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If they were creased well enough that wouldn't happen.

OK, Here goes.... I've been doing this a while..16 years. 14 high school varsity, 7 Juco, D3. Without sounding overly cocky, I think I'm a damn good umpire. I've seen and heard all the horror stories about poor sportsmanship, confrontational parents, etc. Sure, I've experienced it, but it's been on rare occasions, and the overwhelming amount of the times, I've had respectful coaches, players, and to a lesser extent parents. Fast forward to this year. I thought it was me. I was starting to think my zone was inconsistent. Starting to think my judgement might be off. I know I'm getting slower. Maybe it's affecting my game. I've been talking with some trusted colleagues, and it seems it's not me. The umpire hate is reaching new levels. The overall tone of the games, attitudes, it's filled with anger. Dirty looks from hitters from every close strike, looks of astonishment from fielders on safe calls that aren't even that close. Batter runners stomping up and down when they're put out at first by a full step. Fielder yelling a runner is off the bag when I'm right there looking at a hand on the top of the bag, coaches looking for help on routine plays, (Not asking ..Demanding "You GOTTA GET HELP). Grief on check swings, no matter if I call a strike as PU, or go for help...As BU, whatever I call on an appeal, I'm gonna hear crap from the other side. I had to give a college coach an official ball/Strike warning in the 8th inning with his team leading 22-1. Another one a few days ago after his starter walked 7 in 2+ innings...Most were pitches his catcher couldn't even catch. Besides the ball/strike stuff, these aren't issues or actions that require warnings/ejections. Just ornery attitudes... No one's happy with anything. Yesterday, as we're leaving the field of a home team run rule win, a group of passive- aggressive Dad's start in as we pass loud enough to be sure we're hearing them "Every call goes against us, they all suck this year. They got it out for us. Where do they find these guys? They won by 12, yet they still found the need to make sure we heard them talking about how much we suck and that foul ball my partner called against their team in the second inning. ... Last week we're leaving a college field and after we pass a group of ignorant morons who were on us from the start we hear "Better luck next time, blue." It's taking a lot of strength to ignore. I thought it was me until yesterday. I got calls from two colleagues in the span of a few hours lamenting the sme issues, and questioning if they want to do this anymore....It's not been fun this year" is what I'm hearing over and over. Is it a bad stretch? Are attitudes worse? Am I worse? ....I'm rained out today. and you know what? Part of me is thinking "Thank God". I don't like feeling that. I want this to be enjoyable. It has been for 16 years, with the occasional misbehaviour here and there. This year it's rampant. The table has completely turned. The polite, no issue games have become the outliers. I'm going to put a big part of the blame on social media and the amount of umpire hate being spewed. From national media outlets, to Joe fan's ignorant hatred...It's trickle down to where players, coaches and parents all bring their keyboard warrior mentality to the field. Or.. Is this the way it is across the country, and somehow I've avoided it for the most part for 16 years?.

Congrats on the regionals. Have fun!! D3 playoff implication regular season DH Saturday, Juco finishing off the season Sunday, and a Juco playoff next Saturday. That finishes off college for the year. I'm also struggling with what the future holds for me. I'm getting slower, aching more. I'm not sure the travel and grind of college ball is worth it much longer. Weekend Dh's mean out at 9AM the latest, probably 1-2 hour drive, home around 7-8 PM. It's wearing me out. But the ball and money is good. It's the northeast, and especially this year, the weather sucks.(we're still in the 50's..low 40's at night) Being out there in 25-30 weather makes me question my sanity. The friendships and comradery of college ball is second to none. Weighing the pros and cons....I need to figure it out.

Hope they all go well! Heading into JUCO Regionals this weekend. U1 tomorrow, then PU for Regional final Sunday and U3 for the IF game.

Umpiring has definitely lost some of its luster at least at the high school levels, over the past 15-20 years IMO. Part of it is the abuse/comments and part of it is the game fees not making it worth a lot of people's time.

Maannnn, I got something raw and knawling at me but it is too soon to spill. But, let's just say I left the field with someone hollering 'Hey Blue! You still suck!" for all to hear including the herd of cows across the valley. I hear you brother.

Vanity, vanity... all is vanity. What difference does it really make? If the association you're auditioning for is a solely collegiate association (or, alternatively, led by collegiate umpires), I can venture an experienced guess why they perseverate on sartorial details like this. Insidiously, it's not someone who's 80 years old; oh no no, instead, it's someone younger... think mid-40s / 50s... What's absolutely maddening, is working for one particular association/assigner, who insists that we are to "look like the Big League guys", yet another association – often at the same or similar level of competition – insists, nay mandates, that we are not "Big League guys" and we will never wear that style of uniform (ie. shirts, shirt colors (ahem, Wisconsin just a few years ago), jackets, pants, etc.). Like that assigner / association head has a chip on his shoulder, or a grudge against the Big Leagues because he... oh... ohhhhhh... I get it. 😉 Again, if you provide the uniforms, then you have all the control and justification of directing what we wear. If ya don't... If you're too freakin' cheap or that much of a control freak over your little fiefdom...

Come on, man. Pure Polyester... no kid of the 60's, 70's or 80's wore spandex unless it was a girl trying to mimic Denise Austin. (I was going to say it wasn't invented yet, but, Spandex was invented in 1958 - bar trivia for you).

Whoa whoa whooooaaaaaa... Are those Bike® brand coach's shorts? Or, are they bike shorts... as in, spandex-y, with a chamois for... chafing? #WordsMatter And Fruit-of-the-Loom never had it so good, either. #BarteringWithGuido

So I recently purchased a pair of the Wilson Davis Shins. I love the weight of them. Love the idea, but I can’t stand having to pull my plate pants out of the top knee after every time I stand up. has anyone figured out a hack to keep this from happening. I thought about wearing a pair of tights over them but seems like that’s just defeating the purpose.

Not sure if others are seeing this, but “by me” there’s a lot of turnover of high school coaches and you’re getting younger and younger head coaches who don’t have relationships with umpires and/or “don’t know how to act.” The days of the 20-30 year head coach by us are really over. I think that feeds into a lot of the chirping, complaining, and problems.

I'm happy that my furthest travel time is about an hour. DHs are a grind, especially when it's two 9s.

Except this week is the first time it's ever been called that way. EDIT: First time it's ever been floated it should be called this way since it wasn't called this way on the play in question. And has been called Fair for the rememberable past.

Until you demonstrate a battled ball that stops in the air and remains in stasis, a ball that is settled is in contact with the ground. The interpretation clarifies the requirements for a fair ball when the ball is either settled or rolling. (ie. touching the ground) Not really confusion...if the ball is touching the ground it needs to be touching fair to be fair. If it's bounding it need only be over fair to be fair. Contradiction yes, but not confusing. Contradiction isn't even the right word - just different standards for when the ball is on the ground vs in the air. The real problem is a bounding ball while it is in the air - whether when it passes the bag or is touched by the fielder - that is over both fair and foul at same time, is both fair and foul. I suppose the great part about that is the umpire can never be wrong. If nothing else, the "touching the ground" interpretation at least removes Schrodinger's Batted Ball for that scenario.

I'm envisioning a coach trying to "teach a lesson" by way of embarrasment. That is not in line with Little League's mission and values. But, unless the situation is egregious, I think an umpire's default postition of staying out of the dugout would make any action on the part of the umpire difficult. However, there is some rule support for the umpire to act. 9.01 (d) allows an umpire to "disqualify...for unsportsmanlike conduct..." and the 2018 RIM note under 9.01(d) says, "Keep in mind that unsportsmanlike conduct or language could exist toward an umpire, the opposing team, and even a member of the same team. Do not allow bad behavior to continue, even if it's not directed at you." The "same team" standard is different that the "umpire" and "opposing team" standard, but it does exist. There are so many possibilities to consider when judging whether or not the coach crossed a line. But, if in your judgement it was crossed then warn and eject. In my league we've had coaches who are yellers and they've been told by the umpire to calm down with follow-ups by league administrators. At the very least, send a note through the appropriate channel to make the league aware of the situation.

Nah Rich, it's you Seriously, sorry you've had a rough year. I can't say I've seen a difference between this year and previous years, but I did have an ejection of an assistant coach and I haven't had one for a while. I suspect most of the issues you've had have been in HS and not college? I know you mentioned some idiotic fans at a college game, but this is more the exception I hope? Hang in there and just make sure you and your brothers have each others' backs. They're the only ones that matter.

@Richvee, I am seeing this in my market as well. It used to be poor losers crying and complaining about the umpiring and now we're seeing "poor winners" who didn't even need umpires on their game as they beat their opponents by 15, 20 or 25 runs...it really is bizarre. What's ironic is when I talk to guys who were umpiring in the 2000s and 1990s they tell me it was worse in those days. As for the walk from the field back to the cars...think about your route out as you are walking IN. Is there an outfield gate or a foul territory gate past either dugout that you could use on the way out? Nobody likes a long walk back and forth from cars to the field but, are you parking as out of the way as possible? Away from where the team buses might be and the bulk of fan parking? Conduct your post-game as efficiently as possible and depart the facility as efficiently as possible. I think the saddest part of this entire situation is...NOBODY, nobody thinks they are the problem. No coach, parent or player thinks they have ever said anything inappropriate or abusive towards an official. It's not golf...I get it. Officials are always going to hear something negative about their work from fans whose team the calls go against but, there's room for improvement and nobody is interested in improving the culture except the officials. And I'm sure coaches, parents would say, we don't have to respect the officials...that's what the money's for. One thing's for sure...nobody loves sports like the officials. Why else would we put up with it decade after decade? And even if we did blow the call and your kid lost the Intergalactic Champeenchip Of Duh World? So what...it's a god damn game. They're kids. They will experience far WORSE disappointments as adults then anything that will ever happen to them on a baseball field as a kid. ~Dawg

So, more starch is also a good answer here?

I have the same issue with my F3's. For some reason, only the left leg grabs my pants like that - but I know the feeling. I've tried to grab my pants and pull up as I stand in one, smooth motion so they won't grab as easily, but it doesn't always work for me. The fix is to have a seamstress add about 4-5" of silk inside your plate pants at the knee. Then, your shins won't grab your pants, they'll slide right on by.

This is my biggest gripe with the original version of the DaviShins. While I don't have a simple solution, it is a big factor in the updated design we're working on.

For the record, thanks for sharing. I think there are far more of us out there feeling this way, but too many won't speak up for fear of others poking fun. First off, man, I'm so sorry. I fully understand and sympathize with what you're experiencing. So far, the kids have been mostly okay - but I've been doing mostly 9th/JV until I was sure I could handle the speed of Varsity without issue. While this year hasn't been as bad as the last one I worked yet, I do feel like fan and coach behavior especially is getting worse. Typically, the higher the level, the less issues I have with players and fans, but not always true with the coaches. They can be jerks just trying to throw you off your game for the fun of it or get in your head so you'll call something their way the next time. But I know you're familiar with all that. I believe that you are correct in laying the blame at the feet of social media. There is definitely an anti-umpire bias out there, I've even seen pages called "umpire hate" groups that supposedly post where they believe an umpire has missed a call. You will notice there's never any substance to their post, just overall hate towards the profession. I'm sorry again though. When these start piling up over a few games, it does get you to start asking "is this worth continuing". When I'm hurting and doing my best just to get back on the field and giving it everything I've got and then parents are jerks, it does take a lot of internal calming to keep yourself from letting them know all you've done to get there and call a game so their kids could play... and them complain. Hang in there if you can. Whatever your decision is, I will support you as a friend and brother.

But the rule book does A FAIR BALL is a batted ball that settles on fair ground between home and first base, or between home and third base, or that is on or over fair territory when bounding to the outfield past first or third base. I have it on good authority, this means if a ball has stopped between the bag and home, it needs to be touching fair, (I was not aware of that until today). The "On or over" part is only for ball bounding past the bag into the outfield. The real confusion, (and there is not a clear interp for) is on a ball that is rolling between home and the bag when touched. Or bouncing between home and the bag when touched. This is where the confusion lies, and needs to be cleard up.

That part is incorrect. The player was a starter; he can re-enter in the same position in the batting order.

I've never had meals reimbursed at a LL state tournament in Virginia, though we have been feed en masse a few times (sandwhich spreads, crockpots) and it's much appreciated. Lodging here is you get half; so either you get a roommate or pay half a room for your privacy. That may be swinging in favor of paying for single rooms I hear.

Maybe it isn't the same for all regions, but at each Regional tournament I've done lodging was provided and meals were either provided or they gave us a meal stipend. I've also had lodging provided for state tournaments when I traveled out of my local area.

Not from me. You brought up some good points!

I didn't say anything. I pasted the rulebooks. 😉 I follow the distinction you're making given earlier in 5.08(a)(8) "If the batter-runner drops his bat and the ball rolls against the bat in fair territory and, in the umpire’s judgment, there was no intention to interfere with the course of the ball, the ball is alive and in play." I do have to wonder though, given that a distinction is made regarding a ball hit the bat in the very same section, why did rule maker not make a distinction about the bat interfering with a fielder if the intent is to differentiate? FWIW, In J/R it simply says "his whole bat hinders a fielder trying to make a play". MiLB Manual reiterates the existing language with no adds, and the MLB Manual is silent. [For those that have it, does Wendlestedt say anything ( @jimurrayalterego maybe?)] Bolstering your argument further, in 5.09(a)(8) it says "If, in the umpire’s judgment, there is intent on the part of a base runner to interfere with a batted or thrown ball by dropping the helmet or throwing it at the ball, then the runner would be out, the ball dead and runners would return to last base legally touched." The NCAA comment, to me, seems they are covering the discarded bat, though they use the word 'thrown', since they say BR has "some responsibility": "Note 1: The batter, after hitting a ball or becoming a batter-runner, has some responsibility about where they throw their bat so that it does not interfere with a defensive player making a play on the ball." Last thought, since it's not said to be legal, such as the ball hitting a dropped bat, going back to the definition of Interference may be a foundation to start from: INTERFERENCE (a) Offensive interference is an act by the team at bat which interferes with, obstructs, impedes, hinders or confuses any fielder attempting to make a play. Holding my breath for the Protest ruling (and that it has any detail to work from).

The bestest boy.

I'd agree with you if you can demonstrate this exact same thing wouldn't happen if the player got injured instead of ejected. I already stated how I would handle this lineup. Quite the opposite - the current NFHS "speed up" rules are not speeding up the game...they are thinly disguised ways to get more players into games in really stupid ways..."yeah, I'm gonna have this jackrabbit on my bench to do nothing but run for the catcher"...give me a F*#King break. I guarantee you the courtesy runner rules I've played/coached under for the past 4+ decades are far superior to this nonsense of having only bench players run for catchers or pitcher AND they don't put additional players into the lineup. In the end, having a scholastic rule set with dozens of guiding principles that explicitly and specifically gear towards that particular age group, only to not allow something as simple as splitting a DH/defense role after a series of unfortunate injuries occur is a moronic set of priorities.

You do need 6. You might have OBS at 1 base, INT at another, passing somewhere and coach assist all at the same time😀

I dunno’, guys. Some of these 9u games are pretty serious. What are we talking for travel stipends and accommodations? 😉

I've found the AS Cobalt skull to have better air flow than a hat.

This is a myth. There is no more or less liability for working an "official" game, versus a practice or scrimmage game. As an umpire, you are free to leave the field or work the game. There is no increased liability for working a "modified" game. Working practice or scrimmage games is done at all levels that I know about and work or have worked, from LL, travel-ball, HS, Low level college summer ball, and D1 inter-squad games. All of those practice or scrimmage games I've worked have modified the rules in some way. In fact, many "official" games I have worked have used modified rules, as well. Am I in danger of increased liability for working those games? I don't know where this myth came from, nor why it continues to be perpetuated. Unless someone can cite me some examples, or case law, of someone getting sued over working a "non- official" game, I'll continue to call it what it is. A myth.