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What do you say, or how do you deal with a RAT who doesn't like your strike zone but instead of questioning you he questions his catcher???? After every pitch he doesn't like he says "Hey Johnny where was that pitch?" I ask if he has a problem and he says "No... I am talking to my catcher, not you."

BrianC14 You are right. I am in Canada. We use the LL rules for High School ball. Thanks for the input. I knew I would get an answer here. Dean

Is this a fake tag play???? R1, hit and run - ball hit into left field. F6 goes to second base, while standing on the bag he fakes a catch from the field and pretends to turn two towards first. This causes R1 to slide. Ball was never there and in fact over thrown and fielded by F3. In my opinion R2 would have never made third, however he would have at least had the option to round. I think that F6 obstructed R1 by making him slide. The argument of course is that R1 should have been watching the ball. This is Sr V HS ball. I spoke to the coach and he said they do this all the time and they do it in the bigs all the time. Any advice???? Dean

I just finished a game that ended the same as yours. Hit by a pitch in the strike zone - STRIKE 3. Batter leaned into the zone to take the pitch. The fight was on. I guess I don't get paid to be popular. I sure didn't like ending the game like that:censored: I had already called the same batter back to the plate during the same at bat for leaning his shoulder and intentionally getting hit by the pitch. Now I am second guessing myself. :censored::censored:

I was the PU. 2 out. BU on the first base line standing behind F3. Line drive down first base line. One bounce in fair territory before the base. Ball bounds over the bag and F1 dives and make a catch (behind the bag) landing in foul territory. Stand up and touches first. 3 out. It was very close as to where he caught the ball. I looked to BU as the play was beyond first, however, I probably had a better look at it. BU looked as confused as I was. Any advice or discussion?

I am glad to see that you guys with lots of experience beat yourselves up too. Being new (and a perfectionist) I tend to be hard on myself. I hardly ever leave the diamond in a good mood. Love the game!!!! Always trying to improve. I have learned that you can't trust a ball player... they will try and sell every play even the ugly ones.

Runner on first taking a lead. The pitcher throws back to first and F3 tags him hard on the back.... runner there in lots of time but F3 making a point. This goes on for 3 more attempts... hard tags on the back and helmet until runner has enough and start pushing F3 who of course pushes back. How do you deal with this???? F3 definetly was the instigator, however you can argue he is just putting on a tag. Suggestions,,, Comments.

The downswing in the economy has also hit umpiring. Our Association has been in renegotions with almost all of our different leagues.... including high school. Everyone wants to pay a little less and get a little more. One of the HS teams, in an effort to save money, decided to have players umpire the games instead. I get a call at work yesterday from a student who was asked to umpire a HS game and wanted to know if he could borrow my gear !!!?!!! WTF !!?? I told him he would have to borrow some catcher's gear from the team. He then asked me if he should wear more than just a mask. I told him that the teams he was going to call were quite weak and the catchers would probably not do a very good job of protecting him and he might want to wear everything he could. Next he asked "Tell me, what should I be looking for?":shrug: I basically told him good luck and stay safe. I wonder how it went. I have a feeling that the negotiations should speed up soon. Oh Well .... Living the dream.

About to start my second season of umpiring - if the snow ever melts!!!! I was having a discussion and was unable to find the exact wording in regards to a balk. The pitcher in the stretch. He jumps up, or hops, (both feet leave the ground at the same time) making his turn towards the base he wants to throw to and throws. Is this legal? I read it to say he has to step towards the base first then throw. I think I am confusing myself a bit. Remember I am new. Any advice?? Dean

Started out reffing volleyball in high school when I got cut from my HS team. Got bored with standing around in volleyball and have gone to hockey.... love it. Lots of hockey up here. I was approached by another umpire who I ref hockey with and he got me started in baseball. Now I can go all year round. My wife isn't as thrilled as me.... but I can look better in a speedo all year round.:confused:

During a umpire clinic the coach from the local university team was in attendance and the instructor asked him what he likes, dislikes.. etc. He said.... "We hire you guys to come out and calls strikes and outs... not balls and safes. I have other things we need to do, so don't make the game any longer than it has to be.":D As a new umpire I thought this was interesting. They basically said that every pitch is a strike... unless it is a ball. Any thoughts????? Is this good advice for a newbie:confused:

Thanks, Makes sense when you think it through. I just need see more situations.

I am a little confused... probably because I am new... Let me see if I get this right. Batter interfered, but because the catcher was able to make the play and get the out at second the interference was nullified and the batter continues his at bat???? Had the runner been safe, he would have been ruled out for the interferece or would he be sent back to first????? In what situation would the batter be called out.. if at all? Dean

The pitcher was wearing a black Rawlings glove. On the back of the glove is the manufacture's tag and the tread is a very shinny gold. It faces the batter just prior to the pitch..... I had a batter complain that it was "too shinny" and distracting........... What should I do???? Anyone else ever hear this???? I think that the batter was just trying to throw the pitcher off, but I also can see that against a very neutral background like his uniform it maybe distracting. Dean

Being that I just started umping this year, I would be happy at being very good at what ever level I can. Big picture... maybe college some day. I am going to have to make a trip south of the border to see how you guys do it. Dean