StrikeToWin

Not whining at all, just wondering if others have experienced this and what if anything I can do to work to get past it. Getting back behind the plate tonight even.

Gee thanks Jax

While working a 14U tournament last weekend I took several shots behind the plate (4 solid shots to the mask, 1 to the cup, 3 on the inner thigh, 1 to the bicep). These were mostly from foul balls and not poor catchers. While working this weekend at the same age group I noticed that I was very skittish behind the plate, bailing out on pitches, flinching when the batter swung not trusting my catchers even though I only took one hit off of the shin guard. I'm just curious if this has happened to anyone else and what did you do to remedy the situation?

I forgot my rotation with one partner and he being an older MUCH more experienced umpire looked at me standing at POP glaring after the close play at 3B while he calmly made a safe signal and then proceeded to chew my derriere after the game. Haven't made that mistake since.

I have always been told not to verbalize the obvious whether it be outs, safes, swinging strikes or definite balls. My ball call is not very loud, me, the batter and catcher and probably the pitcher can hear it. I am louder with the strike call though. I may need to look into a decibel level reader strap to my wrist to make sure that I'm living up to the chart in Maven's post.

Had a play very similar to this the other night. R1 stealing second and SS coming across to receive the throw that gets past him and then R1 and SS collide. 2B backing up throw fields ball and tags R1 before he reaches 2nd. I ruled OBS on the SS because he had already had his opportunity to make a play and awarded R1 2nd. Problem was, SS comes up bleeding and the beginning of a very nice shiner so of course DTHC wants interference and an out but really didn't make a big stink once I explained that I had OBS on his SS. I was comfortable with my call because I slowed down, read the play and called time before making my ruling to tend to the injured SS. That also gave me time to put my thoughts in order and replay the events before making a ruling. I have a tendency to rush calls sometimes.

Jason came down and did a mini clinic for our local park and HS association last fall. Definitely worth the time and money. He is a great instructor and very knowledgeable. One of these days I will get up to Springfield for his bigger camp.

Yes, that Frank White. Benji Gil played with the Rangers and a few others and won a World Series ring with the Angels in 2002 I think. He was a shortstop and Darren Woodson is a safety for the Dallas Cowboys.

Umpiring last weekend in a USSSA tournament and got to meet Frank White, Benji Gil and Darren Woodson. Frank and Benji were coaching teams in the tournament and Darren was watching his son's team annihilate the competition. All great guys and a great experience to share the field with guys I watched play growing up.

Unfortunately I haven't worked 3 man either. This wool be a championship game for a utrip world series.

Help! Working 4 man for the first time on Wednesday. I need a quick tutorial of responsibilities for this. I have only ever worked 2 man. I know I can't learn everything I need to know but what are the major things I need to know to work effectively? Thanks everyone for their help.

Not really, but the mom behind her was pretty hot.

I realize that now, but what she was calling BS was the ball hitting the runner in fair territory. I wasn't even thinking dead ball at that point (still new to umpiring) and not one coach questioned the call. In fact I told the HTHC that I was not going to argue with the scorekeeper and he promptly told her "He had it right shut up". I know now that I shouldn't have given the out on the tagged R3 but I did. So I'm ready for the ridicule cause I know I botched that part of the call.

Here is the situation... 12U Rec league, R1, R2, R3 with one out. BR chops one straight down in front of the plate and takes off (RH BR) and runs into the ball, I immediately call an out on the BR for touching a ball in fair territory. F2 then picks up the ball and tags R3 who is moving on contact for the 3rd out of the inning. No coaches say anything at all about the call and BU looked at me and nodded that he had the same thing. I am OK with my call. Scorekeeper calls me over and I of course think she is needing a ruling for the official book. She says, "I understand what you called, I'm just trying to figure out how you could make that call. It's a BS call that shouldn't be made." She is setting in the bleachers and is I'm sure a team mom, but she is also the official scorekeeper. I didn't toss her but in evaluating my actions, I almost think that I should have. Would I have been right to dump her?

I realize that I am almost 2 months late to this post, but I had a very similar occurrence this weekend in a 12U AA tournament game. R2, R3 no outs. I'm in C and a sharp ground ball to F5. R2 had broke immediately and realized R3 is staying put so I have moved to watch a tag on R2 that did not happen. F5 then fires to F3 and I turn to make the call at first. Ball beats the runner and I bang the out. I am way out of position, but still made the call as I saw it from across the diamond. 1BC immediately asks for an appeal. I will add that the coach for the offensive team did not yell or demand or anything other than in a voice that I can hear "Ump, can I appeal? I think the first baseman pulled his foot." He didn't come running onto the field or yell and as soon as I asked the PU, he said yes, he pulled his foot. Wasn't ashamed at all to reverse the call in that sitch.

My wife actually enjoys coming out to watch my games and so do my kids. I have told them all to never worry about anything that is said about me or my umpiring (or lack thereof) skills because I don't even listen to the fans. I've always told them that no matter what my call is on a close play, half of the stands aren't going to like it and half of the stands are going to think I'm the greatest thing since sliced bread. So back to the OP, I have my own umpire "groupies".

Last night working 9U solo (first ever solo game) and on teams F2 is setting up and seeing a lot of balls in the dirt. F1 was bouncing every 3rd pitch in front of the plate. F2 started standing up and throwing his legs together to take them off the shin guards. Did reasonably well keeping it in front of him. I laughed every time he did it but only took one shot off my own shin guards. Coach finally replaced that F1.

Been lurking here on UE for the past couple of weeks and I am really enjoying all the information that is here. I have not been umpiring long (this is my third season after a 7 year break for kids) but I really enjoy it. The oldest age I have done is 13/14 down to 9U. I know that I have a lot to learn and I am reading books and looking for videos on mechanics so that I don't leave my partner out to dry. I will admit that the first time I saw a 13 year old throw a GOOD curveball, I was as frozen as the batter. Took me about 10 seconds to make the strike call. Anybody has any books or videos they can recommen, I am always looking for good material. I am looking into clinics this fall because I know that my mechanics are terrible and that I have a lot to learn to even get to the passable level.