1	Six Degrees of Separation
2	"There are" There are, in our opinion, several modest things umpires can do to help avoid situations and manage a game in a more efficient manner. Respect is earned, not deserved, and since you will be on the field from time to time with coaches who have never seen you before, these suggestions will help to strengthen their confidence in you and help you avoid situations.
3	"Let’s start with your arrival..." Let’s start with your arrival on the field. Be sure to walk on the field together with your partner. Never fraternize with either coach; never show a friendlier demeanor to one coach over the other.
4	"As you receive and check..." As you receive and check the line-up cards, confidently ask the home team coach to take you around the field visually and explain the ground rules, making sure that all involved are in agreement.
5	"Your base umpire should not..." Your base umpire should not speak or get involved with any questions the coaches have. He should wait until the coaches leave the plate area and express his concerns with the UIC. Coaches do not want to listen to any insignificant questions that might confuse the second umpire.
6	"The UIC should ask that..." The UIC should ask that the home team refrain from having warm-up pitches during the plate meeting. Most umpires would like to ‘see a few before they call a few;’ this is the most opportune time to gently introduce yourself to the catcher and ask his or her name. If you’re inclined, ask the catcher to receive all returned foul baseballs and hand them to you. There is nothing more annoying than to watch an umpire try to catch a baseball thrown to him by a player or a coach. It shows respect when baseballs are handed to the plate umpire.
7	"Putting the ball in play" Putting the ball in play. Now there is something 60 percent of us don’t do. After every dead ball, signal to your partner and the players that the ball is in play. This will prevent any attempt to pick off a runner while the ball is still dead, which will leave your partner exposed to an argument. This simple “lack of discipline” can lead to a hostile situation. Avoiding situations is, by far, the best way to handle situations.
8	"A simple gesture goes a..." A simple gesture goes a long ways. For example, if a catcher takes a foul tip in the groin, walk to the mound and have a brief conversation with the pitcher about nothing just so the catcher can regain his breath. Both coaches will commend you for this courtesy.
9	"Let’s take a moment to..." Let’s take a moment to discuss judgment. Most of us can be certain of a fair or foul ball, a pitched strike or ball or a safe or out call. It’s the bangers and scoops at first that separate the veteran umpires from the novice.
10	"Simple remarks can cause a..." Simple remarks can cause a situation. Be careful not to talk too much with the catcher or fielders. They might go back to the dugout and twist your words into something other than what you meant. Communication is best kept brief; the less you say, the less that can be misconstrued.
11	"Coaches know that umpires are..." Coaches know that umpires are taught to let them have the last word. If the coach is grumbling while he is walking away, LET HIM GO. Many new umpires feel the need to chase him down and continue the discussion.
12	"There are several non-confrontational answers..." There are several non-confrontational answers for coaches when they dispute your calls, i.e. “He was safe, that was a lousy call.” Your response should be brief: “Coach, the ball beat the runner.”
13	"Now the tricky part" Now the tricky part. When coaches continue to chirp and continue their argument from the bench, what should we say or do? There are hundreds of one liners from umpires but try this one: “Do I have to run you to keep you quiet?” This usually stops the ‘noise’ from the dugout.
14	"Last but not least" Last but not least, always keep a cool head. This is not always easy to do. All eyes are upon you and we must react in a professional manner at all times. Never use profanity, never stoop to their level and never let them ridicule, embarrass or berate you in any way. The last resort is the hook.