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Apparently, it has come to my attention that I have a very effective death stare. I was raised by a cop, served in the military, and my wife has a great death stare herself so I guess I learned it from them. I was PU last night, pitch comes in belt high but in the batters box. Catcher framed it but even he knew it was inside and had nothing to say on it. I call a ball. F5 decided this was a good time to make a loud "SSTTTRRIIIKKKEEE" call right after my call. I aggressively call time, take off my mask, take about 5 or 6 steps towards 3B and lazed his nose for a good 10 seconds. I saw this 16 year old HS player shrink to the size of a decimal point. Silence was broken when I heard the DTHC (it was his son) yell at him, "HEY!!! SHUT UP KID!!!! YOU CAN'T SHOW HIM UP LIKE THAT!! YOUR'E GONNA GET THROWN OUT!!!" During my post-game, my partner told me that apparently I had scared F5, the runner on 3rd, the 3rd base coach, the OTHC near the 3B dugout, and even him a little bit. They all thought they were about to get thrown out. He also told me that the entire field/bleachers/birds/gophers were all completely silent and looking right at F5 when I targeted him. Kid comes up to me after the inning and apologizes profusely. I tell him, "hey, no problem young man, I think you got the message." Nothing about my strike zone from anybody for the rest of the game except a few very polite questions. Silence is golden and the fear of an ejection and being put in the spotlight can be more effective than an ejection itself.

Get ahead of this by letting both coaches know BEFORE the inning starts the game will end because of a run per inning limit per whatever rule set/local rule dictates. When that milestone is reached call “ballgameâ€, roll the balls towards the mound and leave rapidly. The key is to let the coaches know of YOUR intent, per the rules BEFORE you have an after game yell and slobber session. Preventative umpiring 101. It still amazes me that so many umpires want to stay and debate/explain/fight AFTER the game is over. They should be talking to the back of your head NOT the front! After you call “ballgame†the balls should still be rolling towards the mound as you are rapidly accelerating towards your car!

FED has any part of the foot in contact with the plate equivalent to having the entire foot on the ground out of the box.

the gear pimp has spoken. Long live the gear pimp!

<br />I disagree. Catcher presentation plays a big part in getting extra strikes. Now if the catcher is pulling pitches that's when he thinks it was a ball.

WTF!? It's his (accepted) job to get behind the plate and to coach the runner trying for home whether to slide and which way to slide.

I disagree with this advice. I believe this is what was done in the OP and started the during game slobber fest. If I'm going to have a slobber fest, I'd prefer an after game slobber fest where the yelling volume decreases as my distance from it increases.

1. I make it a rule to never initiate a conversation with a coach. 2. When an ump says that, I think it makes it sound like youre looking to get out of there quick. 3. I think the conversation is probably missing some words. I hope - prob could have avoided the Eject. In all the Ump should umpire the game. when the inning is over and the Mercy rule has been reached, the game is done. Give back the balls, nice games kids etc... leave. If he says anything at that point "coach, according to rules the game is over due to mercy, if we were to play on and officiate the game it could create a liability issue for us".

He had a great game over there. Lots of close pick off plays.

I'm a player's parent, a coach and an umpire. As a parent I call other parents out on their behavior--politely. "Brian, go spend a weekend as an umpire in a tournament with parents talking to you like you're talking to him. THEN come back and see if you're okay barking at this guy like that." As a parent I've also pulled my son from a travel team and told the coach and other parents why--that at 11 years old, he needs positive role models, not one who gets thrown out of a youth baseball game because he can't control his temper. Why are parents so desperate to have their kids on a travel/all-star/whatever team that they (A) accept, (B) encourage, and © participate that kind of behavior?

Jesus, .... this 'don't suck' thing is just ......... dumb.........   however, .......that's funny stuff Matt

Today F1 gets pulled, coach says, "It's not your fault, Nick." Reminded me of one of the best lines a coach used on me after pulling me: "It's not your fault, Pepper. It's my fault for having you in there." My other favorite--in HS our 3B on a "routine" ball would pull it from his glove and look at it before he threw to 1st. It finally happened--he looked at it, should have been an easy out, and the B/R beat the throw. Our coach, "Dammit, Kester! It says A1010! A1010! Wilson! You can read it as much as you want in the dugout, which is where you'll be if you ever do that again!" The guy knew sh!t about baseball, but he knew the model number of the game ball. Any other good lines your coaches used on you in your playing days?

I forgive you!

"Framing is not moving the glove. It is sticking the pitch in a way that keeps leather in the zone. " Is what I tell catchers who are working too hard.

In the words of Dick Vitale...."That's awesome baby!"

While a good catcher can't turn a ball into a strike, he can help me call more strikes by receiving the ball properly. If a catcher turns his glove on a curve that scrapes the bottom of the zone, I'm probably balling that pitch. If he keeps his thumb under it, then it gives me an opportunity to call the strike. There is a difference between framing a pitch, and yanking it.

True. How many of those earn disabled plates, which usually go to those with mobility issues? If he doesn't have plates, I hope he got the fine.

Completely agree. I would also like the record to reflect that there are numerous handicaps that do not require an accessible parking space or ramp.

Works great for Paint Ball...

Perfectly legal ... he's blind

Had a rookie partner leave me out to dry on a check swing appeal. Partner is in C and I appeal to him on a 1-2 check swing because the pitch was up and in (blocked out). He looks at me and says "Im in the middle of the field, I cant help you here!" Punk had the gall to actually tell me later that he was sorry, that it was unprofessional, and that THE SOB OFFERED AT THE PITCH! Seriously, are we allowed to eject partners? I might have called time, walked out there and kicked him in the nuts.Disclaimer: Don't always do what I do. It might lead to you getting into trouble. If I am in B/C, it is a no-swing if I happen to get an appeal If that batter cork screws into the underworld you're calling a ball because you're in the b or c position? Grow a set and make an informed call. i think he ment if its close not obvious which I agree with if your getting a check swing its a ball call by the PU and if your not sure its best to stick with your PU's call rather than change it if your not sure if it was a full swing You're overcomplicating things. If you have a swing, it's a strike. If you don't, it's not. Same as in A.

Maybe in the Super Regionals/Regionals. They're poly's in the CWS

Coach is there to teach baseball fundamentals and set an example to kids on how sport can teach life-skills - leadership, respect for authority, handling adversity. Clearly he failed on all accounts. Good EJ any level below NCAA.

That's a bit too redass for me. Sets up a confrontational relationship from the get go. If one feels obligated to discuss this at the plate meeting, a simple "Coaches,if you have anything to discuss please ask for time and wait until it's granted to before stepping out on the field."

PU should have killed it. You repaired the damage. 6-2-4-d-1 "If the pitcher, with a runner on base, stops or hesitates in his delivery because the batter steps out of the box (a) with one foot ... it shall not be a balk. In (a) ... there is no penalty on either the batter or the pitcher. The umpire shall call "Time" and begin play anew."

Ugh, have on MLB network and I am hoping they have Scully on the dodgers cardinals game. Instead the first voice heard is Tim He-who-shall-not-be-named. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

A fair ball rolls out of play, it's a two base award - no judgement.

It's an out in FED. Call it.<br /><br />Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Tapatalk<br /><br />

Typical ST. Louis people.

Another ejection, another Ned Yost scream-fest. What a joke.

             

We teach the CP thump BUT say" call strikes" Dont suck IS DUMB!

I've decided to simplify. I'm with Rolo. Black is sexy. Although a HS umpiring partner of mine rocks gray ballbsgs and they look good if they match the pants. That's the hard part.

Phil Rizzuto - RIP I can see the game, but whose birthday is it?

Black, MLB Polo Blue (new or w/ black collar), Cream, Gray, or anything with a black collar or black trim - Black Ball Bags & Black Hat Navy, old school lt. blue (softball lt. blue), or anything with a navy collar or navy trim - Navy Ball Bags & Navy Hat Red - consult your local bowling league about Ball Bag color...a hat is optional...again consult your bowling league.

I was always told that the ball bags should match the color of the hat you are wearing. Blue hat=blue bags. Black hat=black bags. Grey bags are not worn.

Maybe a stupid question but where does it say in mlb rules runner must retag on foul ball? And what is the penalty.

I work at a University in the recreational sports department. I get to hire a train officials as well as schedule them. Great part about my job is I don't have to take time off to go work games because my boss sees it as "Job research". What I learn on the field I can bring back to my students to make them better at officiating.

Coaches are convinced they know the rules when they don't know jack $hit!!!<br />Had a pop up to half way up the 1st base line. There was no contact but F1 had to teach over the runner to try to catch the ball. Missed it. I call Int. Coaches didn't like it. <br /><br />Had a batter bunt. Runner runs the whole way in fair territory . F2 sails the ball over runner and over 1st. I call RLI.<br />Coach had a fit. Easy out call!<br />Coach's says the runner establishes his path bla bla bla !<br /><br />

• If you hold your indicator out and gawk at it after _every_ pitch like a tricoder from Star Trek... YJMBAS. • If you wear ball bags while as a BU... YJMBAS. • If you are not wearing a belt... YJMBAS. • If you are not wearing a belt because your partner took it away from you for wearing ball bags as a BU... YADAS. • If you are wearing white running shoes... YJMBAS. • If you explain a Safe / Out call in the same bellowing voice as making the call, and as a run-on sentence (HE GOT TO THE BAG FIRST AND WAS ON THE BAG BEFORE THE TAG WAS APPLIED SAFE!!!)... YJMBAS. • If you call time to scour-brush Home Plate after every batter... YJMBAS. • If you call time to brush any base... YADAS. • If you demonstratively explain the reasons for a balk call to the pitcher and/or to the coach during gameplay (of a game... scrimmage is different)... YJMBAS.

If you: Wear plate shoes on the bases....yjmbas Wear your hat backward on the stick....yjmbas Think that F1 taking signs from bucket butt is a balk....yjmbas Make F1 take off his non-scrip sunglasses...yjmbas Think TOP is when F1 releases the ball...yjmbas Come on UE and argue your point after it's been debunked by the majority...yjmbas Use your old F2 gear to umpire in...yjmbas Text between innings...yjmbas Skimmed the rule book and think you "have" it...yjmbas

I had newer umpire as a partner last weekend. Right after the catcher throws the ball down to start the game, he walks up the first base line and asks me to go grab my indicator because his is broken. I tell him to just go without one. You would have thought I was asking him to do quantum physics. He looked at me like I had two heads. He was shocked when I told him that some umpires don't use indicators at all.

I was smittier than smitty when I first started. I wore actual cleats and a pair of grey walmart pants. Had my yankees cap on backwards.All the smittiest of smittiness. But I was given a rule book day 1 AND I READ IT. I had never heard of cleaning shoes, much less shining them. And I knew ZERO mechanics, save for the safe/out/strike mechanics. No positioning. No training. No clinic. Nada. I was so smitty I actuall thought I was good. Year 2 I went to a 2 day camp. And QUALIFIED FOR DISTRICT PLAYOFFS. Wow. There were guys out there even worse than me!!!!! And this was a paid league. Several seasons in, I started to realize I really had no idea what I was doing. So I scrounged up some game fees and biught some REAL umpire manuals. Suddenly, I wasn't QUITE as smitty as I had been. But at least I KNEW I sucked. I just happened to suck less than those around me. Fortunately, I had a couple of damn good umpires take me under their wing. I wasn't youmg, just green. But they saw a hunger and thirst for education and knowledge and were willing to share with me. Many seasons and thousands of games later, I still try not to suck. I just don't hafta try as hard as I used to I guess I said all that to say this.....when the opportunity arises for you to help a fledgling, budding young umpire, jump on it. You never know what their future holds. Or what you might possibly learn from them.

Yes, but you have to be careful. A dear friend of mine (the man who started me umpiring) once rang a kid up in a high school game and the kid threw his bat up in the air. My friend said, "If that bat hits the ground, you're done.". The bat hit the backstop overhang and the knob lodged in the fence and hung there. After the half inning, the kid (who was pitching) is warming up and his coach comes out with another bat, throws it up and hits the kid's bat, dislodging it. As soon as the bat hit the ground, my friend turns to the pitcher and gives him the heave-ho.

I still want parking lot full of labrador puppies.

Not at the expense of someone's integrity. Sorry. Wow-hope you are not this sensitive on the field. I have a great sense of humor and I certainly know how to laugh! I have a great report because I know how to deal with people. Chief Rolo meant no disrespect. He is retired military, he knows respect. I didn't say Rolo meant any disrespect. I only said I thought he made a poor choice in posting. Jim Joyce himself would laugh at this. Oh really? Have you asked him? Were you there while he was dealing with the emotion of the Galarraga situation? Or know how he feels every time things are thrown at him unfairly? Maybe next time you should PM the poster. What is discussed in the open, is spoken about in the open. What is behind closed doors, remains behind closed doors. If you don't stand for something, you fall for anything! Good luck on this forum Manny. Out.

Not at the expense of someone's integrity. Sorry. Wow-hope you are not this sensitive on the field. Chief Rolo meant no disrespect. He is retired military, he knows respect. Jim Joyce himself would laugh at this. Maybe next time you should PM the poster.

I totally 100% disagree in this case. Whoever made that picture was attacking the integrity and character of Jim Joyce. I can understand poking at an umpire who splits his pants, has a funny 3rd strike call, or out call, and even an innocent slip and fall when no one gets hurt, but I will NEVER support or find funny anything that attacks the character, integrity, or honor of an umpire, and in this case, it was Mr. Jim Joyce. I don't think that Jim's integrity EVER came into question about why he blew the call. He just blew it. If fact, I think his high level of integrity was shown to the world in the way he owned the call in public and admitted he just blew it. You missed the whole point. An angry fan who thinks Jim Joyce is the worst umpire in the world made that sign. Plenty of people, despite the intense character Jim Joyce showed in that whole affair, want him fired, tarred, feathered, and even killed (Yes, he received death threats). Why would any umpire or person who has an understanding of human nature and forgiveness think that is funny? Jim's integrity certainly came into question concerning the Galarraga perfect game. How could you even think it didn't? It was only the stunning and totally professional actions of Jim Joyce that shut up those who excoriated him, and judged his character, because they had nothing to say in rebuttal. There's NO LAUGHING IN BASEBALL!

I totally 100% disagree in this case. Whoever made that picture was attacking the integrity and character of Jim Joyce. I can understand poking at an umpire who splits his pants, has a funny 3rd strike call, or out call, and even an innocent slip and fall when no one gets hurt, but I will NEVER support or find funny anything that attacks the character, integrity, or honor of an umpire, and in this case, it was Mr. Jim Joyce. I don't think that Jim's integrity EVER came into question about why he blew the call. He just blew it. If fact, I think his high level of integrity was shown to the world in the way he owned the call in public and admitted he just blew it.