RichMSN

Joe's getting bumped -- is he supposed to stand there and take the bumping? That was about as gentle a way as Joe could get himself out of there without any further physical contact between him and the player.

It's really a "have to be there" kind of thing. Unless F/F is an issue, I'd prefer the BU take that one.

My friend that's working uses the GD. He's got the plate on the 3rd place game tomorrow. Since he's from the same region as Chicago, he can't work the final. I know, I know... Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

I'd take his rep if I could also have his resume. Just sayin'.

2 nights in a row I've noticed this. Hard for me to comment, since I've never been in front of 18 cameras, a national audience, and 35,000 fans. The thing is, I'm pretty sure these guys haven't been either. Maybe the game starts, the blood is pumping and you're concentrating extremely hard and after three innings or so the adrenalin rush ends and you "crash" or hit the "wall"? You just have to work one pitch at a time. Tell yourself you're going to get the NEXT one right. Wash, rinse, repeat. It's only 6 innings. World Series umpires aren't working regionals. You can't get selected to both the same year. Most umpires work one regional in a lifetime and one World Series -- per age level.

I thought he struggled from the 4th on. So did PA.

Terrible. Someone needed to realize that it was called foul, it's foul. Move on. Instead they think replay is there to fix anything... Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

I'd like to know, too. I took a long time crafting a response to your post. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Nothing wrong with that head height. The head should be no lower than the top of the catcher's head, but there's no reason that I need to put my head all the way down there because there's a small catcher. My head's about the same height for a LL game as it is for a college game. From what I can tell (based on some video I've watched), my zone's as consistent and correct in both.

I've had many people ask me why they don't see me after the college and HS seasons are over. Cause many places don't pay enough and will hire anyone. I'm better than that. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

Exactly. Scorekeepers providing feedback? Why not the grounds crew? Teams pay $1500 - how does the organization feel about an umpire ejecting a player or some chucklehead coach that deserves it? That's what I'd like to know.

I agree. It's great to see.

I learned this at a camp last year -- when the ball goes home (or to third), U2 prepares for a play at second by going back outside -- that way he's not in the way of a throw and can take the play like a play at the plate. So I'd praise Nelson's awareness and hustle - he was just cursed with bad footing.

7 weeks after working state, I finally watched the video of my plate game last night. Funny, earlier in the day I worked my last plate of 2014. Probably. Football season, y'all.

Sorry I missed it. Worked a DH at the Central Senior Regional (I'm here as an invited umpire) . Got 2 innings of my plate in... 14-2, lightning, suspended till tomorrow. Grrr. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

I take points away for the hat. Despite some umpires' preference, a hat is simply not needed or practical when wearing a bucket. I still remember some states where they de facto banned helmets by claiming umpires were out of uniform by not wearing a hat. It was all about hatred for the bucket... Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

Eh, if the teams are OK with it, then let them all have some fun. Peanut Butter Jelly Time!

Sure I can help you out with that. If a poster did not give any indication that anything was wrong and one needed to jump to a conclusion to think that something was wrong, then the answer is simply yes, one should stick to the original subject. Its good to hear that you asked for a half-swing appeal on that LHB with no one on. My question is, have you ever refused a request for a half-swing appeal ? Do you always grant the request, no matter how ridiculous it is. Maybe it was only a sixteenth-swing, or maybe B was avoiding a HBP and never initiated a swing, or some other unusual happening that wasn't worthy of an appeal or maybe PITA HC was just trying to undermind your authority and show you who's running the show. Have you ever refused a request? If so, then you probably had a good reason for refusing. Then why would you jump to the conclusion that the OP didn't have a good reason. Even if one umpires perfectly, there are going to be circunstances beyond our control, and an infinite number of ways that a HC could get under our skin. The root of the problem is an umpire's temptation to deviate from professionalism, not the infinite number of ways that he got to that point. I have never refused a request.

I've been told I have a pretty mouth. Squee!

Bingo. When I do volunteer LL stuff, I'll wait as many times the BR goes right to second. I'll also wait if we have R3 only and the batter walks in any game. Otherwise? Time, go ahead. Cleaning the plate? I have time if I need it. I'm not calling it, though. Keep the ball live.

I think the one thing that you mentioned that's the most important is that your umpires were up to the task of handling the baseball. That's by no means a guarantee for the vast majority of summer tournaments. I watched a game this weekend in my city where they hired teenaged kids and they worked the plate in khaki shorts, no shin guards, and no cup. How did I know he wasn't wearing a cup? It wasn't pretty. I work our brand of college and HS baseball in the spring and whore myself out from time to time in the summer when the mood strikes me. I see all kinds of over-officiousness come out of people that, if they just LET THAT $#%@ go, they'd be better umpires and probably allow their blood pressure and that of those around them drop by a few points, at least.

If I'm stuck with a partner who I know is horrible on the plate and turns a 90 minute game into 2+ hours with no pace of play and a coffee can zone, I'm going to figure out how to work the dish. Fortunately, that happens rarely. I work with good people and good umpires and we take our turns. And if one has an excuse, we're good enough friends to pick up for each other. Life's too short to work with umpires, especially in the summer, you don't like or respect.

Exactly. If there's that much dust or you have to split hairs, he's out. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

Don't go for help if you don't want need it. That's an integrity issue. If you have the call, own it. I took a minor liberty with one word above, but completely agree with Matt's point. Many untrained umpires will take the path of least resistance and go talk to his partner and pretend that they are discussing the play when they are just appeasing the coach. If you keep appeasing coaches in this manner, they will never stop "fishing" for a call that benefits them (and they'll expect me to appease them too). If you need help on a pulled foot, swipe tag, etc. don't be too proud to ask your partner for help. But if you have your call, consider breaking this appeasement habit, and say, "no, coach. I saw what happened, this in my call". Yes, quiet is not what you'll get in the short term, but eventually you'll get fewer and fewer of these fishing expeditions. While I'm not in complete agreement on never appeasing a coach a point that I think deserves mentioning is that you can find a middle ground. If the coach asks if you can get help and you just say "no" with no explanation or even "no I saw it and it's my call". It can come across as arrogant. Whereas if the coach is polite about it and you give him an explanation such as "I saw the call clearly so there is nothing my partner, who is much further away is going to offer to me. If I thought I might have missed something or was unsure I would be glad to get assistance, but on this one I'm certain and there is no way I would change my call". I know it's a little wordy, but it would still take less time than meeting with your partner. It takes much less time to say: "No." Actually, I had a coach ask earlier this week if "I could get help" and that was my response. And the world kept spinning on its axis.

Where was that pitch? Between my legs. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk