BrianC14

The thing is, with digital video cameras, telephone cameras and the like, an umpire an ANY level may never know if he's been caught on camera. I don't like the concept of calling a game in such a way that you'd change your call to avoid being caught by video. To me, there's something inherently dishonest about that. Interestingly, the article that Major Dave (thanks for that, Dave) cited specifically points out that an umpire should also let the infielder know about touching the base. Hmmmm... Maybe I've been lucky, but every time a DP has been called by me, that guy touched the base. Maybe slo-mo video replays would show otherwise, but in my judgement on those calls, on every single one, that infielder made contact. I'm sure of it. :)

John, let me repeat what Mike Taylor has already said: If you penalize the offense for this, then you are making up rules. There is nothing - NOTHING - in the rule books (OBR, NCAA or FED) that address this. It looks "threatening"? That's nonsense. If you call interference on this play, you're going to have a coach crawling up your keister, and deservedly so. That's because this play, while "bush league" is not illegal.

Is HeatGear a long-sleeve shirt? If so, then :tantrum:

WARNING: Nit pick: I think it would be appropriate to say "it is taught at some clinics". The problem I have with having it taught is that "in the vicinity" becomes that 3, 4 and even 6 inches (and I've seen more) with some guys. I've seen some guys call it where you'd think they were using the local area code as their definition of "vicinity". :tantrum:

...if you wear a long-sleeve shirt underneath a short-sleeve uniform shirt. (And no, it doesn't matter if they're the same color)! :tantrum:

Utah's offense could be a good test for 'Bama.

I can live with that. In thinking about how I do umpire, that's also what I've been taught. Thanks, JM

Utah might be the big surprise. Alabama is in letdown mode.

Warn or eject for what? There is nothing in any rule set that dictates how and/or where a runner may take his lead.

OK, so to be clear, it isn't published anywhere, most definitely Roder's manual, and most definitely Evans' annotated rules.

That's what I was thinking.... especially with a lefty F1, as R1 starts running toward him, F1 delivers a well-placed throw right between the eyes. My call would be.... "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10....OUT!" I doubt that anyone would be so stupid to try that trick again. BTW, it is a legal play, and yes, it's a 'bush league' play, but calling it a travesty and giving an out is not the call I'd make.

Smitty.... ...wears white socks. (no joke) ...wears those big mirror-reflective sunglasses on the bases. (looks like a 'biker from the '60s.) ... has a pony tail. :GL:

And the reference in Roder is on Page.... ? How about a reference to the Evans Annotated Rule book? Thanks,

Major, I just completed one of my alternative telephone calls. Boy, were you ever right! The response I got from the guy I called (area director) was 180 out from the "worker bees" at that level. You provided some sage advice, thanks very much. I'm going to look again at attending either SD or Chicago. Best,

I found this post on "As for me...." interesting and have nominated it accordingly for "Post Of The Month December, 2008"

Because they never curl when you want them to. :GL:

And the Navy. You nailed it. That's why I'll approach some of the other guys. It's probably too close at this point (San Diego) but I may take a peek at the Chicago one.... I might figure a way to include the wife & daughter along, since she has family there. We'll see... like you, I'm a junkie... my last game was nearly 2 months ago, and I'm ready to get going again. Thanks,

Sweet deal!

Hey, how come the poll is closed already?!? I vote for Major Dave's post on "As for me..." Outstanding post! Outstanding approach to 'why we do this' !

You know, it has occurred to me that I may be talking to the wrong guys here locally.... I've got a few D1 contacts who work a clinic here in my area (but they all live in other areas of the country) - - I might just get in touch with a couple of them to get their input. I doubt that I'd try to attend one for this January, but I might just give it another go for 2010 - and hopefully by then I'll have worked some college - level games (there's a summer collegiate league here that I hope to get assigned to) and that will certainly help in the resumé department. What I'd like to avoid (later on) is hearing, "Gee, if you had attended one of the NCAA clinics prior to this, we'd know more about you by now....maybe you should think about going next year." :GL:

Major, I appreciate the feedback - hopefully I didn't come across as correcting what you'd earlier said, that wasn't my intent at all. 100% agreement on attending the clinics being helpful, though. As was pointed out to me, once an umpire has already begun to work college games (just like in your situation) then the clinics will become beneficial. Another thing pointed out to me was that attendance at these clinics are never "required" (wink, wink) but if conference umpire doesn't attend, then he can expect to receive fewer games. So I've been told, anyway. Bottom line is that the 'wannabe' college umpire should look to get the door open first, and then get himself to one of these clinics. Thanks again for the reply and the background information - all very helpful to hear from someone who's been there and done that. Best of luck to you in your future assignments! :GL:

Major: Since I have a desire to join the college ranks, I looked into attending one of these clinics. Before I went ahead and registered, though, (I'd have to travel some distance by flying... think $$$) I thought it wise to check with some of my high school colleagues who are also NCAA umpires. The results (4 calls) were unanimous: These clinics are intended for NCAA umpires; a great deal of the meetings are conference-specific, and if you are not a member umpire of that particular conference, then it's likely that you won't be admitted to the conference meetings. Now, a couple of them told me that the Breakout sessions are good, and that I be able to attend those, but there's no real "field clinic" type environment at these meetings - there's nothing like what a plate or field mechanics clinic would be doing (actual field mechanics work, or plate work in a cage), it's more of a chalk-talk sort of thing, where they discuss various changes to rules, mechanics, etc. Then there's usually some coverage of situations. Anyway, I was advised not to attend, (that advice saved me over $500 for flight & hotel) but instead to contact our local Director of Umpires (which I did) and he was helpful about how to get started in college work... this of course may vary based on where one lives, but in my area the method is to start working some off-season games (JC, summer college leagues) and hope (or perhaps arrange) for the Director to see you work. After that the Director will consider you for games. Again, that's how things proceed where I live - another area may have a different procedure.

Thanks, Mike for posting this. I wonder sometimes if Stage 2 shouldn't be reversed with Stage 3, though...

Pete, Could you please point me to where in the J/R is the commentary about "in the vicinity" ? Thanks,

I know full well what FYCs are and why they're used, and thanks, but I don't need it explained to me. As I've said, I don't agree with them, and I don't use them. Personally, I think it shows a lack of integrity for an umpire to purposefully call an obvious ball a strike. By doing so, he's injecting himself into the game where he doesn't belong, and when I've seen it occur (very rare), it's usually because the umpire let his emotions get the better of him. I still maintain that the FYC and my call at 1B are the same sort of thing - it's all in the intent of the umpire that is the purpose / reason for making that call. Like you, I"m not trying to change anyone's mind, just tossing my $0.02 in. Do me a favor, would you? Point out the page number in the J/R manual where they discuss "in the vicinity"...? I'm looking for it but haven't been able to find it. Thanks.