webspinnre

I haven't had to work a game on the 90 foot basepaths solo in a couple of years, but I also took the approach of bringing it up in the pre-game. I'd tell them that I'd get the best vantage point I could and make the best call I could. I do try to take a few steps to the opposite of the batter. I love the advice of making the call and then taking a few more steps towards the base from a perception standpoint.

So, I'm pretty sure I've got this right, but coach is arguing rules interpretations with me, so wanted to verify. Working Babe Ruth 13-15, which uses slightly modified OBR. Twice called a pitcher for a balk when he disengaged by moving his pivot foot forward rather than backwards, and then threw to a base (once to 3rd, once to 1st). So far as I am aware, there are no situations in which a pitcher is allowed to disengage forward. 5.07(a)(2) says that the three options are to pitch, throw directly to a base, or step off backwards. However, coach is arguing that because pitcher was in the stretch prior to coming set, this portion of 5.07(a)(2) does not apply. I can see how, on a very strict reading, this might be the case. Did I actually miss this one?

Oh, you're right, poor reading on my part about going on to third. I was envisioning literally tripping over and it coming off and him there, not him scrambling to keep going on. /embarassed

What level of play is this? Just had this happen last night in a little league game, and they have a rule that a player that has a dislodged base cannot be out at that base on that play.

Great, thanks all, that was my understanding as well. The top seed in the playoffs got dropped to the loser's bracket, and is now in danger of not even making the championship game, and I know that this will come up tonight, so wanted to make sure to get it right.

We had a majors in-house playoff game tonight that ended up suspended after 3.5 innings due to darkness. I'm likely to end up having to do the plate for the resumption tomorrow night, as the one who did it tonight has to work late tomorrow. Already had a question or two about pitching rules. After review, I think what I'm seeing is: Pitcher of record can continue to pitch, so long as they didn't throw over 20. Any other pitcher cannot re-enter and pitch, regardless of how many pitches they threw (though it would be allowed in juniors). Pitcher to catcher and catcher to pitcher rules don't apply as it's the next day. Does this sound correct overall?

While I can't speak for others, the way I got into umpiring as a teenager was being paid for it. If it hadn't paid, I'm not sure I ever would've started doing it. These days, I'm willing to do it for free (though I don't object to being paid when that's an option), but I doubt I would've been willing to do it growing up, at least not at the level of activity I did. I made $500 a summer umpiring games starting at the age of 13. Now that I'm UIC of our small league, I can get an occasional teenage volunteer, but have very little success getting any kind of regular commitment from even 1 or 2 teenagers. I certainly understand the all-volunteer goal, but in most instances, the axiom "you get what you pay for" holds true, particularly for regular season games for 9 and 10 year olds.

I work in the West Regional, and for the past 2 years (since I started umpiring again after a 10 year break), they've been pushing the hammer very hard. Not that they won't let you do a point, but that they won't teach it. It won't necessarily prevent you from doing higher levels, but it could be a factor. Before last year I'd never used the hammer for a strike, but made the switch, figuring that if that was what they wanted, I'd comply. Growing up, LL always paid to umpire, and while they aren't prohibited from doing so, they're highly discouraged. Many District and Regional Administrators strongly, strongly discourage paying, and at the District Umpire meeting this year there was a 5+ minute presentation on why we shouldn't pay (including, as jester mentions, the insurance issue). That being said, there are at least a few leagues in our district who do pay, though mine doesn;t.

I can't tell if he left, or tripped, or what. In any case, Go Ms!

I don't mind ratings, but I really wish there were a way to set it that all posts automatically sort by date, and can be changed to sort by rating.

There's a guy in a league near us who uses one of these.

The only way I see to not call MC on this is due to not seeing the play (which, given the circumstances, seems fairly likely). Runner drops shoulder, leads with arm, and could have easily slid further to his right to touch the plate with minimal contact to the catcher.

Wow, that's just.... wow.

Anytime a coach asks me what "my" zone is, I tell him that the strike zone is what the rule book says it is.

I was working a game the other night, and the 3rd and 4th spot batters on the visiting team stepped up to the box and asked me for a "verbal." I had no idea what they were talking about, and the coach explained after the inning that they wanted me to call time as they stepped into the box every pitch, and then give a verbal play ball, apparently to prevent a pitcher from quick pitching them. I told them that if the pitcher quick pitches I'll deal with it, and to just step into the box as they normally would.