as a player, i disagree with the entire concept of the protest. I understand that some calls will go your way, and some calls wont. and yes, on occasion those plays will screw up the outcome of the game. However, how often does one play actually affect the outcome of a game? I have played in a game where bad umpiring calls cost us a big game, and ruined our chance at an upset in the state tournament, but i have played in so many more games where it has not done anything but delay the game (and since a lot of us complained about long delays at tournaments we wouldn't want to be hypocritical would we?
). Those long delays just make us players restless and if they go on for an extended period of time can make us get "cold". and having a cold pitcher will affect the game more than that one call.
I think that coaches protesting is all an ego booster for them. Many coaches like to feel that they know everything about the game and when they think that they know a call they jump on the opportunity to show off their knowledge. I've been playing for almost 10 years now and i've never read the rule book, and chances are many coaches haven't either. I guess protesting a call and being right makes them superior or something. Why can't the umps just do their job, and the coaches do their jobs. Why don't we all try to respect one anothers positions on the field? how about we back up the promise that sports build character for life and instead of being argumentative, have the coaches teach the girls that sometimes in life things just don't fall your way. I guess i am still bitter about a protested call that declared me ineligable for a game, but i think that coaches should try to stay out of it a little, and definatly keep the tournament directors out of it.
I think that the coach who pretended to have the $100 bill is a genius. When umpires refuse to ask for help, they aren't being any better than an outraged fan/coach/player. Stubborness doesn't solve anything. that's why they have a second umpire right? and if they dont' want to ask for help, maybe just please the coaches by going and pretending to say something to the other ump. that way everyone is happy and nobody would know! ?
i guess it all boils down to that ever famous question "can't we all just get along?" ?