urout17

In this particular situation, I knew he was in no position to give help. If I appease the coach, and come back with the same conclusion, two things can happen....A, the coach knows my partner had no look and it throws more gas on the fire, or B, now he believes BOTH umpires got the call wrong. I chose to own my calls. This does not mean I'll never go for help but not this time.

Last night, American Legion Senior game. For those of you not familiar with American Legion, most players are Jr/Sr HS age although they allow players born after Jan 1, 2007, which puts some at 19 yrs old. We’re playing at a HS field which I’ve worked tons of games. The field is large, 340 down the lines, 375 gaps, 404 to center. During the HS season, they install a tarp on the chain link fence that raps the entire outfield wall in the school color of dark green. After the season they take it down. Two very good teams, 2-man crew, I’m on the plate. No score B6 right around dusk. LH batter hits a deep fly ball to RC. I move out from behind the plate and get out as far as possible towards the mound in the direction of the ball. My partner moves in watching the BR touches. From my view, I saw the ball bounce and go over the fence. The BR was hustling and was around 2B when this happened, my partner following him the whole way. As soon as I saw the ball bounce over, I killed it and had the BR go back to 2B. The HC asks for time, comes out, and said the ball clearly went over for a HR. My God’s honest truth I did not see that and of course he wants me to get help. I explained to him my partner had no idea where the ball was since he’s on the runner the whole way (which is what he told me afterwards). He was hot but goes back to the dugout. Next pitch is thrown in the dirt and gets by the catcher putting the runner on 3B. Next ball is hit to the right side for an out scoring the run. After the inning was over, I’m on the 1B line as the players are switching and I noticed the CF jogging in. I asked him to honestly tell me if it went out and he said it did. I really felt terrible and still do. I know I'm not perfect but I work very hard to do the best job I can. That turned out to be the only run in a 1-0 game. I’ve been umpiring for 30 years and haven’t had something I couldn’t see. I’m wondering if anybody else has had something similar happen and/or is there anything that could have been done differently based on the circumstances? Maybe I’m just getting old. Thanks

Personally, I don't call time. Mostly because I'm working with a partner or two and the players are usually taking off their Barry Bonds armor in exchange for their oven mitts. I do not work LL games so I could see how that could be an issue on a smaller field. I do it quickly and have never had a problem. JMO.

Hmmm....not so fast... ua-intro.mp4

Call more strikes. 😆 Just kidding.

Yep, I've witnessed that test before a series I've worked begins. Takes all the guess work out of everything.

2026 NFHS Rule 7-4-1A.....Also see the "Warnings, Restrictions and Ejection Table #27.

NFHS game. I had a HC come to me complaining the other team was using a shaved bat. His catcher had picked up the bat the previous hitter just used and wanted me to look at it, which I did, along with my two partners working that game. It had the proper BBCOR label, the end cap didn't appear altered in anyway nor did I see any signs of cracking that would happen after repeated use. He was livid and stated "I can't believe you can't hear the sound difference from the other bats used". I replied..."I'm not a metallurgist nor do I have the ability to cut this bat in half. Also, the sound that's made is different from every manufacturer. We all checked it out and all agreed it's fine to use." Anybody else have issues with bats?

Same. We got together and determined it was legal.

Hmm....so if one of these players rolls a ball to the other, gets by him, hits the fence post, rolls into the field of play just as a batted ball is hit in that direction, you don't think that could be a safety concern or now there's two balls in play? I know the first thing you'll say is that could happen with a pitcher warming up as well. Sure it could, but the pitcher is using that area as designed, the others are not. There are plenty of other places to loosen up at this facility. Would you permit a player to be swinging a bat outside the dugout loosening up because he's gonna be in the game, of course not. I'm using the rules to prevent a bigger problem.

We have them use both at all schools in our county.

The ground rule at this school is designated live ball all the way to the fence surrounding the field, same on both sides.

Working the bases for a NFHS varsity game last night. Attached, I circled where the bullpens of both teams are located. Not shown too well, but just behind where the catcher would be squatting to warm up a relief pitcher, is a chain link fence that stands about 6-7' tall and about 8' wide, equally constructed for both teams. At this particular school, even when relief pitchers are warming up, teams place a protective player with helmet and glove for the pitchers safety, even though the pitcher is facing the field. Last night, two players (not pitcher/catcher) from the home team (3B side) were standing in the area behind the fence rolling ground balls to each other and just playing catch during the live game. As soon as I noticed this I called time and told the HC to have his players get back in the dugout. Of course he wants to know why and I told him "Coach XXXX, this is a HS game and players are not allowed to be out of the dugout during a live ball. "Where are the supposed to warm up? Our pitchers warm up there! That doesn't make sense. I can put a safety player there" He grumbled a little more but had his players return to the dugout. The rule does state that a coach/player, etc., can't leave the dugout for an unauthorized purpose during a live ball. No other issues after that. I've worked many games at this school and have never seen this before. I can't imagine in all this time this hasn't happened before. The same HC has been there for years. I'm just asking what does everyone think? Thanks for your help.

I finished but haven't submitted yet and just going over a few. I swear I over think this stuff. The questions states U1 is positioned a steps beyond the INITIAL position of F3. Could that mean when the ball was hit F3 repositioned himself in front of U1? I found 6-1-C and 6-1-H. Any help is appreciated.

I'm about 3/4 done and came across two questions, back to back, that are almost exactly the same except for answer "C" in both. I found the rule in the book, Appendix F, 11-11. Is the difference in there just for confusion?? I'm I correct in assuming the answer is "D" for both questions? Thanks for any help.