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And it is usually the pitching coach. LOL This is one of the reasons I had to learn to stop listening or taking offense when I heard it. The coaches feel a constant need to try to encourage F1 to keep him from falling apart when he isn't given free strike calls when he wants them. I've noted that F1's are getting rattled easier than they used to, and I blame society with it's 'everyone gets a trophy' mentality. If you don't give these kids every close pitch, in their mind, then they fall apart and get wild quickly. You have to learn to just call your game and ignore the comments (unless they're definitely directed at you and argumentative). It probably took me about three seasons of HS baseball before I realized that they're not questioning me every time a statement is made. Some encourage the batter, some do the pitcher - and some are just saying what they've heard others say - and most have no clue at all where the pitch was, so don't let them get in your head and keep calling your game. Remember, it's nothing until you call it, so don't rush. Focus, keep your head still, see it all the way, call it in your head and then you're ready to call it out loud. It is amazing how much proper timing and positioning will do to improve your game and then you'll normally hear less as a result, but no guarantees. But don't let them live in your head, forget what you can and ignore what you can - but if it crosses a line (coach, not fan) you need to address it and stop it using the tools you're given (Identify - Acknowledge - Warn - Restrict - Eject). If you try to be the nice guy or let them intimidate you, you're in for a long day. Stop it early on and set the tone and it'll be an easier day for you and hopefully with less chirping you'll be able to zero in and call a great game. Have fun out there!7 points
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My least favorite instantiation of this is LL All-Stars, and ace pitchers messing around with the #8-10 hitters. Save that curve, and those pitches, to upset the timing of the top five hitters who can take you deep! This kid has just shown he can't catch your heat. [Mortal Kombat Voice]Finish him![/Mortal Kombat Voice]6 points
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"Honey, I need to buy some sunblock for my ball bags!" "Are you going to the nude beach again?"5 points
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The umpire needs to decide quickly how he wants the game to proceed during a dead ball situation. Allow the players to come outside the dugout, staying away from home plate and let them cheer and high five as the batter scores and heads to the dugout, you know, like players who are celebrating a HR, or... Be an over officious umpire who is going to introduce friction where it did not need to be introduced, thus making the crews task of game management that much more difficult. Provided that the offensive players were not gathering around the home plate area, are being respectful of the other team (no taunting or other action), are not bringing props out and immediately go back into the dugout area with the batter, there should not be anything for the umpire to address. If he thinks it getting close to or on the line, a quick word with the HC should suffice. If after that the celebrations continue to be over the top, then that opens the door to addressing the matter more 'officially'. My preference is to address what needs to be addressed and not escalate situations when there is nothing to actually address.5 points
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ie. spiked at 58 feet, changes direction to somehow miss the catcher and blast against the Plate Umpire’s ________________. Forearm Hand Abdomen Thigh (hello @concertman1971 !) Shins5 points
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When I am commissioner, the use of vines within 6 parsecs of an MLB stadium or any other inherent design flaw that would lead to lodged or loss of sight of the baseball by the umpires will be prohibited... ~Dawg4 points
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4 points
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These are the preferred bags for Spring Training. I can hold 18-20 baseballs with relative ease. 16 is about maximum so as to bust out from behind the plate without the risk of one popping out. But even then, having 8 in each is very appreciated by the MLB/MiLB staffs who typically do NOT relish trotting out to resupply you with baseballs during an inning. They especially dislike the “Captain Cool” one-baggers. MLB/MiLB pitchers go through a lot of baseballs. With these bags, not only can I carry a significant quantity, but I can put two different baseball types – one in each bag – and switch between them fluidly in accordance to which pitcher requires them. Two seasons ago, I did Team Korea visiting the Rangers. I had to switch between three different balls. Man, I wish I could (truly) juggle! But alas, mine have faded; this Arizona sun is merciless.4 points
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One tip an MiLB ump gave me that may help: roll your indicator before making your call. That extra beat helped slow me down to the point I no longer have to do it.4 points
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Youth league? Did it hit the ground before being caught? If not, it wasn't too low. Youth leagues are the worst for having parents that expect their batters to have a postage stamp for the strike zone, and "nose-to-toes, chalk-to-chalk" for their pitchers. You can safely ignore those bozos.4 points
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Dawg, did you not see who thoroughly answered before me? If there’s anyone on this entire forum who knows how to solve umpire gear problems better than me, it’s @wolfe_man. I’m just more… loquacious about it. If I was to suggest something, I’d be looking at those rubber/vinyl straps some companies use on high-end luggage pieces… or Pelican will use on their watertight storage boxes.3 points
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Item B is covered in rule 4-1-3 and 4-4-1f Note 1: ...Each team's lineup card shall list a minimum of nine players to start the game... Item C is covered in rule 4-1-3b and its following Penalty: Please note that rule 4-1's header reads: Starting a Game3 points
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Trust me @MadMax, I know which umpires are better than me because they let me know. 😛3 points
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Another reason I like the option approach: maybe the coach has been trying to deal with it and wants our help.3 points
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@SeeingEyeDog and @Thunderheads, thanks for your thoughts. I'm a bit reluctant to dump the player for his tantrums as well, but also reluctant to push back on our association's chief evaluator. I'll keep my EJ line at the "3 Ps" and go talk to the coach if I'm in a similar position as the OP.3 points
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I don't like that...and I also don't like reaching for an ejection here either. I'm grabbing the coach on the changeover, pulling out my book so, people will think we are discussing the lineup and saying something to the effect of that's unacceptable and please take care of that so that the umpires don't have to. Maybe it's been tolerated to this point, maybe others will tolerate that in the future...I am not tolerating that. ~Dawg3 points
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I believe the theory is they can frame the low pitch better. Catch the ball lower with the mitt still thumb down3 points
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3 points
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3 points
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Not only did the ball hit the runner’s leg, he clearly hinders f6 from a clean opportunity field the ball as he is running back to the bag . Big difference between this play and a runner running in front of fielder when a fielder is not charging the ground ball. I’m just wondering the thought process that leads to a non call here.3 points
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On @MadMax's "rules are tools" front . . . I am looking at the 2018 Case Book (did I ever mention that was the last year NFHS allowed them to be sold on Kindle? 😁) and there is another phrase in there that I love: It is nice to see a Case Play that focuses on THE INTENT of the rule and encouraging common sense umpiring, instead of telling us to apply some made-up interpretation in an effort to replace a rule that they cant get changed in committee. That said, here is another: I'm not sure where that is authorized (quick searches didn't get it), but it is good to see common sense.3 points
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3 points
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Live and umpire most of my schedule in the Coachella Valley, desert, and the ball bags do fade. But I almost always have a hot sun shining down on me. Ray can't do anything about that, although he should try harder to block out the sun on days I'm working.3 points
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My my… you seem have uncovered the Great Contradiction. So a 10th player is prohibited from warming up the F7 (Left Fielder) with a team in the 3rd Base dugout… but not a 10th player in the 1st Base dugout, warming up the F9 (Right Fielder)?? I’m going to toss you one of my most-fun ones – “Everyone must stay in the dugout”, right? But yet, a Varsity coach can have JV players, in uniform, sit in the stands, directly behind the backstop, and he can add them to the lineup at any time. Yeah, some of us are confused, too. Rules are tools. All umpires (at least in NFHS) have access to these tools. However, it takes skill to use them. Not everyone has those skills. When faced with an obstacle, do you use a jewelry hammer and a chisel, or det-cord & C4?3 points
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Mr. thmetcalf, your analysis was spot on and you didn't miss anything. The umpire in your game not only misconstrued the rule but also the penalty. The penalty for violation of rule 3-3-1a does not go directly to ejection--there's a warning first. At the end of playing action, the umpire shall issue a warning to the coach of the team involved and the next offender on that team shall be ejected... Also the following case book plays may be helpful: 3.3.1 situations A, B, C, D, E and F Celebrations at or near home plate during live ball have been a Point of Emphasis several times for the FED including 2008-2009 and 2015-2016.3 points
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3 points
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Especially in this day and age of pitch counts. I understand don’t groove one down the middle 0-2, but OTOH, don’t throw it 8” off the plate or in the dirt either.3 points
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If an umpire won’t share what they miss or could improve on, don’t take anything from that umpire. I worked a series over the Summer with an umpire who had done the NCAA d1 college World Series TWICE and when we got done, he asked me “what do you got for me?” I was befuddled, I said “____, you’re a 2x World Series umpire, I’m mostly a d2/d3 umpire” and he said “That’s bullSH*#, I can always do something better”. The best umpires I know are always working on something, refining something, looking for nuances to make them even better. One asked me once “what are you going to work on today?” we can give you 20 things to improve on, focus on one at a time or you’ll be swimming in your head. As noted above, I’d start with timing. When you think you’re fine, you’re fast, when you think you’re slow, you’re “normal”. Be even slower and be confident in each call. And remember that umpires are the only ones in attendance who don’t have a vested interest in the outcome of each play. Every close call, every close pitch, one team will like and the other won’t, so don’t listen. If everyone in attendance all oooohs at the exact same time , it may have been too low, but a couple fans? Pffft, you’re screwing their kid out of that d1 scholarship , didn’t you know that?3 points
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Sometimes, not just youth league. Went to an ASU game yesterday, about 8 or so umpires behind the screen who questioned the HP umpire on every close one that didn't go the way they wanted. Finally, I just had to speak up. On an obvious ball, I called out "looked good from here, blue....45' away from the plate, with an impossible angle, 18' up in the stands." 😄 At least the other 8 stayed quiet the rest of the way. I think HP chuckled at that one.3 points
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I am only familiar with OBR based rules but my first reaction was: in what context could C. have anything to do do with starting and ending a game?2 points
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If you are willing to address catch nets and yellow lines and padding also you have my vote. When is the next election?2 points
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It has happened a few times at Wrigley Field when one ball went in and two popped out. It has also been rumored that players have stashed an extra ball in the ivy for emergency use.2 points
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I don't think the argument is that game management isn't important. I think the argument is that the umpire in questions seems to have managed the game just fine with his methods (there were no further issues), but the the assignor wanted HIS standards applied. (OR the assignor just wanted to be able to create his own "value" in the situation.)2 points
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The umpire needs to judge whether or not the runner's momentum would have taken him off the base without the added impetus of contact from the fielder. If so, he's out; if not, he's safe. Benefit of the doubt to the runner. There is no infraction or penalty, unless the contact is sufficent for MC. IIRC this guidance is codified in pro ball, but not in FED. I would call it the same in all codes.2 points
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Dude. Just… no. @mac266 is a college umpire. Why don’t you ride in a horse-drawn wagon to games?2 points
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Nothing says my players have to be human beings. I am starting an alligator as my catcher. Then, when batters refuse to get into the batter's box, delays will be called and my pitcher will have thrown a perfect game without ever delivering a pitch. I suppose I had better use my DH for my catcher on offense. 😉2 points
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See, if you’re conducting self-evaluation, and you’ve deduced it down to, in simple terms, “get better”, then sure… it’s your world. I just bristle at an “evaluator” telling you that. Why? Because every “evaluator’s” value-scale is different. Every. Single. One. I am a supervisor. I supervise the machinations and performance of my/our crews. I am a developer. I develop and advance the skills of umpires in a variety of leagues and levels, not just the League I work for. Professional baseball (Big M-) has supervisors and instructors. Sure, they’ll conduct evaluations, but when they do – here is the crucial difference – it’s to a set, standardized value-scale. What’s on that scale is the League’s business. Furthermore, what that value-scale determines, or how it is applied, is the League’s business. It’s worth pointing out, though, that each Umpire knows what that value-scale is, and if there is a deficiency, there are resources and steps to take to correct it or bring it up to acceptable standard. With that being said, outside of certain collegiate conferences / associations, these value-scales used in amateur baseball are largely arbitrary and ambiguous. Rules knowledge? That’s measurable. We got tests for that. But when you’ve got an “evaluator” telling an umpire he “should” Eject a player – like something @834k3r witnessed – then that crosses into that open-to-interpretation, arbitrary realm where there isn’t one set, standardized method. Whether that particular umpire did or did not Eject, what measureable bearing does it have on his capability or proficiency as an umpire?? It doesn’t.2 points
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Lock it up @Thunderheads I bought it. $86.15. The shipping charges chapped me but, $86.15 for that mask? In that condition is still a decent buy. Wilson 4” TG is a bonus. This will be a nice add to rotation.2 points
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Correcting a typo. HTBT = "Had To Be There" HBP is not the only use case. A pitch deflecting off the catcher or umpire could be lodged in the offensive player uniform. It's still a pitched ball.2 points
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Probably the primary reason why NCAA changed their catcher's box rule.2 points
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Don't know if I am smarter than you but you have it right. Quick pitch is an illegal pitch: the batter wasn't ready. Seems the term is a little overloaded and used casually in other ways. Often by announcers.2 points
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The other mind boggling 0-2 count move is when the catcher sets up 6-10 inches outside and they think I am going to call it a strike because it hit the mitt. This move also causes umpire pain when the pitcher throws the ball inside.2 points
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But we need to address the false impression that @BigVic69 has regarding arm motion. No arm motion is required for a legal feint.2 points
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This is so important, and I wish it would be communicated more at all levels - you almost need a one day seminar...Why Does This Rule Exist? Umpires, coaches, players and parents may attend. This was the crux of the George Brett pine tar protest. AL president had to clarify that the intent of the rule was to reduce costs, not to address some competitive advantage (there was none) to having too much pine tar on the bat. A bit "cute" in retrospect now that 40 years later a MLB baseball almost never sees a second batter, let alone a second inning.2 points
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I have struggled with a herniated L3 disk for many years. Tried lots of belts with varying degrees of help. For guys that want a little "squeeze", these elastic belts are fine. However, there are many much cheaper alternatives. Here are a couple on Amazon... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7ZC7233/ref=sspa_dk_detail_5?pd_rd_i=B0C7ZC7233&pd_rd_w=41Hqo&content-id=amzn1.sym.a8bfa847-39f1-4f54-bb95-ee052e9f7910&pf_rd_p=a8bfa847-39f1-4f54-bb95-ee052e9f7910&pf_rd_r=J8333M6D61Q1FYWE5RSJ&pd_rd_wg=k7q86&pd_rd_r=4d3bfd2d-c454-4f4b-a92f-0ee415d0ac8e&s=apparel&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWxfdGhlbWF0aWM&th=1 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09JJXNH2M/ref=sspa_sp_vse_RVP_detail_4?sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF92c2VfUlZQX2RldGFpbA&th=1 If you have actual back problems, a true support "belt" is a better alternative. I use various styles from "Copper Fit". Some are 2-3" wide elastic straps. I use their 3-6" wide unit that incorporates a plastic plate in the back for additional support. I put it on, adjusting the tightness/support I need that day, and then put on my normal gear base/plate. After 2-3 plates and 2-3 bases in a day, I insert either a hot pack or cold pack for post game relief. For me...a life saver. This is the simple unit... https://copperfitusa.com/collections/back/products/advanced-back-pro This one includes a plastic plate AND gel packs for heating or icing your back. https://copperfitusa.com/products/rapid-relief-back-support Do a Google search and you'l find better pricing than on the CopperFit (MSRP) website. Hope this helps those with aching backs find some relief. PS: I do not get anything from suppliers for this info. Just trying to help fellow umpires.2 points
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ElectroBOOM is the YT channel of an electrical engineer living in Vancouver named Mehdi. Here he is demonstrating the differences between AC and DC: His demonstrations, while wildly informative, usually exhibit him being shocked, or setting something in his lab-studio on fire… or both. I find great solace in that I’m not the only one who sits in my workspace, looking at the materials in front of me, contemplating profoundly what to do next…2 points
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They just might, Muss. I think one of our Manhattan Project guys has a set, and we’ll certainly try them… however… @mac266 has a Wilson WV Gold. Two glaring problems: The Champro bicep guards connect to the shoulder pauldron and stay via Velcro loop… that goes… where on a WV Gold? We’d have to cut a slot into the pauldron anyway to run that loop thru. The shoulder pauldron plates are floated atop the pauldron pads, which are positioned by and connected to a structural stitch from vest (torso) pad to pauldron pad. Ever wonder why shirts are a pain to put on (unless you size up “for plate”), and give you that hulking linebacker look? It’s because of the pauldron pad, and that poorly-designed structural stitch. Including a bicep guard in that space is going to further exacerbate the problem. We need to allow Mac to (rather) easily put the CP on, have the protective elements positioned and held in place, and then put a shirt on over it. So, we’ll be designing a whole new set of pad segments that will work with the carapace plates and any additional guards required.2 points
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Mr. pl8ump1012, I think you might be expecting a little too much. The individual state associations don't have lists of what rules are adopted. But there is text about each rule that has been adopted. As near as I can tell, the state of Illinois has adopted the following: a run rule (4-2-2) game ending procedures (4-2-4) speed up rules--courtesy runners pitch count rules (6-1-6) The IHSA website does not refer to actual rule numbers. It tells us that games are played under NFHS rules and then adds specific rules adopted. You also will find a list in the back of the NFHS baseball rules book under the heading of "Rules by State Association Adoption." There are 9 rules listed and at least one other that was inadvertently omitted (rule 6-1-6).2 points
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LOL I came in last night, after a JV game, saying the same thing to my wife. You're up 0-2, and after three offspeed, junk pitches it's now 3-2... and we used an extra 20-25 minutes to complete the game. Finish him off! Why let them get back even in the count, keep the pressure on the batter! Got to be one of the dumbest things I see in HS baseball. The kid pitching can barely throw 3 strikes in a row, so when he's up 0-2, it's time to play stupid games and try to fool a hitter that can't hit it out of the infield anyhow. SMH2 points
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2 points