Jocko

I used this a lot at younger ages because it made sense and was worth the risk. It was very effective in stopping the track meet at younger ages (up to 12u). Usually you know you can't stop the steal, so there isn't much risk involved - if R1 isn't stealing, he probably was going on the next pitch. As the kids got to 13u and 14u I used it only when I had either stolen the steal sign or had the rare kid that was definitely going to go and definitely going to complete the stolen base. I will say I often had to feel out umpires on the rule. Usually a subtle conversation between innings. I know most on here are well versed on the rule and would be slightly miffed at a coach bringing it up, but I often come across umps that hadn't thought much about it and would have called balk as a kneejerk reaction even when they knew the rule well. It's rare that I'll call it at 16u or older unless I have absolutely stolen the steal sign. The above warning is apt. The opposing coach WILL come off his rocker.I make it a point never to have a rules clinic with coaches during the game

Lmao

not only no provisions for correcting, explicit by definition NOT to correct it

I haven't seen many spring innings. But I have changed my K3 a bit. I used to raise my left leg with the chainsaw. Now i keep it planted.

NFHS 2-16-1-E

Excuse me. Saw this on Force 3 fb page. Guess they're false advertising too? Jeebus. @Thunderheads .....delete this pls

http://deadspin.com/college-ump-takes-nasty-foul-tip-straight-to-the-mask-1691580757

yep. It's all about the timing. Slow down. And when you think you're slow enough, slow down some more. We know it. We live by it. And some days it STILL bites us (me) on the arse.

The offended team lost.

And boy did I ever. I'm on the stick. NFHS rules. Last time I had this team the HC was ejected. New game new day, right? Yeah. Critical moment in late innings. 2 run game. Bases loaded. 2 outs. Sound proverbial? Yeah. And a VERY good F2 is up to bat. Works deep into the count. With 2-2, he hits a grounder down 1BL. Just outside the line. What do I do? FOUL! And no sooner than I get the word out of my mouth........ball hits the bag and caroms to the fence. I IMMEDIATELY start cursing myself. Bite the bullet. "Coach, I blew that call. That ball was fair, we all know it, and I totally kicked it. But the fact remains that the ball is foul." I gave him a mile of rope. And he used it. Next pitch is D3K and the batter is thrown out at 1B. Inning over. Next half inning, VT scores 6 earned runs. Wow. Bottom of the last, HT pop up, single, pop up, liner. Ball game. And I have to eat the sh@t sandwich I made.

Slow down.

I go to deep C. I'm quick enough to get to wherever I need to be from there.

No, it's because most umpires don't have the seeds to make the tough cal and keep the batter at the plate. I've heard umpires talking about calling in accordance with what everyone else at the park is thinking. Indeed, we must sell what we know to be true when we know most everyone else didn't see what we saw. But I think on these HBP calls, a lot of guys have in the back of their minds, or maybe even in the front of their minds, 'this guy should be staying right here, but everyone else thinks he should get first, so I'm sending him to first'. I'm not saying that's right or wrong, but I will say that if the coaches', players', and spectators' knowledge of the rules influences enforcement of the rules, we shouldn't enforce most of them! What anyone else thinks NEVER occurs to me. I call what I see. If this is the case (worrying about the coaches/fans/players, etc) chances are, you've got a partner who is unsure of himself. As for the OP, it's rare that I see someone LET a ball hit them without some form of movement. The old turn and take it is enough for me to send him on down. And if I see an inside curve that doesn't curge quite enough (read: in the batter's box as opposed to just being inside) I'm sending him down. Batter doesn't have to do much at all to show me he didnt allow it to hit him. The pitch didn't belong there anyway. Last week, I had a batter poke his elbow out and get HBP. I kept him in the box and added a ball to his count. HC was LIVID. Oh well. I saw what I saw.

Howdy from the deep South

and the field specific rules, which tend to vary crew-to-crew

http://umpire-empire.com/index.php/topic/57693-where-do-i-begin/?hl=querstion This is my horror story from last season. We all have them. Some are just worse than others. Learn from every assignment. This experience definitely shows you what NOT to do

WOW. This has turned into horses#it. As in strike zones, we all have different views. What may be distracting to you may not be to me. And vise versa. That being said, I'm done with this thread. What could have been a learning point has turned into a SH*#show.

Block his ass

But whats the penalty? Certainly not a substitute. or, lacking an eligible sub, an out. Haha. Those umps are just not to allow it.

I'm BU in A. Foul ball hits the fence HARD, ricochets directly.....wait for it........INTO MY PARTNER'S BALL BAG

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Reebok-Field-Magistrate-baseball-Softball-Umpire-Coaches-shoe-retails-99-/191411373207?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item2c9101c497

you were there. I wasn't. All I can give is my opinion. If I have this same issue, I will address it at that time. Sounds like your game ended without much incident. So, no harm no foul, yes? I'm trying hard not to be condescending or condemning. Hope that's how I've come across thus far.

Ordered my UE today.

I'm not familiar, but it sounds like you really enjoy it. And that's what keeps us doing what we do. Glad you had fun.

I know that utrip utilizes the DH beginning at age 15. That's what I primarily called for awhile. Don't see how they cite NL as their basic ruleset and use a DH???