Swifty

How do they keep a straight face knowing that stuff is going on behind them?

In our league (Dixie also) we are required to kill it as soon as the 5th run is scored. They pull the liability card (if someone gets hurt because you let the play continue...) I would like to think, and will after reading this, I would treat the coaches comment in this sitch the same as if DC asked for time after a walk (Not until he reaches first coach!)

Must be contageous - I was crap tonight too. Sure hope tomorrow night is better.

They can make you look good and they can make you look bad. This past Saturday, play at the plate, somehow the catcher attempts a swipe tag and amazingly his glove goes right between the runners legs. Watching the play develop, there was 'no way' he was going to score, but...calling 'em like I see 'em, I call safe. Crowd ERUPTS - one fan in particular - seems like he's gonna have a stroke. After the inning is over, coach asks the catcher if he tug the runner or not, and catcher says no - he missed him. Fast forward to last night, I have the same team (9-10 year olds). Before the game I'm walking the field and come across the coach. I mention that if I have the opportunity, I would like to talk to number 11. His eyes get real big - what did he do - I say no, no, it's all good. Just wanted to thank him for his honesty this past Saturday with the play at the plate. Coach brings him out to the pregame and we talk - real nice moment - told him I appreciated his honesty and he is to be commended for being truthful. Coach heaps praise on the kid - he has a shy grin - like I said - just a real nice moment. Later in the game, same team is in the field - play at third and F5 catches the throw - again - out by at least 2 steps - but he puts his glove ON TOP of the base. Runner slides in to the front of the base - I call him safe. Another crowd eruption. I just shake my head and head back behind the plate - call for the next batter. Nothing more is said. I love this game!

No big drama - coach didn't really like that the runner was called out - but when I told him I can't call something I didn't see - he was like - OK... I just wanted to get opinions/reassurance that I did the right thing. You know, trying my best to 'not suck'.

It's Florida - 30 bucks per game. The kids get 5 pitches - no balls or strikes - to put it in play. After 5 - they get 3 cracks at it off the tee. Position is 1BLX or 3BLX - depending on righty/lefty in the box.

James, I think it's OBS regardless of whether or not the runner would have been out. In other words, if in your opinion, F4 cleanly fields, flips to F6 for the force, and not even Usaine Bolt could have made it, I believe the OBS still gets called.

Yeah, I'm not sure either. Was thinking the same thing while I was there. Can't they just ump them themselves on a volunteer basis? Oh well, I'm not going to turn it down. Other than that one play, it was a lot of fun, and that's why I do it.

Thanks. That's what I told him, I can't call something if I didn't see it. The coach pitches to his own players, then after 5 pitches, they get out the tee. He pitched, then as the ball was hit, was directly between me and the OBS. I didn't get on him, it was just one of those things. He was trying to do the right thing by moving towards foul territory, while I was clearing. Just happened to be directly in my line of sight. Can't say for sure that I would have seen it out of the corner of my eye or not, but we'll never know. BTW - love the forum. Have been soaking it all up for the past few months and has absolutely helped. Still have a lot to improve upon, timing specifically, but just wanted to say thanks to all!

One dollar per game in my association.

First year umpire and poster. Had a 5 and 6 year old coach pitch/T-ball game this evening. R1, grounder to F4, I clear the plate and face the ball as the coach/pitcher is coming off the field and turns to me and says 'He can't do that, F3 ran into him. I never saw it, and as I looked in that direction, still couldn't see F3, R1, or BR, as coach is directly in my line of sight, and about 2 feet from me. F4 tags second. I call him out, as I never saw the obstruction, though it's fairly logical to conclude that it happened, as R1 was just standing there crying his eyes out. Question is, can/do you ever call what you didn't see? How would you have handled it?