LL Coach Torments 10yr old Pitcher during Tournament Game - WWYD? (1 Viewer)

[Cjw_55106]

I've coached for quite a while and I can say with a pretty high level of certainty, that if a coach yells anything (most commonly balk! or time!) and that action causes a balk, the coach is subject to ejection. 

While I don't think it's technically true, I've heard people say coaches can't even call for a balk. 

 

[Brony]

I can't keep up with these rap names anymore. LL Coach?  Does he rap with The Pitball?

 

[Jayrod]

I've coached for quite a while and I can say with a pretty high level of certainty, that if a coach yells anything (most commonly balk! or time!) and that action causes a balk, the coach is subject to ejection. 

While I don't think it's technically true, I've heard people say coaches can't even call for a balk. 

There definitely should have been something done here.  I wouldn't let a coach do anything like this in a competitive HS game, much less in a kids game like this.  The kids are there to learn, not win.

 

[oso diablo]

from official MLB rules, which govern in USSSA games, unless USSSA has a rule over-riding (which in this case, they do not)...

6.04 (4.06) Unsportsmanlike Conduct
(a) No manager, player, substitute, coach, trainer or batboy shall at
any time, whether from the bench, the coach’s box or on the
playing field, or elsewhere:
(1) Incite, or try to incite, by word or sign a demonstration by
spectators;
(2) Use language which will in any manner refer to or reflect
upon opposing players, an umpire, or any spectator;
(3) Call “Time,” or employ any other word or phrase or commit
any act while the ball is alive and in play for the obvious
purpose of trying to make the pitcher commit a balk.
(4) Make intentional contact with the umpire in any manner.
(b) (3.09) Players in uniform shall not address or mingle with
spectator, nor sit in the stands before, during, or after a game.
No manager, coach or player shall address any spectator before
or during a game. Players of opposing teams shall not fraternize
at any time while in uniform.
(c) No fielder shall take a position in the batter’s line of vision, and
with deliberate unsportsmanlike intent, act in a manner to distract
the batter.
PENALTY: The offender shall be removed from the game and
shall leave the playing field, and, if a balk is made, it shall be
nullified.
 

 

[Jayrod]

from official MLB rules, which govern in USSSA games, unless USSSA has a rule over-riding (which in this case, they do not)...

6.04 (4.06) Unsportsmanlike Conduct
(a) No manager, player, substitute, coach, trainer or batboy shall at
any time, whether from the bench, the coach’s box or on the
playing field, or elsewhere:
(1) Incite, or try to incite, by word or sign a demonstration by
spectators;
(2) Use language which will in any manner refer to or reflect
upon opposing players, an umpire, or any spectator;
(3) Call “Time,” or employ any other word or phrase or commit
any act while the ball is alive and in play for the obvious
purpose of trying to make the pitcher commit a balk.
(4) Make intentional contact with the umpire in any manner.
(b) (3.09) Players in uniform shall not address or mingle with
spectator, nor sit in the stands before, during, or after a game.
No manager, coach or player shall address any spectator before
or during a game. Players of opposing teams shall not fraternize
at any time while in uniform.
(c) No fielder shall take a position in the batter’s line of vision, and
with deliberate unsportsmanlike intent, act in a manner to distract
the batter.
PENALTY: The offender shall be removed from the game and
shall leave the playing field, and, if a balk is made, it shall be
nullified.
 

Yup.  Ump screwed it up.

 

[Buzzbait]

The only person that could do anything about it was the ump.

It takes someone with experience and confidence to figure out what is happening and make the correct move there.  I'm sure the ump was just as surprised by the whole thing as you were.  Since its little league, odds are this wasn't a highly trained ump.

Nothing the parents or opposing coach could do that wouldn't make it a "2 wrongs don't make a right" scenario.

Exactly. I was an umpire for 10 years and he needs to address this situation. It's a judgement call and older kids may be able to cope but with 10 yo kids it's the epitome of low class and unsportsmanlike behavior. The umpire needs to call time and have a talk with this guy and if he doesn't comply then he can be ejected.

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/downloads/y2016/official_baseball_rules.pdf
Rule 6.04 a(3)

No manager, player, substitute, coach, trainer or batboy shall at
any time, whether from the bench, the coach’s box or on the
playing field, or elsewhere:

Call “Time,” or employ any other word or phrase or commit
any act while the ball is alive and in play for the obvious
purpose of trying to make the pitcher commit a balk

 

[Chemical X]

TL;DR, but you can't argue a balk.  thrown out, leave field.  wa la

 

[Buzzbait]

Should have read the entire thread b4 responding. oso diablo beat me to the punch and I only read the OP before posting. Sorry.

Anyway, the answer is the ump allowed this situation to happen.

 

[Willy]

The league probably has a code of conduct for coaches and parents that he was breaking.  

If the rules are online I would have pulled them up on my phone to verify, then let the umpire know. Even if it's not spefically covered in the league rules, that crap isn't allowed at any level of baseball.  A major league coach or manager would get tossed for that so I'm not sure why this doosh-nozzle was allowed to continue.  The people saying the ump should have done something are right, but I think the coach should have done something to get the ump to take action once it was clear he wasn't going to do it his own.

I hope someone notified the league so they can talk with the coach.

 

[MattFancy]

The league probably has a code of conduct for coaches and parents that he was breaking.  

If the rules are online I would have pulled them up on my phone to verify, then let the umpire know. Even if it's not spefically covered in the league rules, that crap isn't allowed at any level of baseball.  A major league coach or manager would get tossed for that so I'm not sure why this doosh-nozzle was allowed to continue.  The people saying the ump should have done something are right, but I think the coach should have done something to get the ump to take action once it was clear he wasn't going to do it his own.

I hope someone notified the league so they can talk with the coach.

The problem in this situation sounds like the adults didn't want to be adults

 

[Judge Smails]

Videotape the next one and make it go viral.  Shame the #####.  I saw this stuff all the time, in LL baseball and especially girls softball.  Most often it were dads/coaches who were never good players themselves (so sad to see them try to pitch batting practice or hit infield), didn't truly understand the sport, and got all of their self worth out of winning a youth game.  They do so much damage, and we have more control over it then we think. If a parent, I would talk to the coach directly first - right then.  Even if it's your own team, make it known to the coach and other parents that this is not OK.  You do not try to win at all costs.  If it's a rec league, take it to the next board meeting. File a grievance, demand the coach be removed or not allowed a team the following year.  Make the President of that LL accountable.  Write a op ed in your local paper.  If a club team,  your choice is to vote with your feet.  If you have a player that plays for a coach like that you have your priorities out of whack.  Get to a different team quickly.

 

[Insein]

Pitchers coach has to tell him to attempt a pick off with runner at third and drill the coach in the nads

First thing I thought of.

 

[Insein]

Smoke the kid in the batter's box.

This too.