scrounge

Kindergarten games and they're storming the field to argue...I don't think I could take it.

Dude... Did you see our secondary all year? The LBs and S play is embarrassing. There are high school teams that could beat our safeties. It would have been...ugly.

You know, I was just thinking - some jerk will probably go to the last post on the last page and bump it up with a post that doesn't really add much to the conversation. AND I'M THAT JERK!!! EMOTICON POWER!

you were saying??? From those of us who are just a little bit older, COHUmp, this is why you wait till the end to talk.

And the real doozy: I'm not sure they're entirely wrong. I'm not sure they're right either. Each has their own customs and assumed justifications, but what is the actual physics of it? Is it better to keep the eyes relatively still and use your head movement or fix the head and move your eyes? Is there any actual empirical research or just anecdotes from those who've "always done it that way" from either side. And we've seen enough MLB umpires move their heads that maybe - for an individual umpire with the benefit of job security - it actually is better in some cases to do it that way.

I don't agree with not asking or giving them the option, regardless of level of play. Now, HOW I go about it, absolutely would be different. For JV and below, I'm laying out the options quickly, a la "Coach, do you want bases loaded 1 out or run scores and 2 out?". For low level or rec, I'm going to give even more details to head off the ignorance, like "Coach, your choice - result of the play or enforce the penalty. Either run scores, 2 outs or we put the batter on and it's bases loaded 1 out". For varsity, a simple "Coach, you want the play or the penalty?" but I'm still not going to choose for him. It takes all of 5 seconds - why do something and have to reverse it, possibly creating a tense situation where it absolutely does not need to be created? At an absolute minimum, I'd begin enforcing the CI and at least ask "unless you want the play" while doing so or right after it.

I liken it to football penalty enforcement....if it's obvious and clear that no one would decline the penalty (holding on a play where the offense got a first down), no need to bother asking. But if there's any choice at all, like there is in this case, I'm asking the manager if he wants the play, the run, and 2 outs or does he want bases loaded and one out.

Hmm....interesting. Without looking it up and just off initial gut reply, I'd break it down as follows: Offense gets choice of results of the play or enforce the catcher's interference/obstruction (my default is FED). So either score the run and B3 is out on the infield fly for 2 outs or bases loaded and 1 out due to enforcing the CI and the other runners being forced to advance, OM's choice.

I know it's going to sound crazy, but these are absolutely the best sunglasses I've found: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007ZCQNC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0007ZCQNC&linkCode=as2&tag=hubpages05ec-20 They do run a bit wide, so if you have a tiny face they may be a bit big. They're not polarized but they're incredibly light and comfortable. They're nice and dark but still show more detail to me than most smoke grey lenses, sharp and crystal clear. And they're safety glasses so they're designed to take an impact. AND THEY'RE FIVE FREAKIN' DOLLARS MAN!!! If they scratch (and mine haven't after a full season), so what....they're just barely more expensive than a latte. Just get an extra pair. Heck, at these prices, you can thirty or so pairs for the price of one Oakley. Not saying they're the same quality - though I'm not at all disappointed in the slightest in them - but......five dollars.

hang out here, pretty much

I'd be perfectly happy if this clown act of arguing was just eliminated altogether, ESPECIALLY at the high school level. No other sport tolerates a coach coming onto the playing field to the extent that baseball does. It's an anachronistic, unnecessary practice that a bunch of people will say is an integral part of the game but one which no one will miss once it's eliminated/reduced.

I was just having a little fun, to be honest I pretty much skip the equipment forum altogether. I deeply appreciate the posts and discussion you've brought.

I think that's complete hyperbole...nice try for the poor man's Field of Dreams sentiment, but in my opinion that is misplaced concern. The game has always evolved - this idea that it is unchanging and constant is...frankly, overromanticized garbage. From rules to accepted norms to personnel practices to whatever, it has rolled on with change. Pitchers don't ask the batters where they'd like the ball, home runs can't bounce once and still count as a HR, you can't spit on the ball, there's no reserve clause, the beanball has pretty much disappeared, black players and international players are now allowed in, AL pitchers don't hit, all manner of things are different. The game will survive this. In fact, it will be better for it. Change is not the enemy....and it never has been.

So what do you do when your partner starts his menstrual cycle in the 3rd inning of game 1 of an 8 game day????

I think you need to go back and play the video again. Thanks for the advice...I did and I stand by my post. Perhaps you should re-read the manual interpretation you posted - I believe you are mis-interpreting it and not fully applying it correctly. And in any case, Wendelstedt is a great source - but it's not an official or definitive one. If the MLBUM and PBUC manuals say a deflection counts as a fielding attempt, then I think that trumps WUM. As an aside, I totally understand if it wasn't your intent, but saying "you need to go back and play the video again" rather than "I disagree" or something comes across as a bit condescending. Just my $0.02.

OBS, a misplayed ball and a fielder obstructing the runner without the ball WAY more than a step and a reach from the initial misplay.

I don't think it was enough to rise to an ejection from just what was shown, but it's clearly a "do NOT do that again" warning. And I don't think it's an obstruction either... Sounded like the HC immediately made a beeline to the PU, saying "YOU GOTTA FIX THIS"....wha?

I think that's only because the default is set to show 3 pages, though. There's some good discussion, videos, etc., and certainly getting more traffic this time of year. There's a core group of regulars that take some time to get a feel for, I mostly just read, but it's been decently valuable.

forum.officiating.com/basketball is about the best I've seen

However, the small % of power-mad, bully accountants don't really have the same kind of ability to impose and threaten you, though.

I think the difference is the distinction between doing things not prescribed by professional schools and being 'unprofessional', with all the negative connotations that come with that. Wiping off an infield fly is not a professional mechanic - and therefore unneeded/unacceptable in a professional setting. That is, don't do it in a pro game. In a high school game in an area where it IS the accepted, taught, and expected mechanic, then it is perfectly fine. It's still not professional in the sense that it's a pro mechanic, but it's the proper mechanic for that setting. In fact, failing to use that accepted/taught/expected wipe mechanic would make you 'unprofessional', since you're failing to use the proper mechanic for the level at which you were working. Similar examples could be giving the count to a new pitcher in 12U if that's what's done and expected in your area - it's not done at a HS varsity game but that's not what you're working, so you be professional in the sense of doing what is expected in a diligent and professional manner for the level that you are working. And as an aside, must every thread now become this massively long, tit-for-tat with 20 embedded responses and back and forth? I'm just starting to skip them. And I'm NOT assigning any blame..but there does seem to be one common connection. [sigh]

Just say you'll be happy to consult your partners.....as soon as they pay for 6 umpires, just like the World Series

Even if you totally wrong - which you weren't - what kind of mentor would do that to you right there in the middle of the field during an inning?

Not out on abandonment? With all the craziness going on, with all the Red Sox converging on you, in that moment, right after calling obstruction, would you for even a nanosecond even THINK of making that call?

Thing of beauty....and like a stopped sundial being right twice a year, McGarbles actually had some words that approached - on the edges - actual insightful analysis.