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New Premium Membership benefit...

Tue, 22 May 2012 06:26:23 +0000

Attention All members!

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Time to get a cup...

Tue, 22 May 2012 05:40:37 +0000

Okay, so I never used a cup for the 15 years I played and the 5 I've umpires. But lately, I've been getting a lot of close calls. And now its time to protect the boys. Can't decide between the shock doctor or nutty buddy.

End of my rookie year

Tue, 22 May 2012 04:55:32 +0000

Saturday was the last game of my first year doing HS baseball. Of course, it happened to be my FIRST game on the big field working alone. The game went along great, both teams played well ( for MOD level). It was actually sort of relaxing to me not to worry about if my partner was going to miss a rotation. I hustled out on plays at the bases, and had no complaints from the coaches. I did (as Jim Joyce said) "kick the $#!+ out of a call." 2-2 count on the batter, ball comes in outside for ball 3. He heads down to 1B thinnking it was ball 4. R1 starts trotting for 2B. I call R1 back to the plate, and send the runner back to 1st. I hear the OT coach asking someone "isn't the ball live?" Then he says "Blue, my runner was stealing." The DT fans start chirping about the BR being out for INT. I know i have read this situation on these boards before, and the ball was live, and that R1 should have remained on 2nd. I just couldn't process it. (FWIW- by this time, I had done 2 LL majors plates the night before, worked my regular job overnight, and had this game at 10 a.m. so no sleep for a while. add in the heat and my brain was starting to implode on me). Next pitch the BR smokes a triple, R1 scored so really no harm.

Between innings the coach comes to me and says that his runner was stealing, so he should have stayed at 2B. I told him I kicked it and he should have stayed at 2B. I also told him I might have been more convinced of the steal if his runner had actually been running to second instead of almost walking. He said "I know, I said that out loud just to keep some of my players parents off my back." Apparently he has had some issues during the year. We both laughed and headed our seperate ways. Again, this is MOD baseball, so the coaches were really relaxed.

So I now wait for our end of year meeting to find out how I did on my evaluations during the season. If I did well enough, I will get a taste of Varsity games next year. I worked hard during the season, studied the rules/case book, and asked questions of the veterans when I had them. I was told by a couple of the veterans that 2 of the rookies were being considered during the year as a fill in on some Varsity games, and I was one of them. That made me feel pretty good.

Now I will be doing LL majors for the rest of the summer, and was already told I will be doing some tournament games. I will be looking to build up my library of reference materials, and continue to make myself bettter. I will also continue to come here, because I feel that reading the forums gave me a bit of a leg up on the other rookies. I will let them know that if they are really interested in getting better, they should look here as well. Many thanks to you all.

The "Wheel"

Tue, 22 May 2012 04:37:41 +0000

R2, outs don't matter. F6 is running satellites around R2 in his lead off. I'm in "C", so obviously this is going on behind me. OC starts crying that he's blocking the runner from getting his lead and making contact. I tell my partner to keep his eyes open for potential OBS (quietly), and the OC tells R2 to run over F6 if he's in the way. I warn the coach about the difference between OBS and MC and now that he announced it to the world, if I rule MC, the player AND him are history. Question is, penalty if any for F6 conatcting R2 (I can't find anything specific), and at what point is it technically OBS. I'm not calling it if there's no play. I know this is legal activity, but at what point does it cross the line in your opinion? BTW.... 11u travel ball

Beer Thrower

Tue, 22 May 2012 03:01:44 +0000

Anyone know what happened to the fan who threw the beer at Miller? If I was Miller I would press charges!

The Things We Think And Do Not Say

Tue, 22 May 2012 03:00:42 +0000

The Things We Think And Do Not Say
Late night ramblings By Umpire Jerry F’N Maguire

Coach: Hey, Blue!
Me: Yes, Bucket Ass?

Coach: Blue, what’s the count?
Me: You’re down by two, coach; it's late in the game; and you're not paying attention. It don’t look good for you.

After my partner is talked into “getting help” on a play at the plate.
Partner: Pete! Whaddayagot?
Me: The batter runner touched first. No doubt about it.

On a check swing
Partner: Did he go?
Me: No, but the pitch was a strike!

Coach: You'd better call that all day!
Me: Or what?

To a pitcher struggling to throw strikes
Me: Three balls! No clue!

Defensive Coach: Where was that pitch?
Me: In the ball zone!

After calling a low strike
Defensive Coach: The last one there was called a ball!
Me: Oh! My mistake! Ball!

After a close out call
Coach: How can you call him out?
Me: Like this, “He’s out!” Wanna see my ejection mechanic?

Coach: That one wasn’t even close!
Me: I’m glad we agree. I was afraid you saw it differently

After a punch out
Me: Next!

What is with the bat throwing?

Tue, 22 May 2012 02:57:55 +0000

Have any of you seen what seems to be a (not statistically proven) increase in careless bat throwing? I have had to give more warnings (has to date always nipped it in the bud, knock on wood) this spring than any other season. Mainly this is youth ball, but I have had to give warnings in HS (mainly softball, but once in baseball). I don't know, just lucky that no one has been severely hurt yet (knock on wood again).

Fister's first to third ....

Tue, 22 May 2012 02:48:08 +0000

isn't this a balk?

Fouled back ball

Tue, 22 May 2012 01:52:42 +0000

Right into the thigh. Adult league. The guy pitching was gunning it. Former D1 lefty pitcher that pitched in a regional and super regional (ironically went to school with the guy). Lefty batter just gets a piece of it (catcher was lined up to the outside) that came straight back into my right thigh. This is probably the most painful hit I have ever took. I think it actually broke a little skin at first. Took about 30 seconds to a minute to walk this one off, dust off the plate and get ready to go.

Wonder what colors this bruise will turn into over the next couple of days (this is just after one):

My Douglas-Douglas

Tue, 22 May 2012 01:25:30 +0000

Here is mine ...just got in today...

Gray shoulder caps and t-hooks, ...very nice!

Attached Thumbnails

Favorite Brand of shirts?

Tue, 22 May 2012 00:01:01 +0000

I am just looking for some feedback on different brands of shirts... I have navy and red smitty shirts and am not a huge fan..the material is thick and traps body heat...good for fall baseball but not for may and june!

I also have black and powder blue from www.theofficialschoice.com , and the material is soft, and light.

I recently purchased the Dalco Pink shirt from ump-attire and am not a huge fan, but only because of the mesh it is made of, is almost see through. But sharp, none the less.

So the question is, Whats your favorite brand? What shirts do you find most comfortable?

100 posts!

Mon, 21 May 2012 23:31:40 +0000

I hit 100! this will be 101! Many useless comments on awesome threads! I have learned a lot already!

Acronyms

Mon, 21 May 2012 23:19:09 +0000

I'm wondering if it's time to revisit the use of the automated acronyms here? They seem to cause a lot of readability issues and I question their actual value.

Thoughts?

Unavoidable contact...In my opinion

Mon, 21 May 2012 22:56:13 +0000

FED rules

We had a play in the first inning of the N @ S JV game tonight.

I had the plate.

R2 for S, batter gets a hit to left field. R2 is trying to score the throw brings F2 up the 3rd base line about 15 - 20 feet. As he reaches for the ball they collide and both go down. R2 scrambles to touch home. The catcher gets up to recover the ball, which hit me on the foot and bounced to F1 backing up home. In my judgement, the contact was incidental (a train wreck). N coach wants the runner ejected for "Obstruction". I knew what he meant, but did not feel that the contact was avoidable. It was too far up the line for him to slide and since F2 was running towards him, I didn't think he(the runner) had time to react.

N coach immediately threatens to go to his AD because I did not "do anything". BU & I discussed the play, he felt that the runner plowed the catcher. We agreed to disagree and I stuck with my call. We gave no indication that we did not agree.

I would like to hear your reactions/thoughts.

smitty comfort tech 100

Mon, 21 May 2012 21:38:04 +0000

gentlemen , i have an opportunity to purchase some smitty comfort tech 100 for 23.00 ea , no tax/shipping . a league that i work for is making a large order that i can take advantage of . so i have read an old UE thread about sizing , and went to the supplier store as well to try on for size . smitty definitely runs large . For almost all my shirts (regardless of brand) i have worn XL base , 2XL plate . however this season with the new allstar CP , i noticed that 2XL was very tight fitting with the new CP , with one exception . this past winter i bought a honigs white 2XL , the material is noticeably different from several years ago , and much larger . this shirt fit over the allstar CP comfortably , where most of my other 2XL shirts (older honigs and original blues) were very tight . i also have an older (8-10 years ) 2XL honigs red , plus two older(7-8 years) 2XL honigs L/S that seem more roomy , and fit comfortably over the new allstar . It is amazing how over time the brands , vary widely in sizing , materials and quality . BTW "original blues" is a brand that is mostly so cal , and may not be made anymore but was a great value and very popular .
So anyone in the group who is or has worn the comfort tech 100 , i would appreciate any comments good or bad , about durability , care , color consistency , heat (cooling) .
thanks marc

I should have said no!

Mon, 21 May 2012 20:21:57 +0000

I'm a busy guy (that is a lie)... But today I was actually doing something. It was 2:15, and I was on my way to BoRics to get a haircut, and I was then going to go to a friends house to work on a project. I get a phone call from my UIC...

UIC: "Matt! Can you be the plate ump at (park) on a LL Minors game like... now?"
Me: "Umm.... I guess so." (I'll regret these words later)
UIC: "Great! I owe you one Matt! The game was supposed to start at 2, so I'll call the coach and let him know you're on your way! Thank you!
Me: "Sure."
My thoughts: "Why did I agree to this? It is 90 freakin degrees outside!"

I get to the park at 2:35 and they just finished up the TOP of the first with some parent as an ump. I didn't hear any complaints about the inning so I allowed it to count.

The game (plus me) starts fine. My partner showed up at about 2:50 or so, and the game was going fine... Then we start the real show.

Pitch comes in, no one touches it, off my right hand... I'm shaking it, the coaches and parents are giving the usual "ooh"'s and "ahh"'s... DM tells his catcher "Go give the ball to (the pitcher). Give him some time."

I gather myself, put the ball back into play, next pitch is thrown, no one touches it, goes off my left hand.

More "ooh"'s and "ah"'s... Coach goes "Jason! You HAVE to catch those!!"

To go into the story each time would take too much bandwith, so I'll just give a final tally... These are only the ones that hurt, there were others that went off equipment I didn't feel...

3 to my inner left theigh (same freaking spot everytime!!)
2 to my cup (which I was lucky to even have on, given how little prior notice I had)
2 to my gut
1 to my right hand
1 to my left hand
1 to my knee
1 to my mask

Entering the bottom of the last inning, a catcher came out to take prep pitches, and his glove never moved for three pitches he took. Over his head, over his head, under his arm... I started wincing just imagining what was coming, and the manager turned to his assistant, and told him.

"Mark, this isn't going to work... " They switched out catchers, and the manager came over to me and said "You are taking too much abuse already, I'm not going to put a first time catcher out there on you."

By the end of the game, both coaches said good game, and told me to go get an ice bath... My partner (who I go to school with) was cracking up... I told him his time was coming and that I was going to laugh sooo hard when it did.

--Good note--
As my partner and I left the field, a kid on the losing team told me that I was the best ump they had had all year long. I don't take much from what kids say, but it's still nice to hear... Postgame, my UIC called and said that both coaches called him after the game and gave me kudos for how I called the game.

attaching pics

Mon, 21 May 2012 19:50:36 +0000

Keeps telling me file is too big. Says used 434.09k of 500 k and the file is like 65 k. Is there a way I can either remove old pic attachments or increase availability?

Really!?!?!?

Mon, 21 May 2012 19:39:22 +0000

This could really go in a lot of different places, but I got a laugh out of it, so I'm putting it here.
Had a 14u game tonight. A team from our park is playing a church team from another city. The church team is just so over matched its not funny. Anyway, in the bottom of the 2nd, home team batting. They're up 10-0 at the time. F1 pitches, ball barely gets to the dish and he tries to check his swing. For the coaches box at 3rd I hear "really?". I look and the coach had his back turned to me and head in his hands. I say, "thats enough!" And hold my hand up.
After the half is over, they're up 14-0. The other team has maybe 2 defensive outs in 2 inning. I pull both coaches over and tell them, "we are not going to argue balls and strikes. You are way up and it is definitely uncalled for.". The coach that said it looks at me like I offened him and says, "blue, I wasn't talkin to you, I was talkin to the batter. I told him not to swing at any crap, and he did.". I wanted so bad to smack him up side the head with my mask and tell him, I've been doing this a long time, and I know when somebody's complaining. After the game, I told my partner what he said and we both had a good chuckle. Instead of a show called kids say the darnedest things... There should be a show called coaches say the dumbest things.

First one of the year, and an easy one

Mon, 21 May 2012 19:39:22 +0000

Easy one for profanity. Names and teams redacted to protect the innocent. Nations Baseball Tournament.

In the second inning of the game between the XXX and the YYY, there was a play at the plate. The catcher had the ball up the line and the runner slid. This play led to a hard tag, towards the head, but I did not judge malicious contact to have occured. This was the third out of the inning, and in the middle of the second, I was going over to the YYY head coach to ask him to talk to his catcher to try to keep contact to a minimum. However, before I got over to talk to him, the XXX head coach was walking from the the third base coach box and said to me in passing, in a loud and angry tone "That's bull." Before I could tell him anything, he also said, as he was walking and was at home plate, and directing it at the YYY's bench "That's bush and you godd*** know it." At this point I ejected XXX Head Coach. He left the field at that point. However, between the second and third innings, it was discovered XXX Head Coach was standing out beyond the outfield fence (which is technically outside of the complex on the walking path, but still within sight and sound of the game). The base umpire went out and asked XXX Head Coach to get out of sight and sound of the field, which he then did do. No further incident after this point.

New Member

Mon, 21 May 2012 19:28:51 +0000

Im a young guy in my 4th season always looking to get better. I call with Grand Slam Alabama (travel ball), high school, and park ball as well. if you have any tips for a younger but some what seasoned guy let me know.

Fire Sale on Nike Turfs

Mon, 21 May 2012 19:28:09 +0000

Looks like Baseball Savings is clearing out all their 2012 Nike Baseball Footwear:

http://www.baseballsavings.com/customer/category/product.jsp/SUBCATEGORY_ID/29128/refScid/2529/sattr0/Gender/sattrVal0/mens

Valentine and Darling-Battle of the gum

Mon, 21 May 2012 19:19:00 +0000

2nd High School State Tournament selection

Mon, 21 May 2012 19:00:13 +0000

I don't want to toot my own horn, but guess I will, but, just got the call I've been selected to work our State baseball tournament. It's my second time.

Umpire collides with runner

Mon, 21 May 2012 18:02:40 +0000

If an umpire runs into runner and knocks him over, I think (while you may look really dumb) you have nothing and play on.
Anyone have something different for this type of situation?

Obstruction or Interference?

Mon, 21 May 2012 18:01:31 +0000

IFF in effect. Soft Infield fly to right side playable by F3 playing off the bag orF4. Meathead B1 breaks on hit and trucks F3 just as I'm calling IFF. F4 settles under it as I call "Time! I have batter out on infield fly and you (pointing at R1) out for offensive interference!". No one said boo.

Now I'm thinking OB

I know we can have only one protected fielder (generally), and it's the umpire's judgement (I would have had F3 protected anyway) but I still want to find arule reference. Been looking through the BRD (I need to get the PDF!) but can't find it.

In the end I think, in that situation,R1 would have definitely been doubled up.

Edited to add - OBS rules.

4 Babe Ruth games...

Mon, 21 May 2012 17:41:39 +0000

Thursday to Sunday. All 4 plate umps wearing cleats not plate shoes. Oh the lessons they will learn.

Nice F2 INT call ....

Mon, 21 May 2012 17:33:25 +0000

balk question

Mon, 21 May 2012 17:29:41 +0000

With a right handed pitcher and R1.

Pitcher in the stretch has just lifted his free leg.

Is going to first always a balk once the free leg has been lifted?

Would it be legal to spin to the right and throw to first without stepping off the rubber?

Is there any step towards first that would be legal turning to the left?

OBS or Bad Call?

Mon, 21 May 2012 17:28:05 +0000

MS County tournament championship game. Bottom 6 winning run R3 2 outs. Contract school hosting but is VT. WP to backstop, R3 breaks for home, pulls up and heads back to 3rd. F2 gets the ball, sees R3 going back, throws to F1 at the mound. R3 bumps into F5 before getting back. HP screams, "That's Obstruction!!!" Awards home to R3 to end the game. Contract school loses county championship on this.

Canadian Team

Mon, 21 May 2012 17:27:06 +0000

Yesterday morning we were doing a tournament game that included a team from Windsor, Ontario. We had had the team the day before and they got skunked (mercy in 5), but yesterday they were playing better.

The odd thing was, my partner was confronted by the Riverside coach because he was claiming that a pitcher HAD TO DISENGAGE backwards in order to make a move to first???

He was also barking about the fact that the pitcher (14u by the way) did a spin move to 2nd base via turning towards first. No hesitation, straight to second, but he spun to his let (RHP). Obviously he's never seen that before. I thought he was going to get ran, but my partner kept him in the game due to the tournament, etc, etc.

Strange situation...

Official scorer notifies coach of BOO

Mon, 21 May 2012 17:25:43 +0000

Rec league game where the home team parent has the book, visiting team parent has the scoreboard. After the wrong batter gets on base the scorer notifies the home team coach that visitors batted out of order and of course he appeals.

Now what? Do you get an out? Do you remove the scorer? Make the wrong batter the correct batter and leave them on base? Do you start over with the correct batter?

According to a spectator the only thing they knew was the umpires did not allow an out. I am still waiting to talk to the umpires on the field to see what else they did.

Batter swings at pitch, pitch hits batter. Runners can't advance on HBP.

Mon, 21 May 2012 17:18:52 +0000

I'm looking for where this is in the OBR rule book. I know it is the rule, but I can't find it.

I did find:

5.09: The ball becomes dead and runners advance one base, or return to their bases, without liability to be put out, when-

5.09a

A pitched ball touches a batter, or his clothing, while in his legal batting position; runners, if forced, advance.

Thanks.

First "Real" Game

Mon, 21 May 2012 17:14:22 +0000

Well, this is my first year being a certified umpire and I was planning on waiting for summer ball to work LL and VFW but I got my first action yesterday! I was out at the ball field when the home team coach told me to go get my gear, the umps that were supposed to be umping had double booked and were already at their other site. So I rushed home and got all my gear together and hurried back up to the field. It was a HS Varsity game between two state ranked teams and I was the lone ump. The game went great! I was pretty tight on a few outside pitches but most of the time it wasn't even close out there. The game only went 5 innings with the HT winning 20-7, it was a tough game for me in the aspect that I am only 2 years out of HS and all these guys on the HT were my teamates in HS and are good buddies of mine. I got pretty lucky and didn't have any close/controversial plays. The fans from both sides were great knowing I was a last minute fill in having never worked a game before. I think I got a "good game blue" from everyone in the stands afterward.

I would just like to say thanks to this site because I have learned so much already about umping and how to look the part and be the part out there on the field. I think I'm addicted now and can't wait until my next game!

Live Ball ejection

Mon, 21 May 2012 16:57:40 +0000

OK Gents,
Here's another question I have for you all.
If a player is ejected while the ball is alive and in play, can he make an out?

OBR rule set : R2 tries to score on base hit and is ruled safe on a close play at the plate.
Catcher goes ballistic and is immediately ejected. Meanwhile Batter runner tries for second and
catcher fires the ball to second and he is tagged out.
So does this out count? Does the runner get to stay at 2nd?

Foul Call Reversible? Balk Question as Well

Mon, 21 May 2012 16:13:45 +0000

This was a question from a fan sports website. FED rules. Grounder down third base line. PU points fair, BU yells foul as ball goes past 3B. Basically the question was, can the umpires get together to change the call from the verbal foul to fair and place runners as they see fit?

I would think so.

Another question about balks. Pitcher goes through wind up. Batter starts yelling, "Time, time, time!" Pitcher stops delivery. Umpire called balk. I would think most umpires would not allow the balk. Just trying to find out the answer to that since everyone else has their own opinion.

They think it was definitely foul since one umpire said it was, but I would think that could be reversed and fixed. They basically seem to think the balk call was fine while I would have trouble with that.

Hand to mouth ...

Mon, 21 May 2012 15:57:58 +0000

Ok.
JV double header last night. In the second game (I'm BU). VT F1 is going to his mouth, but clearly wiping it off, clearly, without question. My concern was that he was close to the rubber, but was NOT on the rubber. Again, clearly hasn't stepped on his plate to get ready, but standing behind it.

Now ...

HC (coaching 3rd) says something to my partner, and I hear him (quietly) say "that's a balk". But, I don't have him on the plate, and I clearly have him wiping off.

Going to the rule book I find 6-2-1 illegal acts:
e) bringing the pitching hand in contact w/ teh mouth without distinclty wiping off the pitching hand before it touches the ball.

AND ...

6-2-4...Balk ....
c) making an illegal pitch from any position (6-21, 6-2-1a-d) NOT 'e' ...it says nothing about 'e'.

QUESTIONS:
1. is it not a balk when a pitcher goes to his mouth w/ runners on base if he doesn't wipe off?
2) a pitcher can't go to his mouth while on the rubber, period? Correct? W/ no runners on 'ball', w/ ...balk ....correct?

IF SO, I can't find it..........

ON EDIT: I just found it in the CASE BOOK, ...6.2.1 situation b cites 6-1-3, but 6-1-3 doesn't say anything about hand to mouth...

ON EDIT AGAIN: Is the PENALTY NOTE at the bottom of Art. 3 referencing you to the "illegal pitch" section 6-2-1? If so, then fine ...

You didn't have to punch me out like that...

Mon, 21 May 2012 15:37:20 +0000

Sunday I had an adult wooden bat league game.

It started as a blow out then the other team decided to play, But a good game overall, fun, no bad attitudes.

It was the 6th inning, we'd had good pitching all day. Typical fastball, change-up & curve pitches all game long.

With 2 outs and 2 strikes comes this beautiful knuckleball dancing in, middle of the thighs, center of the plate.

I do my typical chainsaw K3 mechanic. The batter was just shaking his head as he walked away.

After the game a coach was asking a general rules question to my partner and me. That batter walked up and said, "You didn't have to punch me out like that. I was already packing up my bat, heading to the dugout."

We laughed. He said he didn't recognize it until it was too late. And all the guys were F-ing with me after that.

Inside the park Home Run - with OBS

Mon, 21 May 2012 15:25:20 +0000

Batter spanks the ball waaayyy past fielders. They fumble around with it and runner has a legitamate chance for an inside the park hommer. I'm in the field and there is OBS at 2nd. Runner goes home and is barely out.

Plate ump mkaes the out call but what is the mechanice for fixing this?

Typically I would just yell "Time. Obstruction by F5. Runner safe." But Plate ump has no idea of the OBS.

Pedometered my game today

Mon, 21 May 2012 15:11:36 +0000

Was wondering why my knees hurt so much after a game and wondered how far I move during a game. Did a full 7 inning hs soph game today. From the time walking from my car to the field to returning directly to car after the game I took 2272 steps. Thats is a mile plus. Just worth passing on for those that don't think umpiring is an athletic pursuit.

My first Ejection in 2 years

Mon, 21 May 2012 15:05:54 +0000

Tonight was my first EJ in 2 years.

Mustang game (9/10 y/o) game I have the dish.

D3K and the play at first is close my partner gets the out. Out storms the coach from the 3rd base box to me. "You've got to overrule him!"

I reply, "I can't overrule him."

"Come on that's the 5th call you all have blown tonight!"

"Coach, That's enough! You're not going to be out here counting on us!"

"How can you all miss 5 calls!"

"You're outta here!"

What a douche.

Rule proposal

Mon, 21 May 2012 14:52:00 +0000

I'd like to get a new rule in baseball at all levels. There have been nearly endless calls lately to "put the umpires in check", "Keep umpires from ruining the game" etc...

But one thing I've noticed lately is that players are loosing their class about calls they disagree with weather correct as Bellino vs. Avilis just yesterday where Bellino was absolutely correct or in Miller vs Lawrie where Miller absolutely wrong.

Players are just coming unhinged at the littlest of things. Maybe it's the 'roids (j/k, or am I???) But maybe it is just the continual decline in sportsmanship at the professional level.

Look at the NBA. Growing up I was a big pro basketball fan I loved the Lakers, but back then the NBA still had class. The executives and league let the class and sportsmanship of the game fade away. My all time favorite player was David Robinson. But even towards the end of his career the game and the attitudes of what was acceptable behavior changed. I started following the NBA less. Now in my not so humble opinion the NBA is garbage. Dominated by prima donna thugs who are more interested in promoting themselves than playing the game. The even bigger problem is this lack of sportsmanship has quickly seeped to all levels of the sport.

MLB and all of baseball could face the same fate. After years of inaction on PEDs, illicit drugs, behavior, and other issues I think MLB is quickly approaching the event horizon where they can still fix their course, but time is running out. It is time to get players and managers under control and yes, if they feel they need to get umps under control, then lets make it happen.

Professional conduct is the keystone for sports at every level. Everything else falls into place when you have professional conduct. Fans become less exasperated as they don't feed off the negative behaviors of the players and managers and they have a better time and I'd bet spend more money in the park. As there are less hostile fans they will attract more families, who will spend more money. This money goes back into the franchise building the franchise and giving it the funds to improve their teams and facilities which will lead to even more fans and more revenue.

I'm actually disappointed that my local AAA team, the Norfolk Tides, have a family friendly zone as do many other parks around the country. There is no reason the entire park should not be family friendly. And while apparently they will remove belligerent fans from this section of the park, why not take control and remove the offender from the entire stadium. I believe this sets the wrong tone essentially saying in this small enclave we expect good behavior, but the rest of the stadium is a free-for all.

Children see these behaviors players display and as they see them more frequently they think of them as more normal than they actually are and therefore repeat them. Players continually repeat the mantra of, "I'm, not trying to be a role model." Like it or not you are, and if you don't like it choose a different line of work. By the very nature and public nature of the job others will see your actions and possibly emulate them. If you can not be an ambassador of the sport you do not belong in the sport. Youth coaches see professional managers become unhinged and follow suit at their kiddie ball games and this flows all the way up their career. Now you have youth league umpires being assaulted on the fields and in the parking lots.

It is time to stop this downward spiral and reverse the tone. Take charge of the situation and keep baseball on the pedestal it deserves. Give much harsher fines, suspensions and other discipline to players, coaches and yes, if need be umpires. Set the tone as to what is and is not acceptable behavior. Ban players from the league who cannot comply.

Now that I've had my little rant, here is the first rule I would propose to help fix the tone:

A player, coach or manager will not throw any article of uniform or equipment to the ground in apparent displeasure with them self, a play, another player, manager, umpire or umpire's call.
PENALTY: Automatic ejection and a minimum of 1 game suspension in addition to any other penalties levied.

S-storm tonight on my Runner Lane Interference call

Mon, 21 May 2012 14:43:01 +0000

OBR rules set: S-storm tonight when Batter bunt out in front of the plate, runs the entire way to 1B in fair territory as the quality throw from F1 hits the batter/runner and scoots into foul territory.

I call, "Time, that's Interference, He's out" (no runners on base)

And I nearly had an EJ from skipper who had an out on the exact same play last year (as he described it). I nicely told him that he may want to consider instructing his base runners to try a legal path to 1B.

The skipper didn't understand that yes the runner has to go into fair territory to touch 1B, BUT by proper rule interpretation batter/runner can't run the entire way in fair territory and then expect protection to touch the base.

Lesson to new umpires: It is a lot more fun to argue when you know you're right.

PBUC:

The lines marking the three-foot lane are part of that "lane," but the interpretation to be made is that a runner is required to have both feet within the three-foot lane or on the lines marking the lane. If the runner straddles either boundary line running the last forty-five feet to first base, he is outside the lane. The batter is permitted to exit the three-foot lane by means of a step, stride, reach or slide in the immediate vicinity of first base for the sole purpose of touching first base. However, a batter-runner who runs to first base in fair territory and ignores the three-foot lane violates the spirit of the rule and would be put out if he interferes with the fielder any distance from first base.

intentional walk

Mon, 21 May 2012 14:42:16 +0000

Had this happen at a game I was watching a few nights ago. The HM wanted to intentually walk a batter. The PU gets in position and the HM calls time and says, just put him on. The PU calls time and talks to his BU. They pull the VM and HM and have a meeting. Then the PU points to the batter and says go to first. Is this right? I'm pretty sure that they have to throw to him for the IBB. But I may be wrong. There is nothing about this in the local league rules and we play Dixie. Is there anything like this in LL or Pony or any other league that uses OBR?

"42"

Mon, 21 May 2012 14:18:30 +0000

Shooting for "42 The Jackie Robinson Story" started this week in Birmingham, Al. I sat in the shirtsleeves at Rickwwod Field (The oldest ballpark in America) and cheered for MiLB Jackie wearing #9 playing for Montreal. It was a VERY long day, and I wasn't getting paid for it, but just maybe I will see a blur of my face on the silver screen. "42" starring Harrison Ford (Branch Rickey), Lucas Black (PeeWee Reese), Chadwick Bozeman (Jackie Robinson). Set to premier in theaters next April. There were some paid extras there, but I won the grand prize raffle, ipad2 16gb. Cool. Also note former MLBers on cast. Pete Smith (Braves). I met some good folks and got a $400+ ipad to boot!

Attached Thumbnails

Laz Diaz Ejects Bob Melvin

Mon, 21 May 2012 13:56:51 +0000

Do you have a catch?! WOW, that's a tough call!!

Where should I have gone?

Mon, 21 May 2012 13:56:41 +0000

2 man HS Varsity nobody on. Ground ball to F6 who bobbles. I get into position for a whacker at 1st. F6 makes bad throw, ball goes to fence. (not much foul ground) BR heads for second. I take off for the infield grass and try to get to a B position, but as soon as I get to the grass (deep theres a play on the BR at 2nd base and Im' looking up his backside.
Luckilly for me the tag was high and I called him safe. I knew I was right, cause I didn't hear a peep.
Is there somewhere else I could have gone to get a better angle and not be straightlined?

Stepping on their hat

Mon, 21 May 2012 13:25:19 +0000

I have never actually done this, the situation has never actually presented its self, but I was just wondering...

If a coach throws his hat down in disgust, is it acceptable to step on his hat while you toss him?

First One

Mon, 21 May 2012 13:15:18 +0000

Had my first "official" ejection of the year yesterday and it was a pretty obvious one.

What I'm interested in knowing is if you tailor your methods of game management to the level of game you are dealing with, specifically related to the baseball IQ of the individuals.

When I had my throwing at ejections last year, some observers at the game whose opinions I trust indicated that while how I handled everything was textbook, it appeared overzealous for the caliber of baseball and cocky the way it was handled coming from such a young kid.

Usually, I handle high level games where the baseball IQ is high enough that when a situation becomes prolonged, I can tell someone, "you need to get back to the bench so we can continue here" and they'll know they either follow my direction or I have to run them.

Yesterday, I was doing a HS game. HS ball in Ontario is glorified house league - the caliber is weak and the coaches are mostly just volunteer teachers supervising their kids.

There was a situation where one team disputed a league pitching limit rule that was not clearly outlined as to whether or not it applied to this particular tournament. After a solid 5 or 6 minute delay, we had it resolved and I was ready to get the game going again. One coach - who is just a teacher with the school and has no other baseball involvement - was still highly persistent with his argument. I let him go for a few seconds hoping every word was the last but when it became apparent he wasn't done anytime soon, I looked over at him, took off my mask and said "listen, this game has been on hold long enough. I need you to go back to your bench or you're going to force me to eject you for delaying the game."

My hope was that spelling out where he stood in his argument would cause him to have an "oh shit" moment and stop arguing. IMO, just saying "that's enough" would have done nothing, led to his ejection, and then caused a "what are you throwing me out for?" tirade. While I can tolerate those in regular ball, again, in HS the baseball IQ just isn't there and I will look to avoid trouble in HS baseball because it's just for fun.

Anyway, what I said worked the opposite way. He kicked some dirt in my direction and said f you so away he went. Judging by what happened after that, which ended with him kicking dirt all over me, indicated he probably would've been thrown out one way or the other.

Is it appropriate to tailor the way you handle something according to the level you're working? I don't think it's fair to hold a guy like this - a teacher with no baseball knowledge just there so the kids can play - to the same standards of knowledge as I would normally expect on a field.

25-50 Korean Baseball League

Mon, 21 May 2012 05:35:14 +0000

First year ump (late bloomer), did 31 lower level HS games this spring. Filled in today for a game starting in 45 minutes, close to home, for the KBL. For the most part two thirds of the players were second generation Asian and the rest, white guys. Cash on the field, although this isn't what made this a fun outing. With adult players, NO coaches, and NO parents, it couldn't be an easier or a more relaxed game to call. A bunch of ex-players giving each other the business, reliving their younger years. Just a good vibe all around. Lots of laughs, good time had by all, ( well maybe not so much for the team rocked 12-1). The losing pitcher hadn't thrown in 10 years and after the game asked if I think he got his fastball in the low 80s. Dreams of "The Rookie" probably.

UGGH...

Mon, 21 May 2012 04:18:47 +0000

First LL Majors game I have worked on the plate this year... 1st place team v. 2nd place team... Everything is fine and dandy (a few whines and moans from the peanut gallery, but nothing out of the ordinary) until the TOP of the 6th (last) inning.

AT is up 4-1... 1 out, R3, hopper to the pitcher... R3 runs towards home and F1 throws it home... F2 runs up the 3BL to tag the runner and does so somewhat aggressively... R3 tries to get around the F2, and he keeps pushing the tag on him... Everyone starts yelling from "He has to slide!" to "What is with the tag?". I can tell both R3 and F2 are PO'd at each other, so I get in between them and tell the R3 to go to his dugout.

R3 does so, and I call time, warning both teams to watch the sportsmanship.

Now the AM runs to me, asking what the result of the play was (I had announced it, but it was probably drowned out by yelling and forgotten by the warnings)

Me: Runner is out.
AM: Why?!
Me: He tagged him.
AM: Ok. That's all I wanted to hear.
My mind:

Very next batter... The DT begins intentionally walking him... For reasons apparent to no one, R1 steals on ball 2... They nail him out at 2nd for the 3rd out and R1 starts throwing a miny fit, setting his helmet on the ground and kicking it a little bit at a time... I tell AM that he needs to control his player and he does (kind of)... The AM starts throwing a hissy fit in the dugout about how this is the most disgusting game he has seen all year (keep in mind he is winning 4-1 and needs 3 outs to end the game)... I ask for "someone to come warm up the pitcher". The catcher was the one who was out at 2nd... He responds "No, it's a little league rule that we're not supposed to." when we've been nice enough to allow coaches to warm up his pitcher all game. I tell him, "Have a player on the bench do it."... He says, "no".

I'm getting pissed now, and I walk over and tell him so that only me and him can hear, "You need to calm down now or you're gone."... He relaxes a bit, the three outs come in order, and I get the hell out of there before anyone could even think the word "Blue".

UGGH.

1) Did I handle this well?
2) Should I have made any ejections?
3) Any similar stories?

--A bright spot from the game--
My UIC was evaluating me, and he said he had nothing but complements (good voice, consistent zone, etc.)... He also said he would like me to work some Juniors games this summer when he originally hadn't planned on having any sub-18 year olds work the summer.

get out those rule books

Mon, 21 May 2012 03:29:16 +0000

Watch this one

Now what do you possibly have with 2 outs and a runner on 3rd also, but both the runners ) (1st and 3rd) think there is only 1 out. The guy at 3rd starts running very late for home, or, the guy at 3rd dogs it in real slow. What is that word. What is it. There is some controversy about that word.

Recomended Pants & Shirts

Mon, 21 May 2012 02:28:38 +0000

Guys,

Please advise best internet place to buy Umpire Pants & Shirts (aprox. 25 pants and 50 shirts).

Thanks for your time.
Ros@

Fair or foul

Mon, 21 May 2012 02:14:40 +0000

While me and my partner were getting ready for our game tonight, we were talking about a game that he did that got protested. I asked him what the coach was protesting, he said a fair/foul call. I asked what happened and he told me. The batter hit a ball up 1st base line. The ball hit the bag and bounded into foul ground. I told him it was a fair ball, it hit the bag and went foul, so its fair because it touched the base first. He said he called it foul cause its a Dixie rule. I can't find it any where and I don't understand why in the hell Dixie would change that (i doubt they would, but it is Dixie).... Am I missing something here, or is my partner misinformed?

What would you do?

Mon, 21 May 2012 00:41:03 +0000

Middle school game, bottom 7 2 outs normally rookie board umps
1 strike on batter and coach replaces the pitcher.
Umps reset counters (whoops).

New pitcher, another strike, a ball or two and next pitch is a swinging strike, ball in the dirt. Ump calls strike 2, batter beelines for 1st on dropped 3K and catcher listening to ump returns ball to pitcher. Mayhem infield and umps finally admit they lost the count at pitching change. Now comes damage control, would you:

A) bring batter back with 2-2 count
B Strike 3, catcher would have had kid nailed, call
game over
C) leave runner on 1st and bring up next batter.

Dan Bellino Ejects Aviles

Mon, 21 May 2012 00:21:01 +0000

Looks good to me?!

As they see 'em: A fans travels in the land of umpires.

Mon, 21 May 2012 00:07:25 +0000

This is a great read for umpires. It is a fun read and really motivates you. Definitely reccommend.

First Playoff Game

Sun, 20 May 2012 19:55:57 +0000

Closing out my 2nd year of umpiring HS ball, I finished my first HS playoff game yesterday.

This was actually my first 3-man game as well. I have been studying 3-man religiously for the past year. (CCA, NFHS, Virtual Umpire Camp CD, and the soon-to-be-published Wendelstedt 3-man manual)

I felt I knew it well enough, but I was still a little nervous until it came time to pre-game. Turns out I knew it better than my partners despite the fact that they had several years of 3-man games under their belts. I asked good questions and we worked out some confusion with one of the rotations.

Interesting side note - this game was played on 100% artificial turf. Permanently painted perfect lines, green turf outfield, brown turf infield with those black rubber pellets. The players constantly overslid because the turf was so soft and resilient. No dust/dirt so the close plays were really easy to see and my shoes stayed shiny for the whole game. Pretty cool.

I was U3. Game went really smoothly.

I felt the 3-man system allowed me to get closer on tag plays. I was able to stick my nose into three bangers and see them much better.

R1, Base hit. I let the ball and R1 take me to 3rd, expecting to get called off by PU on a 1st-to-3rd rotation, but PU missed it so I just kept going and got right on TOP of the play and had no second thoughts about whose call it was.

I NAILED 3 balks, both partners echoed them all, and I was moving the runners before the DC even knew what was happening. I think he stayed in the dugout because it all happened so fast, like a well-oiled machine that the Coach wouldn't dare touch.

Post game was all positive. PU/CC was impressed and told me to expect a call for the next round.

Foster get Sveum

Sun, 20 May 2012 11:30:32 +0000

Interesting play. In the UEFL writeup, it appears the rules and official interpretations on this type of play are a bit cloudy.

http://mlb.mlb.com/v...ent_id=21543637

UEFL writeup: http://www.closecall...y-foster-2.html

Darn it, can't get video to post right, mods, fix if you can.

Allstar FM4000 Pads

Sun, 20 May 2012 06:03:56 +0000

Anybody else have issues with FM4000 pads. Last two games I have had, the pads seem to almost rub my chin raw in a couple of spots. Happened bad last week when it was 90 degrees here in NC. Last night it wasn't as bad, nice and cool around 65 degrees during last game. Also has anyone put team wendy pads on FM4000, if so how do they fell compared to Allstar pads

Interesting Umpire Headgear

Sun, 20 May 2012 04:39:54 +0000

Saw the most interesting headgear ever today. We've all seen the hockey mask, the traditional, but how about the skater traditional combo.

This guy, who was horrible BTW, had taken a skater helmet and screwed a traditional mask to the front, interesting, looked tacky though. I took pictures that I need to get off of my phone.

One field over the BU was wearing a pair of black and white Vans.

UA Leggings

Sun, 20 May 2012 04:39:47 +0000

I spoke with UA and their UA Heatgear core ventilated leggings will not be in-stock until late June early July at best. I currently wear McDavid hexpad tights that are starting to fray after 2 seasons and am looking for some replacements- I heard the core ventilated leggings are great but are they worth waiting for since the regular heatgear leggings are in stock?

Fielding protection vs Must Avoid vs Malicious Contact

Sun, 20 May 2012 04:09:05 +0000

Three concepts I would like to explore.

The rules and criteria from these three rules are often confused. I would like to explore these to help myself apply these more consistently and explain them more intelligently.

This is what I have so far. As far as I know, each statement is true. Do you disagree? Why? What do you think?

Three similar and related concepts in HS Rules:

(A ) - Protection from Obstructing
- A1. When fielding a batted ball, either zero fielders or one fielder is 'protected' and can not be called for obstruction.
- A2. When fielding a thrown ball, a fielder does not enjoy the same protection and can be at risk of obstruction IF he has not yet gloved the ball.
(B ) - Must avoid
- B1. While a fielder does not enjoy 'obstruction protection' (A2 above) when in the act of fielding a thrown ball, runners are still required to avoid contact, even though the fielder has not yet gloved the thrown ball.
- B2. However, in B1 (fielder obstructing while fielding), if contact is unavoidable, the runner cannot be required to avoid contact .
(C ) - Malicious Contact
- C1. NFHS does not define Malicious Contact.
- C2. I interpret MC as a player (offense or defense) crashing into another player when contact was avoidable (B1) or when contact was unavoidable (B2) but the player's intent was to harm).
- C3. Players are NEVER exempt from a Malicious Contact call. MC can happen on offense or defense, in or out of the baseline, with or without the ball, etc.

On a particular play, It is possible to have violations of any combinations of A, B, AND C above. If there are multiple violations, it is important to understand how to enforce the penalties. We must know which of these supersedes the others, and what order they should be applied. We must also know the situation (i.e. force play) in order to apply additional rules.

_________

Vent time

Sat, 19 May 2012 21:57:31 +0000

I was fortunate enough to get a HS playoff game this year. That was the good news. The bad news is that it was out in the woods somewhere in the middle of Deliverance County and it was less than a pleasant experience for me.
Upon arrival the home coach showed us to his office where we would be dressing. Once there he says “We will have a policeman here at the end to escort you guys to the parking lot.” Ominous sign?

I had the plate. The backstop seemed like it was within arm’s reach from me. There was a big boy in his lawn chair at the fence who starts in with the very first pitch. He went the whole game. He and the 100+ home crowd were annoying as hell the entire game. They must have been selling alcohol in the concession stand. I had a hard time focusing on pitches and I know I missed several because of the distractions.
This was an elimination game so I understand the excitement. I just don’t think a 4 dollar ticket gives you the privilege to ride my ass for 2 hours. It never got personal, so outwardly I ignored it. But to be honest, I just never got comfortable during the game like I usually do and it affected me. I have to say that this is only one of a handful of games I have done that I wish I could forget about.
I guess the police escort felt he didn’t need to show up to get us to the parking lot since the home team won. We left without incident and even heard a few “good game blue” comments as we left. Really? I was expecting to run into the big boy on the way out. I think he was sharing a cold beer and hot dog with our police escort.
3.5 hours total of travel time
.75 hour pregame time
2.2 hour game time
82 dollar game fee.
300 dollar PTSD counseling costs.

I think I came out the loser in this deal.

Reebok Plate Shoes on sale at Baseball Savings

Sat, 19 May 2012 19:04:54 +0000

Great price on Reebok Field Magistrate Plate Shoes:

http://www.baseballsavings.com/customer/category/product.jsp/SUBCATEGORY_ID/40694/refScid/2529/sattr0/Gender/sattrVal0/mens/sattr1/Type/sattrVal1/turf+shoes

New All-Star CPU30 Chest Protector

Sat, 19 May 2012 18:54:07 +0000

Has anyone seen the new All-Star CPU30? Only a couple of places carry it. All-Star sent me the back view photo. It is plated, yet light weight. It features a moldable collar bone area for custom fitting, and the whole protector is very form fitting. I'm not a big WV fan, so save all the "WV rules" stuff for someone who cares.

my 1/2 dump tonight

Sat, 19 May 2012 14:31:23 +0000

Had a 12u game tonight on the dish. Went into this game tell myself I wasn't going to take an crap. I had two fairly new imputed with me. So i really wanted to show these guys how to manage a game. Well,my new mindset paid off for most of the game.
About the third inning, the HC comes to me and says did we scratch so and so. I was there when the coaches talked about it so I told him yeah, they did.
Then, so loud mouth say something smart out of the stands. the HC yells back. the fan starts back and I say, that's it. vc, control your fans or your gone.
the guy in the stands starts with the typical, I didn't know we could get a warning. I cut him off and tell the vc, get him out of here or your day is done.
not a peep the rest of the game. when I looked over there after the half, he was being escorted by the president and two board members. To the parking lot. told the vc after the game, it wasn't personal, had to do it. he said no problem, i understand. he's a @$$ anyway. all in all, it was a good night.

Getting Stepped on by F2

Sat, 19 May 2012 14:23:41 +0000

I read all the time and hear a lot of people talking about getting stepped on by F2, but I have personally called a lot of baseball games and can honestly say I have never been stepped on by F2. Could this be happening because some people may be working too closely to the catcher? I mean, I am not deep by any means, and I can see the entire strike zone very well, so I know I am in a good position. Just curious to hear your thoughts.

What part of the plate is deemed "touchable"

Sat, 19 May 2012 14:03:09 +0000

Is it just the white or is the black included.

I'll let you know why I ask after getting the answer.

Overruled on Swipe Tag

Sat, 19 May 2012 13:20:49 +0000

R2. BU in C position. Ground ball to F6 who throws wildly to F3 who catches it 6 feet toward home plate and standing on the baseline. BR moves to right to avoid swipe tag, continues to touch first, and is called safe by BU. However, BU calls for help from PU because he couldn't be sure of the swipe tag; and DC is already yelling, "get some help!" So PU has a good look down the line at the play and says, "runner was out of baseline...he's out!"

Here's my question: BU wanted help on the tag or no tag, but the PU called out of baseline instead. Is this within his prerogative to reverse the call with the out of baseline instead of what he was asked to help with?

It created quite an argument, but was this the right way to call it?

Bob and Charlie go at it

Sat, 19 May 2012 13:16:05 +0000

Just like Bob and Kirk Gibson did last year...

Honigs shirts collar fraying

Sat, 19 May 2012 11:29:20 +0000

We put together a rather large order a month or so ago. I think in total we ordered close to 15 shirts between me and 3 partners that will be traveling this summer.
All of us are having the same problem, the collar is fraying around the edges. You can see it starting on the ones thats not even been washed yet. Then once you wash them its like it does it all the way around. I love the feel of the material the shirts are made of, but this is unacceptable. They look like they arent going to make it through a month. Not even a season, or summer.

Anyone else having this problem with this particular shirt? We got cream, black, and powder. All colors doing the same thing.

HMLSCR-HONIG'S CREAM MAJOR LEAGUE SHIRT

Would you expect anything else from me?

Sat, 19 May 2012 03:11:28 +0000

Hi, Gary Darling for Dentyne......

Bunt-INT-out of the box....

Sat, 19 May 2012 02:43:36 +0000

nice example from the other night ..................

Might have kicked this one...

Sat, 19 May 2012 00:30:55 +0000

Okay, differing view points on this one from people who I have asked. Let's get the right call on it.

LL Minors... R1, 1 out... I'm BU in B... Ball is hit towards 1st base, 3 or 4 feet in front of the base... F3 runs up and stops right in front of R1, in the baseline, without the ball. R1 tries to avoid but it's too late and they collide. Nothing malicious by either of them, and the fielder still gets the ball after the collision... Runner keeps going and is safe at 2nd. F3 takes ball to 1st for the 2nd out. I have no interference, no obstruction.

Defensive manager wants interference, and I told him no because his 1st baseman had no reason to stop right in his basepath.

A pitch is made and the coach is still complaining a bit, so my partner decides to have a 3 way conference with the DM in which he tells the DM that he should have been out. : :

Next person grounded out to the pitcher, so there was no harm, and the defensive team lost 15-2.

Postgame, I went to another umpire who was working a game on another field (one of the few in the league I like because he knows how to be an ump) and asked him, and he said he would have done the same thing I did.

SO... Did I kick it or was I right?

Hunter has a "chicken-fest!"

Fri, 18 May 2012 21:26:40 +0000

Plate Coat

Fri, 18 May 2012 20:57:59 +0000

So I won the Ump Cares Charity Auction for the Honigs Plate Coat.

But I am not sure that I deserve to wear a Plate Coat. How do I make such a decision?!

I am in Florida so I am not sure that I will have many occasions to wear it. But if the ocassion came along it would be nice.

I have not ordered it yet and I may entertain selling it.

If anyone is interested let me know in case I do decide to sell it.

IFF and Interference

Fri, 18 May 2012 19:27:57 +0000

IFF and F3 is going to make the catch. R1 runs into him. Dead ball and R1 is out with th BR going to first? Or "double play" both are out?

BTW... Is there a search function on here... couldn't find it.

Thanks

WOW!! It's been quite a ride

Fri, 18 May 2012 19:03:10 +0000

I just came to the realization that I have been umpiring for 50 years. I started when I was in the Canadian Armed Forces. I was playing for the base team and the manager asked me if I would umpire an intramural game. I did it and absolutely enjoyed the experience and as a bonus I got paid for it. I was hooked. For the next 30-35 yrs I was basically a Smitty, didn't know any better. I still remember those LL triple headers as a vol umpire. Then I joined an organization that stressed Professionalism, Education and progression as an umpire. We had the UIC for all of Canada in our organization. I learned a whole lot from him. He's the one who told me to keep a copy of the rule book in the bathroom and use the time in there to good advantage. Now I am the guy people come to when they need a clarification. This year I turn 70 years old, and have already done HS varsity and 18U baseball games. I have also done some unlimited ladies softball. I was asked to UIC an Intermediate provincial tournament this year but I had to turn it down because I have to have a triple bypass in the near future. I am already planning to buy a West Vest Platinum for after recuperation. I figure to be on the shelf for 6-8 weeks but plan to be ready for College ball in the fall. I don't plan on retiring any time soon.

Zee bees, zee bees, look out for zee bees

Fri, 18 May 2012 18:39:54 +0000

Birds, moths, squirrels, now the bees.

opps, correct video not appearing. I am doing the exact same thing I did on other videos that worked but this one doesn't.
Will try later.

Here we go.

NJ Umpire Punches coach.

Fri, 18 May 2012 18:15:40 +0000

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/05/nj_little_league_umpire_punche.html

Remember Jeter?What about this?

Fri, 18 May 2012 17:40:47 +0000

1. So, whose was worse, Jeter or Kotchman and why.

Situation

Tight game, 8th inning, and this situation happens to the first batter up.

In a 2 man crew, who do you go for to get help on this one. 1BU in A is completely blocked out and no help whatsoever. No need to pacify coach and get help, stick to your call and let the chips fall where they may with a possible ejection.

If you have not had this up and in pitch, hit the bat on the knob or hit the hand with the catcher getting in the way or his glove getting in the way, you have been so lucky or have not worked enough games yet, from games I have watched, and reading about this situation. Managers love this situation and it is a good one for them to get tossed on because they know you definitely could not see due to the catchers glove and your partner cannot help and you got to live and die with the call, right or wrong. And regardless of right or wrong, if he says the wrong thing or starts repeating himself and delays the game too long, its good night Irene.

Mutt & Jeff EJ

Fri, 18 May 2012 16:58:41 +0000

Didn't know whether to put this one into Situations, Funny Stories, or Ejections. Mods can move it if they wish.
Provincial Championship game 15U. R1, 1 out B1 hits ball to left field R1 goes with the pitch. F4 is standing on 2B as if he is expecting throw from F7. I'm not sure what happened but it looked as if F7 kicked the ball as he went to retrieve it. R1 runs into F4, he tried to dodge him but F4 moved into his way. I call OBS and award R1 3B. DC comes roaring out of Dugout, You have to visualize this guy he is about 5 ft tall and he is hopping up and down as he is running. He's screaming at me "why is he on 3b" all the time jumping up and down like he was on springs. I explained to him about the obstruction. He says thats the 2nd Baseman thats his base he is allowed to be on it. All the while he is still bouncing up and down. Then the other DC comes out and joins the argument. This guy is about 6ft 3in. I look to my partner to come out and even up the odds. He is just standing at the plate grinning like a chesire cat. I look at these 2 guys. I EJ Mr Bouncy but he isn't going anywhere. I looked at these 2 guys and lost my composure. I started to laugh and I couldn't stop. This just enraged him more and he was bouncing higher. He said how can you get a square head like that into a round hat. Then everyone was laughing. It just looked so comical, there was Mutt and Jeff acting like idiots. We finally got him off the field, but he was behind the dugout coaching through a vent. I ran him out to the parking lot. I know it wasn't professional to laugh but it just struck me as funny and I couldn't help it. I made a report to the TD after the game and had a few words for my partner, he said if he came out he would have been worse than me and he figured I could handle it.

FINALLY ... got first HS game under my belt

Fri, 18 May 2012 16:36:19 +0000

As my first year in HS ball, ...my first 2 games were rained out (DH), so yesterday afternoon was game 1.

I'm very glad to get this monkey off my back and get it over with, but it went fantastic. I had the dish, ...my zone felt good, I hit my spots and hustled, and got a "very nice job today blue" from the VC .... very happy with HS game 1

Officially upgraded

Fri, 18 May 2012 16:32:29 +0000

The paperwork has been processed and I'm now upgraded to varsity status. In Ohio, that doesn't necessarily mean you'll get varsity games, but it is a requirement to do so. Here, it takes at least 2 successful evaluations, endorsement of your association, and passing an online NFHS test.

So I've got that going for me. Which is nice.

Runners playing games...

Fri, 18 May 2012 15:00:14 +0000

LL Majors good teams... R2, outs don't matter... Batter (who has already hit a HR and 3B in the game, and whose team is winning by 3) smacks a double. F6 gets the ball as BR gets to 2nd and BR takes two steps off the base (R2 has already scored)... F6 looks at him and BR grins. They don't know each other or anything. F6 walks towards him and he returns to within a couple inches of 2nd base, still obviously off, and still grinning.

F6 tags him quick but he gets his foot back. It was close but he was safe and I was in a good mood (plus the game was going quick)... I call safe, and just look at the runner with a disapproving look that tried to constray "Don't ever do that again."... The runner was cracking up laughing so I just went to my position.

Coaches didn't do anything... I know in the upper leagues, these kind of things take care of themselves on the field, but at this level (thankfully) they haven't learned it yet.

Is there anything we can do as umpires besides what I did? What would you do in this situation?

First one this year

Fri, 18 May 2012 14:32:51 +0000

10U Cal Ripken Minors game, I am PU. Our rec league is really stressing coach behavior and sportsmanship this year.

VT coach is acting odd this game, we have a history of sorts as I had to shut down an attempt at a Balls and Strikes conversation in the last game he had. When we went to change between games he was back at his car by himself while his team was getting ready to take the field which struck me as a bit off. When I said "Hi Coach how's it going tonight?" I got nothing but some sort of mumble and he walked right past us. At plate meeting he does not shake my hand when I offer it in introductions, oh well.

He argues a call in the TOP of the 1st and gets shut down by my partner and gets a "that's enough" from me in the bottom for a bit of ball and strike chirping, which also was odd because his pitcher was nowhere near the plate for the better part of the inning.

R2 with one out in VT half of 2nd inning. On a passed ball we have a play at 3B, my partner does not get good angle on the play and in a true Jimmy Hughes moment just looks at me. I am waiting to see if he makes the call so I take a few steps up the 3B line expecting him to come to me to get help. He just puts his hands out. I will say that my partner is one of our HS apprentice umpires, so this turned into quite the learning moment for him and we had a good postgame conversation about the situation.

3B coach (also VT head coach) loudly yells, "He obviously missed it, are you going to make a call?". Runner came in standing up and I had a tag on the inside of his thigh before he got the bag, I had a good view on it. So I signal the out since at this point my partner had removed himself from the play.

3B coach comes at me, points at me and yells "I will say this one time and one time only to you..."

No, you won't coach...

Bill Miller ejects Brett Lawrie, Lawrie hits him with helmet

Fri, 18 May 2012 04:48:22 +0000

Wow....this should be a bigger suspsension than Yadier Molina's "spittle" incident last year with Drake. Intentional or not...throwing th helmet in the vicinty of Miller...he meant to slam his helmet there, doesn't matter if he meant to hit Bill. Bill missed the calls, but unacceptable dispaly of anger by Lawrie.

F/S New Balance SH-460

Fri, 18 May 2012 04:05:53 +0000

Brand new New Balance SH 460 plate shoes, size 10 EE, all black. Lighter and more comfortable than 450 in my opinion.

Have not been worn on the field. I sized up like I did with my 450's, but the 460's are truer to size and these are too big for me. I cut off the useless pull tab on the heels so I can not return them.

$79.00 plus shipping.

Headed to Iowa.... I hate moving!!!

Thu, 17 May 2012 21:22:52 +0000

Well after 1 year and 1 month I'm finally headed to Iowa to bring my furniture and everything else home to Louisiana. We moved to Bettendorf, IA in Dec. of 2010 and evacuated in April of 2011. We hated it and the company I worked for was Aweful!!! So we put everything in storage and came home. Well it's been 13 months and we have finally gotten the money to get up there and bring all of it home. I hope and pray everything goes right on this trip. I'm Flying up and driving a moving truck back. It's going to be a long weekend.

Anyway, if y'all don't hear from me by next week I didn't make it.... Just kidding, I didn't know who lived where. I may be passing by some of you on the way down. I will be stopping in Memphis to sleep and then down to Shreveport from there.

I HATE MOVING!!!

Gorman ready to one man it

Thu, 17 May 2012 20:57:15 +0000

After a rain dealy, looks like he was ready to go without the rest:

"The umpire told me to"

Thu, 17 May 2012 19:16:58 +0000

So I'm working the youngest game I would work. Pony League, so OBR (with slight modifications). Mustang....B Division. 5 run max rule 1st 3 innings...and in Pony League I beleive they have the option to use pitching machines for Mustang, but here we use the kids to pitch. B division gets ugly....better have a huge zone. Anyways, it is already 12-0 HT in the bottom of the 3rd inning (got to play 3 1/2 innings though for mercy rule of 10), VT had only gotten two runners on and had not got one out against the HT in the prior two innings (got 5 run maxed). Had VT twice before, didn't score either time. HT Head Coach was complaining the one time the VT got runners on that they were leaving the base before the ball was crossing the plate when up by 10 and telling my base guy and me how to properly watch for this because he "use to umpire". I just give him the "really?!" look.

R2 and R1. Batter hits a ball into the outfield that falls. R2 comes around clearly missing 3rd base by a foot + and comes in touches home. R1 comes around scores....B1 gets to 3rd after about 5 errors in the field .

Pitcher and catcher get ready for the next batter, but the little catcher aks me "doesn't that runner have to touch the base?" So, knowing the situation of the game, I tell the catcher "go talk to your pitcher and tell him to point to the 3rd basemen and throw the ball to him on the base." So he goes out to his pitcher, with their oblivious coaches just sitting there that shout at the catcher, "why are you talking to him (the pitcher)?" Catcher yells "The umpire told me to tell (pitcher's name) to throw to 3rd base." Oh man...I immediately blush up ha. Pitcher still steps off throws to third, and i call out on the appeal....Nothing said from HT Coach. VT goes down 1-2-3 in the 4th for the mercy.

Let 'em know they are out!

Thu, 17 May 2012 18:33:52 +0000

At least he is down low so he has a good view of the strike zone. But man... this looks like it could hurt!

TSSAA Protest Rule

Thu, 17 May 2012 18:05:40 +0000

Anyone know if Tennessee TSSAA allows a protest?

Hopefully Someone Understands How I'm Feeling...

Thu, 17 May 2012 17:48:23 +0000

Has anyone ever just felt that they weren't getting a fair shot to prove themselves as an umpire (like to their assignor/evaluator) and they don't know what to do?

That's kind of the position I feel like I'm in. As far as I know, our assignor doesn't evaluate umpires...just goes off of what other people tell him and coach's ratings of umpires. The last time he saw me work, I believe I was 20. I'm now 25, way more mature, attended a fairly well-known camp, and have worked my ass off all season. But for some reason, he still won't give me any college games (I attended our association college rules meeting this year and last year, and also worked a JUCO Jamboree last fall, which I understood was basically a try-out to work college ball and from the guys evaluating that I talked to, they all told me I did fine and should have no problem getting games.) I worked a predominantly varsity schedule, and still only got one district game. (the #1 team in the STL area against a 5-20 team). I know I'm not supposed to get jealous of other guys getting assignments over me, but it's hard not to when other umpires in the association agree that I should be getting a shot to work the better games.

Don't get me wrong, I love the game of baseball, and love umpiring even more...but I'm almost to the point where I'm thinking..."what's the point anymore? I'm working my ass off and don't get noticed at all." Sorry for the rant, and I hope what I said makes some kind of sense.

IFF - Watch this!!

Thu, 17 May 2012 16:51:04 +0000

From Sunday .....

Semi funny end to tonights game.

Thu, 17 May 2012 16:40:48 +0000

6-6 bottom 7. Hs varsity.

One team is 0-season, other teams 1-season with the one win being against this team. So this is officially the turd bowl, but both teams are excited because they know this is the last chance for a win this season.

Runner on first no outs.
Grounder to third, bobbles and throws to first, F3 comes off the bag and catches it. Safe at first.
F5 is standing around the mound. Runner on second breaks for third. Throw to F5 who is running to third. Safe at third.
Look up no ones on second for some reason. Runner on first breaks towards second. F5 throws to F4 also standing close to the mound. F4 chases base runner toward second as runner on third trots home for the winning run uncontested.

I give a small chuckle, give the safe signal and head for the gate.

One man mechanics....where do you move to

Thu, 17 May 2012 15:28:46 +0000

High school sophomore game. VT tie the game in TOP of the 7th. HT at bat. One out, first and third, pulled in infield, grounder to F5, I call R3 out on sliding tag. Good position, got him tagged out on the letters before foot sled in. Two out, first and third again, blooper down 1B line about 75 feet beyond 1st. F4 and F9 converged on the ball which drops between them. Stayed home to see if ball was fair or foul. I called fair, for a walk off win, but am wondering in this situation should I have gone out to get a closer look at the fair/foul call. With two outs, what happens if the ball lands fair, doesn't matter, game over. I think I should have gone out. It was tough to see from 150 ft. away. Where would you go to make this fair/foul call?

Saw this last night....

Thu, 17 May 2012 11:48:33 +0000

LETS GO DEVILS!!!!! Sorry had to do it.

Rule Change

Thu, 17 May 2012 11:47:43 +0000

18U girls softball. R3 and R1 and 1 out. Batter hits a fly to right field which is caught. R3 tags and R1 does not. Throw comes home but is not in time to get R3, catcher throws to 1st and R1 is called out for not tagging up. Coach says run doesn't count because it's a double play. I say it is a time play and run counts. My partner comes over to me and says to me "I think you got it wrong the run shouldn't count" I have never seen this guy before or since for that matter. I lose it and tell them I'm the home plate umpire the run scores and if there is another word somebody is leaving. That was fine except for a parent behind the backstop who kept nattering for the rest of the game, where did you learn to umpire blah blah blah. After the game I went to my car and I had my casebook in my bag and it happened to have the exact scenario in there. I took it to Mr. loudmouth and politely asked him to read it. He said "huh.when did they change that rule?" I said "1910" I also showed the coach and he said "thanks you learn something every day"

ball bags question

Wed, 16 May 2012 23:51:25 +0000

gentlemen , i purchased off the ABUA site , a pair of the "dri-low" professional (i think that's the name) ball bags . i wanted something more roomy and these bags also have the zippered compartments , and the waterproof barrier inside . as an ABUA member you get a couple dollars off the regular price , of anything on this site . does anyone have these bags , appreciate youre comments .
thanks marc