NCAAump2

Agree with Trey. I also don't use an indicator on the bases, but try to keep the count in my head as best as I can in case someone asks me. I've got other things to worry about other than the count (runners, pick-off attempts, steals, etc.)

Some complex over in O'Fallon, IL.

You do, but they also have a right to not assign you if you're working for someone who is competing against them for business.

While we're on the subject of dumb coaches...haha...worked a 13AA tournament yesterday...home team is the same team I had the night before, kind of complained and groaned about of couple pitches here and there, but nothing major. Had them yesterday in an elimination game, TOP of 1, R3, pitcher is in the stretch on the rubber, and drops the ball. I yell out "That's a balk!" and award R3 home. HC comes out and says, "that's not a balk." I ignore him completely, and we finish the half inning. He comes up to me at the half inning and says, "Can you give me an explanation of that balk you called?" I said "Alright, well, he was on the rubber, and dropped the ball." He said, "So? He wasn't set yet." At this point I was trying not to laugh and just said, "That doesn't matter," and starting walking away when he said "Well, I think you're wrong!" He just walked back to the dugout...and I walked away laughing.

How does that infringe on your rights as an independent contractor? You have a choice of who you work for, and if you choose to go with the other group, then your assignor has the option to not give you games. We have the same thing in the STL area. There are 3 umpire associations in the area: GSLAU (my assn.), JCOA, and MUA. As GSLAU members, we are not allowed to work games through any competing organizations (JCOA or MUA). If we choose to accept games from one of those two groups, we will no longer be members of GSLAU, thus no longer receiving games from GSLAU. Completely fair and understandable if you ask me.

In addition to my response above, I like to leave the field as fast as possible. No sticking around or talking and all that crap. Head to the car and crack open a road soda. :D

For me, I prefer a neutral entrance. Otherwise, I'll use the dugout which is closest to where I parked, I don't care which team it is. Most of the time, they're out shaking hands or having their post-game pow-wow in the outfield when I'm walking through.

Had a similar situation in a HS VARSITY game...this is on a Saturday morning, we are completing a suspended game from the night before. Tie game, 8-8, TOP of the 9th...the night before, the HT was down 8-2 and the VT let them back in it with 6 runs in the bottom of the 7th to force extras. Here we are, bottom of 9, HT gets a runner on 2nd and the kid tries to steal 3rd. Throw beats him by 5 feet or so, but F5 dicks around and tags high on the left thigh late, I have the runner's right leg getting into the bag first, so I call him safe. VT HC groans and complains a little, but nothing too bad. They IBB the next 2 hitters, and then the HT gets a single to win it. As we are walking of the field to go to the cars in between games, the VT HC comes out as they go to line up and says "You cost us that one, Aaron." Really? It was that call at 3rd, not the 6 runs your kids gave up yesterday, wasn't it? Give me a break... It gets even better. Same two teams played right after the completion of the suspended game (one conference in STL plays a home-home series with each team). So we come out to the plate meeting for the next one, and this moron comes out and says, "so, what'd you have on that play down there?" (points toward 3rd) I said, "Well, the throw beat him but he got his leg on the outside corner of the bag before the tag." He's got the balls to say, "Wow...Well, you missed that one. I really hope you're better this game." I couldn't believe this son of a bitch. (pardon my language, but SH*#...come on.) First of all, he didn't come out on the initial play, but now he's bringing up a previous play AND telling me I'm a bad umpire. I should have thrown his ass out right then before the game even started...I guess part of me couldn't even believe he had the balls to say something like that. Who knows...luckily there were no problems in the 2nd one. WTF is wrong with people?

Agreed. Keeping the batter in the on-deck circle eliminates all these problems. That's what they are there for.

That's awesome. Glad you got to experience that!

What do I do? Watch the batter touch home plate, place extra baseballs on the ground, say a prayer that the other team doesn't appeal, and head for the parking lot!

As has been stated previously, even if you did warn them before, it's a dead ball-no violation. The kid just hit a walk-off HR, let him enjoy the win while you enjoy your post-game beer.

Agreed with everyone else who is not a fan of coming in between half-innings. I worked the plate on a HS varsity game today (with a guy in our association who is known to be a jerk at times) who came in almost EVERY half inning because he wasn't "going to stand out there with his thumb up his ass just because the 'college guys' want you to." I just looked at him like, "really?" Depending on who I'm working with (and I'm on the bases), I'll come in once, MAYBE twice to talk about a specific play that happened a couple innings before or something like that. When I'm working the plate, I want to be left alone (for the most part.) If I'm working with a good friend, he'll come maybe every other inning to point something out. I mean I've got things to do between innings (get baseballs if needed, count pitches, gather my thoughts, etc.) Main point, unless I tell you otherwise, stay out in short right field where you belong.

HS Varsity game today...Senior Day. HT has 5 or so seniors, one of whom is the pitcher. Kid gave up a few walks here and there, and a run was scored against him on an error a couple passed balls, but gave up no hits and got the 4-1 win. Had 7 strikeouts and a lot of fly outs...the wind was pretty strong, so everything just died. It was the first no-hitter I have been behind the plate for. Thought it was a pretty neat thing, especially since it was his Senior Day.

I'm working a youth tournament this weekend...13u and 14u...hopefully my games will be tolerable.

Yes. NFHS rules are referred to as FED.

For HS baseball games in Missouri, we are REQUIRED to wear navy shirts and navy caps. I'm not aware of any requirements of ball bag colors, so I wear black. I hate the way navy looks...shirts, caps, ball bags, anything. Summer SLABA and Legion games we can wear whatever we want as long as we match.

I think I'd dump him too. As others have said, FED is really into sportsmanship, good behavior, the like. He's gotta go. If you don't do anything with him, where do you draw the line for anyone else who does something similar.

Verbal and mechanic at the same time is what MOST evaluators look for, and it's what I do. I think it helps slow your timing down, as well as just looks and sounds more professional.

I'm with JM. I hate the way navy anything looks, and I have also yet to see a navy belt.

Welcome! What part of Illinois are you from?

You still check equipment? Are you working HS games?

Our association likes us there 30 mins before the game, but I like to get there between 45mins-1hour before first pitch. We, in the St. Louis area, dress at our vehicles 99.99% of the time, so I like the time to relax, shine shoes, listen to music, etc. College games we are required to arrive at least 1 hour before game time.

Agreed. Baseball is a way easier game to officiate than basketball, which I also officiate. Basketball is fast, constant action, with many decisions need to be made in split seconds. It's really not even close.

The story you just told is the EXACT reason I no longer work any youth ball. People are idiots. That is all.