detailshp

If it was me, I'd hold them.

I have 2 CP's, 2 sets of leg guards, 2 masks ( although the old mask is a heavy Honigs) 2 sets of plate shoes and countless ball/strike counters, ball bags, and plate brushes ( gotta love kids and fathers day gifts ) I keep the spare complete set in a separate Wal-Mart special vynil bag in the trunk. More often than not, they get loaned out to my partner for the game when they forget something.

Going to spend more time stretching before games. Over 40 yrs old on cold afternoons makes for a very creaky and cranky umpire.

I agree, its the exact reason I dont wear one. I wish they made a longer length.

In my opinion, a batter cannot "magically dissapear" from the batters box at the conclusion of the pitch. If he didnt move, then I would say you got nothing, and play continues ( result of the throw ).

FYI; I just placed an order for a couple of these shirts, and wanted to let everyone know that there is a powder blue smitty shirt available with a "full black" collar not just the one shown on the website with the thin blue line. Around here, everyone wears the powder with the full black collar. Just call them and and ask for it, they handled it quick and easy.

Ok, then, dumb question. If you had to pay for the whole thing, would you go?

tjthresh; Have you attended the camp in Gr Rapids before? I was considering going to that camp this year.

I have 54 HS games on the schedule starting 3rd week of March. DH's every Saturday until May 21st. Travel ball leagues start meetings end of this month. HS rules meetings start 3rd week of Feburary I think. First Babe Ruth meetings start this weekend, I have 3 area leagues I work for. Looking forward to a nice long eventful season.

Ever heard of Don Denkinger? Don't expect Jim Joyce to ever have a different story than what it is now. It's sad, but it's the truth. That Cardinals series was just on MLB network last weekend. They spent a considerable amount of time on Don's call, and how he was behind the plate the next day. They showed the play like 6 times. Ugh.

You mean you dont react when the pitchers coach yells out to you " where was that pitch, Blue?!?"....LOL.... I hate that.

Fair enough explanation, but in this case not applicable. This was a BR 10U league game, and in this league, they often get HS kids to work the bases for a small fee ( around 15 bucks ) and want the certified Umpire to work the plate. This kid BU, was working his first season, probably his 8th game, and the first thing he did while the play was going on was start moving towards third to be in proper position in case there was a play at 3rd. With nobody out, I had mvoed to about the edge of the dirt circle in front of the plate, as I was aware that this might happen. After the tag, which was clearly made about 6 feet off the basepath, the first thing the BU did was look at me. SO, yes, I made the call, for the whole world to see. If I had been working with a certified umpire, I would have reacted differently. As is often the case with this play, when the kids were changing field positions due to inning over, the R2 coach came over to me and asked what had happened. I told him that his player had been legally tricked into moving off the bag, and was not going to embarrass a HS kid who was hesitant to make the call anyway. He, in turn called it bush league ( like most do ) and I didnt say anything. And, on my way out to the car to the post game meeting with my young BU, he and I heard everyone in the stands muttering about the play, which of course is normal, and proceeded to explain to my young BU the concept of a balk, a hidden ball trick, stepping off, anticipating the play as an umpire, et. Al..... and what to do in that situation ( ALWAYS watch the ball- which he told me he did, but didnt make the call because he got sucked into the situation like the runner did)

Sory for disturbing your narrow minded sensibilities.... sheesh.

Springfield is pretty far for me. Chicago, Detroit, Indy are possibilities. Anyone have any insight on camps/clinics in that area?

Or, if your Derek Jeter, they can mock you on national TV. Kill it. If you saw it, your not overruling anyone. Your reacting to a struck ball, which either umpire should rightfully do.

I've seen the play both day and night games. I have HS coach around here who also does a travel ball team, he teaches it to all his kids. I called him out, of course. I even had to override an unexperienced BU one time, cause I knew that the coach would blow a gasket, and he knew that I knew they ran that play.

Weel, it certainly isnt Cubbie Blue, hasnt been that way for over 100 years.....

Players miss signs, coaches make dumb decisions, at all levels of the game. If no Umpire called IFR, then you got nothing. Wait for the play to develop, as it seems you still have a live ball situation ( ball is not caught ) I would hesitate greatly to call this verbal obstruction. Coach may tell a kid not to swing at strike three ball is a tater, and you got an out. Coach makes a mistake, coach lives with his mistake. Just like we umpires do, unless association or league rules specify that you can go back and correct. Extension: If an umpire wont/doesn't ask for help, from his partner, he lives with the call. Ask Jim Joyce how that feels.

I have had the extension of this. Runner on 2, 2 outs. Pitcher steps off, fakes a throw ( legally) to second on a pick play, ENTIRE defense reacts as if the ball is overthrown into center field. Even the center fielder reacts to a ball "supposedly" running into the outfield. Pitcher keeps the ball, running towards second to cover a potential throw. R on 2 "drifts" off the bag to see where the ball is and potentially advance a base, is tagged out by F1. Inning over. What do you call, if anything?

I have never had problems with any catcher at any age when I quietly say to him so only he can hear " I want to call strikes. If I cant see it because your moving at the last second before I have a chance to react, or adjust my own position before you catch it I am going to call it a ball." I have had coaches come up to me after games and ask what I have said, and I tell them the same phrase I just wrote, with the addition " I don't mind moving to see the pitch, but if the catch doesnt give me enough time to move before he receives the ball in his mitt, there is nothing I can do." Never got as far as discussing who is supposed to stand where, for what, or what to do if someone moves..... Just be honest. Also, if its a glove that is moving, the advice to wait till the pitch lands in the mitt and see if hes "sticking" it, or sliding it is good.

Well, I got up today and the sky was blue, but thats open to interpretation I guess......

Thanks for the info! I will check out the CBUA. Most of the HS umpires I worked with the last two years are HS guys who do multiple sports at that level and have no interest in moving up. Not a bad thing, just not what I am looking for. Thanks again.

I stand 6'1 and have 30 inch inseam. I have a long torso for my frame. I know that 16 seems a little long but the wilson platinum barely covers my rib cage. The last bruises on my belly from my platinum finally faded around 6 weeks after my last game for the year. That was one of the requirements I asked for if she got me a new CP.

Umm, mainly because most were gifts, and unused equipment can be returned.... This is a forum where people can excange experiences and offer help and suggestions?

Elkhart, IN Near South Bend, IN