RC@54OUTS

We've had this rule for some time and we all wish that the coaches would control their parents but sometimes parents get stuck on stupid.To my knowledge all the USSSA games here in SoCal are played at Big League Dream parks.They all have a full bar. So beer and hard liquor add some color to the behavior of the parents.I have reminded the coaches at the plate meeting that its o'beer thirty and that they are responsible for their crowd. No threats. Just a reminder and they know totally what I'm talking about.

First thing. What level ball were you doing? 13/14U is the most dangerous ball around IMOP. If the catcher can't catch and batters are swinging at high inside fast balls I don't care what stance you take. Only thing I see is where guys are not in the slot. If your right behind the catcher your toast. And as one other said, if you move out your going into the kill zone.

So let me get this straight. This isn't a straight steal. So on a wild pitch the batter doesn't have to vacate the area. C'mon. Per the described situation I have interference. I agree to "try" not rewarding the mistake but that batter has got to get out of the way. On a side note I get pitchers trying to get between me and the plate when a throw is coming in on a play at home. And then they want the out. I guess it's like some others have said. HTBT.

Yeah. Love to hear about game two. I may have walked on game one but definitely let him have it all on game #2. It amazes me that guys like that get any games. It hurts us all.

PBUC requires that you do the hammer motion for strikes. When you get to the MLB you can do whatever. As far as youth ball nothing could be more true. If it can it will. Murphy's Law. Good timing will keep you out of trouble most of the time. Now if you are working one man try to keep your head looking forward.

The battle between coaches, umpires and unsupportive assigners will go on long after we are gone. As far as burning bridges. WTH. F him. He's the one who brought this on. If he needs to be dumped. Dump him based on his actions at that time. Don't bring history into this. Always stay in control. Be professional. If you are then your golden. Remember, there are always three teams on the field.

I agree with everyone. Write down the manager's name when you meet. That will help. And for most games the manager is the only one you speak to. Or the guy who comes to the plate meeting.

Well you won't forget a pen next time. Right! Now let's look at the situation here. For now I don't give a damn about sneaky coaches. You'll learn. But your feeling guilty and the coach is getting his ass kicked. Of course he's going to blame you for everything. That's when you give the formal warning. A formal warning puts you in a defendable position. Always give a formal warning when possible. Guess how I know. If I cut myself on a call I'm not going to let a coach throw a pound of salt in the wound. Maybe a pinch but that's it. You'll never forget this. Move on and never ever ever let a coach show you up!

As you can see you've only received encouragement to go. All of these guys including myself wish they could have a do-over. Becoming an umpire will prepare you for many things to come in your life. I think that's what Justin was talking about. As far as going to the show, the odds are against you but don't let that stop you. D1 umpires will make more money than guys that are starting up the pro ladder. The price you pay. Just go for it! No regrets!

I have in the past at lower level games told the coaches at the plate meeting very casually to not help with balk calls. I'll tell them that if they beat me to the call they don't get it. No different when the base coach motions to you, God and everyone else that the pitcher is blowing through the stop. They don't get that either. Unless the balk is so blatant. It kills me when a young inexperienced pitcher is on the mound and the apposing coach wants a balk. I want strikes. I'm not going to mess with that kids mind and get him focused on balks.

I was at the same clinic as Steve when Brent was demonstrating this mechanic. Yes you are correct when stating you are looking in the same direction as f2. When the catcher is either in foul ball territory or fair it will determine where the runner will go to avoid a tag. Get in there and stay on the catchers inside shoulder to the foul line and you will be in position. The catcher will have to cross over and rotate to tag when in fbt and open up.

Anybody ever look into compression sleeves with UV protection in the fabric? If so did they work? Get any ribbing from other partners? Here where I live I learned from the landscape guys. 100 degrees and not an inch of skin uncovered.

I just changed out my WVP with the Delta flex harness. Had to cannibalize the strap off the old harness and my wife sew them on for more length. They were too short. Now vest stays up tight all game. Perfect.

I saw these vests last summer after I got heat stroke. I went with the rite temp pads and tried them last week. I couldn't keep them from slipping down. Any solutions other than velcro? I even had zippers put in my shirts like Rapuano to switch them out.

I have the same problem with my jacket or Honig's shirts. My Honigs do not stretch so I only buy majestic or smitty's shirts. They stretch so one size fits all. I need a larger jacket. Damn near pull a muscle putting it on.

I agree with Jocko on the number of chances to give a coach. That way you re in a defendable position. Of course if they are stuck on stupid they gotta go. We just had a mini clinic on ejections and the IC made a good point for me. If you walk towards the coach half way then when you leave and walk away and he follows then he appears to be the aggressor. And yes the little SH*#, never any leeway.

All suggestions are good. The drills and someone helping you by watching your eyes track the ball. Try setting up so both eyes are straight forward looking at the plate rather than have your eyes canted unevenly. This has been talked about before. But timing is everything. Great article on this web "What is good timing". Don't get into auto pilot or instinct when calling the pitch. If that makes any sense. Slows you down.

Still looking for my three pitch inning. Come close. 4. 3 is rare. Most coaches won't let it happen.

My bad. As shown in the picture the free foot can be off the end of the rubber in the wind up. I like the exaggerated look at the pitchers feet to send a message to an informed coach. But he has to be informed. But that's the challenge. Right?

Don't know about Ohio but it's new here. Essentially and this is a very rough breakdown of the rule. In a wind up both feet have to be facing the plate and across the rubber. Not one foot on and one off the end. In the stretch both feet have to be in front of the rubber and facing first or third. We received a handout with pictures of right and wrong where a pitcher can put his feet at the beginning of our meetings.

I was wondering how the guys that do Fed HS ball are doing with the new hybrid balk. It's still early in the season and very few coaches seem to know about it. It's a rule that I really don't like and hate to enforce. But like it or not I'll have to call it and handle the crap that follows. I'm sure the coaches didn't get the memo on it. I get the "what the hell are you talking about" look when I bring it up.

I would love to be a fly on the wall when there is a difference of opinion on a call or rules interpretation with your boys. Having been there and all. Haha

On a IBB the catcher may leave his box before the ball is released. Otherwise he must stay in the box with both feet fully in the box until the ball is released. We have all had 12u and 13u catchers set up way outside for a pitch. I mean like in the opposite box. They are taught this junk by coaches thinking they spot can their pitches. That's when the pitcher busts one inside right at your head. Soooo you can tell your catcher that there aren't any strikes out there or call a catcher's balk. It's self preservation. Think about this one. High school varsity game. Big stud lefty, rh batter and left handed catcher sets up way outside. That's a long way to come across and catch that inside heater that "Got away".

I'm sure that for some of you this isn't new news to you. I spent 460 at ump-attire and decided that the Champro bag is too big for my needs. $55 to ship it back! Make sure you really want what you order. Wish that they would allow us to return using their corp account with UPS. At our expense. Wouldn't be $55.

Yes. I swapped out my Doe skins last season for the TW'S. The hit wasn't that hard it just hit at an unusual angle. Sooo, I'm out for youth ball during the HS season. Feels like a good decision.