Behind the Plate - June 2007

Behind the Plate with Andy By Andy Konyar Umpire Consultant Little League International

Tournament season is a whole new ballgame. Most tournament managers, coaches and umpires are doing things they were not expected to do during the regular season. Here are few tips for the managers and coaches out there for tournament season.

1. Question that award, or that call. Go to the umpire who made the call. Not to the oldest one, or to the plate umpire. No other umpire can over-rule another.

2. Good things to say: After the play is complete and as you leave the dugout: "Time, please!" "Blue, I have a question about that call. Why did blah-blah get called out?" Then listen.

3. Remember that you DON'T want to argue with an umpire. You DO want him/her to consider your alternative view.

4. The correct ratio in a discussion is one-to-one. Get your players and coaches out of there, then make your case.

5. Control your players. Tell them, "You swing the bat, it's my job to deal with the umpires."

Lastly, the umpire is in control of the game. Leave it that way. If the umpire won't give the outside corner, then that's the way it is. Adapt to it. And if you can adapt to that fact faster than the other coach, then you have an advantage.

Good luck to everyone this tournament season.

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