July/August 2019 - 20

right shoulder, previously down, comes up half an inch.
The coach on the opposite side can see the change a lot
better than the referee. In baseball and softball, a coach in
the dugout has a great angle on a checked swing. That's
not the case for an umpire near the middle of the infield.
2
.Focus on doing your own job. Mark Uyl, executive
.director of the Michigan High School Athletic
Association and former head of all MHSAA referees,
officiated many years of college football and baseball,
including two Division I College World Series.
" Games go smoothly when all of us stay in our lane, "
he said. " Coaches coach, officials officiate, players play,
and fans positively cheer for their team. "
Coaches also should want to know how to meet an
official's expectations. " Good coaches know that it's much
easier to have a productive conversation when they ask
specific questions to get information, " said Todd Morgan,
who officiates high school and college basketball. Instead of
complaining about a missed over-the-back foul, a basketball
coach should ask, " What can we do better to get that call? "
" Most officials try to be proactive, " said Victor Canales,
who works college softball, high school basketball and
soccer. " Listen to them. "
For instance, if a soccer player hits the ground every time
an opponent makes the slightest contact, Canales might tell
the coach, " Hey, No. 42 is flopping. She's going to make
it hard for me to give you the call when there's sufficient
18 JULY/AUGUST 2019
contact. " Now it's up to the coach to get the player to
comply. Baseball umpires will discreetly tell a coach,
" Your pitcher is close to balking. Here's why. " By listening
and adjusting, coaches can help prevent a controversial call.
When coaches constantly complain about officiating,
they provide excuses for players who fail. Hitters who
take a called third strike will roll their eyes at the umpire
if their coach has complained about the strike zone.
Instead of taking responsibility for failing to protect the
plate, they seek a sympathetic response from their coach.
3
.Don't show up referees. Officials understand a coach
.will react over a close call, but they don't appreciate
wild, theatrical gestures. " One of my pet peeves, " said
Morgan, " is the coach who stretches out his arms and
looks upward, as if pleading with the heavens for justice. "
Everyone in the venue sees this kind of conduct, and
officials naturally resent it. Throwing jackets, slamming
clipboards, and other unrestrained reactions are surefire
ways to draw a technical. Everyone notices screaming and
yelling, and it may instigate similar reactions from fans.
Coaches must control their emotions.
Talk to officials discreetly whenever possible. Avoid
approaching them on the court or field, and never yell at
them from far away. It's far better to speak calmly with
an official during timeouts and other dead ball situations.
That's when coaches and officials can have a meaningful
discussion. In some sports, a thoughtful coach complains
July/August 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of July/August 2019
