Daniel

That's standard, but this post is the first time you mentioned F9 moving to the line. Your first post reported him coming in. What on earth are you talking about maven?? *sigh* I said F9 was coming in, meaning toward the infield. Its still PU's call no matter what direction the fielder goes, because my BU is not in A and we're on the small diamond.

Atleast here, the BU ONLY has catch/no catch responsibility from RF over to foul ground when in A. Everywhere else, it's plate's. Keep in mind we're on a 60' diamond.

How would you justify placing R1 back on 1st? This was a totally legal advancement, and R1 did not leave the bag until F9 threw the ball to boot. (So it's not a matter of leaving early & the defense appealing, as with the case with R3) Mechanically speaking, the catch and tag up were my responsibility. I moved back into a holding zone up the 3B line.

Allowed R3 to score and R1 went to 2B on the throw to F5.

Working a small diamond game this weekend. I'm PU, and we have R1 & R3 with One out. Blooper is hit it to short RF. F9 comes hustling in and slides awkwardly trying to make the catch, webbing almost buried into the natural turf. From my view, which was straight lined, it appeared the ball bounced up from the ground and into the pocket of the glove, so I came up with "No Catch!". R3 continued home without re-tagging. F9 threw to F5 wanting an appeal on R3 for leaving too early. I repeated my call and then the DHC came out and asked if I could check with my BU on the catch because of how it happened. Since my partner was in C, I figured he might have had some angle on it, so I went to him asking if he had a catch. He said he did, and was 1000% on it. I changed my call to a catch, and the DHC wanted to know if the out on the appeal stood. I, feeling that my "no-catch" call played a role in the runner not re-tagging, decided not to allow it. My partner agreed, and the DHC didn't have a problem with it either; since it seemed like the best thing to do. Would you have handled anything differently in this situation?

Guess it depends on the crew, but I know some folks who prefer to have PU stay home with two out. Wonder how it was pregamed. Otherwise, this was PUs call all the way.

His participation would be confirmed to no longer be active.

The only comment I have is his crew kept on walking without him

Anyone see this one? I have to applaud them for having not one, but FOUR properly dressed umpires!

I have assignors and fellow association members who adopt this idea. I continue to eject where need be; yes they grumble, but I still receive assignments.

Tim, while I haven't gotten four in one game, I did get THREE. And, the game couldn't continue because it was three adults from the same team. LL Jr. league. You might have inspired me to post it some time.

Yes. The obstruction rule we are using is the common "cannot impede or hinder while not in possession of the ball."

VT on D, with R2. R2 steals third, where F5 was totally blocking the base. Runner slides into F5's leg, F5 gets the ball and puts down the tag. I call the OBS and award R2 third. Out comes VT manager. He politely asks what is the call. I tell him I have OBS. Then he starts with the "Oh you gotta be kidding me" and asks if the runner was really impeded. I told him yes and ended the discussion, then, he decides to yell out that I am a joke and shouldn't be out here. After his participation was confirmed to be no longer active, he followed me out to the outfield, where he felt that if he must leave, then so do I. My PU and the opposing 3B coach played rodeo clown when he began to get aggressive.

I've seen a few of those recently make appearences.

Not sure, but that first pitch the score board had as 0-1 appeared like it might have been off the glove and called a ball...the check swing made it look like a foul ball! Look carefully.

Seems like the perfect opportunity for...

If he really came out yelling "That's Bullsh*t"...he should have been gone then. As far as assistant coaches...here is my advice. Shut them down firmly and politely when they try to argue calls. If I know they aren't they HC, I always ask them "Are you the head coach?". Naturally, when I ask them that, the person who IS the head coach will come over and take over the conversion, making the AC walk away with his tail between his legs.. I've had success taking this approach - it's often easier to diffuse the situation through the HC as he is in charge of his assistants.

Are you sure that wasn't Jax who was the bum?

If it is really "adult" ball, then these players should act like matured adults; instead of behaving like punk teenagers with no respect for others.

Scheduled for a few 14u softball games this weekend. I thought it would be pretty relaxing, considering I was on the field last weekend for 10+ games. Well, as it would turn out, I was assigned a field where all the local teams were playing each other. Many of the local teams are generally not that great, due to sub-par coaches. My day consisted of: 1. I'm BU. R1 steals second and is safe on a not-even-close play. DM comes out of the dugout and wants me to check with my PU, because he believed the runner's knee slid into the fielder's tag and should be called out. 2. I'm PU. Batter takes a stab at an outside pitch. I took it all the way and called the strike on the attempt. HC (coaching 3B) and his AC at first both start yapping that the batter did not swing, and that they want me to "appeal" to my partner on the check swing. I spent several minutes trying to explain to them that they cannot "appeal" the strike call. This was greeted by the HC with "This ain't my first year doing this you know!". I was approached by their AC between innings stating that they ALWAYS ask for help in Major Leagues when they call it a strike... 3. BU again (different game, but same AC in #2). R1 steals second, and there was a tangle up between F6 and R1 at 2B. I waited to see that F6 still had possession of the ball, then called the out. On my way back to first, AC says "Can I ask you a question?" OK... "I'm from the old school, and I was just wondering why you guys wait before making those calls...I mean don't you guys see the tag?" I just left it at "It's called proper timing." and he nodded. Funny enough, I was working with our one UIC a few weeks ago, who only had one thing for me after the game..."You wouldn't want to go any slower on your timing. The one team was complaing to me between innings that you make your calls slower than they're used to seeing." I was the PU that game, and their catcher insisted on framing the pitch when their was a runner stealing, until I made a call. I thought to myself...you're doing it wrong. 4. Last game of the day, HT losing in last inning. 2 outs, R1 & R3. R1 attempts to steal on the pitch and the ball is immediately returned to the circle. R1 for what ever reason stops about 10 feet short of the base. Takes a step toward 2nd, then retreats to 1B! I pause for a moment thinking and called the out on the LBR violation. On the way out, we were yelled by everyone from that team saying how much we sucked, and that she wasn't out, etc etc. How was everyone else's weekend?

@ Kyle I don't like the "banging" around effect that has on the lower extension. I came across +POS branded face masks that do not have a built in throat guard I might take a look at. I also see the Mizuno's on eBay right now, but I am looking at 3 Franklins and One Grant for the mask and throat guard, shipped from Japan. Is it really worth it? (Not counting if I upgrade the pads.)

Working an LL game once, had a younger kid (in his first year umpiring) on the base with me, suddenly disappear between innings, never to be seen the rest of the game. No one saw him leave or anything. I got a call from our UIC that night letting me know what happened. Apparently he became really ill, and darted for the concourse area when the inning was over.

Doing a 10U Rec game... Batter hits the ball at off the end of the bat somehow, it goes straight to the dirt, and lands on the front batter's box line, near the foul line (but in fair territory). The BR stands there, then kicks the ball away from the fielders trying to retrieve it. I stand there, look at it, thinking WTF. Then calmly call the BR out for interference. The best part was one ejection and one restriction of the offensive coaching staff...asking how I can make that call at this age. :bang:

I myself live within commuting distance of Williamsport. Believe it not, that's actually a good salary for this area anyway. Although I will say for a "Director" level, that is low. Had I not started a new job some time ago, this would have been my "alternative" career path for sure.

Does anyone have a list of masks out there on the market that DO NOT have a built in throat protector? I am looking to get a frame similar to the Japanese Mizuno masks if I can, and use a large, 6" throat guard on it. Thanks!