VolUmp

I call almost exclusively 15- up to 19-year-olds between high school ball and senior American Legion ball. The best field crews start the day with a batter's box, a graded infield, a raked and tamped mound and home plate area, and bright white sprayed bases, pitcher's plate, and home plate. Several years ago, it dawned on me that when really good field crews are in hurry-up mode between games, or are shorthanded, the one thing I can always do to help is spraying the bases, and the plates. I bring my own spray chalk, and if everything is sprayed, it stays with my cooler and gear. If I can help them out, and they don't have spray chalk handy, I grab my own, and I've never asked to be reimbursed. After all, it is probably more helpful to me as the plate umpire than anyone else on the field. One time a Groundskeeper snuck a brand new can into my gear bag which was kind of him I've got it down to an art where I spray the inside corner of each base, so that the base umpire and I can see all the plays, touches, and tag-ups, but I don't need to waste spray chalk on the entire base. Of course, I paint the entire pitcher's plate and the entire home plate, and usually get a couple of chuckles from parents or coaches who ask me to make the plate a couple of inches wider. I have those in the brotherhood who think I'm brilliant and generous for doing this, and those who think I'm a damnfool for bending over five extra times and spending my own money on chalk. Today, we were battling the rain water from overnight and just trying to get the tournament started on time. The crew painted the plates, but not the bases. I noticed it too late, so I didn't bother for game 1. When game 1 ended and the teams were shaking hands at home plate, I went immediately to 1B as the crew was coming out onto the field. I brushed all the dirt off and sprayed my half-base-triangle in about ten seconds when we all heard a thunderous, " I DON'T WANT THOSE BASES SPRAYED!" I turned around and saw the local Varsity coach on the tractor. I think he thought I was one of his crew guys, or there's no way he would have yelled at me like that. He's known me for 16 years. I'm 53. He's 56 I walked over to him and asked WTH the problem is with me chalking the bases. I've chalked his bases several times and I'm prepared to do it everywhere I'm assigned. "This is MY field. I don't remember you spraying my bases — I haven't chalked a base in 16 years! If you want something done, just ask, and we'll be glad to do it!" "OK," I said, "I'd like 2nd and 3rd bases chalked please. You can use this can (handing it to him)." He waved me off and said, "We'll take care of it. We'll make sure you can see them." So ... a young man (20 or so) was told to get down on his hands and knees and scrub those bases with a brush ... which took about ten minutes, and improved the visibility by 10%. Gotta love it. They argue balls, strikes, and the ability to see the bases. And they wonder why we use the term "rat."

There is NO WAY IN HELL this story is told accurately regarding the severity of the "chirping," and "mild protesting." Certain comments roll off my back like water on a duck ... they are just so non-creative and childish. Certain comments get under my skin, but it doesn't make me wanna confront. Then there are the comments that make me wanna confront, punish, or … just turn the balls in, walk off the field, and say, "Just keep the check ... I'm done." I've thought for 20 years, "Tell me I suck, but don't tell me I cheat. My zone either sucks equally or is brilliant equally ... but don't tell me I have a favorite in this game." - "You're taking it away from the kids, Blue." - "This game is not about you, Blue." - "Come on, Blue … call it both ways!" - "Let the kids decide the game, Blue!" These are examples of comments that seem to be acceptable from the gallery, but they are very personal, very hurtful, and directed at one's character. I know plenty of people who would quit umpiring over these constant comments. Even the one-word daggers of the day like, "Wow ..." and "Really?" Are annoying as hell ... especially when they are repeated two or three times after we ignore them. When an ignorant parent accuses me of not knowing the rules, yet the coach doesn't argue because he does know the rules, I think it makes the parent look stupid. When a Coach accuses me of not knowing the rules, and he later realizes we called it correctly, I wonder how the parents feel about their beloved coach. Smart coaches KNOW how to deliver a message to an umpire in a positive way that also rubs off on the parents and players: - "He's called that pitch a strike three times now — SWING THE BAT!" - "I don't care if you don't like the pitch at the knees ... tonight that's a strike. Quit looking at me and hit it!" - "We've got a college strike zone tonight. Don't swing at anything high. He's calling it both ways." All three of these comments are complaints. None of them "sound" like complaints. These coaches are going to get those ten extra pitches that could go either way. The coach that gripes all night is gonna lose those ten extra pitches that could go either way. I have no problem whatsoever with how this umpire in the OP handled this situation. I'm just sorry if he was a decent umpire that it ended the way that it did.

Umpiring solo. Don't do it unless it's a scrimmage and nothing's on the line.

The odds go down when a veteran is paired with a journeyman who can learn something from listening. The odds go up when the two umpires have been calling for 30 years and each have 1 year's experience thirty times. They won't be willing to listen or learn.

This was asked in our 20 Questions training Session one year ... 130 officials ... largest in the state ... it was split roughly 50-50. So sad. And we revile coaches for not knowing it????

Actually, he's not pinch running per se ... this is a killing of the DH. Everything AlStripes stated is verbatim what I would have stated ... except he is far more eloquent.

I think this is great .... but rather odd coming from someone who has chided me for being sarcastic with ignorant coaches.

OK. Again. I'm beyond bewildered. Yesterday, for the fourth time in this calendar year, I had a kid strike out by swinging at a pitch up and in (with two strikes), and the pitch hit his hands. Yesterday, the kid actually turned around and smiled and said, "Ouch! That actually hit BOTH Of my hands" (as I was quietly displaying an out sign and the defense was running off the field. i don't get bewildered that the 18-year-olds don't know the rules … I never read a rule book either when I was in HS, but every coach came to me for an explanation they said everything that we laugh about among our umpire buds: — That's a foul ball — Hands are part of the bat — Doesn't matter if he was swinging, because if it hit his hands, which are part of the bat, and if it even accidentally hits the bat, it's a foul ball These teams are usually coached by former pro players who are paid to coach one or more age groups in a "program," or "Academy" where I've seen as many as 10 teams. Yesterday's incident was the first of the four where the HC told his assistants to get off the field, he brought the batter to me, and very kindly asked me by name (I'd only had him once before with a 16u team), "Can you explain that rule to both of us so we can really understand it please?" Official's dream. i gave the example of how a batter swings at an inside ball in the dirt, the ball hits the batter's leg even on the bounce, and TIME is called ... no matter what the count From there I explained that it is an immediate dead ball whenever a pitch touches a player's person, attached equipment, or clothing — and he finally got it. I admitted that the "Hands are part of the bat" myth is very pervasive, but it's really not hard to understand when you look at the other examples. Then he asked, "So why did I have a batter jump out of the way last week, the pitch hit him on the hand, and the ump ruled it a foul ball?" (I began to tremble) i asked, "Did the ump say it touched the bat?" "No ... he said it's the same call, since he was still holding the bat ... and that made sense to me at the time." i said, "Coach, without being there, I hate to say my brother made a bad call, but AS YOU describe it, that is a HBP. Sounds like the wrong call." He thanked me for the explanation, said he understands now, and the 18-yr-old kid who starts college ball in one month shrugged and said, "I still don't get it." I'd love to hear ANYTHING from you gentleman that may shed some light on why this myth won't die ... not even among umpires (other than the obvious — not studying the rules Book).

There's one other matter to consider here ... even if you did rule OBS, it's type B in OBR since the play was not being made on the B-R ... and the B-R didn't continue to 2B, he retreated to 1B ... so he gets no one-base award. The same play with the same judgment call in FED would give the B-R 2B at a minimum since there is no type A OBS ... and if you call it, you have to award it.

Gentlemen, I started this post and I'd like to ask to end it. I was never trying to put the entire nation of Canada into one stereotype, but five 18u elite teams, all from the same general region of Ontario, that seem to have players that rule over their coaches, spew profanity like it's an accepted part of the game, play baseball with kind of a hockey mentality, ... it just seemed to be a problem to which I personally would have put a stop, and the Pu$$y TD wouldn't, because his ONLY goal is the branch out so he can justify calling his event the Wood Bat World Championship (x 6 ... he has one for 13u through 18u). As I brazenly stated, he's a whore. I changed to a better tournament after two days of it, but I later found out I wouldn't have been assigned in the Wood Bat World Championship anyway. The TD and my Assignor talked before I asked to be taken off. My Assignor is also in the hot seat, because he doesn't wanna lose the business of all these tourneys for his umpires — and I can appreciate that. He just doesn't have the backbone to stand up to the TD and say, "I have the pencil, and you don't get to choose or deny any of my umpires." We spoke several days later, and had to agree to disagree. He backed everything I did except that after the game-ending dead ball strike, he said I should have walked off the field. He thinks I got cocky trying to teach these coaches the rule. Well, this wasn't a judgment call that was questioned, this was a GAME-ENDING RULE APPLICATION call ... one that I was REALLY wishing they would protest ... ($200) ... where I was surrounded by 3 coaches and 6 or 7 players trying to say the game wasn't over. I'm not intimidated by ANYONE. I felt the best thing to do, quite frankly, was make the three adult coaches look ignorant in front of the boys, and then leave the field. But by doing so, we had the kid mouth off and had an ejection. I suspect the TD "revoked" that EJ. I never asked. The fault of all this HAS to lie with the US TD. There is no debate. He wants umpires who can get in and get out, and tolerate the typical abuse, and protect his bank account. 'Nuff Said. The tournament was ruined by rain anyway and it was much ado about nothing.

And if so, I'm fine with that.

And that doesn't answer my question.

He should have been reported to the State Authority.

I guess I'm only missing one thing. Why the conference? Is it that the PU wasnt 100% certain the ball missed the glove and hand, or was he unsure of he rule?

Brad, Would you have ejected for this? Do you object to the way I handled it?

Require each head coach to sign a document once per season that he will only use legal equipment, properly equipped players, and show good sportsmanship and each contest he coaches. Leave the officials out of it. FED is just "using" us as another line of defense. If I don't ask a coach before the game if his players are properly equipped, and then his catcher takes one in the nuts and is not wearing a cup, guess what… It's not my fault, nor should it be my responsibility to even ask.

For several reasons stated both before and after your post. I particularly agree with V V this V V

I'll say this much ... I would love it if the coaches who are paid to coach know half as much of the three different rules codes as you do. I think we would get along well in a game that I officiated that you coached. You would know when to protest a game as opposed to rip my head off for a rule you don't understand.

OK. I stand corrected ... but my point still remains. There are two other instances where the Offensive Coach indeed may get an option to take the play or take the penalty ... and it doesn't exactly "blow my mind" that coaches think they can get an option on a balk or an INT play. Thank you, Brad and Azul both for understanding it is terminology and semantics and not ignorance or stupidity that separated us on this issue. Ives, your reputation precedes you, and I have nothing further to say. Umpire for one year and then make the comments you make with a little more credibility.

Azul, Read my post above please — straight out of the 2017 MLB Rule Book. Your Wendelstedt manual doesn't line up with the ultimate authority. Also, not gone unnoticed, is a 4-year discrepancy,

It doesn't exist in FED, since an illegal pitch is an immediate dead ball. The OP, Mr. Ives, was OBR. Perhaps looking up the rule yourself would be a good exercise. OBR Rule 6.02.(d)(2)(4) (2) If a play follows the violation called by the umpire, the manager of the team at bat may advise the umpire-in-chief that he elects to accept the play. Such election shall be made immediately at the end of the play. However, if the batter reaches first base on a hit, an error, a base on balls, a hit batsman, or otherwise, and no other runner is put out before advancing at least one base, the play shall proceed without reference to the violation. (4) If the manager of the team at bat does not elect to accept the play, the umpire-in-chief shall call an automatic ball and, if there are any runners on base, a balk. You coach. You have to consider 3 sides: Offense, Defense, and Rules.

The entire reason the PU takes the call at 3rd inside the diamond (as opposed to outside as with 3-man) is so that he can take the play at home on an overthrow. He won't have to run but about 60 feet. In 3-man, U1 will rotate for the play at the plate.

I bet you're a BLAST at parties.

I agree, Brian, but it was funny as hell to watch. Life's too short to always go textbook.