Favoritism - One Way or the Other

When you walk onto the field, it is a new game...............all coaches and players get a fresh start. Do not hold or show any grudges, from any previous incidents or issues. Do not conduct yourself, act or talk, or make calls based on the past, or anything else that maybe going on in the current game. Make all your calls based on what you saw on that play.

Also, do not be overly friendly. Talk to the coaches as necessary but do not act like you are their friends. And you do not have to stay after the game and shake hands (but if you do, shake all coaches hands on both teams, do not favor one team).

Favoritism - do not do anything that might hint at some form of favoritism. In particular, the coaches and parents of losing teams sometimes get the idea that you are being too friendly with the other teams coaches. They actually think that you "give" them calls and/or show favoritism during the game. Perception often ends up being an apparent reality to a losing team. Once the coach starts saying things, it quickly spreads to all coaches, the players, and the fans. It's crazy!

So, to combat this - forget your friendships. You have a job to do. Do your job. It is often controversial. The coaches get too caught up in the "game" and so do the fans. Do not give them ammunition. Do not engage in friendly conversation with the coaches or players. Stay away from all of them as much as possible. If they come up to you to shoot the bull, get away from them as soon as possible - tell them you have something to do or talk to your partner - get away - also, be on the look out for this and go rescue your partner if you see it. Do not hang out near either dugout, even if you have drinks near one (move your drinks). Go to the foul line area about ten to twenty feet from the plate and switch sides every other half inning, or go to the back corner of the backstop.

Watch out for over friendly coaches, they may be setting you up; and if not, it sure might appear that way to the other coach/parents.

Do not engage in fence conversation with people who might be friends or family of the coaches or team members. Tell them you will talk to them after the game.

Do not accept food or drinks or anything else from one team (coaches/parents).

Do not congratulate a coach/team after a good play........................

Do not congregate with a team after the game

If you have some affiliation with a team, notify me immediately after you realize you have been assigned that game. We will decide if it is still ok to do the game or switch you.

If you get assigned a team that I have told you not to do, then tell me, or if you don't notice it until you get there, go to another field and see if you can get someone to switch (this works best for Pinto and Mustang).