jjb

This summer , I got to work a Coed A (we call it the Pitch and Giggle League) SP game. One of the Teams were from the local Hooters. Think that was nice? 2nd inning.......it rained for about 10 minutes, and we played through it....... and I got paid for it. Now, tell me how much better baseball is.....

They tell me working volleyball is as close to stealing as you can get. You stand up, blow a whistle, and point.

I see your point, Pete. It's difficult to discern between somebody who honestly can't find the answer, and someone who's too da** lazy to look it up. I remember about a year ago, where a guy who had never posted before (another board), started posting, word for word, a number of test questions. He got a number of smart a** answers before he quit. Myself, I just giggled, muttered "nice try"....and didn't answer his question. Right now, we've got a good thing going here, and I hope it continues. As long as we remember that Nobody's as Smart as Everybody, and that we can differ on opinions without being personal, I think we'll all do just fine.

I added Mens Slow Pitch a few years ago, as a way to keep myself in a Learning Mode and find something new to do. I'll tell you that it's made me a better baseball umpire, as I've seen more action in a single game than I'll see in 2 weeks of baseball. The SP game is WAY faster, and calling 9-10 double plays in a single game is normal. You really get to work on your timing, and you're constantly on the move. At the same time, I was able to work the ASA Womens National Championships, and work with some of the best players I've ever seen. Also, I worked the Senior Nationals last year, and saw guys as old as 80 years old, playing a game simply for the fun of it. It was the most fun I've ever had, and got paid for it. (This is not and Ego-stroke, I just want to tell you what's out there). SP softball is a lot of fun. The mechanics and rules are easy to pick up, and I've had very few instances where I've slipped into the Wrong Sport Mechanic. While at the Men's League, you get more whining from the players, you'll get none at all from the stands: there are no parents, just girlfriends, who aren't really watching anyway..

I know exactly what you mean, Pete. I’ve been reading these boards for years, (starting with McGriff’s), and it seems that there’s a “shelf life” to these things. They seem to run through these stages: 1. A knowledgeable and well-meaning individual will open a Board, directed at Umpires who want to learn new concepts, share their opinions, and generally hob-nob with other umpires all over the world. 2. A few individuals (and you know who they are) will enter the site, and use it to either self-stroke their own ego, by demeaning new umpires with basic questions,(“Read the Rule Book”), or use the Board as a “look at me, I’m a REAL Umpire” forum. 3. These individuals then are challenged by the original umpires, who then try and quiet the “ego-strokers”, by either humor or a more direct method. This is usually counter-productive, and more ES people join in the group. 4. Eventually, the Administrator will jump in and begin to delete posts, so as to keep order. The ES people will immediately raise the Censorship Flag, and run to other Boards with their complaints. (This is where the Officiating Board is now). 5. Ultimately, the original umpires, who are only here to learn, will tire of the nonsense and either find a new board, or start their own. As long as these Boards are open to everyone, I think this will continue. I wish I had a solution, but I don’t. It’s just the nature of the Internet. I don’t think we’re a dying breed, because, as long as there are people like you, Warren, Rich and others hang in here, there will be Umpires, both Rookies and veterans alike, who will find you and ask questions. It is what it is.... Thus endeth the sermon……

I teach the pivot to new umpires, if for no other reason than to impress upon them to watch the tag at 1st: it's too easy to "break loose" early on an over-the shoulder look for new guys, who are anticipating the turn to 2nd. But I won't gig the older guys if they look over their shoulders, as long as I'm sure they're watching. I'll also, as PU, let my partner know where the ball is, (catch/it's down), just to give him a heads-up and make it a little easier for him out there. Also, last season I started letting my partner know where I'm picking up the tag-up on a fly ball with multiple runners: ("I've got the 3 tag, Dave"). This serves 2 purposes: Dave now knows for sure where I'm picking up the tag, and the runner is also reminded that I'm watching him: I didn't have one problem with a premature release by the runner last season.

Thanks, Pete: Personally, I used the FYC on the plate Once, One Time, Uno, in 131 games this season. (I can't remember if I used it at all last season). And you're right: I'd never even consider using it on the bases: it just doesn't serve any purpose. I don't consider myself a cheater, a person of no integrity, or someone trying to insert myself into a game. I'm not even trying to "teach someone a lesson". I'm just trying to stop an unacceptable behavior quietly, quickly, without fanfare, and moving on with the game, after talking with the individual doesn't seem to work. Look, if people don't want to use it, great, no problem. If people want to call R2 Safe, as he's trotting off the field, because HE thinks he's out on a NH Play, you're not gonna hurt my feelings. If people want to call a borderline pitch a Ball 4 in a 16-2 blowout in the top of the 7th, when it's 104 out there, well, I'll be the guy in position B with his hands on his knees, staring at my feet and spitting on the ground as he takes his base.....

The price ain't bad, either

I think there are very few of us who are in this for the money. (My Accountant thinks I'm an idiot). I don't think there's one particular reason we do it, except maybe because it's fun. I've worked up the ladder from LL, to HS to College Ball, back down to Youth Rec, and now climbing back up to HS. In the meantime, I teach and work with Rookie Umpires, while watching over the rest of the League. This is truly the best part of my job, watching brand-new kids hustling into position, banging the runner out, and having fun doing it. (Don't tell the League, but I'd do this part for nothing).

Does it come in XXL?

This is another reason not to "point" the runner to first on a Ball Four. One of these days, on a 3-1 count, the batter's going to check swing a Ball Four. You'll point the runner to first and your partner, who thinks you're asking for help on the check swing is going to yell "Yes, He did!". I just say, "Ball four." The batter will know what to do...

First, I've dealt with coaches from T-ball through college, and, in my opinion, most have no idea where the line is. They deal with the entire spectrum of umpires, and, unless they've worked with you before, they are pretty clueless about what they're allowed to do out there. Just read the differing opinons in this thread. Second, you should know what I'm dealing with with here in my world: an ejection in our League carries an automatic suspension with it. The first EJ in a season is 1 game, the next EJ in that season is 3 games, and the third EJ in a season is Permanent Disbarrment from participating in any form, forever. We take ejections seriously, and it's resulted in a pretty peacefull environment around here. We've found a way to actually have fun out there. Third, We use a detailed and thorough Ejection Report that utilizes fill-in-the-blanks information, (date/time/field/names of everyone involved), coupled with the specific rule violation which caused the ejection, and then a narrative of the incident(s) that led to the ejection. Trust me, guys, by the time I've read the report, I know exactly why the umpire tossed him. (We also require EJ's from the umpires' partner, so that we have corroberation from another party). This is what gets turned over to the League, with any recommendations (further suspension of the coach/player, etc). Our League keeps a close eye on the coaches and players, and, in return, I and our Umpire Directors keep a close eye on the umpires. It works for us, and after about 3500 games this season, we had 14 ejections. Now, before you guys start writing the "whoa, you should have WAY more ejections", replies, let me tell you that it's because we are very selective about who works for us. We pay close to HS fees for most games, and better than HS fees for Tournaments; we turn away as many people as we hire. (Red-asses need not apply). And here's the point: if we've got a game where, (as was suggested), a coach comes out of the box, argues a strike, and Boom, he's tossed, I'll want to be absolutely sure it was necessary that the umpire could not regain control without ejection. Our umpires have learned how to handle conflicts professionally, quietly, and most important, firmly. We put up with very little nonsense. If we need to eject, we'll do it, but only after we've tried other avenues. When I talk about control, I don't mean it in the sense that the umpire loses control of himself: I mean that he loses control of the game. As an umpire, I want the focus of the game to be on the game: not the hooting, hollering and tantrums of coaches and players. If it occurs, it's my job to get the focus off the coach or player, and get it back where it belongs. I've thrown my share of people, and I can gaurantee I'll be throwing more before I hang up the mask for good. But I take no great pleasure from ejecting someone, and, if can regain control of the game without launching him, I consider it a win-win for everyone. Let me say this one more time, and then I'll shut up: in the original post, Kyle had a coach who sandbagged him into arguing a strike. He warned the coach that he wasn't allowed to do that, sent him back to his box, and got on with the game. In my opinion, he handled it perfectly, and he can work here anytime.

Sorry, I can't imagine Kyle's actions as somehow being inappropriate. The coach came down to argue balls and strikes, Kyle warned him, and shooed him back to his box. End of conflict. He immediately stopped the coach's inappropriate actions, maintained control of the game, and went back to work. Sounds downright professional to me.... MS, I agree with you completely about "crossing the line." The thing is, you've got to let the coach or player know where the line is as he walks toward it, not just wait until he crosses it. Know what I mean? A coach whines about your zone from the box, you stop, take off your mask, and tell him to knock it off. He whines again, you stop, give him the "I've heard enough." The next time he does it, you can tell him, "hey, I tried to keep you in the game", and launch him. It's all on him, and everybody knows why he's left the building. Toss him the first time, and I guarantee everybody in the ballpark will be wondering, "what happened?" I read and adjudicate every ejection report that comes in from our league, (and we've got over 100 umpires). In each case, I ask the umpires a question: "what did you do to try and keep him in the game?" Understand, sometimes the answer is "nothing, I never got a chance to try", and that's good enough for me. And I'll tell you that I'm well-known for backing my guys 100%. But, just between us girls, you know as well as I that there are just as many "red-asses" out there, who're making it just as tough for us, as there are the "candy-asses" who let the lunatics run the asylum. Personally, I'd prefer a guy who bends a little, before he snaps: it makes us look better out there.

No, I think you handled it just fine. You got your point across, kept control, and moved on.

Your points are valid, Polo, and as long as it seems to work for you, hey, Vaya con Dios. However, I think you may be missing the point: it's not by any means intended to be "unfair". It's also not a common practice: I may have to use it once or twice a season. What it's intended to do is to change unacceptable behavior without having to eject, and after we realize that a simple warning won't work. I think we'll agree that tossing someone should be the last resort, and that's not why we're out there. Let's take one of your examples. You've got a batter whining about your zone. You give him the standard, "Hey, knock it off" speech, and it doesn't work. So now, you've started calling borderline strikes. My question is: "How does he know that you're calling these strikes in response to his whining, or maybe is it just because you're a lousy umpire"? (His thoughts, not mine). Are you making the situation better, or worse? On the other hand, suppose you call a not-so-borderline strike, and (quietly) tell him, "See, Dude, I've got the indicator, here. Keep whining, and you're either in for a long night, or a short one." You've established what you'll accept, and what the consequences are for crossing the line. It's done quietly, with no fuss. Like I said, do whatever works for you: this is just what works for me.

I think one of the criteria for using the FUC is whether or not the recipient will be aware what is going on. You're using it to stop a certain behavior, before it reaches the point of ejection. If the player knows what's happening, (hopefully), he'll get the message, both the behavior and the FUC will cease, and we get on with the game. If the player doesn't know what's happening, you're just throwing gas on an already "too hot" burning fire. This is where the age of the player and level of baseball come in. At the upper levels, everybody will know what's happening. At the lower levels, it'll just be a case of "the umpire's screwing us". Short story: Varsity HS pitcher, with a second-string JV catcher, late in the game (bad combination). The catcher starts diving out of the way, and I'm getting killed back there. I clean the plate, and let the catcher know it's his job to catch the ball, not me. He laughs at me and says "hey, as long as it's not me getting hit". I don't say a word. The next pitch, belt-high, center of the plate: "ball". The catcher turns and looks at me, I don't say a word. Next pitch, same place, same call. Now he's looking at me like I'm nuts. I don't look at him, I just whisper over his shoulder, "you let me know when I've made my point". He says, "I've got it, Blue", he starts catching the ball, and we go on with the game. Anyway, here's my point: afterward, I shake the pitcher's' hand, and let him know what was happening in there. He laughs at me and says, "Blue, both me and the coach knew exactly what you were doing. This guy's been doing this to umpires a lot this season".