GreyhoundAggie

How do you figure Maven? The ball is dead immediately and the BR is awarded first and all other runners advance if forced. The only way you can get 2 on that play if you judge it to be intentional.

Clint's a good guy Although I wouldn't mind Lance Barrett either

Thanks Gorilla. Google gave me their website too. And thanks for that Bam. New organization new interpretations

Gents, I have just relocated to Denver, Co and I was curious if anyone knew of an umpire organization here to work with. I would like to continue calling High School ball and possibly other age groups. Thanks.

I disagree. I have obstruction on F1. He definitely blocked the B/R from getting to first base if he laid him out, and he did not have possesion of the ball at the time. I could call OBS and have no problem with it.

Thanks for all the advice guys. IT definitely took me some time to get the rotations down, but my partners all said I did very well. I picked up the mechanics very quickly, and that I did a good job. Only time I really screwed up was when I was U2 in game 2.The wind was blowing pretty hard straight out. I was in deep B with 1 out, R1 and R2. A high fly ball was hit to shallow center field. The second baseman drifted out to about 20 ft behind the dirt and was camped under it. I signaled infield fly and then he reached back over his head and the ball goes off his glove and he drops it. My screwup is I never verbalized infield fly, so the runner at 2nd ran off and got tagged going to 3rd. The coach (who picked me for the crew), came out after the play and argued "how can that be an infield fly, he caught it in center field" I said it din;t matter where he caught it, it was an infielder who was camped under the ball. I signaled it the second the 2nd basemen turned back around towards home to set up to catch the ball. My partner on the plate said he had an IFF as well. I was kicking myself for not verbalizing it. The coach came to me between innings the next half inning and got into me a bit saying his players never heard the call, and he was right. That is what he was really upset about. Luckily they went on to win the game 7-0, so the call didn't affect the outcome. Just a tremendous brain fart on my part. His assistant coach in game 3 said he thought I was doing a solid job. It was nice to hear that. Maybe I will get another assignment for Round 2 of the playoffs, but if not I had an immensely enjoyable first experience with a full playoff series and with 4 man mechanics.

Thanks for the advice guys. Your suggestions match with what my association recommends for 4 man coverage. They definitely stress that an umpire needs to be out on every fly ball unless its a routine base hit. I think I will be fine. I appreciate your comments Thunderhead. I didn't have 24 hour notice, I have been to our 3 and 4 man clinics, just have not had the opportunity to work one before now. You have to do it for the first time at some point eh? I will end up doing U2 and U1 the next 2 days if the series goes all 3 games. We will see how it all goes. Should be a blast.

we are getting there 90 minutes early yeah. I know it's a tall order. I know the key for me is what does U2 do, and that determines my rotation. Luckily most of mine is staying at 3rd or going out for fly ball's it appears. I'm sure it will make a lot more sense once I get on the field and see the rotations.

Negative

Hey guys. Have game 1 of a 3 game 4A playoff series tomorrow. It's 4 man and I have never worked it before. I've got 3rd base. Any advice or tips? All are appreciated. Thanks and don't suck!

A clusterF*#K. And maybe an ejection This is tough and a had to be there. I might have interference here, even if unintentional. But it's difficult penalizing the offense for a terrible pitch. I would probably call this nothing and be ok with it.

Congrats. I have a 3 game series this weekend, but may have to decline it. Fighting an illness and I may end up having to do a job interview one of those days. Oh well. It is what it is. Good luck to everyone!

Thanks JM. Reading it is does reference "both feet in the box" so that could imply if one is out of the box, then it is bad. But something sticks in my craw that if his foot is on the ground in the batter box, he is still "in the box". I'll have to do some more digging in my book.

Yeah. It's one of those calls way too many umpires are unwilling to make in my opinion. Did the pitcher make a mistake inside? Sounds like no and the batter was trying to get hit. I like the call.

In FED, he must be completely out of the box correct? If he has one foot in and one foot out and the ball contacts him, it is just foul.

Yeah. I was thinking it was not a balk. But doubted myself when my partner called it. The little voice was saying "he can do that to make a play" Oh well. Next time.

We screwed that one up the other day then. R1 went. Pticher did the classic move to 2nd and nailed him. Partner called balk and i wasn't sure. Coach was screaming "he didn't step off"

In relation to this. WIth R1. Pitcher can not step to 2nd and get a stealing R1 there. He must step off correct?

I bought the diamond featherlite's this year. They are low profile and pretty comfortable. But some definite caveats: They tend to "turn" when you run, and you have to recenter them every so often. They don't have tons of padding. A direct shot will hurt. As evidenced by the giant knot on my shin that i got today. The ankle flaps don't stay down as well as I would like. But they would be great for JV and below. Varsity is where I got stung. May save up for the wilson's. I know some guy's swear by them.

Had a 9th grade and Varsity Doubleheader. 2 different opposing teams. I had the plate for the Varsity game. The home pitcher is blowing through batters fairly quickly. it ends up being 9-0 going to top 7. The catcher mentions that the pitcher has a no hitter going. I had been wondering why they hadn't pulled him. He ended up closing it out. I told the catcher to make sure he gets that game ball. Very cool to be a part of. Now just need a perfect game to go with it.

That's funny. It's amazing the perspective winning puts on the quality of the umpiring.

That's a beautiful call, and a damn hard one. Love how this shows how often the pros get it right.

Replays definitely appear he could have gotten him on the helmet. But definitely looks bad with the old out-safe, and you can see that was the managers only real argument

Looks safe in slow mo, but at real speed good lord what a tough call.

Gotta love Jim Joyce. Perfect position, simple mechanic, and great timing.