PonyUmpire

Decide where the line is, and shut coaches down the moment they cross it. I was working 4 9u travel ball games on Sunday, with me on the last 2 plates. In my second game, one team's coaching staff was all over my partner (who took MUCH more crap than I would have). I knew that when I had them on my championship plate, they would be a problem. Sure enough, early on in the championship,I hear an assistant coach in the dugout start to chirp about balls and strikes. I ignore the first chirp. Later on, after I call a strike at the letters, I hear, from the same guy, "be consistant". A moment later, he loudly yells "you've got to be consistent with your strike zone!". I immediately call time, throw my hand up toward the offending dugout, and yell "That's enough! I'm done listening to you!" I then turn to the HC, who is coaching third base, and firmly say "Bob, you need to control your staff. I'm not going to listen to your assistants chip at me about balls and strikes." He responded that he would take care of it, and I didn't hear anything for the rest of the game. This is the same coaching staff that was all over my partner on every pitch. The take away is that coaches will do what you let them get away with. If you put your foot down early and firmly, you can put a stop to unwanted behavior.

Better view than PU for F/F past first base and catch/no catch for trouble balls to right field. Puts you in the ideal position to take a play at 1st (it's much more difficult to see a pulled foot/swipe tag from inside the diamond). Also gives you a better angle for check swings on righty batters. Finally, it keeps you from getting tangled up with infielders, or struck by the ball.

How is this confirmed?

Sounds like a spot on ej.

Do you have any openings for actors?

In all its 1 season of glory?

Dude, I'm all about BSG!

You ruled correctly. On a play like this, the batter-runner is usually not liable for interference, as per 7.09-j-comment. However, if he does anything that doesn't involve immediately running towards first base (like lingering in the box as he did in your play), and hinders the catcher, you can bang him.

They have playoff's in teeball? Wow I can't imagine that here we dont even score teeball Down here in SoCal, T-ball is a pretty big deal. It took me several years of work (going to camps/clinics ect.) before I was given the privilege of working the T-ball level. It doesn't surprise me that they're using a 3 man crew for the championship. What I like the most is the milk and cookie break in the top of the 3rd inning. A hallowed tradition indeed.

They have playoff's in teeball? Wow I can't imagine that here we dont even score teeball Down here in SoCal, T-ball is a pretty big deal. It took me several years of work (going to camps/clinics ect.) before I was given the privilege of working the T-ball level. It doesn't surprise me that they're using a 3 man crew for the championship.

Admitted weakness of mine that I will have to work on overcoming. I don't know that it's about convincing anyone. I really don't process it. It is just a snap reaction to ignorance. It's a trigger for me. I have a difficult time ignoring coaches that say monumentally stupid things. Something that helped me in my conversations with coaches is practicing a set of canned responses and trying to stick with those. That way, I don't have to worry about trying to think on my feet, and then talking myself into a corner. For example: - "I had him out" - "The tag beat him" - "The throw beat him" or - "I had him safe" - "He beat it" - "I had a high tag" - "He missed the tag" And if the coach persists: - "I'm not discussing it further" - "That's enough" - "Go back to your position/the dugout" - "We're done here" On a judgement call, there's hardly a chance of me changing the coach's mind, so I'm not going to try very hard. My goal is to shut him down and make him go away, while being as calm and professional as I can about it.

By the letter of the rule, you should bang R2 for failing to avoid a fielder attempting to make a play on a batted ball. The fact that there was contact practically necessitates a violation of 7.09 (j). Not sure I would grab that end of the stick though.

What an idiot. You'd think he'd know where the line is by now.

Hmm... I might have learned something. Do you have a page reference? I might be blowing smoke noumpere. My HS assoc uses the 2014 CCA manual, so I assumed the between-inning positioning we were taught was in the book. Upon further investigation, I can't find anything at all in the CCA manual that addresses this. I will edit my comment.

The pros stand about 15 feet up the foul line, opposite the batting team.

I hear it's hard to collect. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk It very well could be. To your question of have I ever had to use my officials insurance, the answer is no. I do, however, know of a AAA guy who was sued and had to use his insurance (not sure of the circumstances)

NASO includes lost game fees due to injury. Could be worth it

In HS, I might let certain things go if only I can hear it, and it's not personal.

Tucker, it depends on the level. In youth ball, I'm ejecting for any swear word, at any volume.

Like many have said, it seems like you have a tracking/timing issue. Breathing out before each pitch is a good way to help you track, as it makes you relax. If you can get this down, good timing will come naturally. Also, don't overthink the zone. You've been umpiring for a while, so you know what a strike looks like. Just focus on tracking, and the pitches will call themselves.

I have my first (ever) regular season HS Varsity assignments this weekend; a DH this Saturday. As a first year member of my association, I am very fortunate to have been given this opportunity. Will let you guys know how it goes.

It sounds like you've worked solely little league, so make sure you're familiar with the proper mechanics for working inside the diamond. I would advise arriving early so you can have a thorough pregame with your partner. Don't go out there trying to prove yourself. Treat it as a learning experience, and accept that you might make mistakes. Concentrate on slowing your timing down, and take time to absorb every play. And try not to suck

What level? Are you on the plate or bases?

Not only did you overrule your partner on a pure judgement call, but did so when, by your own admission, the original call might have been right. You've helped create a monster, as that coach now thinks he can get a second opinion on any call he doesn't like.

JV game, I have the dish. HT batter squares to bunt, pushes his bat towards the ball, then quickly pulls his bat back after missing it. I call a swing, and immediately from the HT dugout, I hear "oh come on, he pulled the bat back!" I turn and see the HT manager calmly walking out toward me. Me - "Bob, don't come out here and argue balls and strikes." Coach - "I'm not arguing, I just want you to get help. He pulled the bat back" Me - "I had him offering at the pitch Bob" Coach - "Why can't you just ask your partner?" Me - "I've already called a swing. It's not appealable" Coach - "Okay", and walks back to the dugout. After the game, my partner told me I should have asked for help to diffuse the situation. We agreed to disagree. What are your thoughts?