MCLEOD36

Heck, welcome aboard Kid, you are taking the right approach. Know the rules, and keep calling games and you will keep getting better. If coaches, see you around the game and you are hustling, the respect grows very quickly.

If it is past the leather wrap of the bat, I would be careful> Meaning a lot of tape, I would have them remove it, if for purposes of reducing stings. A stray piece, likely let is go, but you can ask. If they say to reduce stings, tell them next time remove it please. In the 2nd situation, chips you have to live with, as long as there are not cracks or dents in it, that is fine. If dented or cracked, have it removed. I had a bat removed once, when it looked like a flat cricket bat in a tournament. Since we didnt do a formal pregame like in FED, I said remove this and get a new bat, and not call an out. Coach went crazy; dad said it was a new bat....and I went there are options of calling batter out and tossing you coach. Player got a new bat and said thanks blue..

LOL, you guys are NOT right.... I have come to understand that less is more. Some situations, can occur by partners verbalizing things that should be kept to themselves. In this case, Infield fly if fair, should be the best approach by the PU and mimicked by the BU, if necessary. If foul, ball dead and runners go back anyway, so if they want to run fine, let them, then send them back if necessary. We have all had funny partners, I used to call a guy sleepy when I coached, and then got the chance to umpire with him....and just shook my head, ie paybacks LOL. Verbalizing catches in outfield does make sense, if PU and in two man, to help your partner. And Yes, I as PU even verbilized a fair ball up the third base line, in a three man after pointing twice. Now, I know I shouldnt have, but it almost hit my partner in D and he was stunned a bit, so I wanted to bring him back into the game.... And this board, is usually much better then most others. And I tend to find, Brians and various others comments USUALLY pretty good, and only relish when I get a rare opportunity to gently throw Bri under the bus. But I find that when I do, he has already taken out the samurai sword, quickly sliced my neck and I only find out when I am laughing on the floor at him and my head falls off....

In FED, they get 8 pitches if a pitcher is changed, 5 in between innings. If they want to warm up, fine, but dont let is stop the game...

Mr. Ump, That is not the case, if the 2nd play from the infield or by an outfielder try to make play at 1B, then it is time of throw and not pitch. Thus, there is a distinction. In your example hit to pitcher, it would be time of the pitch, if the ball is hit to pitcher and he is making play at first base.

That is just NFG, that whole situation. Inmates running asylum, where was PU when partner was in jam? I would have just started tossing.........

If he goes on the field to be a basecoach, I would make sure he had a helmet on, and if you thought necessary to have a player with him, make sure he has a helmet too. The issue is safety and the next mobility. I look at it this way, on my watch, I strive not to have a player get hurt. Dugout is fine, field handle it as you see appropriate and it looks like you handled correctly.

Warren, Great information. I got one of the new flex ones that has cracked, but not that one listed. I do like their products.

Mr. Ump. This is a very good post, and pregames do help this as well to make sure you have tag up coverage etc. Just taking it a step further, had a deer in headlights look this weekend from PU, until I pointed to him and go, THAT IS YOURS. Timing plays and fourth outs, are very important and I am sure the coach will not lose sight of this again, in the next game and hopefully will grab you during the later games in the season and thank you.

I have balked guys for leaning and yes, it is judgment, if a guy wants to get tossed for that, well, I always think he is chapped about something else...

Let me get the cotton from my ears, from all my adoring fans in the stands. I think we use all senses when doing what we do, seeing and hearing is best, dont guess. You can pick up the cues from the catcher too, hand throbbing and those you better call. If he nicks it and gets on, I heard NADA.... But I like Warren's answer... as for the big words, I just try to gloss over them..... POOF....lol

The platinum is wider and does give better east to west protection. I also have to have two shirts; one for bases and larger for the plate because of it. I do think the protection around the neck, almost collarlike is better then the gold...

If my partner is senior, I will defer. If not, I dont mind the plate the first game. Then I know I can set a tempo from the start and not have any issues for the 2nd..

The only issue is for the player; usually confining them to the bench is best. Keeps them from getting in trouble and or problems for you if they do.

Warren. Now dont laugh, beginning of season in a practice game, did the same thing, troubled ball to left, I come up the line, kid rounding 2nd, partner stumbles, I yell "I got three", call the kid out. One of the evaluators that was there, was going dont ever take three, I go well I was there partner stumbled, he goes that is his mistake..... I go, well, I got his back.

In HS/FED, I have used them on the bases, but now mostly keep it in my pocket. I have also asked my partner if he wants any back up of it, if no, then stays in pocket.

I still like their (hockey masks) protection the best, most balls will glance off them, making a direct hit very difficult, unlike the traditional masks. It is funny though, having to remove the ball marks on it and then remembering each clobbering that I received.

Had a game this weekend, where catcher literally set up almost on the plate, I stepped back got in the slot and just made sure no contact was made. I think it comes down to positioning, if both are very close, then look for it and if interuption of the swing, call it. The little thud does sound different, then a foul ball, as does a catcher getting up and holding his hand, ha ha. Remember too, the interference thud will be before the catcher does catch the ball or foul tip or foul ball.

Guys, I received mine today. It will be a very handy device to keep in your car, since it is the size of a large frisbee and expands quite nicely to accomodate big bodies with plenty of room. The price is very reasonable for this product and will serve its purpose very well. The owner of the company, Chris, has been very responsive to any emails or questions that I have had. Folding it up, takes a time or two to get right, but once you do, not a problem.

Sometimes a quick, update from the coaches in the 3rd or 5th inning helps to avoid this. Without a scoreboard, it can get very dicey and with a scoreboard they too can get it wrong. My only comment is; nip in the bud if you can; but the scorekeeper is the ulimate authority.

Oh, here is a nice solution. Take an aspirin before the game to calm you, LOL. If coach is persisting on silly things or throwing partner under the bus, I will get together with partner after that and we shorten the rope and warn him. Having a coach up in your grille against your partner, or flailing around on minor stuff and trying to demean; STAY UNITED and be ready to toss him very quickly...

Pete. am not missing it, my point is I can see more coaches coming unglued in this situation when the guy is being obstructed that way. My guess is SS is watching the play and runner runs into him heading to third prior to a tag up, that is a harder situation to call then SS holding him up. Obstruction is one base or two (umpires judgement) period; I was just trying to think of the situation there. In either case; be loud on either obstruction or interference calls, cause you know grief can be forthcoming...

If something is very technical, I try to tell a coach or pitcher between innings; ie set postion part of foot is off the pitchers mound by a couple of inches. But gorilla arm is a balk swinging or not, unless an association defines it like that, a balk in TX or CO is a balk in FL.

MS. Get better soon will you, you are a nice one to have around here for many reasons, even helping us guys from afar. John.

Pete. I think the issue on obstruction was, timing. We all agree baserunner gets one base, but if runner is obstructed on a flyball from 2nd to 3rd before the tag and he had to go back on the tag up, that is a very hard call to make and give him third on the intial obstruction unless blatant. Now getting back to the base or running after the tag; he gets third.