RichMSN

I don't think it's most, either.

Yep, we all suck.

We still use A, B, and C when we teach small diamond mechanics. They're just behind the infield, as long as there are closed bases. Putting the runner/fielder in the way sometimes means getting an angle counter-intuitively on the small diamond. Getting the right angle on a play at first from C, for example, might mean taking a few quick steps towards third in order to see a pulled foot. I'd rather be inside, but I have to see if runners leave early -- also, some umpires would struggle getting out of the way on a 60' diamond.

Small diamond. Umpire is behind the fielder/runner. What I'm saying is not what I would say on a 90' diamond.

Distance towards first is unnecessary. 100% of the effort should go towards the angle on the tag play.

A quick step up and to the right (which is a bit counterintuitive as it's actually away from the play) opens up that look. Sometimes you just have to read the players, though.

P. When a manager or coach instructs his/her players to play poorly for any reason, such as, but not limited to the following, such action may result in the manager’s removal by the umpire-in-chief, and/or removal of the manager, coach(es) and/or team from further tournament play. Note – This policy is not intended to prevent a manager from using lesser-skilled players more frequently if he or she wishes, even if such action may result in losing a game): 1. losing a game to effect a particular outcome in a Pool Play Format tourna- ment; 2. so as to lose a game by the 10-run rule; 3. to delay the game until the curfew; 4. to allow an opponent to tie the score so that more innings may be played, etc.

I'm not sure exactly why I umpire, but "for the children" is nowhere near the top of the list.

First two varsity games Thursday and Friday of this week.

No, but my respect for you and what you do hasn't diminished either.

Nope. I have no kids playing in the league nor have I in the past nor will I in the future. How many of those other people fit that description? I volunteer for my own reasons, but my job is different than the other jobs. My relationship with the league or the district is different, too.

This play is missed the same whether they're on TV or if they're at home working in front of 20 people. Sometimes the game / situation is just too much for people no matter the circumstance or environment. There are 3 other umpires on the infield -- this is one of those situations where one of them needs to come in and make sure this is fixed.

Sounds like that number has been updated quite a bit since 2011. Truth is, I would be more ashamed of myself if I watched a kid draw a line with a bat and I *didn't* eject him. And to the credit of maineump and the other umpire staff, they all said the same thing after the game.

The umpire made a mistake and the crew corrected it. Nothing to see here, let's move on. Kyle is being overdramatic. Umpires at all levels make mistakes like this every day. All that said, this sideways windup bullcrap should go the way of the dodo. The Royals pitcher last night took his signs facing the plate, pivoted sideways, then started his windup. He looked like a 12-year-old LL pitcher doing that. How did all this become legal in the first place and why does anyone think that's a good idea?

Yes. They didn't grant it.

They hated the call so much that he's on the plate in the final today.

Umpire working the Midwest Championship plate points. And his zone is great and has great timing. So the hammer is obviously not mandated, as this was one of the 2 best plate umpires there and he's working today (Central has two championships).

There's an abundance of tunnel vision and running to a spot, that's for sure. If I watch a game for 5 minutes, I already know where the good umpires on a crew are -- and in the semifinal games it's likely the best umpires are on a foul line as they're working a plate in the final. Still a bunch of umpires blindly pivoting in, too, for no reason other than "it's what I'd do in 2-man." There was a foul fly down the right field line and U1 still pivoted in as if he'd have to take a BR to second base.

I'd bet it has no effect whatsoever. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

The system is set up so you really only work one regional. I know that technically you can work more than one, but I know nobody who has. I've done the senior, junior, and major regionals. I worked majors (11-12) in 2012. Maybe it's time to change my avatar. I'll check with my sources. I do not believe they will tell umpires to change how they work the plate at a tournament, but I've been wrong before.

Troy, congratulations on the work. Your work at U1 in the final should be recorded and taught to umpires who oversell everything on TV. You were great, seriously. Any ejections in Bangor since mine in 2011? I still remember the "we've only had 2 ejections in 11 years" speech....even the coach said it to me after I ejected his batter for drawing a line after strike 3. All I could do to not say, "I guess they'll have to change that speech next year."

I won't blame the umpires for doing what they're told. I've been there, done that, have the t-shirt. But the mechanics they use simply need to change. Working from the assumption that umpires need to be tethered to the base because someone *might* miss a rotation is umpiring scared and, frankly, insulting to those who know what they're doing. When I worked U2 in the final of the Senior WS, I was told not to go out. I wasn't happy, but I said I'd comply. I did, to a point -- I didn't go out, but I didn't come in, either. I stayed in the outfield for balls in the V and took plays at second from the outside. As for the rest, I used the same mechanics, timing, etc. at my WS and 3 regionals that I use for HS and college games. Nobody (with the exception of rotations) has ever told me how to umpire a LL game differently than what I usually bring to the table.

Why? Officials, in general, could use a bit more organization, and bit more looking out for themselves, as a group. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I have seen a lot of teams send 5-6 batters out of the dugout -- HS games, college games, youth games. Same reaction from me -- 2 outside, everyone else in the dugout. The speed at which they comply tells me they know that they don't belong there.

The only thing I'll add is this - what you were taught 15 years ago about taking plays at the plate is irrelevant today. If you're still taking plays behind the RH batter's box you're well behind the times. If I'm evaluating and see that, I don't have to see much more - you're simply not a well trained umpire. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk