MCLEOD36

If hit by a pitch and if the opposing coach requests/umpire approves that the batter is put on base without pitching to him, meaning the intentional walk and no pitches. The ball is declared dead as it would be in a hit batter.

The ball is dead if the coach requests the intentional walk. It is a live ball before hand, but once coach requests it and it is granted it is a dead ball. That is HS, which I am sure passes to LL.

Yes, gave all my 2006 to 2008 books to the LL umps I know and said, let me have two of them coming today. The obstruction is getting a tad cumbersome at times.

I try to keep it simple. If I need help, I will get it and look for partner to add value. We do have to rely on each other to cover their spots, but on the bases good vision can help out with catches and perifery vision on touches. Going from 60 foot bases (small ball) to 90 foot also has some quirks, but if you went for help on everything, we all would be sunk.

I usually am a stickler about it, I say necklace inside the shirt to most kids wearing bling. This weekend, for a 12U game in the championship, I had a pitcher take off his puka necklace ie all white. When he griped and went to his coach, the coach goes we are lucky to have this ump, do it now. It is funny, we play MLB rules and some coaches gripe and then I tell them HS and College...a no no.. Same with kids sitting outside dugout, I usually bark once or twice, thank the kids and coaches and go, I would rather not see you hit. Most quickly get it and that point becomes mute.

Guys, I would ump with all of you. We all love the game, sometimes crummy things happen to make us a tad sullen, but like Bob Seeger, "I turn the Page". Last night, a coach who bumped a guy in a tournament, as in a playoff game and I had the dish. When he whined about a call at home, I kinda pulled a Brett Farve, hit his tail and went, coach NOT tonight.

I usually dress in my sliders/cup protector at home, then throw on shorts. If the mom's mind me in black spandex when i put my pants on then I might have to buy one of these things. Most of the time it is the front seat, and a quick look around to avoid the gawkers.

well put guys. Couldn't have said it better myself about the refreshed part. I had coached for years, and have two boys 12 and 14, so it allowed me go get back in the game and actually for me give back to the community. While sometimes called/begged to ump a 12U game in a crummy neighborhood, and it can be a pain, I look at it as giving back to the game/community. I make sure my shoes are polished and shine and pants are pressed and I hustle, cause I wouldnt want to let one of those kids down by taking a night off. It has also given my boys, who both pitch, a different prospective and has helped them. Oh, and this brothers in blue thing, the good ones get it.

Shoot, and I wanted to call you Warren a dirty rotten scoundrel..... When I got back into umpiring a couple of years ago, I looked for sites like this and books etc. so I could refresh myself quickly. This site has been excellent in as I call it going "open Kimono" and allowing people to go ok, I have an issue or this situation and I need input. There are not many ump sites, but the ones that are out there, can be filled with technicians and those bringing out experiences. The ones with contributors that are "my way or highway ones", well life can be too short. Happy Holidays to all, and yes, in Miami we still have games going on....

I think he handled it correctly too. Thats enough, usually are the best two words that can be used. Not one more word is a recipe for disaster. A hand up with thats enough usually works too, they can then make a few under the breath comments and it is done. If not...toss. This weekend, in a tourney, two coaches proceeded to tell their players to on a high tag pushing match, next time punches are acceptable. THe boys were warned and coaches tossed, an easy one.

Pretty darn handy....

Warren. I looked at it like this, as did others above, I didnt mind being thrown into the wolves at the camp I recently attended and told myself, just get better. It is like your site and these forumns, I like reading many of them and especially the situations and mechanics because it gets me very focused very fast before my time on the field. It was very refreshing at the camp to see MLB umps (fresh off world series) fine tuning my plate work and then giving me SH*#(take, the mushroom) because of my metal counter and said does that thing have a gps. Yes, I asked a lot of silly questions at times or looked dopey on the bases and dish, but very quickly the guys/girl (one) came up to me and went damn you did improve and it was a pleasure having you with us. As MS said above, if you arent learning something new quit. Just my two cents.

MS, No diffent then me on the tossing, have built a reputation of knowing the rules (usually, ha ha) and the mockery point was only one of i would rather bark then bite and the ones I have tossed got the point quickly. We have some very sloppy umpires in JV and under leagues in South Florida and it is a shame. HS and above here are very good and the coaches typically arent dads of the shortstops.

Pete. I think that is funny, and you know you are dealing with a good kid. I remember doing, a 14U game, then headed to two scrimmages with Varsity and then JUNCO kids, and got the same answer from the college kid. I then went to the catcher in the next half and went, you do have some funny kids on the team and he went, so you are now not calling that HS crap. Adjustments are made and it is the guys that are busting their tail to make them, that is what I like about these comments

I like the combo pants (darker grey) from Honigs, they are a tad heavier then the ones from Gerry Davis. The only issue is, the Gerry Davis ones dont have side hooks for expansion that can snap, they just have elastic. I usually bring the combo pants, cause in a double header, we sometimes switch. Yes, i get them pressed, every other washing and they hold up great.

Guys, I saw these two sales on NB Shoes and wanted to post the links. http://www.joesnewbalanceoutlet.com/detail.asp?style=MU350LK and http://www.nbwebexpress.com/newbalanceMU450MK.htm two different companies for the 350s and 450s.

I just attended a weekend camp in Miami, the mechanics taught were critical for any level of ball. While our focus was on the three man system, which I have rarely done, the hands on was great and highly recommended. Start with the videos, then find a camp.

Consistency is the key in the zone. Then again, so is a comment from a buddy of mine. "May your strikes be mighty and balls be firm" Sounds like the KID is doing just fine.

In Miami, never. Well OK, 12/15.

I think it is situational. I have always felt big guys or little guys, we must be arbitors of the game and have a higher honor, thus a FUC is not in my repetoire. However, a quick comment or two to a coach or player usually diffuses things quickly. I like using terms like the pitch is not even on the black, most get it, if they dont I just say way outside. It is like catchers, I have learned over the years they are usually the smartest bunch and talking to them helps, they can do well to control a game or a situation. I have rarely ejected coaches, unless they are making a mockery of the game. THat is my two cents.

Hey all, Thank you for the invite TarHeel Ump. This does look a tad user friendly. I have umpped in HS/College in Wisconsin. I moved to Miami 22 years ago and started again, three years ago primarily doing HS ball and sometimes like now, 12/14U games and JV games, when they need an ump in the offseadon. I have two boys that play, 12 and 14 and pretty much have since 5. In Miami we play year round, and despite me playing ice hockey (yes in Miami) at 43, started to love baseball just as much. It has given me great prospective on the game and I like it much better then coaching. My vocation is investment banking, but on weekends and some weeknights I would much rather be in shorts or with my gear on. My aspirations are likely staying in HS ball and maybe college DIV1 and my approach is to remain a student / ambassador of the game. I have now seen this game at all levels and have a fondness for U of Miami games cause the kids/coaches are just nice (my boys have met and hung out with many of them), yes have great seats if anybody needs them ever. You can have the Marlins, ie AAA team, but know a lot of kids on the A and AA teams from South Florida so keep in touch with them too. If I can add value to this site, I will and while my syntax might not always be the best, try to stay with very good intentions. Thanks again, and look forward getting to know our brothers in blue. John