Baseball Umpires and Bad Behavior!

High school baseball games usually start out being all smiles and handshakes, by the fifth inning it easily can be nauseating loud, moans, groans, bitching and sniping from the stands or dugout . Unfortunately, games can and do end up here.

The good news is the majority of all games do not go this way. The majority of games for even mediocre umpires are relatively problem free, but at any game in a matter of seconds things can go south quickly. So where does the buck stop?

One option is straight out of the NFHS 2018 Baseball Rules Book, “Coaches Code of Ethics” page 76. The “Code of Ethics” says the buck stops with the coach. Whether it’s fans or his team the coach is ultimately responsible for resolving poor sportsmanship and bad behavior.

Umpires have all heard, do not have rabbit ears. Agreed! On the other hand, when subtle comments end and you are horrible begin, this is when umpires should act. This is where the coach should be made aware of the problem and asked to resolve it. It is the coaches job as stated in the rule book, not the umpires!

The umpires job is to make sure the coach resolves poor sportsmanship and bad behavior, but if the coach fails to do so the umpire must then make him accountable.

Poor sportsmanship and bad behavior has no place at a high school baseball game. None! If you think that letting it slide will help, it does not. Allowing bad behavior is a perfect recipe that will quickly grow an annoyance into a full-blown circus and congratulations, you’re the ring master.

Good coaches know better, but bad coaches allow and promote bad behavior when umpires permit it. Don’t be the umpire that rewards bad behavior and poor sportsmanship, make coaches accountable. The buck stops with the coach, it’s his job!

Baseball Rules in Black and White