Gahanna Lions 16U 3rd base coach - BOO, HISS, BOO

[backstop09]

A real class act, confronting a kid about the shoes she is wearing. You don't confront an opposing team player. EVER. If you had a problem with the pitcher wearing metal spikes on the turf (a ground rule that was unevenly applied all weekend depending on umpiring crew), go straight to the umpire. You don't go the kid and ask to see that she's wearing metal then run and tattle to the umpire. By the way, your attempt at mind games by doing it after warmup pitches had been thrown and the first inning was ready to start kind of backfired, didn't it? Serves you right.

 

[BretMan2]

At Berliner? For what it's worth, the rule out there is metal cleats are permitted on the turf infield, but not at the pitching position. This is a park rule that the tournament was forced to abide by. I guess that they figure pitching footwork combined with metal cleats will create field damage.

 

[backstop09]

Yes, this was at Berliner. They had special pitching mats on the turf fields that were not a permanent part of the turf surface. My daughter wore her metal spikes in her first game because the pitcher in the game before ours was wearing hers. No one ever said a word. We just assumed that perhaps they were not enforcing the "no metal spikes while pitching rule" because of the mats. My problem is not with an umpire enforcing a park rule, even if umpires before him had chosen not to. My problem was with this coach's method and gamesmanship. As an opposing coach you should NEVER confront a player on the opposing team directly and ask her about her equipment. On the bright side, she quickly changed into a b*tt-ugly pair of tennis shoes and pitched a complete game win.

 

[Jose_canusee]

Berliner does not allow spikes on the boys portable mounds. Girls can wear them on the mats. We have hosted tournaments there for years and it is not an issue. TD probably didnt ask CPRD, just read thd rule that way, the wording is tricky, but girls are permitted.

 

[steeler]

Please remember backstop09 the highlights of any weekend should always be about the ADULTS not the young ladies

 

[BretMan2]

Before the games, all of the umpires and coaches received a two page list of special tournament rules. This handout stated that no metal cleats could be worn at the pitching position and also stated that this was a park rule that the TD had no control over.

 

[ThompsonUSSSA]

Yes, this was at Berliner. They had special pitching mats on the turf fields that were not a permanent part of the turf surface. My daughter wore her metal spikes in her first game because the pitcher in the game before ours was wearing hers. No one ever said a word. We just assumed that perhaps they were not enforcing the "no metal spikes while pitching rule" because of the mats. My problem is not with an umpire enforcing a park rule, even if umpires before him had chosen not to. My problem was with this coach's method and gamesmanship. As an opposing coach you should NEVER confront a player on the opposing team directly and ask her about her equipment. On the bright side, she quickly changed into a b*tt-ugly pair of tennis shoes and pitched a complete game win.

Agree there is a better "Tact" to approach the umpire in private that #?? on the other team may be pitching (or utilizing whatever illegal equipment the situation your trying to address) and leave it in their hands.

If the coach simply asked the player if she was wearing steal, and then approached the umpire, then I don't see such a big deal. If more than that, I guess I understand your gamesmanship comment...one of those things I guess you have to see how it was handled to understand.

I will also address the comment "you assumed" that it was a rule and not being enforced. Wouldn't it also have avoided the situation by addressing the legality of using the steal cleats prior to this situation? This could have avoided the issue altogether...

 

[ech92]

I agree you shouldn't confront a player , but intentionally breaking a rule that was clearly explained to each coach ( no metal cleats for pitcher ) is bad gamesmanship aswell . Just my opinion .

 

[Blue Streak 44]

I agree you shouldn't confront a player , but intentionally breaking a rule that was clearly explained to each coach ( no metal cleats for pitcher ) is bad gamesmanship aswell . Just my opinion .

Agree...play by the rules & this is not an issue. My .02 is you were BOTH wrong!

 

[The3dm]

I think this is nothing more than a pitchers dad protecting his princess. As a pitchers dad myself, I would take more issue if the coach had gone to the ump without the facts and caused my DD to be distracted. The coach took the time to get the facts before approaching the umpire, don't see how that is a head game. Would you say the same thing if he happened to catch your DD using an illegal bat before she actually made contact?