dave0mary

All I have tried to do is find other umpires who are cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ; hence are Christians. I've not broken any forum rule. Rule 9.01 states "The Umpire in Chief has authority to rule on any point not specifically covered in these rules." The "umpire in chief" could send me a message telling me what is inappropriate and ask me to not post things that are offensive to him/her. Why haven't you? Why is it so offensive to try and find anyone else who might be a believer? If someone wanted to find other Athiest umpires - I wouldn't be offended; or Muslim or ??? Please make it clear to me and stop being a coward and removing them. Please.

I work HS and JUCO 50 M. radius of Chicago. I GUARANTEE that if you say yes ("A"), you WILL hear from the other coach. This happened to me a few years back; and I disticntly remember saying "dead ball (hands up), you are awarded 3rd base". If he doesn't know the definition of an award, too bad. I'm not an instructor.

I'm going to answer your concerns and comments in order: You say I should be in "B", and I was. If you've never asked for assistance while in "B", I seriously doubt if you've umpired. Around here, if you have R1 (I'm in "B"), why does the PU come running towards the mound? To be able to cover 3rd, and see the play at first. My OP said "alotta dust". Kinda makes it hard to see sometimes. I cover ALL pertinent "what if's" in the pre-game. I always say, since it's happened to me, "if I ask you - don't signal out ... just answer my question". I already stated that R3 had crossed the plate. Your bottom line is not mine, nor anyone else in the Chicago or Illinois area. If you're not sure, ask for help. It is rare, but it happens. In response to my OP, it seems many are interested in lessening the heat, and making a call that is sold. Don't get me wrong, I sell it. But I collect a paycheck for this: knowing and applying the rules and making good judgement calls. I never get into what's popular. Case in point: (I'm PU) last fall in a JUCO game, R1 and R3, 0 outs, 9-9 bottom of 10. Grounder to F4. Catcher is on top or slightly in foul territory (1st base side) of home plate. He gets the throw from F4 when R3 is about 2-3' away. Catcher puts the glove straight down (he must have forgotten where he was) and waits for the slide. R3 touches home first. Not popular. The visiting coach instantly became the Tasmanian Devil. I've been doing this long enough to know what the response was going to be. I had to be escorted to my car. But I drove home relaxed, knowing I made the right call.

Because the runner @ 3B was off on the pitch and had crossed home ...

... except I looked to see if he was ready to give his opinion. No one got near a bus.

I was doing an intense varsity contest; I was BU. Top 7, visitng team down a run with 1st and 3rd ... 2 out. Grounder to SS who throws in the dirt to first. One bouncer. Almost a banger, but would have (hopefully) received no guff about the call as it wasn't that close. I was ready to make the out call, but couldn't tell if he had the bag though ... lotta dust. So - before I made the call, I asked if "he had the bag". PU says "yes he did". Then I signaled out. The visiting team came unglued - ALL of them. Fans too. But, the games is over and we're walking. As we walk, the PU - who is a very respected ump in N. Illinois - says to me "you're supposed to make the call first then ask for help. If I give you information pointing to a reversal, you then reverse it." I never do it this way, and in this case - it added to the heat I received. But I think I'm right. Anyone else make the call, then ask for help? I don't believe that is the correct mechanic.

That guy pales in comparison to:

I did forget to mention - the AC had a "deer-in-headlights" look as he went to the head coach to verify what I said. As we played on, I could barely hear him saying things such as "you mean I can't ever ...?" So, as far as accomplishments go, the assistant did learn something that day. As far as the fan is concerned, my accomplishment was he thought he could repeat the same lines I'm sure he used when johnny was 8 years old and the 'ump' was a college kid. 90% of the time I do just what one reply said to do ... "thanks for the input", and walk away. I DID receive an academy later that night on TV ... so it was worth it. :yippie:

Last spring I had a soph game - solo. 5 plays were really close, 4 on stealing second, one at home. They ALL went against the home team. FED rules now, remember? After the 5th 'bad' call, the assistant coach comes out half way to me and says "that's 5!!" "That's 5 what coach?" He was suprised at my intestinal fortitude applied in my question to him - and backed away. So, I said to the head coach, "coach - let's make a deal. You send your asst. coach to a rules meeting next year where he will learn he may not approach/dispute/etc umpires ... and I won't throw him out of THIS game. Deal?" " He smiled and agreed. The "rest of the story" ... as I was leaving a fan walked next to me to my car. He said I needed to stop umpiring since I don't know what I'm doing. With a smile on my face, I asked him what risk he takes in confronting an umpire. He was speechless, really. So I said it again ... explaining that the risk is mine, ie: I put the shirt on and do the game and not just spectate; but, no reply for a few seconds. Then he came up with an original - "you're the worst I've ever seen". So I said "yes, I have a trophy at home that says just that". He called me a smart a**. So, (further trying to belittle me) when he said "you really are just a little league umpire", I countered with "is this Tuesday?" He didn't know how to respond since he was trying to control the conversation. I finalized with, "since it's Tuesday, Varsity games are played. The good umpires are at THOSE games". I gave myself an academy award as he shook his head and said nothing - walking away.

Last year I had the opportunity to be behind the plate with the worst team in the area hosting the best. Home team = 1 and 13. Visitor = 12-0. The first 5 hitters had tree limbs for arms, and they showed it. They were all going to D1. Top of 2nd, 9-0 already. The little left hander for the home team could put it on a dime. Wherever the catcher put his mitt, he hits it. 2-4 inches outside, and I'm saying strike. In the 3rd inning the home team decides to test me. The little left hander goes to 8-10 inches outside. "Ball". He walks about 5-6 in the 3rd. Home runs follow after several 3-0's. Catcher says "Cory, it's NOT your fault". I ignore, even though he's talking to me. (as you know) After 5, 18-0, visitors win. After the game was over, I take the baseballs over to the home coach. He looks at me and says "terrible terrible terribe". So I said "coach, keep playing hard, you'll get better". His face got red; mine did too. His with anger, mine with laughter. For any new guys, don't think I'm advocating a comeback philosophy. I shoulda just walked away. But it puts a smile on my face when I think of it. But if you do say something like that, don't look for quality ratings. I'm 60 and not looking to go to the "show". Also, when the nay-sayers chip in, I'm sure I'll hear about it. But - they've done it too.