Daniel

Any you gear junkies notice he's wearing an old shirt... :D

Acceptable if she's a hot one. ;)

After getting together on a pulled foot/swipe tag/etc, the proper way to change your call is by pointing at the base and says "He's there!" If your partner shuts down a barking coach, call "TIME" and talk to your partner about it. After all, we should be more professional and let the coach keep talking as much as he wants. All plays that happen during the first 59.999999 or 89.99999 feet of the first baseline really belong to the PU. Make sure you rule the opposite of your partner because he didn't see the play right from "C". Every time you "don't see something", be sure to explain to the HC that its a limitation of the two man system. Don't bother putting out that cigarette you were smoking in the parking lot until you reach the dugout. Put on a pitching clinic every time a pitcher commits an infraction. Do this every time for Saturday pool play, and only on Sunday should you actually penalize the kid with an illegal pitch. You don't want them crying. Never eject any player or coach during a tournament in which teams have to "pay big bucks" to enter, or else they won't come back and there won't be games. Conducting a prayer during the plate conference of every Sunday morning game seems fitting. Instruct your umpires on other fields to do the same if you're the UIC. You might like wearing adjustable beanies "So you they don't interfere with your mask". If you have a job to go to in the morning, tell the teams playing that their game needs to get over with or you're leaving. If you as PU call "foul" on a ball that stops on home plate, call a "do-over". No biggie right? If your partner tells you that "hands are NOT part of the bat", argue with him that they are and it should be a foul ball because the DHC is right. Delay the game by calling up the UIC to find out for sure. Wear a SECOND belt to put your two 3-loop nylon ball bags on. Be sure to wear it below your hips like a true cowboy. As a retired cop, your bullet proof vest will make an excellent chest protector for baseball. A variation of the crossed closed fists is an acceptable mechanic as PU for full count, if you hold them up without your arms being crossed. Since you just bought your first pair of plate pants ever, wear them on the bases too like bell-bottoms. If its hot out and you're tired, you can start in B and don't ever have to move for that play at 1st base. Roll up your shirt sleeves to show off your manly muscles. Plate pants too expensive? Get some shiny gray dress pants with tares down the side to allow for the shin guards. When a coach thinks that your partner (in the correct position) is "too close" to his fielders, call TIME and tell him to move. Immediately grant time to EVERY runner who slides into a base. If a coach wants to "appeal" your partner's call at first, immediately change your partner's call if you had something different. If a coach comes to you and says "I'm not arguing judgement calls" and wants to "appeal" that his runner got there before the ball, go ahead and ask your partner on the plate that exact question.

. double post

In the years I've been doing travel ball, no place has ever had dressing rooms. Instead, all of us just put on our compression shorts under where ever we wear to the field site. I mean...its the same damn thing what bikers wear! Who cares if anyone sees you in them while changing pants. Granted we still find our own "discreet" area.

I was once told after working a baseball game (4 man crew BTW) that U1 should brush off the rubber between innings. (To which I told this "partner" that we don't do that in baseball) I've learned that if you're the BU, "over ruling" your partner on the dish is an OK to do. (Yes I had my BU do THAT to me once!) There is no need to wear a hat as PU, and if your partner gives you one of his, turn it backwards. Bring your tourney rule sheet to the plate meeting, it shows the coaches you understand the rules well. As PU, you can call runners out for stealing too soon at second base, because you can "see them". An "Infield fly" can be called if the fly ball can be caught by ordinary effort by an outfielder. An IFF can be called on a bunt which goes straight up in the air, because its a "failed bunt attempt" and the rule only excludes "bunt attempts" As PU, you can make the call on a second play at 2B if he forgets that the rotation is on and makes the call at 3B anyways. PU ALWAYS has ALL plays at 3rd base, even on a steal. You just worry about 1st and 2nd. The above, but with a twist. You have to rotate home to cover it for PU. Steal a spectators chair outside dugout while waiting for the ground crew to finish, because you're a fat lazy a$$. PU should yell out "sometime today!" when a mound conference is taking too long.

Can't remember calling it in softball. However, when I did baseball, I called it twice in the same season (different games) on the same player. It was pretty obvious both times. Apparently he was a "good bunter" and after the game, he and him mom approached us and asked why he was doing wrong.

Ding dong! http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=26877393&topic_id=&c_id=mlb&tcid=vpp_copy_26877393&v=3 Excellent example why you should wear your mask loose.

He most certainly DID ask for help and no that trigger wasn't "quick". That is all. http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=26539905&topic_id=&c_id=mlb&tcid=vpp_copy_26539905&v=3

How about "Tieeee!" with a delayed sell-out softball mechanic?

Not bad at all. When I did USSSA we were getting $45 a game, regardless of age.

And I guess he thought that was ok. LMAO!! Uh, yeah, he's not getting away with that comment.

I have two pairs of slacks I've been trying to get out of my closet for some time now. I have one pair of Fechheimer Plate and one pair of Base. Waist size 34, hemmed at 34. Slacks maybe have 5-10 games a peice in - our association doesn't use them anymore for summer ball. They are mint and show no signs of wear. Asking $20 a pair plus shipping. These cost me $50 a pair from ASA's official gear site a few years back.

The classic exchange between Kaiser & Weaver will be something I'll never forget...those were the days.. I wonder if Ken recieved any kind of repramand for that lol...turning your cap around definately wouldn't fly nowadays!

...but I've never witnessed this until now! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKLJk3u5_zM

The sad thing is I can't remember a time or ever hearing of a fan/coach telling a smitty he sucks. Why is it the good umpires "suck" and not the ones who truly do suck?

My only comment to that would be that the players antics happened while he was going back to his position from having the conversation with the DHC, so his back was turned to the pitcher and there is likely no way he would have seen it. What made me notice is that he was wearing a bright colored team shirt and came up about 10-15 ft behind the backstop - thats a bit too close for comfort. He certainly isn't going to be allowed to spectate the rest of this game. I can think of no reason to let him be anywhere near the field once he's been ejected. That has caused problems in the past and that is one of my big pet peeves. As far as TD/tournament staff, they were at the other end of complex, so I felt it was more "efficient" to have the acting HC handle it. Availibility of Tourney staff seems to be an ever growing problem in my area and might be something I bring up at our next association meeting.

Worked a fast-pitch girls tourney this weekend. Some pretty competitive teams including ones from out of state were there. Pretty good ball overall, but I experienced a horrible display of sportsmanship. My last game was a U14 Semi. I was PU. This is the first time I ever ejected a player other than for MC. In the 2nd inning, the defense wanted to dispute a "no-call" on a play where they thought a runner should have been out on a look-back rule violation. The DHC came out of the dugout immediately following the play to my partner who told the coach the pitcher was not in the circle yet. The front part of the pitcher's circle was gone, so it was our judgement at that point. While this discussion was going on, F1 started to get mouthy and animated insisting she was in the circle. Her coach told her to shut it, but after the discussion, my partner was going back to his position in "C" and the pitcher proceeded to make a public display by drawing lines in the dirt and shouting "I was right here!" to someone toward their dugout. I saw this and sent F1 packing with a rather big hook. DHC comes running out to me telling me "You're not ejecting my pitcher because she didn't even say a word to you. You're getting all upset because a kid draws a line in the dirt??!!" I informed him his F1 was gone for her behavior and he needed to get her off the field. He then proceeded to get in my face and tell me that the game was not about me and tells me to go ask my partner if he wants her ejected. (wtf?) After trying to justify her actions, I told him no I will not and instructed him to go join his player as he is done too. As he is leaving the gate, he says "I hope you feel good about making a 14yr old cry!" This coach returned to the stands an inning later, where upon I noticed him and instructed the now acting HC to remove him, he complied and got him to leave the park, but stated he didn't even know he was ejected!" I chuckled for a moment and said "Well there is a reason he is out there and not in here!" On our exit, and a few moron parents tried to tell us "Way to let them play!" and "You suck!". etc etc. I really wanted to ask them if this is how they raised their children, but refrained of course. After the game, I asked my BU if he had seen her drawing lines, and he stated he did not as he turned around to hearing me ejecting F1. On a side note, I had shake my head at the thought that ANYONE could find the behavior acceptable by his F1. I treated it the same way I would a batter drawing lines in the dirt...whoosh! I hope atleast two individuals learned that this is NOT acceptable behavior. Doubtful however. I later learned that two other members of my assoc. had ejected this guy twice this year, so that makes it his 3rd atleast by our guys.

Somewhat off topic, this reminds me, I had this same play as BU once, doing a Jr. LL baseball game, except NO tag was made on either runner. F5 just gave the ball back to F1 on the mound, as I'm standing there motionless, waiting for a tag. Out of nowhere my PU calls time and declares the trailing runner out. A WTF moment indeed. It seemed to be common trend with those I use to work with, that they believed the moment two runners are on the same bag, one is immediately out. :shakehead:

Came across this classic: http://mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=24353589&c_id=mlb I believe CI was ruled...discuss?

Heard a couple funny ones this weekend... Ball is bunted up the 3B line, and F5 touches the ball while it is still *barely* touching the line. Me: *bangs it fair* As I am going back to the plate, I over hear the following convo between a bucket coach & a mom behind the backstop. Mom: "That was foul...anytime the ball hits the foul line like that its a foul ball!" Coach: "I'm not sure...I think it was maybe because the fielder was in fair territory when it was touched." In the last half-inning, batter gets on with two outs. 3B Coach announces a "Pinch Runner" for his runner. I record the legal sub. The third out is made, and as I am walking off the field, the opposing team's scorekeeper & I have the following conversation: Scorekeeper: "Blue...you can't put in a "courtesy runner" in for the second baseman?" Me: "Yes that is correct??" Scorekeeper: "Well that's what that coach just did!" Me: "No, he made a substitution." Scorekeeper: "That's not what he announced!" Me: He announced a "Pinch runner", not a "Courtesy runner." Scorekeeper: "But they're the same thing!!" Me: :shakehead:

I'm BU. R2, stealing on the pitch. F2 fires F5. Banger @ 3rd...but the throw was a bit high and R2 just barely gets under the tag. I sell the "Under the tag - SAFE". DHC immediately comes out of the dugout and yells "It's always the same with you!! You NEVER get one right!!!" He was referencing several an earlier calls at 1B that he did not like.

What did that hit?? I hear it but I don't see it, even on replay!

I think this situation was well handled. PU believed there was a pulled foot, and thats that.

.... nevermind