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Hello everyone, I'm a brand new umpire. haven't called a game yet. I have 4 sons and have coached a ton of baseball over the years. My 14yr old wanted a way to make some money & learn more about the game, so he asked to become an umpire. Since he's 14 & I'd have to drive him to games anyway, I figured I'd do it as well. We had our initial umpire class a couple weekends ago & had a lot of fun learning how to call a game from a couple of former MLB/current NCAA umpires. We're supposed to get our assignments for fall ball this week. Looking forward to it!! Howard Smith

Greetings, Howard. Where are you and your son located (state and nearest big city, if you will)? One quick word of advice (there’ll be a bunch more from all is here), I realize you’re eager to make yourself known to others, and earnestly want to immerse yourself in games. This advice applies for you, and especially for your (minor) son – when you commence a plate meeting, unless you know the coaches personally, use only your first name (or a nickname, if you use one) when introducing yourself, and you are under no obligation to give them your experience or credentials or newness to the umpiring profession. If you give your (full) name, there will be a coach somewhere, someday, who will look you up (online). There is a temptation and propensity of theirs to conflate your umpiring – no matter the contextual level – with your personal or other occupational life. So too, your son, when he’s inside the fence as an umpire, should know that he has the authority to address the coach(es) by their first name, or by role (ie. Coach). On the experience front, the amount of time (or lack thereof) you’ve spent umpiring, or how new you are to “X” level, in no way affects or erodes your authority. You might not know all the rules comprehensively (there’s a lot to know!), and your experience does shape and affect your judgement and discernment, but again, not your authority. Do not allow a coach to upset or undermine your authority based on something like, “Howlongyabeen doin’ this?! A week?!” Glad to have you (and your son) aboard!

#2 piece of advice . . . If somebody asks you how long you have been doing this, do not start your reply with "Counting this game?" 😉 Seriously, WELCOME!! Work hard and enjoy it, especially since you will have your son working with you. My son and I worked together for just a few games when he started, then he and I both wanted him to learn from other people. (He was a little older than 14, though.) This winter, he will be going down to Florida to Wendelstadt.

It is a legit Team Wendy retrofit. The tag on the neck is authentic TW

Obviously only the commissioner (or equivalent person/group) can answer that but, imo, only send him back if he successfully steals on a ball that didn't leave the circle. The rule as presented was "you can't steal" not "you can't get a good jump or lead off a lot". KISS (no offense meant on last S). Until they pin him to the base, let it play.