detailshp

I've been on both sides of this mechanic. Personally, I have never not made a call, but I have certainly said "He's OUT" and immediately pointed to my PU and said " DID HE PULL HIS FOOT" I've had State tournament umpires working the bases point and me and say "did he pull his foot" without making an initial call, so I know that it can go either way. I don't necessarily agree with that, but If your in the right position as the PU, then when a partner asks me for help, I give it. I dont like not making a call for the simple reason that you can "lull" a fielder into sleep ( Is this the 3rd out or should I now attempt to throw to third and get the kid who is now advancing...now you got Fubar..) and everyone kinda stands around and waits to see what happens. Bet this thread gets talked about.....LOL......

Every call he made except for a pickoff attempt confused coaches ( and me ) because his natural ( I guess ) motion was to start a safe mechanic, and then do what I said earlier. I was glad he spent a lot of time in the B position, so he wouldnt get caught too far out of position. We never had a rotation to home for him, even though I went out to third quite a few times. Catchers were airmailing throws down to second most of the time, and it was a sloppy game that wasnt that close. Therefore I think I dodged a bullet on that one. He seemed to be hustling, and as far as the calls go, I thought he only kicked 2 for sure. He really was a nice guy. Kinda like the kind old grampa who nobody can ever get mad at because he' s into it, and is genuinely a nice guy. Thinking about it, he certainly could have been an asshat who because of his experience could have just blown everyone off. Thank the Lord he wasn't that, I would have had a riot on my hands.

Well, I had it happen last night, and I thought I did ok. Arrived my customary 40 minutes before game time and a VERY NICE co-worker who I had never seen before or heard of is already there in full uniform ( bases ) ready to greet me. Ok, thats good. He proceeds to tell me during the course of our pregame meeting and discussion about he length of service ( over 22 years ) and how he's been coming to this school for at least 15. So, I am thinking, cool, this should be a fairly simple pregame, and a nice smooth working relationship, and an smooth game. I go over what I like to do at the plate, our signals, etc, etc, he's nodding in agreement. Once the game starts, this guy is just plain awful. A few times I am looking down at him in the "A" position, and hes standing in fair territory. Mechanics are wrong, only flashes back or acknowledges about 10 percent of my signals, and every one if his "out" calls starts with him spreading his hands apart like starting a safe mechanic and then ends with him throwing his right hand up in the air. However, this guy is as nice as the day is long. Friendly, accomodating to the coaches, pleasant, but he just doesnt have much skill. A couple of times I had a coach come to me, and I simply told them, " coach that is a judgement call, its his call to make, and he made it. He was the closest to the action." They were asking for the inevitable "appeal" and I told them they can certainly go out and talk to him. The coaches just shook their heads and said, "no, its ok." They knew. The only thing I guess that bothered me was I had a lot of batted balls that could have hit the batter in the box, and this guy never once moved a muscle to help me with any calls. Other than that, I was glad the game was over, and thankful no coach decided to blow up my partner. ( and me in the process )

Hokieump quotes: "How I felt as a new joker? I lurked, and read, and learned." Pretty much sums up what I have been saying. Don't post. Did I get that one right?

What the hell is wrong with the board? LOL... I did not write ANYTHING close to that.......seems like April fools day is in full force.

'12 FED says in the "delayed dead testie table" that a batted testie intentionally touched by detatched my dawg equipment is a 3 yellow brick road award. An thrown testie ( including a pitch ) intentionally touched by detatched my dawg equipment is a 2 yellow brick road award. "IF they do not reach the yellow brick road anyway" 5-1-2b. numbers 5 and 6 in the table. In your case, since the testie did not hit the blindfold intentionally ( unless of course you could prove the catcher did it intentionally ) In my opinion, you got nothin. play on.

Well that went about how I figured it would. And, based on what is was written, especially by Hokieump, I would certainly NOT advise newbies to post on here. I am not a new umpire. I have certainly been given my fair share of BBQings. I don't mind. In response to your question, I have 8 games in already this year and out of the 8 weeks left in the HS season around here, I have 40 games left. Thats just my HS season. (Not really relevant to the discussion, however) I do agree that other forums are less forgiving. I have also stated on those other forums that I wouldnt post there either as a new umpire. Maybe Hokieump and you guys can come up with a posting guideline. Be sure to include the phrase "Remember: the gazelle that runs the other way from the rest of the herd DOES make it on TV; unfortunately for him, it's the NatGeo channel, and he's on there because he got eaten.) " I am sure the new umpires learning our craft would enjoy that line. It would certainly be better than "if you cant take internet criticism, then why the eff are you out on the field." I think your experience has blinded you to how you felt as a new umpire.

"Crusing around here on U-E" and "lurking" is what I would reccommend for newbies. I certainly would NOT throw (post ) anything out there. The long time posters on here are not to kind to someone who would screw up or post a wrong rule or interpretation. There was a ridiculous thread a while back where a post ( and poster ) got BBQ for throwing out something that ended up being a wrong interpretation. Man, did people line up to let him have it ( and no I am not talking about the taking signs from the rubber thread ) My favorite part was after the dust cleared, moderators and others tried explain it off saying that " as an umpire you should be able to take your medicine if your wrong, etc, etc, etc......" Well, thats BS for a newbie starting out. Did you say you had 6 so far? Youd have 2 if you encouraged them to do anything more than lurk around here.

I would think that the coach of the losing team needs a lesson in humility. Remember the college softball game a few years ago when the opposing (losing ) team carried the girl who hit the winning run around the bases so that it would be "official" ? Thankfully in Indiana, there is no protesting a game in High school.

Don't know how this morphed into a pay thread but here's my two cents on the play. One man, if I have to turn my back on the ball ( for example to walk back behind the plate ) I wait till action is over, and call time. I dont want any shenanigans going on while I am not looking. I'm way too old and fat to be trying to continually walk backwards to get back behind the plate. I don't have a problem asking a kid to show me the ball. You got deke'd by a kid, and in examining how you explained the play to me, it could have happened to any of us. In FED rules, that could have been classified as "unsportsmanlike conduct" if you really wanted to get technical. Sounds like you didnt have anyone freak out on you for the kicked call, and that is good. I often find myself having a nice firm pre game plate conference with the coaches about what they can expect from a single man umpiring a game. That normally diffuses any BS about missed calls. Sounds like you are hustling and got a good position, so only a real asshat coach would fault you for missing that one.

Been a long time since I have done any 12U short diamond, but doenst he go home anyway? At 12 U LL you can't lead off, If I am remembering correctly. So, no reason for the kid to throw to a base because there is no lead.

That kid could have been balked on every pitch. The first base umpire got him once. They replayed the balk call in slow motion, and then the very next pitch, also in slow mo, and I Tivo'd it, ran it back about a dozen times, and I couldnt see a difference between either pitch.

That florida pitcher that came in on the bottom of the 6th has a double leg kick and appears to come set twice. BU1 has balked him once already. Seen thicss kid once before. Anyone else seen this kids antics?

Varsity scrimmage two nights ago. ( 82 degrees out ) Check swing and batter still manages to nick the high floating curve ball, while he's pulling the bat back and twisting out of the way. Catcher is diving inside ( it was that poorly thrown ) and somehow manages to snag the ball on the foul tip, directly back to the mitt. I throw my hands up "time" and the catcher turns and shows me the ball in his mitt. Next mechanic for me was standard hammer for a swinging strike three ( it was strike two ) We all had a good laugh on that one. Coach for the batter sends out the 8 year old bat boy with a water bottle, figures I need it. I mustve turned about 40 shades of crimson. Partner worked the state finals last year, and hes got hands on his knees turned away from me cause he's trying hard not to bust out laughing.

Jm; Sorry. Not buying it. The rule doesn't say "appears to." It clearly spells out when he is to take a sign if he takes one. And it spells out what the penalty is if he doesn't. If your fundamental understanding cannot read a simple sentence and take it as its written, nothing I can do to change it.