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Showing content with the highest reputation since 04/10/2024 in all areas
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Please. We are humans and its an amateur game. Go ahead and say hi and acknowledge them.10 points
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... and a number of cases in LL for that ball being fair - and everyone standing around for a long time as PU blows out their elbow silently pointing fair over and over. 😂7 points
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Exactly right! Thank you! My wife and kids have been the biggest supporters of my umpire avocation. She comes to nearly every one of my games if she is able to. I would not have the enjoyment of umpiring if not for the support of my wife and kids. Not only is she my biggest supporter, she is my best evaluator, as well. Many of my partners over the years know how good she is at evaluating, and they often ask for her to evaluate them when we're on games, too. I understand there is a time and place for it, and so does she. But when I go to the fence to get a drink of water, I'm happy to say hi to wife, kids, friends that took the time out to see me work. Many of my umpire colleagues wish their spouses would come to their games and get the support that I have been blessed with receiving. How many umpires do you know that their wives show no interest, and often little support for any of their hobbies? Probably plenty, I know I do. You're damn right I'm going to acknowledge her at my games.6 points
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Illinois adopted a 2-hour time limit on all JV and under games. Of course, most schools are still only paying $60 because of that. (Run rule here is 15 after 4, 10 after 5.) My personal best was a full 7-inning varsity game in 1:18. The home team scored 1 quick run in the first inning and NO runner made it to second base after that: double-plays, thrown out stealing, or 3rd out of the inning. Pitchers were not wasting pitches and batters were swinging at the first thing they saw. I never went to C after the first inning. Doubt I will ever see anything like that again.5 points
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You make a good point here Champ! It's important to self-diagnose something is off, get checked out if you're having lingering or excessive (your call again here) issues like we're trained to identify in others - and take time off and rest! Never rush back as it only increases the likelihood of the next impact causing more severe and/or longer-lasting damage. I've had a mild concussion (AS MAG on foul back in a JV game) and didn't realize it until I was having the worst plate game of my life the following day. I honestly was thinking of retiring after that one, I did that poorly. I was apologizing to the kids, F2's, coaches - anyone that would listen... when it hit me and I had that proverbial light-bulg moment - I must have a concussion! It felt like I was looking out of my eyes sideways, I just couldn't see a pitch well at all. I had no headache or other typical signs, other than my vision was"off". I called my assignor and took the rest of the week off and went back at it the next week with no further issues. It's very important to err on the side of caution and be responsible for your own health here. Don't be ego-driven and try to tough it out. It's too your advantage to rest up and recover and don't come back until you're ready.5 points
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I would highly recommend taking the time to explore the archives and carefully review Max's contributions, as I believe you will find it to be an enlightening and worthwhile endeavor. Additionally, I suggest reflecting on your emotions and giving them thoughtful consideration before crafting responses. Remember that not every comment is meant to be insulting. It's easy to misinterpret tone in writing and I doubt any insult was intended.5 points
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You might be trolling but if you don’t know Max’s opinion on the Schutt you haven’t gone very far into the archives of the website… 🤣5 points
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This. It's a judgment call. Your judgment. Like any judgment call, teams are free to disagree or agree as they see fit. If the HC comes out to talk to you about the call and you aren't certain of what you saw, you could call a crew conference to seek any additional information that might help you in your decision making on your call. Yelling across the field to your partner puts them on the spot for making a call that they should not have to make. Those calls, typically a pulled foot, belong to a base umpire. If the umpire is not sure on the call, see above.4 points
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There is no such thing as interfering with an umpire. So, no, that can't be called. There is no applicable rule in any code. This is one of those things in youth ball that newer umpires get surprised by. Kids do dumb stuff. We need to be aware of the ODB/scored runner and shoo him away if he gets too close. Umpires who are on a knee for plays at the plate limit what they can do in this regard (one of dozens of reasons not to be on their knees). Ordinarily, I don't lay hands on players (at any level), but this situation is an exception to that.4 points
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It’s funny how one poster says, “Launching the bat in the air like that is not only disrespectful but also dangerous...not to mention childish”. Then says, “If I'm ole miss he's getting thrown at tomorrow”.4 points
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I am confident that is intended to be a lightly used accent color. But hey if enough people have interest in looking like the Savannah Bananas I'll see what I can influence. @ousafe that is already planned in the general design parameters. Our higher end shirts currently us a neck lining with our FNX fabric which lowers ambient temperature and wicks moisture faster then our polyester fabric. These shirts will have a similar neck/collar lining and sweatband. Something similar may be found under the arms as well.4 points
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This may be why I'm in Category #2. I only do LL and have only worked solo twice in 10 years. I do like different looks but I don't have the patience for being a clothes horse. I've significantly downsized what I lug around. Out of respect for the game, I bring multiple jerseys (and my plate gear) to every game no matter what we've agreed to in the pre-24hr+ sync up. I don't leave everything in my car 24/7 for multiple reasons so it's a hassle. Heck, I'm annoyed at how many dang hats I have and most of them were free from the leagues.4 points
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4 points
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Your gut told you to go with INT with the live action view you had. You saw everything you needed to see, you were positioned where you needed to be, and you made the call. If you didn't have (much) protesting or complaining, I'd say you made the right call. I'm my own worst enemy in situations like yours. I'll replay a scenario over and over in my head, wondering if I made the right call. But I've come to realize that my memory of a certain play isn't as good as the live action. If it helps, based on your description, I would've call INT as well.4 points
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Yes, order of occurrence. BTW, I don't usually verbalize (much less point) "ball's on the ground." I generally don't need to do that: my safe call in such plays is so slow, usually by the time I signal safe, everyone already knows about the ball.4 points
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Disclosure: I have a close family member who has lived most of their adult life in a wheelchair following a spinal injury. They have limited use of their hands and no use of their legs. They do not umpire and I would like to offer the following responses: 1) How do you know? Have you seen him work? And we have all seen partners who work games who don't get up the line as they should... 2) How do you know? Have you seen him work? Angle over distance, right? Maybe he doesn't get the ideal distance moving from the plate to get FPSR but, I promise you he gets the angle. 3) How do you know? Have you seen him work? 4) How do you know? Have you seen him work? I promise you...if YOU have thought of all of this, someone in a wheelchair has too. Maybe he doesn't wedge it up as he should. Like all of us, he is doing the best he can and I'm sure like all of us, his first priority is knowing his capabilities and getting himself to where he needs to be and minimize the risk of injury to himself or those on the field. 5) So maybe he doesn't work wet fields. Over the course of a baseball season, I'm sure there are lots of opportunities for him to work under his ideal conditions. 6) Conjecture and speculation...we don't know. Again, maybe he doesn't work turf fields. The bottom line is...people may have questions. People may not understand. People may want to pass judgement. I see a man in a mask, wearing our jacket, and grabbing strikes umpiring a baseball game. As far as I am concerned, that's our brother and I'd take the field with him anytime and I hope all of you feel the same way. ~Dawg4 points
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The brain jarring around inside your head, even though it is a minute sized brain I have, is the reason I turned back my games for the rest of the week. Did not want to risk further damage by running around the field. 5 games.4 points
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Yep. It's better to be out wishing you were in than in wishing you were out. And, that applies to baseball umpiring, too.4 points
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3 points
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Nope. 60 feet is enough for coaches to get out of the way. They "used to play" you know.3 points
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My opinion, #1 is the ONLY acceptable answer. I'm not fully reading your position or angle in the OP, but if you know you got caught at a bad angle/got blocked out/etc., you should never have an issue going to your partner if asked (politely and properly). I vehemently disagree with the use of "discreet signals." People see it and see what is happening. If you don't see your partner's signal or don't go with it, somebody will see it. Why sow the seeds?3 points
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I actually was a BU to a first year PU two weeks ago that had a lodged ball near his bicep. The catcher started looking for it and two to three beats later, the PU lifted his arm and caught the ball in his hand. So I had to call it a lodged ball. I just hope that no one heard me saying 'drop it, drop it, drop it' under my breath during the time it was lodged.3 points
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3 points
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Consider the situation where PU has dropped back on 1BLX...... Fly ball is beyond 1B when F4, F3, F9 and BR are all either on the line or converging on the line. PU is potentially looking through F2 and all the above to try to determine whether or not the ball has landed fair or foul. Without moving off the extension, it is likely that his view is, at best, compromised, or, more so, blocked completely. The status of the ball is always the first priority. If PU moves up the line to a place where his view of the ball is far better, his credibility and accuracy will both be improved significantly. Our priorities, as I have been taught, are in this order: Fair/foul Catch/No catch Out/safe Everything else The tag at 3B clearly is less important than the status of the ball.3 points
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I’ll clarify this is poorly written sarcasm and this would be equal to burning money for us 🫠3 points
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… because you told a coach “No”, and want the gravitas to substantiate it? Your “morning fiber”? 🥣3 points
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Remember this: You are there to umpire a ballgame, not socialize with your family. I would recommend you give your wife and daughter a quick goodbye kiss just before you leave for the field and leave it at that.3 points
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That's a bangin' shirt for Saturday night at the Copacabana but, a little too busy for me working a baseball game. Unless of course the baseball game is Saturday night at the park ACROSS THE STREET...from the Copacabana. ~Dawg3 points
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+1 I may be limited in what I can wear for FED games, but when I work solo (LL), I like to rock something different.3 points
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3 points
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Last night had one of those "SMH" moments. 2-man, I'm BU. R3, 1 out. Pitcher throws a 58-foot breaking ball that gets by the catcher. R3 breaks for home, F1 scrambles to cover. R3 crosses the plate standing up at the same time F1 sticks his glove out to catch the ball from F2, but doesn't catch it because R3's leg hits F1's glove. PU calls R3 safe. DHC asks for time and asks, "isn't he required to slide?" My partner (a new umpire this year) stuck to his guns. I didn't hear the conversation, but afterwards PU gave another safe sign and we played on.3 points
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I like the look of the latest MLB shirts. The contrast under the collar and in the button area are great. I think it would work very well if you were to use that template, but use some different graphics in those areas. (Camo, pink, stars & stripes, etc) The issue with some of those types of shirts that others are putting out is that it’s too much of those things, and they end up looking too gaudy. But just a splash in those 2 areas would be great, along with a more breathable and flexible material than what Smitty is using.3 points
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As someone who always loved Ralph McQuarrie's concept art as much as Star Wars . . . I am intrigued by the concepts!3 points
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I can say this much... we offered a lot of very different and creative options and the most conservative option was chosen. Heck we even went nuts and lost the polo collar on one of them. It wasn't personally my favorite either, but that's why we really want to get some community input to try and make something folks want to wear.3 points
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I'd be interested in seeing new designs, and here are some ideas for colors/designs I'd like to see I'm not a fan of "novelty" shirts, but if navy is going to remain a standard, it needs to be updated (as do the old softball powder blues). @MadMax, break out that image of the navy with red side panels, please! I still would like to see a black with blue side panels. (On a "related, but you didn't ask for my opinion" note: Not a fan of the new LL designs.)3 points
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I know we don't expect precious professional prima donna pitchers to do much, but at the level I work, YES, I expect the pitcher to make that play. I have IFF all day and twice on double-header days. I disagree that F4 sliding in to make that play is indicative that NO fielder could have made that catch with ordinary effort . . . it was just indicative that THAT fielder needed extraordinary effort.3 points
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. . . and that is why I am conflicted. Every ounce of humanity in me screams, "That is awesome! This dude is a role model!" Every ounce of umpire in me screams, "This is not good. Somebody is going to get hurt." Heck, if it works, it works. It's strange . . .3 points
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It's an irrelevant question. Doesn't matter if it's a swing or not. It hit the bat, it's a foul ball. It doesn't matter how or why...if it's a legal pitch that hits that bat, that's all that matters. There are countless cases, documented in MLB, of a pitch going over a batter's head and hitting their bat as they duck...foul ball.3 points
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Babe Ruth League uses OBR. OBR covers this question in an interpretation found in the 2021 Minor League Baseball Umpire Manual (section 5.20, p. 59): ...As long as the pitcher is not committed to pitch, a runner may advance and is considered to occupy the last base touched at the time the pitcher initiates his actual delivery to the batter. The preliminary motion known as the "stretch" is not considered the start of the pitching motion. From a Set Position, this is defined as the moment the pitcher begins the natural movement associated with his delivery of the ball to the batter after the pitcher has come set with both hands together in front of his body.3 points
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Don't be, brother...as @Velho said, "Where there is a will, there is a way." I'm not sure if that footage is actually JUCO or not but, in 2002 NFHS instituted a rule that permits umpires and coaches to use canes, wheelchairs and other mobility aids on the field of play during games. Additionally, the Wounded Warrior program has their own umpire academy which helps military veterans who are differently abled learn Our Craft. ~Dawg3 points
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The heart of what @MadMax is saying is that it is not technically the force of an impact that causes a concussion, it is your brain rattling around in your head. In essence, it is rapid acceleration and deceleration. Theoretically, the more still you are able to hold, the less likely you are to be concussed. It is a movement-induced injury, not an impact injury. Yes, impact can certainly induce movement. Safety gear is designed to absorb, reduce, redirect, and dissipate force. In the case of protective headwear (helmets, masks, added cushioning) the idea is to do that to reduce the amount of movement caused by the transferred force.3 points
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Just don't go out from inside, especially in the two umpire system. You most likely aren't going to get any better look at the play and you've taken yourself out of anything else that could happen, leaving one person to cover 4 bases and multiple runners. I am a much bigger proponent of working to create an angle and keep yourself in the play. Every time I've seen someone go out from the inside in the 3 umpire system, it has been on a no doubt moonshot that didn't need someone out on it and they have all been in a camp setting. I would ask "Why did you go out on that ball from the inside?" The answer was always, "Well we need to go out on balls challenging the wall, right?" My response, "Brother, that was challenging the county line, never mind the wall."3 points
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“Without hesitation or alteration.” it’s in all three codes. If kicking you free leg up, then back down, then wrapping your free leg around your pivot leg, faking a motion to pitch, kicking you leg back up, and then delivering a pitch isn’t both hesitation and/or alteration, I don’t know what is. I’m calling this an illegal pitch in every single level I umpire…. From low teen travel stuff through college.2 points
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Save your E&O / clearance sale budget for something else. Since it came up, I may be in the minority but I find very little about the Bananas something to imitate or, on my cranky days, even appreciate.2 points
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2019 Interps SITUATION 19: As the head coach moves to the pitching mound for a defensive conference, he tosses a baseball to his third baseman and has him take warm-up throws with another player to get ready to pitch. RULING: A team cannot have a fielder, who is in the game, throw a baseball for the purpose of warming up as a pitcher during a defensive conference or a pitching change. If the team desires to warm up a player in the game to prepare him to pitch, it would need to take him out of the game to warm up and then later re-enter him under the substitution rule. (3-4-1) (was also in 2014 and 2006 -- or some years like that)2 points
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Nothing beats...Adiossssssssss! Pelotaaaaaaaaaaaa! Jon Miller is 2nd on my list to only Vin Scully. He gives you that feeling like you're at the ballpark with a favorite uncle. He is so experienced, so talented, so knowledgeable and so prepared. His command of verbs especially is all-world. The best of them know the season is 162 games and the English language offers lots of great choices and use them. I am not a Giants fan nor am I a Dodgers fan but, great broadcasting is part of the game's heritage and tradition. When Scully was on, when Miller is on...you tune into those guys. They can make some random game on a Tuesday night sound like the greatest thing ever. Their enthusiasm is palpable and infectious! If you have XM radio, they frequently carry the SFG radio broadcasts with Miller although he does break up the game, hand over the mic to a backup and go and work regional TV for a few innings. This is my go to listen after working a game... ~Dawg2 points
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Yeah, everything up to now has been avoiding the Chubbies golf shirt look. The natural assumption is that wouldn't go over well. That has already been accomplished! Thanks for the feedback. I feel like people either hate the new MLB style or love it. Would love to get more thoughts on that style design.2 points
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2 points
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Actually, you may just have an oversized brain… as in, the distance between your brain 🧠 tissue and the inner surface of your skull 💀 might be less than typical human. Fractions of inches matter. We’re glad you identified the risk, and opted off of plate. No one – assigner, coordinator, supervisor, evaluator, or partner – should ever coerce you into doing plate if and when you’re experiencing after-effects.2 points