dmdhiker

I am starting the basketball hs licensing thing, clinic in Nov as well as the test portion. First year ump and now first year bball ref.

With the rain yesterday, games got shuffled and I am doing Santo Domingo vs W. Bloomfield, MI, on Sporel Park today at 11am. Should be some good baseball. Then back to the Swamp. As a rookie I try not to correct the vets, but JM there are 500+ umps in our association.

Great updates UmpJM. I too am working the same tourney. Being a rookie, it is an honor to be asked to work these games. Did 6 games last weekend, 3 DHs. Hung out each day before and after at the Swamp. What a great bunch of guys, very enjoyable spending time with such experienced umps. Seems that everyone goes out of there way to help a new guy. Learned so much about 2-man mechanics. Have a game tomorrow then back to the Swamp and will be there Sunday also to support a great crew of umpires. See you in the next couple of days JM.

In the some HS games I work, it seems okay to have a small cooler on the field, against the fence, near the on deck circle. During a plate conference, HC mentioned a hole under the backstop, said this is where the umps usually puts their cooler so as to block the hole.

Name of a equipment maker/seller. I have a "smitty" shirt.

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=23042581&topic_id=&c_id=sd&tcid=vpp_copy_23042581&v=3

Hey JM, I saw about half of each of the games that started at 6pm. Stood by the BUs so I'm sure we met in a way. Look forward to meeting you again tomorrow. Michael

Must have done something right this year as I am one of a dozen or so invited to our associations clinic for on field instructions on 2-man mechanics. Went to last weeks clinic to observe and will be doing the bases at the clinic this Tuesday.

Can't agree more with what CS-Blue states above. You do see a lot of pitches, all of them in fact, compared to half as many with 2-man. Trial by fire for sure. Made me extra vigilant with knowing the rules as there is no one to go to with questions, so you better know wtf you are doing. Kept a journal of every game, noting rules to review, getting better position, etc. I must admit that going out and nailing a solo game feels great, something about standing on your own is empowering. At 50 my goal is to ump HS ball, not little league games or youth travel games, so this is how it is done in Illinois. In all my games this season there may have been no more than a handful of close calls that would have benefitted from a BU viewpoint. Doesn't seem like 2-man is that advantageous for lower level games. Believe me I don't want to take an opportunity away from a fellow ump to do as many games as they wish, but the cost to schools to have 2-man for all games seems excessive as a tax-payer. Just my very green opinion.

Did my first 2-man game today. Me and another ump had the same solo soph game on our schedule so instead of flipping a coin we both worked the game. Told the other ump that I've never worked with a partner, a I only having plate gear, so I took the plate. He is an experienced varsity ump. Had just a minute to go over basic rotations and signals and we had to hit the field. We talked between most inning, getting instruction, etc. He started the game giving the signals between us and by the end of the game, I as UIC, was giving signals between us. Uneventful game, learned much in one game on 2-man mechanics. Didn't seem as complicated as I thought. Have a few clinics coming up for greenish guys to instruct on 2 and 3 man. Good day, got that 2-man monkey off my back.

Thanks for all the one man comments, but hey, I work in the state I live. Didn't choose this path. Should I not ump because of the state I live in? Bold statement to say that I learned "nothing but bad habits". How do you know what I know and what habits you say all one man umps develop. Kind of painting with a rather broad brush. Thanks for the encouraging words. NOT.

Hey all, started umping this year after being out of the game for some 30+ years. Jumped in with both feet. Did 32 HS games this spring. All one-man. Twelve freshman A games, 9 freshman B games, 11 sophomore games. Seven DHs. Have done 9 HS games this summer, 4 of these were varsity games, all solo. Don't recommend this rookie path for the faint of heart. Was challenging and nerve wracking at times but had a blast. A lot more good days than bad. Learned a ton, with lots more to learn. Have to learn 2-man mechanics now if I want to do some varsity games next year. Its great being Blue.

Humid 95 HS 5:30hr DH today and didn't break a sweat. :smachhead:

I too completed my first year. Thirty-one freshman A and B games with a handful of sophomore games. All solo. Very interesting year, learned a lot. Been out of the game for 30 years so getting back on the field is great. Continue the hard work and your efforts will be rewarded. Nice job.

First year ump (late bloomer), did 31 lower level HS games this spring. Filled in today for a game starting in 45 minutes, close to home, for the KBL. For the most part two thirds of the players were second generation Asian and the rest, white guys. Cash on the field, although this isn't what made this a fun outing. With adult players, NO coaches, and NO parents, it couldn't be an easier or a more relaxed game to call. A bunch of ex-players giving each other the business, reliving their younger years. Just a good vibe all around. Lots of laughs, good time had by all, ( well maybe not so much for the team rocked 12-1). The losing pitcher hadn't thrown in 10 years and after the game asked if I think he got his fastball in the low 80s. Dreams of "The Rookie" probably.