that are expected of umpires — a civil tone and a professional attitude. Remind him that since you are approachable, he must follow the same guidelines. If you allow him to bully you, the rest of the game and the rest of the season will be a lesson in suffering. And that’s not only for the pushover umpire, but for every umpire who follows him in dealing with that coach.

Lastly, don’t allow a coach to obnoxiously posture in a discussion. When a coach starts to enter the gray area of not getting information from you but merely giving his opinion, stop him. You really don’t want his opinion anyway — any more than he wants yours. Get the reputation as an approachable umpire, but never get the reputation as a wimp or a pushover.

If you get that reputation, you may never live it down.

John Magnusson, Gainesville, Fla., worked two College World Series and is the owner of Florida Collegiate Umpires, Inc.