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Showing content with the highest reputation on 06/03/2021 in Posts

  1. Can I let you in on a little secret? This is not new. Let me take you back, children. All the way back through the hoary mists of time, to 1976. Bell bottoms, sideburns down to the chin-line, all-metal cars with seatbelts no more than after-thoughts. America was a younger country then. A simpler country. And in Mount Airy, Maryland, a young HokieUmp - neither a Hokie yet, nor an umpire, so actually a young [NAME REDACTED] - made it to first in some fashion that required over-running. Being a left-hander in many aspects, he turned to his left to perform the 180 degree move to get back to 1B. ......where he was tagged and promptly called out. They say HokieUmp stills roams the baseball diamonds of the world, calling safes and outs, balls and strikes, searching for the man who called him out that fateful day. All so that he can finally say, "Hello. My name is HokieUmp. You called me out on a rules myth. Prepare to die." And the circle will be complete. ---------------- All of that to say, Arch, that the world is filled with f[REDACTED] idiots. And they, somehow, breed faster than we do. So we're doomed. (And yes, I am aware that's not nearly as sexy of an origin story as "bitten by radioactive spider." You work with what ya got.)
    4 points
  2. I mean, I don't want to tell you how to do your job, and you do you, and all of that, but: ........ you could wear pants, Max.
    2 points
  3. It wasn’t. This was another instance of a fellow umpire “making s#¡t up” again. This gets old. Even in a tournament setting, you (as an umpire) correct things as much as possible prior to putting the ball back in play. Tournaments routinely use NFHS as a core rule set, and then modify them so as to be more flexible and accommodating to having teams from a variety of locations and local rule sets play, and play at a more rapid, condensed pace. Courtesy Runners are one of those main aspects. Sure, an eligible substitute is to be used. If there isn’t one, then we will typically used a pulled starter (who is thus not in the current lineup). If the tournament rules are “bat everyone you brought”, then (either of) the last batted out(s) is/are used. And, worst case, no one can courtesy run, and that current pitcher or catcher just goes back out to the base and runs for themselves. Point is, you don’t call an Out here.
    2 points
  4. Untangling spaghetti ... (NOTE: NFHS Softball rules!) First, what SHOULD have happened ... The courtesy runner should be reported to the plate umpire who should be maintaining a proper line-up card. He/She should catch the problematic request at that point and fix it (see @Senor Azul's citation above). If not ... If the courtesy runner was NOT on the lineup, she is an ILLEGAL SUBSTITUTE (meaning she has no legal standing to enter the game since she is not on the roster; see 2.57.3) That becomes fixed by the citation above (umpire warns the coach and adds her to the roster). Now she can legally enter and we play ball. Unpacking the suitcase of crazy that did happen ... "... removed the courtesy runner ... from the base ..." NO, see above. "... last completed at bat ... " NO NO NO. In NFHS, courtesy runners can ONLY be players who have not participated in the game in any other fashion (see 8.9.3). If you have no legal subs, you have no legal courtesy runners. "... and then called her out ..." Dafuq? Not sure where to even go with that bowl of crazy.
    2 points
  5. 2 points
  6. I’ve only had a few pairs of New Balance, but my limited experience is comparable. ASICS also seem to be easier to find 4E in than other brands as well (for an added bonus).
    1 point
  7. @MadMax has the plate tonight in the Northwoods League. He said 6:35 CST Minnesota Mud Puppies v LaCrosse Loggers Northwoods League - Home (stretchinternet.com)
    1 point
  8. three hit batters in a row in the 1st inning...should be interesting
    1 point
  9. True, but they happen far less frequently than F2 simply making the third out as the batter. It's a compromise/risk I've always been happy to live with over allowing a CR for a slow catcher with nobody out. In my experience even with two outs F2 has plenty of time to get the tools of ignorance on...unless the next batter gets out on the first pitch F2 will be ready. There should be 12 step programs for this. Christ - I have Tim Hortons cups in my Keurig every morning.
    1 point
  10. I need to move to Canada. Socialized medicine, Tim Hortons, and common sense with courtesy runners. I love all of this and have advocated for most of it. I agree, the pitcher does not need a CR. Too many coaches think the CR is "to keep their pitcher from getting tired." Use a DP/FLEX then coach. IF the pitcher is getting a CR so she is ready for the next inning and to speed the game up, then there should be no reason for warm-up pitches between innings when she had a CR, right? 😉 I am a little lukewarm on the two outs thing ... double-play possibilities. However, I think you should IMMEDIATELY put the CR in (and the CR should have been standing there with a helmet on, ready to go) or not at all. Because coaches try to pull shenanigans to get a strategic advantage with a free substitution, I like your pitch of a required CR (not a choice) to be in the game (as opposed to a sub). OR, if you want the coach to be able to choose, require the CR to be designated on the line-up before the game. No debate, no fuss -- helmet on, ready to go, just like an on-deck batter.
    1 point
  11. The first time I ever took a team to a US tournament I just shook my head at the process...and still tend to do so. IMO, the "using subs for C/R" rule is simply a ploy to get more players into the game, disguised as a way to speed it up. The way we've always done it here is much more efficient, IMO. Not only in the speed of the game and the C/R sub itself, but the frequency too. In Canadian games (both baseball and softball), I could go two or three games without seeing either team put in a courtesy runner. In the US, it was rare to see it happen less than twice a game. First - only for catchers, not pitchers....cuts number of C/R subs in half. Second - only with two out. If F2 scores, or gets forced out, then you didn't need to give him extra time to get his pads on....further cuts down number of C/R subs, theoretically by 2/3. Third - furthest player from batter not on base (subs are subs, not C/Rs - this is not meant to get more players in the game, and it's not meant to encourage coaches to strategically place jackrabbits in the sub lineup) - no need for lineup updates with ump (if they REALLY want that fast runner from the bench running for F2, they can do a sub, and then re-entry) Fourth - completely optional - if your catcher is fastest baserunner and a tight game, keep him in if you want. This is basically how it goes...once F2 reaches base, with two out, and play is over...OR, once a second out occurs when F2 is on base..."Blue, Time? Courtesy Runner?" And (99% of the time), 10 seconds later your courtesy runner is in place. The ump does not verify this. Much like MYTAB, it's up to the defense to say something if the offense put the wrong player out....and 99% of the time nobody worries too much. This is done in rec play, league play, tourney play, and the gold medal game of the national championship
    1 point
  12. Tournaments stumble their way into this problem when they have the best intention (to speed the game up for that 1:30 / 40 / 45 / 50 / 2:00 time limit), but then use the phrase “last batted out”... so you get an R1, and the next batter who hits into a FC at 2B. So who Courtesy Runs at 1B now? It would be R1, right? But no! He/she didn’t bat that last Out! It’s even more of a mess when the last Out or last batted Out is the catcher or pitcher, who is supposed to now courtesy run for their battery-mate! Hoooooofaaaah! Listen, I get it. I’ve worked and played in thousands of tournament games in my 29 years of baseball (so far). I cannot expect there to be logical consistency of Written Rules; what I do expect of myself and my direct colleagues is logical implementation and application of those rules, whatever they are. And no, an Out call is not warranted here.
    1 point
  13. If you are not using the book rule and want to make it as flexible as possible, then "furthest removed not on base" is the best possible wording. I worked a softball tournament where the rules they sent out said "the last batter." When we brought that up at the pre-tournament meeting, the TD was adamant that was what he meant and that was what we were doing. So ... "Sorry coach, she's on base. You can take the out for abandonment if you want to pull her and use her as a courtesy runner. No, sir. The TD said 'the last batter' so that is what we are doing today." That didn't last long after the coaches went complaining to the TD. (Who, of course, said that isn't what he meant and the umpires were screwing it up.) I believe it was USA Softball who gave up a few years ago and said "in pool play they can just use whoever they want." (I'm a little rusty on my softball.)
    1 point
  14. I read your statement above to say there was no modification -- so disregard this if I misunderstood. IF THERE WAS NO RULE MODIFICATION, YOU DON'T MAKE IT UP at the plate meeting. You use the existing rules. So, again, if there was no eligible sub, there was no eligible courtesy runner. I know different courtesy runner rules are common at tournaments. This is why they need to be clearly defined ahead of time by the tournament. I have sat through pre-tournament meetings with umpires and then walked out on the field with them moments later to hear them make something else up because (a) they didn't like the modification, (b) they just didn't listen, or (c) the modification made no sense. NO. DO NOT DO THIS. If the tournament broke the rule, the tournament needs to fix it. I hate to say this, but that stuff is what kept me away from doing baseball tournaments for a LONG time. I would ask "What rule set are we playing under?" and everybody, including the TD, would give a stupid look and say "We' re just playing straight up baseball." No. It causes grief every time when you have one team wanting to use one rule set and the other team wanting to use another -- they are both right, yet somebody has to be wrong (other than the fans). Now my bigger rant ... COURTESY RUNNERS ... Can we just eliminate them altogether? The purpose of the courtesy runner is to speed the game up by allowing the pitcher and/or catcher to go get ready to take the field (and to a much lesser extent get more kids in the game). This rarely happens. The typical process for a courtesy runner goes like this (DO NOT ALLOW THIS!): 1 minute for the first base coach to yell at the HC/third base coach, asking if he wants a courtesy runner. 2 minutes for the HC/third base coach to stop talking to the hot moms and realize the pitcher/catcher just reached base. 2 minutes to figure out who the courtesy runner should be. 3 minutes for Little Suzie or Johnny Junior to get back from the bathroom or concession stand. 2 minutes for Little Suzie or Johnny Junior to find her/his helmet. 1 minute for the first base coach to talk to Little Suzie or Johnny Junior once they get to the base. AND STILL the catcher is NOT READY to take the field when the third out is made.
    1 point
  15. Viral Umpiring. More transmissible than COVID. Every time an umpire misapplies a Rule or Makes S#!t Up, all the participants are affected (and we umpires are participants), and it’s carried to the next games.
    1 point
  16. Normally I'd say two-by-fours and duct tape...but right now it's cheaper to buy a Tesla than a couple of two-by-fours.
    1 point
  17. This is an odd way to set it/describe it. A single is a completed at bat...that guy can't be a courtesy runner if he's standing on second base when the catcher reaches first. Many people mistakenly say "the last player who got out", but typically, when not using subs, the courtesy runner is the player in the lineup furthest from the batter who's not already on base....most of the time that's the last player to get out, but can also sometimes be the player who made the first out...or a runner who recently scored.
    1 point
  18. $ ¢ £ € ... ... and for those playing baseball in Japan ... ¥
    1 point
  19. I have never heard of any LL folks pressuring anyone not to do any other leagues in my area. However I do know there is a fear in LL that once an Umpire moves out of their system and gets paid and sees how much the ball is better and "easier" to umpire then they fear they will loose said umpire to those games instead of doing theirs. I picked up a handful of local babe ruth games and man. Yeah I gotta run the infield a LOT harder but you do not get beat up behind those catchers VS some 8,9,10 yr old who does not even give effort to grab a inside pitch thats not right to him. Yeah it happens a lot this year.
    1 point
  20. Go for it. I would like a set of grey ones so I can move the black to the Rawlings.
    1 point
  21. If Arik doesn't want them I'll take them
    1 point
  22. Have you tried ASICS? (Not sure if you meant in general or specifically for umpiring.) I can’t wear any of the major brands because my wide feet, but ASICS are the only thing I wear for everyday use.
    1 point
  23. @umpstu, Best Buy was where we went for the best prices on albums. Circuit City was where we went when we were finally ready to pull the trigger on the Denon or the Onkyo and needed to know which one was better...AND WHY! And then after the salesman told you, you bought it right then and there so that...you know...the person who actually helped you come to an important decision actually earned on that and provided for their family. Nowadays, it's Crutchfield for me. But, being a lifer audiophile, there's very little I need to buy at this point. My current passion project is running down old Heath Kit sets and putting those together. Not the greatest technology ever but, there is something deeply satisfying about taking a box of parts and getting it to work. ~Dawg
    1 point
  24. What time was the dinner reservation for?
    1 point
  25. They were great and the veterans sniffed out the idiots. There was a small private forum created off of the Officiating.com baseball forum that flourished for a bit. It was created in response to trolls and other knuckleheads “diluting” the main forum. I recall Tee and Garth B as some of the best contributors.
    1 point
  26. Be careful with this. You’re priming yourself for outs. Sounds great in theory, but in practice you’re going to kick calls you shouldn’t. Your mind should be a blank slate as the play is happening. See the play, call the play. That’s it. Not anticipate out out out out out like the defensive coach. That’s how plays blow up on you.
    1 point
  27. I know a guy who essentially loaned out two sets of gear to a Northwoods League crew (crazy story) and still used his current gear inventory to umpire w/o skipping a beat. Great post to honor TimC
    1 point
  28. Any long time umpire forum folks will remember this especially ABUA members back 15 years ago……… TIM C.'s list..... 1 Gerry Davis Fiber Case 1 Wilson MLB Rolling Case 1 Carlucci Garment Bag 1 NIKE Carry Bag (W/shoe care kits, Bag of shoestrings, bandaids, shin guard clips, pliers, scissors, etc.) 3 West Vest Masks (1 navy, 1 black and 1 royal blue) Each in own bag 1 Carlucci Chest Protector (Royal Blue) 1 Original West Vest Chest Protector (back-up) 1 Pair of Carlucci Leg Guards (Royal Blue) 1 Pair of NIKE Low Top Plate Shoes (in carry bags w/shoe trees) 1 Pair of Mizuno Base Shoes (in carry bags w/shoe trees) 1 Pair of Spotbuilt Combo Plate/Base Shoes (in carry bags w/shoe trees) 6 Pair of Davis Ultimate Sox 6 Pair of Black Socks 2 Cap Carriers 6 Hats (3 Black & 3 Navy -- 2 with combo bill, 2 with seven stitch bill) 4 Pair of McDavid Undergarments (all gray 2 bicycle length 2 full length) 3 Protective Cups (one banana for the plate - two regular cups) 2 Black Belts 2 Rubber (hold-in-place) belts 2 Honigs Plate Pants (one w/ pleats, one without pleats) Heather Grey 2 Honigs Base Pants (one w/ pleats, one without pleats) Heather Grey 2 Honigs Plate Pants (one w/ pleats, one without pleats) Charcoal 2 Honigs Base Pants (one w/ pleats, one without pleats) Charcoal 2 McDavid Short Sleeve Undershirts Crème 2 McDavid Short Sleeve Undershirts Black 4 McDavid Short Sleeve Undershirts Navy 4 McDavid Short Sleeve Undershirts Red 2 McDavid Long Sleeve Undershirts Navy 2 McDavid Long Sleeve Undershirts Red 1 Long Sleeved Turtle Neck - Navy 1 Long Sleeved Turtle Neck - Red 2 Honig's Plate Shirts Navy 2 Honig's Plate Shirts Crème 2 Honig's Plate Shirts Black 2 Honig's Plate Shirts Light Blue 2 Honig's Base Shirts Navy 2 Honig's Base Shirts Light blue 2 Honig's Base Shirts Crème 1 Honig's Base Shirts Black 1 Mizuno Gray windbreaker undergarment 1 Feecheimer Navy Plate Coat 1 Feecheimer Black Plate Coat 1 Butwing Navy Base Pullover 1 Logo Athletic Navy Pull Over 1 Hongis's Black (w/white piping) Base Pull Over 1 Honigs Black Pullover Short Sleeve 1 Honigs Navy Pullover Short Sleeve 8 Stainless Steel Indicators (4 ball - 3 Strike) 6 Wood Handled Plate Brushes 2 Pair +POS Cold Weather Gloves 12 Sharpies (Fine Point) 6 Red and 6 Black 1 Pair Bolle Sunglasses (interchangable lenses) 6 Pair of contact Lenses (w/solutions etc.) 1 Hongis Dry Erase Board (w/ markers) 1 Timepiece ( hangs from belt loop under ball bag) 1 Directors Chair 1 Foot Carpet 1 Pair of NIKE Flip Flops 2 Shoe Horns 1 Set of Federation Rule books, Case Books, etc 1 OBR Rule Book 1 OAOA Umpire Manual for a Two Umpire Crew
    1 point
  29. If only this site had an "Umpire Equipment" forum ...
    1 point
  30. I wish it would go higher, my forearms have been targets for foul balls this season.
    1 point
  31. Yeah, and R1 needs to get to second before he or the bag is tagged. Technically speaking, R1 isn't forced to go to second...he's only forced to leave first. The B/R not being forced is a misnomer and a semantical distinction that has no practical application in the game of baseball. It IS a distinction without meaning, and there is zero reason this should help anyone remember any other rules, or anything at all. If anything, it likely confuses many newbie umpires who have probably been calling the play at first a force all their lives, only to learn "wtf?" It only serves to confuse/annoy those who know how to speak English, but haven't got under the covers of baseball rulebook terminology. And it gives us in the know a chance to condescendingly educate said neophytes and otherwise unwashed masses with "actually, the batter is not forced". Hell - even mlb.com references the play at first as a force in its Glossary - https://www.mlb.com/glossary/rules/force-play The rule writers focused on the runners when they defined a force, and then someone said "yeah, but what about the batter?" and they said "meh". The two out, does the run score rule, would cover the batter/runner in the "forced" section regardless of the definition...and they needed the statement about the batter getting out anyway, to cover off fly balls and INT and K's and the such, so it's not like they really needed to explicitly land the batter/runner under the "force" definition...but practically speaking, the technical distinction is pointless. It's an academic discussion. Where else can the batter go? He can't even return to home plate or he'd be out automagically. He is, for all intents and purposes, forced/required/obliged to go to first base. He can't just stand around on the baseline between first and home and let the next batter come to the plate. He is forced to advance by the ODB becoming a batter. That the rule writers couldn't figure out how (or didn't really need) to eloquently put the batter/runner into the same definition for the forced runners is moot. The runners are forced because the batter became a runner...but if he isn't forced to go to first, why would his status as a runner force R1 to do anything at all?
    0 points
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