Question for Bret - When a call like this happens (a "mythical" call that cannot be supported in the rules) how should a coach respectfully approach the umpire about it? Is it acceptable to ask for an explanation, and to what point is the umpire obligated to provide an explanation?
As long as everyone is doing it "the right way" no umpire should ever refuse a coach's request for an explnantion of a call.
By "the right way" I mean that the coach should first request time and wait for it to be granted before entering the field of play or approaching the umpire. Then, BOTH the umpire and the coach need to be civil about. I would have no problem whatsoever explaining ANY call or answering ANY question if a coach approached me this way.
On the other hand, random screaming and complaints from the dugout are generally going to be ignored. If you want to ask me something, then request time and we'll talk about it. Screaming at me from the dugout fifty feet away, while a dugout full of coaches and players are screaming other things over top of you, does not facilitate COMMUNICATION. And a coach who comes angrily storming toward me from his position (either from the dugout or a coach's box) is going to get even less leeway.
Okay, suppose the coach stays calm, gets time, then approaches the umpire. The umpire should listen to the coach's question, without interupting him, to make sure he understands exactly what point needs to be addressed.
Then, give your explanation or answer. You should be brief and to the point, not argumentative or opinionated. You should give a sound reasoning of why you ruled the way you did and, if it's a question about a rule interpretation, be prepared to give the rule (not necessarily the exact rule number, or quote the rule verbatim from the rule book, but at least be able to paraphrase the rule and give the gist of it).
At this point, the coach will either agree or disagree with what you told him.
If what we're discussing was a judgment call (fair/foul, catch/no catch, safe/out on a tag play, etc.) then the umpire's judgment is final. Anything further from the coach is likely to be answered with something like, "We're done here, Coach. Let's play ball".
If it is the misinterpretation of a playing rule-
and the rules you're playing under afford the coach the luxury of filing an official protest- if the coach thinks the umpire has it wrong he may make his protest known at that time.
Unfortunately, in Ohio (and many other states) high school softball does not permit protests (most travel ball tournaments do, so it is the coach's best interests to understand how to properly file an official protest. My experience is that most do not).
All a coach can really do in a high school softball game in Ohio is plead his case and offer his opinion of what the correct rule really should be. If he can offer the correct rule, that
might make the umpire see the error of his ways. The light bulb
might go off and he might realize that he has it wrong. He
might be unsure enough to check with his partner about the rule and his partner
might be able to set him straight. Then they can correct their mistake.
Without a viable protest procedure in place, that's all a coach can really do. If the umpires won't budge, you're stuck with whatever they come up with. Once they let you know that their decision is final...any further agruing just puts you on thin ice and can reduce the chances of you sticking around to witness the rest of the ballgame.