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I'm a fan of both companies and Jim and Jason's efforts on behalf of umpires. I understand we are a small niche but that doesn't mean I want to risk injury when I strap it on every day. Thanks guys for making and selling gear that makes it safer and more comfortable to do what we love doing. Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk

I'll crease my hats till you pull one off my cold, dead body.

They get bitter about paying for shortened games, but don't seem to care when we have to work a 3+ hour extra inning game. By shorting us on suspended games, it creates an imbalance with those extra inning games. Neither happen too frequently, so they offset each other.

That's too bad. I'll continue to be your friend even though you're completely wrong on this point.

. A pitch came in so obviously and hit the batter, and before I could get the words out of my mouth, "Grandpa" said "it hit the batter . . . it hit the batter!!! . . . he gets 1st base!!!". I couldn't resist, so I turned around and merely said "thank you Sir, I wasn't sure" ;-) . . . (wink, wink) . . . his Granddaughter(?) said "quiet Pop, he knows what he's doing" . . . . alas, I vote of confidence from a spectator :-))))))))))) I'll give the old gent the benefit of the doubt and think that he just wanted to impress the other spectators in the stands that he could still see ;-) Good Times, Good Times! :-) Everyone have a SAFE and GREAT Memorial Weekend!!! SJA :-) Hey it's not easy being me

I had a grandpa going crazy a few days ago at a rec munchkin softball game. He kept yelling "but she's taken four pitches!!!" when I gave the count of 1-2. Finally the catcher, who was the granddaughter, got snotty with him and told him if he didn't understand the rules he should keep his trap shut. I'm not sure I hid my laughter very well under my bucket. Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk

Huge USSSA tournament in KC this weekend (as long as we're not under water ). Hundreds of teams from all around the country. Really good teams and really good baseball. Monday, the 14U Majors championship games will be televised on one of the sub-ESPN channels and I'll be working. If I can find out which channel for sure, I'll post and if anyone happens to be watching, I'll try not to suck.

A true friendship can transcend such important differences.

Don't watch it for rule accuracy. HTF could you not have seen Bad News Bears!?!>!?!!%#%RQ

Right -- draw a line through your position and parallel to the 3b line. Don't let any runner get "behind" that line -- unless he's going to score easily (no potential play / time play issue)

I wouldn't give $20 for the prototype of the low cut. IMHO, hideous!

Rule 5.09(a)(8) Comment (Rule 6.05(h) Comment): If a bat breaks and part of it is in fair territory and is hit by a batted ball or part of it hits a runner or fielder, play shall continue and no interference called. If a batted ball hits part of a broken bat in foul territory, it is a foul ball. If a whole bat is thrown into fair or foul territory and interferes with a defensive player attempting to make a play, interference shall be called, whether intentional or not.

I've always done No runners A R1 B R2 C R3 C R1, R2 C R1 R2 R3 C R1 R3 B R2 R3 C

BTW... what in the heck kind of uniform is this? Something from some German youth camp?

Very easy. Do the best you can. Make sure you're not moving when you need to see the critical elements of the play. Make your call with confidence and move on. It's just one of you out there. Do the best you can. If they don't it... eff-em If they still don't like it, start runnin' 'em. If you are noticing a pattern of unhappy folks, perhaps you are missing something....go back to the basics for how you'd take plays at first base in a 2,3 or 4 umpire system. Keep your head up.

The dropped bat clearly hindered F2. out.

Yep.

Oh, the old +POS are rather unathletic looking and performing, but so are our wool hats, wool pants, wide glossy belts and creased hats. I'm just saying the running shoes, with the white soles, don't match monkey suits we're forced to wear now. At some point, someone will wake up and design an athletic uniform for us umpires. Probably happen right after I retire.

You may or may not have noticed over the years that I don't have many good things to say about Honig's. I've used them when I've had to but felt burned before with some of their products and their seeming lack of customer service after I've complained. That said, this last order might just change my mind on them. I received it today. They sent it two day after I paid for only ground. The shirt was a Honig's brand shirt and it is of a much better quality than the Smitty equivalent. Smitty shirts were good in the old style but I wasn't as happy with their new MLB styles. The Honig's shirt is not nearly as baggy, has a nicer material and looks like an overall better finished product. I really like the new mask I bought also and at $44.95 for a complete mask with microfiber pads, it was a steal considering the frame by itself is $39.99 and this includes the pads, a mask bag and the harness. I already have my Wendy's pads on it and now need to find a game to work to give it a try. Oh and I got the Majestic jacket I've been wanting for $20. Well done Honig's, well done.

I took a shot to the back of each shoulder while wearing the V2 and adjusted mine as well. Problem solved.

These are really good points. Little things that can make a base ump better are: Make the call from the correct place (call at 1B - be on B side of mound, when inside) Angles - Angles - Angles Know when to go out and when to come in Don't start too deep (in any position) Watch the ball !! Don't back pedal - use athletic moves and steps to get to your spot Open to the ball Be stopped to make the call

Please understand, this answer is based on my experiences in baseball both in Wisconsin and roving about "on the road"... We can all agree that actual game experience is far and away more beneficial and effective than any amount of drills, class work, video watching or manual reading. Each of those other things have their importance in one's learning process, but nothing beats live action. You are fully immersed in the game as PU, no taking a snooze, no tuning out (I'm sure there are guys who have, but for the most part), and the basics of umpiring – fair/foul, safe/out, catch/no-catch – are all right there before you. You are less dependent upon being in the right position because you typically are already there (particulars of best positioning notwithstanding). In my travels, I have found a certain breed of umpire, when presented with a junior or (by appearances) less experienced partner, get all magnanimous and dictatorial, declaring that he'll take plate, since this will be his game and he will be the one in charge. Plate meetings become long-winded monologues of expectations of fair play, sportsmanship and how to approach and address the umpires. Mechanics oddly become more demonstrative and deliberate, and rotations become more disjointed, primarily because the BU, being less experienced, doesn't quite know the best positions and angles to take. The PU, who feels he needs to show the rookie how it's done, overcompensates and over-officiates. Teams figure out pretty quick who is the one in charge and in control. Does it matter if it's the PU or BU? Not really. I can still be a resource on rules interpretations as a BU, and a great deal of "little things", like subtle balks, pickle positioning, situational positioning, etc. when mitigated by an experienced BU can make the game go much smoother. So, in my home leagues, the LD's and assignors often send me the rookies and novice umpires, and you know what happens? That game is usually their first game as PU (at least as a 2-man crew).

I've had kids apologize to me for their parents and/or their coaches.....Usually goes something like.."Sorry Blue, ...he gets like that. Wish he would just shut up"

I have had many catchers & hitters ask for THEIR parents to be removed

We've had players apologize to visitors for their parent;s behavior.

So true... so true.

Based on this, it sounds as if we should rule that the runner's advance was not hindered by the contact. No OBS. The expression "pattern of play" in the rule can be interpreted broadly or narrowly. Broadly, it means that the runner did something different as a result of the contact than he would have without the contact. If we interpret it broadly, EVERY instance of contact will constitute OBS (or INT, as that phrase appears in the INT rule as well). He'll be reacting to the contact, which is different, and so we'll be awarding a lot of bases (and calling a lot of outs, and ejecting people, and not getting good games....) that we probably shouldn't do. So instead, I recommend a narrow interpretation, according to which the runner's advance or retreat is materially restricted by the contact. He is hindered, delayed, or prevented from going where he otherwise would have gone. He was about to do something, and the contact precluded his doing so. This judgment can vary by level: at lower levels, for example, runners often are not savvy enough to fake an advance in order to draw a throw. They're still figuring out how to turn left. At higher levels, or for more savvy yoots, they can be hindered in more ways, because they try to do more different kinds of things on the bases.

Congrats man! I have some games in the Cape Cod League coming up - really looking forward to them.

This is about all you can do and if you have a swipe tag on the back side of 2nd base well...good luck. Make a call and stick with it. The important thing about working 1-man mechanics is hustling enough to get the angles you need to make plays but not overhustling to the point that you're taking yourself out of position to cover the other plays. You're dealing with some major compromises here and you have to do the best you can.

I second the motion for shoes - plate shoes in particular. I do like New Balance, but with the exit of Reebok from the market, having another competent vendor in that space would be a good thing, IMHO. And with the positive reputation they already have, I think they'd have a market of minionscustomers right from the start.

I am a minister. Makes Sunday and Wednesday games tough, but I am able to work a pretty full schedule.

I prefer to go further up the line to the left and a few steps in if I can. Angle over distance. If it's a soft toss and a banger, watch the reactions of the players. Mix their reactions with what you saw and you'll get your answer. When I do 14s that are used to one man umpires, they pretty much make their own calls. Runners walk off if they know their out or will clap and stay on the base when they're safe. Defensive player with drop their heads and throw the balls back when they've not made the out or slap their gloves when they've made the out. When I'm doing one man, my nemesis is swipe tags. I've gotten better about slowing down and watching for the clues but I still know I'm missing more than I would be if I were out in b or c. Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk Wow, at every level up through Varsity I have base coaches throwing exaggerated safe signs on outs that are not even close and BRs who are convinced they beat out hard 1-hoppers back to F1. Bangers at 1st at low volume can be tough but I'm trying not to factor in player, coach or fan reaction to make those calls. Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk

That's true. But if the guy is working the scoreboard, he has a status somewhere between Real Coach and fan. "The nail that sticks up gets hammered down." Hammer him.

Acknowledge, warn and eject is for the head coach. All others don't get that much rope.