Specks

1) From the sound of it you did fine. It's been said many times that 2 man is about compromises, this is one of them. I was taught in this case worry about the angle not the distance, you won't beat the player home. Head for the angle at the front of the mound and if you have time then close the distance from there, that angle should be ok. Make sure you keep an eye on the ball so F6 doesn't decide to throw home and drill you in the back. 2) No, it's rare that he would know where I should be, only that I wasn't where he normally sees PU so he complains.

Good for you having the guts or skill to be the only one to call it! I had a game where I thought I saw a balk but no one else said anything (3-man) so I convinced myself I didn't see it that way. I later chastised myself for being weak.

Even if he positions himself in front of the runner I don't think that, in and of itself, is OBS. The fielder by rule can position himself anywhere he wants (fair territory). Now if he's moving and it's obvious what he's doing then yes. I guess I had a different picture in my mind with the OP.

Some MLB guys don't look like they're using one but just very good at not making it obvoius. One that I know looks at it when he brings his hand up and adjusts his mask. One smooth fluid motion. Another reason they're there. I hate when I look at it and it seems I'm reading a book.

Afraid to post for fear I'll jinx myself.

I introduce myself at the plate meeting and give my name and get theirs. Then try to remember or write it down and refer to their first name for the game. Asst coaches are just "coach" or nothing at all. When a manager remembers my name and uses it, I am impressed (doesn't happen very often sorry to say). Managers don't have too much to do they are usually just too inexperienced (or whatever) to pay attention. I prefer to be called by my first name because it's professional and I think Blue is impersonal. It's harder for a manager to say "Greg, you're terrible" than "Blue, you're terrible".

The other answer to this is SLOW DOWN. See the play in it's totality, look at the play see what happened then make your call. No reason to ever need to change your call unless there was additional info that you didn't have.

Smitty at first, stupid if later, but how long have they been umpiring? When I first started and was doing 9u I didn't wear plate shoes, I don't recall getting hit but as I gained experience I realized it was stupid and was a matter of when not if and when I got hit I could be hurt and out of work (no AFLAC duck for me). Now I'm (hopefully) experienced enough to make my safety a priorty.

In the first sitch, was the fielder "jockeying back and forth" (is that even a word) or did he position himself in front of R2? Or maybe pass in front of once?

+1 Very comfortable and moisture wicking.

I would be in the "carry my indicator" camp, I've always used it and enjoyed the early post from both sides of the topic. I've worked on not looking at it often and I bought the kind that have notches so I can. But until I learned to advance it at the same time every time I would, every now and then, forget if I did advance it. That left me mentally hoping the batter puts the ball in play, not a good feeling. All in all I think it helps me. That being said this last weekend I had a HS double header and as I was getting ready to walk to the field I reached into my box where I keep said device, and to my horror I realized I had left it in my locker. I have never been more focused in a game before! Because I didn't have it to fall back on I announced the count more often and REALLY paid attention. Got thru both games without an issue and promptly went home and orderd 2 more indicators so I'm never without one again.

Sorry, jumped the gun by asking before reading.

Does the Mid-American Umpire Clinic cover the 2-man or 3-man system?

I'm excited, just got back from the post office and sent my gold off to Team Wendy! Now just waiting on the postman.

Most coaches are too busy trying to do my job than doing their own.

When the BU goes out on a trouble ball he's responsible for making sure there's no issue (ball rolling OOP etc.) and staying out until the ball is thrown back into the infield. If it's a straight up triple I don't think I'll have time to get home. If I can I will but the PU should be prepared to cover home everytime unless I communicate that I'm there.

That was my question. I saw it in a show I DVR'd and I kept replaying the commercial to see if he was. My wife walked in sees me replaying it and says "wow, what an umpire geek"!

Things never get better as the game progresses, I agree with everyone that if he starts that way send him home right then. The game will be better without that kind of attitude. And I have ejected at the plate meeting for a comment similiar to Stan W.'s about my partner.

I stay out of the stands, what they say (unless loud f-bombs or threats) doesn't matter especially at this level.

I saw it live also and on the audio replay when the manager first came running out it sounded like he was saying "no no no no" and got between the PU and his players to try to prevent the EJ's.

I agree it's to close to coaching and I think it starts off on a negative, saying what not to do. If it's 14u and above I introduce myself, get his name and tell him to feel free to call me Greg. Under 14u they seem to change too much and I'm not smart enough to remember multiple catchers and managers names. Then just gentle correction as needed.

If I'm in "A" I'm not granting that appeal. I should be able to see a pulled foot. I'll just explain I had a good view and dont' need help.

I love Reebok shoes but my experience is you do have to go up a 1/2 size.

Very little indecision (don't know if that a good thing or not). If I'm thinking it could be a strike, it's a strike. When I'm self evaluating during a game and I'm talking to myself about pitches it's rare I say "Greg you shouldn't have called that a strike". It's usually "you could have gotten that one also".

When I speak of consistant strike zones I of course mean when it's good. I can't recall seeing a game where the umpire was "bad" and consistant, usually the "bad" part comes from inconsistancy. I call a big zone, I'll go 2 balls in and out at least 1 down and the top is usually below the elbows. Some coaches (HS) don't want anything above the navel called, that's too low, he won't like the higher called strike but I will be consistant and his team will either adjust or they won't. Not my problem. I agree with you that sometimes the "you have to adjust to my zone" mantra is a way justify having a poor zone but from a playing standpoint it's true. The batter can either watch the pitch that's 3" inside that I strike and go sit down or he can swing at it. My job is to make sure I'm consistant so he can make the decision of what to do.