alan2703

High School level and above Saying ball four take your base at that level one would hope the players know that already (PU) Not getting to field in time to watch teams take I/O I id it as player and do it as an umpire you can pick up a few things Players not hustling on and off the field Most everything else was covered

Lance Barksdale but he is a buddy of mine,

They can over ride blocks had same issue I knew I block that day as it was opening day turkey season for me

How about one batter 3 outs no one on base .Doing adult league game where you bat everyone, in top last inning 4 and 5 hole hitters leave ,batter 3 hole strikes out ,batter 4 out left,batter5 out left ,game over umpires left.

Your zone is your zone if you are there time after time do not sweat it as a catcher if you call the same pitch a strike time after time I can work with that. I try to reference the height of the catcher as it relates to batter solar plexis which is the high end of y zone which from the knees to that is a fair strike.

Nice

I was very lucky must first year umpiring my instructor said to contact whenever I have question and I still do today. Also my first year umpiring I was partnered with a man he was close to 80 did not look it or move like it. He taught me so many little things that summer that would have taken a couple of years to learn. We would do a double header and he was say great game kid and the next week he would sit me down before the next double header and say ok kid here is was you did wrong last week and what you have to work on . I owe a lot to Skeets for all the knowledge he gave me that summer and we had chance to work the following summer after high school season and he said Kid your coming along fine just keep learning now give some of Kodiak .

I dip and chewed as a player, I still do. I never dip on the field for any school games I even go so far after the game to wait until I am off school property to put one in. Now the adult league I do I might have a little one in the 5th but there are no rules agin it. As far as the fellow umpire I would have no trouble telling him to take it out as it is not allowed by rule and as stated how can you enforce rules wen you are breaking them yourself.

You can't make some of this stuff up

I use a reference point on the catcher for the high point of my zone if batter squats down and passes in that reference point I ring it up if batter says something I tell him don't squat down when pitch is coming in. Here are two more for your book both at adult league game. 1. What is your strike zone, answer the strike zone 2. Why do you have to put the ball in play I had picked the runner off first

It will be cool up there so bring clothing accordingly. If you have wheels make friends and explore, fun place enjoy

Have done 11 games avg. temp 41 degrees , Monday was so nice. Tuesday had to be 39 with wind and light freezing rain had everything on underneath . When I wear that must I usually have a weapon and am deer hunting not trying to umpire baseball. Who ever out there that is holding the warm weather hostage release it or will have to have to take your chest protector away from you.

No snow in central jersey fields must be playable have games today and Thursday high school not sure about Saturday game as it is opening day of trout season and is usually a bad weather day, got 5high school games done in March something of a surprise as only one was turf

I stay away from youth ball for that reason, when I played I had a player ask me him to help coach but warned me about the parents. I said no. I have said to more than one AD the parents should be made to watch the game from the parking lot with the horn disconnected. I believe that the kids would be better behaved, but then go out dinner which I do with my family. Barbie and Ken on the phones texting the children either texting are running wild etc. Think about

Nice one ,got the good calling computer names etc. then went to sign out , forgot the date

Lance Barksdale buddy of mine good umpire and real dry sense of humor

Me also, baseball and football no water will make slow, weak etc. same when I started FD 41 years ago, now its hydrate,hydrate,hydrate . You need to hydrate year round in all types of weather ,water sport drinks. After I get home I continue my hydration with a few IPA'S need the carbs.

Great book I enjoyed it and then sent to by buddy who was mentioned in the book and he enjoyed it and sent it back signed

I get the coaches name and write it down and give them mine, but I call them coach most of the time . If they just call me blue without colorful words in front of or after that ok.I call the Chief of or FD Chief at calls and we have known each other for 20 years at the station by his name why the double standard I do not know maybe tradition. I am going to try and use first names this year my buddy who is MLB umpire has told me though that you should use first names and they should use yours it is the respectful thing to do. I do learn new things on this website which is fun par tabout it.

I have allstar hockey style mask that I use for some fields that backstop is real close and I have been hit in the back of head and in winter time on the cold brisk days in jersey I can get my watch cap under it which is real nice .

Go to Jersey guys post and see how much fun we are having there mostly long walks with snowblowers,

Being that hindsight is always 20/20 and not knowing tone of voice from the player at the I can only bas my thoughts on what I think I would do in retrospect( AS I told an asst.Chief who ripped me for a fire I ran when we lost a child you where not there in hindsight would I have done something differently maybe, but I have to live with it not you) I may not have said shut up I have said in the past said that is enough and walked away (yes walking running in my mind would be seen as running away the problem) if he followed me and continued he is gone. Again this is from hindsight and not being there .

Saw forecast for the snow and have games from 23-28 not holding my breath on the first three, will depend on how mush we get,welcome march baseball in Jersey. Wind on Tuesday was so bad that it blew a couple of pitchers back off the rubber it was funny though.

I do not verbalize all calls ,if the whole world knows the ball is foul or the player is out or safe I will signal my thoughts on this are that on close ones when I shout out the call with the signal it has more authority and is easier to sell the call. On balls and strikes ,for strikes (called) I will stand up use the hammer and call strike ,same motion for strike for strike three. Swing strike just the hammer ,for balls that the whole world knows it is a ball say nothing for all others I say it loud enough for batter and catcher to hear. Your thoughts.

Looks like another long walk with the snow blower, and I just found out I have a lawn under all that snow. Game still on today do not know how forecast with wind chill about 10 degrees, do you think state would mind if I did the game in my winter hunting clothes I will wear my orange vest.