Hackman61

I took another screaming shot to the face mask today too. I use a Wilson Dyna Lite with Team Wendy's pads. Just a thump, no pain or anything. After several of those shots this year so far, the Wendy's have far surpassed my expectations. Don't leave home without em!

I agree! Some of these kids just want to wait for a walk. If you call strikes they will start swinging! So then what do you say to the coaches and parents that start yelling, "That's not a strike!!" Usually my wife is one of those moms. As said. No response needed. Balls and Strikes are my judgement and are not questionable Right on. Let the strike zone widen.. :nod:

I agree! Some of these kids just want to wait for a walk. If you call strikes they will start swinging! So then what do you say to the coaches and parents that start yelling, "That's not a strike!!" Usually my wife is one of those moms.

Thanks fellas. I did feel like a real Jack Wagon when I left the field. I will have to try something because one was a 3-2 situation. I usually anounce the count every pitch after the first one. I'm not sure how I lost it. Like I said, I was probably tired and lost focus.

A few days ago I was doing doubleheader Mustang games and towards the last few innings of game 2, I lost the count, twice. The game was fast and furious with lots of leading off, stealing, pick off moves, bunting, over throws, you name it. I must have been getting tired, but it absolutely frustrated me that I allowed that to happen. I think once my finger moved the wheel on accident as I was coming out from behind the plate on yet another stolen base. The other time I think I just clicked it twice. I had been calling a good game until then. At least in my mind anyway. The parents of course let me know it, but I just ignored them. I know I must not be the only one to ever have forgot the count or had it wrong. I just wanted to fold my tent and go home. I didn't. I came back strong and finished the game, even got a few "Good game Blue" comments on the way out. It sure didn't feel good though. Any suggestions on a solid way to maintain the count? This is my first year and I'm taking my lumps and trying to learn from them.

9/10 yr old game yesterday. Two pretty good select teams with pitchers throwing hard with good control. Until the one pitch that the catcher couldnt knock down and it went screaming towards my cup. Thank god it whistled by, right under the cup, and right between my legs. Whew. Felt like a torpedo that just went under a ships hull. :eek:

Same here Kevin. Crisp, loud hammer for called strikes and the step back, soft silent hammer for the swinging strikes. Punch out gets the loud chainsaw though.

Thanks for the input SD Steve.

Thanks BT. In reflecting on the situation, I should have been more strong in calling the play. Live and learn.

Holy Protection Batman! These pads are awesome. Traditional is well....tradition!

I went to school at Central Washington University. Great people there, great school. Go Wildcats!

I just replaced my stock pads on my Wilson Dyna Lite mask with Team Wendy's tan ones. I love the look. Tonight's HS JV game I took a straight foul ball shot square to my face and didn't feel a thing. I was more surprised than anything. Players and coaches ooh and awe.."You ok blue?" Yep, just fine. I love these Team Wendy pads.

LOL. I like it. Thanks 24.

HS JV game tonight, solo. TOP of the 5th, close game, lead off BR takes a high inside pitch across the letters, makes no attempt to get out of the way of the ball. F2 receives the pitch, I call it a ball, BR just stands there and looks out me, outside the box. I tell him to get in the box, let's go. VC starts to yell that the pitch hit is player, "you gotta call that". He's chirping in the first base box. I tell him that's enough, let's play. Next pitch, BR smokes a double. Two batters later, same SH*#. High inside pitch, BR makes no attempt to avoid. F2 receives it, VC starts yelling that it hit his player again. BR just stands there. I never saw it or heard it hit the player. VC calls for time and comes down first baseline yelling, "That;s the second time this inning! You didn't hear that!?" I explained there was no attempt to avoid, the BR wasn't acting like he was hit. Now I'm giving him another warning to shut it down and let's play. He turns to go to the dugout and says, "Then get the call right!" Dump. Leave the park coach, your assistant coach is now in charge. BR steps back in the box, next pitch rips a single to right, scores the runner on second. Coach just dumped himself for no reason. I'm sure you fellas will find fault with what I did, but I sure tried to keep him in the game, he just wouldn't drop it.

So Kevin, should I just watch a little longer to see the ball released? Can I ask why would you not say those words? School is in session and I'm listening!

That's it. We have to be hustling. It hard to get out quick enough and get the angle at 90 ft. bases. But I'm working on it.

So its only my 3rd JV game ever today (3rd in 4 days). First inning, first hitter singles, Next pitch, stealing second, I break out to the left of the mound to get the angle. Ball just beats the runner at second, I'm delaying my call looking for the ball. Shortstop raises his glove, I bang him out. You guessed it, When I turned my back to go back to the plate, he reached down behind the bag and picked up the ball. VC comes roaring out of the dugout. Crap. "You didn't see him? He didn't have the ball!" He's right, but I didn't see that. So I stuck with my call because I truly didn't see him pick it up. Inning ends and I go over to the VC, he's pretty mellow about it and I explained that I guess the shortstop fooled me too, he won't do that again (or me). It ended up a moot point cause his team got waxed 11-1 in 5 innings. I certainly learned the hard way to make the player "SHOW" me the ball. Dang I felt bad about that. My zone was good today so that helps, but geez I hate that.

He was quiet the rest of the game. After he went back to the dugout, next batter, from his team, I called the same strike and he never said a word. I was so surprised at how young these two coaches looked. I mistaked both of them for players. Next game is tomorrow.

Well my first HS JV game is in the books. It went pretty smooth, 18-3 in 6 innings, TOP of the 6th went forever as the visiting team exploded with 10 runs to put it away. I feel that I made good calls at the bases and on the banger at the plate. I was a little rusty for the first few innings, it's been such miserable weather up here for so long. Home team coach came out to talk with me after I rang up one of his players on a curve ball that broke down into the zone. He says, "Now Blue, I'm not coming out to argue..(I said good) but then he started complaining that I need to let his players hit. "That ball was low" as he walked away. I just stared at him. His team got spanked and his pitchers just couldn't hit the strike zone. Their poor catcher was just all over the place chasing balls in the dirt. Anyway, this was a big learning process for me as I have been replaying my calls and the game in my head all afternoon and evening. JV up again on Monday, Tuesday and Friday with 3 Mustang 10U games on Saturday.

Thanks Mike. I just got assigned 3 more for next week. That feels good.

Game is almost here and my nerves are tingling. Kind of like Spidey Senses.

You fellas are killing me. My first is Saturday. Hopefully, I won't have a story like you guys.

Great comments fellas. I appreciate it. I'll definitely be hustling and working hard on my timing.

LOL...Good tip.

I've been assigned to my first HS JV game of the season for this coming Saturday. I've done mostly PONY league 10U and 12U stuff and wasn't expecting the call. I'm a little nervous but also excited as all get out. I just hope the dang wind, rain, hail, and snow stops by Saturday. Any helpful nuggets from you experts in HS JV would be helpful. I'll be a single, no partner.