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PeteBooth

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PeteBooth last won the day on June 29 2011

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About PeteBooth

  • Birthday 05/13/1956

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  • Occupation
    Accountant
  • Types/Levels of Baseball called
    Varsity HS and a Summer CBL League

PeteBooth's Achievements

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  1. As another mentioned get a new mask, however, you said the magic words No matter how "macho" one thinks they are you have to be able to "trust" F2. Forget about the All Star LL calibur player we saw on TV. By and large F2's at the LL level can't catch especially when you get to the BIG diamond. My suggestion would be to get HS certified or at the very least start umpiring some elite travel baseball where by and large you have good F2's that protect you. I am not saying you will not get hit at an elite level but you will not get "pummled" or be a human backstop as you are when doing LL games. The times you will get hit when doing an elite game is when F1 crosses up F2 but that does not happen very often. Also, even if "crossed up" F2 can at least get a glove on it and deflect the ball away from your head area. In LL FOREGET ABOUT IT. In summary no matter what kind of equipment you get it is very difficult to over-come the flinches etc. when you are constantly being hit and are a human back-stop. If you can start umpiring more elite baseball and you will get your confidence back. Pete Booth
  2. Stay away from "Rug-rat" baseball Pete Booth
  3. First off the magic phrase This is amatuer league adult baseball. For the most part this is the worst brand of ball you will call. VT up 15-1 - No Mercy rule? Once you hear the HT coach and F1 say "batter you are fuc***" IMO they gotta go or chaos could develop especially in amateur adult leagues commonly referred to as "rec league baseball" Your OP is typical of adult league type games. More trouble then they are worth. Pete Booth
  4. I agree with Dragon You were the one who called TIME. Now what? If I am BU and was 110% sure I saw something I would call TIME and then make a call. You called TIME and made no call. IMO, that compounds the problem. IMO, since you were not 100 or 110% certain of a call, I would have left things alone. Let the coach request time and speak to the PU. If the PU needs your assitance THEN you can get together and make a call. Pete Booth
  5. In FED, its really easy since the balk is dead, you cant have CI.. so you enforce the Balk...but this is why FED sucks.. you penalize the Offense for a mistake by the defense... How are you penalizing the offense? In this play B1 flied out to F6 and the IF was invoked. The only time it would matter is if B1 got a hit and a run scored but in REALITY, how many times have you had CI followed by a hit? Also, FWIW, in OBR at one time the balk rule was the same as FED meaning an immediate dead ball and then it was changed. Pete Booth
  6. name='umped up' timestamp='1332789750' post='88353'] Round robin play. Games are 1:45 long. Game time starts on first warmup pitch. I always use a stopwatch to keep track of the time and I tell the coaches at the plate meeting how I will do this. I say on the first warmup pitch, as soon as that ball hits the catchers mit, I will start my stopwatch and that will be the official time. There is never a problem. I hate calling out a game time because there are too many discrepancies when it comes down to that final minute. Normally there is a schedule start time for the game. The games that follow will vary. NOTE: Forget about rule 4.02 as in OBR there is no such thing as a timed game. Example: The first game of the day is scheduled for a 9AM start tme. We arrive at the field at least 15 minutes prior to inspect the field (in case there are some strange ground rules we need to be aware of), get the baseballs and get ready for the Plate Conference. The plate conference starts approx 5 minutes before game time and should take no longer then a couple of minutes. The teams then take the field and F1 completes his warm-up throws. In other words the game begins at the scheduled time of 9AM. If one team is short players and is waiting, then get the TD and find out if the start time will be waved. Absent that, the clock starts ticking at 9AM. There are most likely games played all day and the teams who play last deserve as much time to play as everyone else. This becomes crucial when you have no lights. Both the PU and BU need to be on the same page with respect to time limits. Now to your scenario. There was confusion as to what time the game actually started. Normally between innings we are not supposed to "chit-chat" with our partners BUT when you get to "that" inning where the time limit is approaching get together in between innings. Now here is where I most likely will take some "heat" as we had a similar discussion on this type topic about a year ago or so. You said there was a 1/2 minute difference. In order to avoid the flak that followed, you and your partner ccould have "eaten-up" a minute or 2 during the bottom of 6. IMO, it's not cheating either team as both teams had an equal number of at bats. Since the HT was behind you would have to go a FULL inning and that could be quick or it could be a half hour or so of extra game time. Now the games that follow are backed-up and the teams that play last will be hard pressed to get a game in. They are the ones that will suffer. In Summary: You and your partner MUST be on the same page regarding time limits. Normally the start times are set and if it's a tournament, the TD will set the times on the games that follow and that "time" becomes the start time. Pete Booth
  7. From the OP Question? Why did Michael's brother slapp R2 (now R3) on the shoulder to begin with? Answer: To assist him in scoring otherwise why bother. Even though Michael didn't mention it chances are that with the slap there was a little nudge to get R3's attention and try to score. Action at this precise moment was Un-relaxed. In a later response you gave a scenario in which action was relaxed and the 3B coach was talking to his player while having a hand on his shoulder which is not even close or a good analogy to what happend in the OP. All of this is happening in fast motion. The PU sees R2 going to third base and then he sees the coach slap the player. We are not mind readers. I would most likely rule the same as the DA because the only reason the 3B caoch slapped him on the shoulder was to assit him or stop him on the base-paths which is against the rules. Here's the call. 1. That's interference 2. R3 is declared out 3. Since we have coaches interference the ball is dealyed dead so we keep play alive until no further action. Here's the bottom line: Coaches should not touch / slap players during Live / unrelaxed action PERIOD. They can give the stop sign or the windmill sign with their gestures and that's it. For the most part whenever an adult coach slaps / touches a youth palyer that touch or slap will have an effect of assisting the youth. Also, FWIW esepcially in light of recent happenings at Penn State adult coaches should not put their hands on youth players. There really is no reason to. Good call Blue Pete Booth
  8. Your jursidiction begins as soon as you enter the field. You do not need one pitch before you can "do anything" Example: It's been raining, hailing etc. BEFORE you enter the field of play the decision to play the game or not rests with the HC. if the HC does not call the game and we enter the field, the decision whether to play the game is now OURS. We do not need a pitch. That is a myth. Do not get "hung-up" on needing a pitch. As Warren mentioned in his post do not use threating words. It's no doubt this coach was going to get tossed so when he brought up the prior incident as Warren mentioned simply say "We are not going there today" The coach would have continued and you dump him. Same result but a different management technique. Pete Booth
  9. I agree with Rich and Semper: First and foremost: When the association refuses to do these games then ALL members MUST abide otherwise why have an umpire association to begin with. if this league is that bad with discipline problems why do you care who umpires the games. I will give you an example: At one time our association serviced the adult mens league. We were tossing people "left and right" and nothing was being done about it. We told the administrators about the problem and they decided to go elsewhere for their umpires. (Good ridons) We did NOT care as it wasn't worth it to umpire these games. We still had (and have) plenty of baseball so no "skin off of our backs" This year they came back BUT our aware that we as a unit will not take abuse etc. and if you do not like it get who you want. Even if I know the suspension rules whenever a coach asks me 'Pete can my player the next game" etc. I simply say "Skip refer to your league administrators". We DO NOT get involved with league protocol for handing out suspensions or disciplinary type measures. Our job is to show up to the game site on time and administer the rules that the league(s) adopted - PERIOD. If we have to toss we toss. A brief report is E-mailed to the assignor explaining the nature of the EJ and the assignor forwards it to the league administrators - END OF STORY. What they do with the report is their business. EXCEPTION: If a player(s) / coach(es) threatens an umpire then that player(s) / coach(es) better be suspended for the remainder of the year or we walk as a UNIT. There's EJ's and then there's EJ's. We will not allow any league to let their coach(es) / player(s) get away with threatening an umpire and doing nothing about it. if that means less work then so be it. If one of your members does take games after the association refuses then you handle that situation differently and simply remove that official from the association and let him go free-lance. Pete Booth
  10. Another term for bangers is "coin-flip" calls. Remember that In a 2 person system at least from the C position I would not use sound as a guide. You might have crowd noise etc. You have to "SELL" the bang bang call. It's inevitable One side might say "great call blue" and the other side might say "Common blue you are kidding me" It's called the world of umpiring. Here are some things I use (right or wrong) If it's truly a banger. Reward a great play or great hustle. here is what I am referring to. Ground ball DEEP in the hole. F6 makes a great play and fires to F3. The call is a coin Flip - Reward the great play. For the most part just about everyone expects it. Conversely if it's a routine play and say F4/F6 are taking their "sweet time" in getting to the ball and turns what should be an easy play into a coin-flip reward the offense. if you are "falling apart" there could be many reasons 1. Did you move-up recently? perhaps the level of play has you "spooked" 2. You get those games where you have many bangers. Perhaps you got one and are not sure of yourself. This statement I do not understand At the same time if I am watching a partner make a call I see it perfectly. if the aforementioned is true then the reason you are falling apart is because you are nervous and now have to "take the heat" when questioned wheras when you see your partner make the call you are more relaxed knowing that it is his call and he has to deal with the coach. Umpiring in a way is similar to when we played. When the ball is hit we need a "mental clock" that says I am supposed to be here and that's where we strive to be. Angle over distance. You get the best angle you can, Stop, pause, Read and then react. Timing is the key. In summary: if it's truly a banger you will have one side happy and the other upset. Hopefully it's 50-50 but that's not always the case. Also, SELL the call. Pete Booth
  11. Here is what you said Your statement is incorrect for FED. In HS if the runner slides past the base and makes contact it is a violation of the FPSR. In College the runner may slide past the base and make contact provided the contact does not alter the play. In addition, the poster asked about OBR / LL In OBR/LL as long as the runner can touch the base with their hand the slide is legal. In a nustshell there are no sliding restrictions in LL or OBR as there is in NCAA/FED. Pete Booth
  12. Agreed BUT F2 KNEW he did not catch the ball cleanly and should have thrown to first base "just in case" In BOTH situations the call should be changed. In sitch one for the most part you will not take any heat especially if you notice it right away. In sitch 2 the call also needs to be changed because if you do not you could have a protest on your hands because of a rules violation. B1 is entitled to run to first base on a DK3 except as Michael noted in his response. In addition there is precedent set in MLB. Remember Doug Eddings and the White-Sox/ Angles post season game? Similar to the OP. The runner was allowed to stay at first base. if the coach sees the ball lying on the ground and you "eat the call" he is going to question you. Something along the lines of 1. Blue can I have TIME! F2 dropped the ball therefore, my batter (turned runner) can run to first base. How are you going to answer that? In a nutshell players along with coaches are supposed to know the rules. here is a similar example: 2 outs runners on first and second base. As PU you say or signal the count as 3-2, however, the count is really 2-2. The 1B or 3B coach sends the runners. The pitch is a ball for ball 3 and F2 fires to F5 who tags out R2 to end the inning. Coach is granted TIME and comes out rather hot. Even though you gave the incorrect count the play stands because the coaches / players are expected to know the rule and in this case the count as well. Pete Booth
  13. Michael excellent post but IMO the "counter argument" which some might face needs to be brought up. In most associations an EJ is followed-up by paperwork. Let's face it some assignors (not mine) HATE paperwork. Also, in some "parts of the country" coaches have a DIRECT IMPACT on who gets what assignments. Not saying it's right but simply pointing it out. Therefore, in addition to your post which is a good game management tool, as an official hoepfully you can find an association that "has your back" We have had posts at this Forum where the assignor did not back up the official and sided more with the coach. Also, another important element to consider. Do not let RATINGS effect the way you officiate. If a coach / player needs to be dumped, dump then because it's the proper thing to do. If you allow it because of a ratings issue then it becomes more and more difficult to control games. Pete Booth
  14. Warren it's all about the pitching and also who shows up. From your description of events sounds like you had the 2 stud F1's for each team in game one hence the 1-0 27 strike out game. Also, in Legion they play many games and for the most part practically all of the teams make and the bare minimum, Regionals. In game 2 perhaps that game was not as important as game one, meaning you had the number 5 / 6 starters pitching. Some players trying different positions, etc. Also, some of the better players might not have been present for the second game, or one team wanted to get some playing time for the bench guys. There could be a number of reasons why the second game was bad and IMO it's not all that uncommon in summer ball where teams play a "heavy load" in a 2 month span which includes tournaments and therefore, they have to save pitching. In the tournamnet play the early games are more often than not the better games. The Semi-Final / Finals are not that good because the pitching is "burnt out" etc. Pete Booth
  15. The aforementioned is a main problem in the officiating ranks. Some umpires do not toss at all and leave it up to the next umpire or crew to clean-up. Normally coaches do not all of a sudden change behavior. This coach was most likely getting away with this kind of stuff all season and unfortunately you were the one who had to clean it up. As a side note: Have someone whom you know and trust watch you for a few games when you are behind the dish so that you can get a REAL opinion about your zone. Pete Booth
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