Kevin_K

I have both. I wear the patent leather on the dish and genuine on the bases. Other than the patent leather being more rigid for ball bag support (heh heh.... ball bag) I have neither rhyme nor reason for varying my belt while on the bases.

This

Sports officials are independent contractors. While necessary to officate a given athletic event, the schools have no responsibility to their general welfare as they do the student athletes who attend those institutions. None of us likely want to hear that, but it is the cold truth. Maybe the officlas' organizations should start to use some of the dues monies they collect for the benefit of all the mebership and intitiate some of these procedures. Maybe those same organizations should start lobbying state organizations that oversee athletics that a third officla is necessary to address the possibility of an officlal sustaining a concussion during an event. Since public schools are stretched thin as it is, I would venture that cost will trump safety concerns

Loved it. Keep 'em coming!

It has been the law for all high school officials and coaches in NJ since the 2011-2012 school year. I know officials who have lost their entire schedules because they did not complete the course prior to their season's opening date(s). Various officials' organizations have offered group certifications by having their membership sit through the certification videos, but it takes only about 20 minutes and provides officials with the tools to keep players safe. I had never thought I would have never neeed it because I had never seen any kids in baseball or volleyball take any shots to the head in all my years of officiating. Within 5 days of each other last fall, a catcher took a foul ball right between the eyes while wearing a HSM, and a volleyball player konked her head into a teammates' knee while diving for a ball. In both instances, I said that the players looked like they were exhibiting signs of a consussion (glassy eyes, slow to react, etc) and both coaches immediately agreed. The baseball coach said he didn't have another catcher, and I told him that I did not really like hearing that as I would likely be the one getting peppered with skipped and missed pitches, but he immediately removed his player. Similarly, the volleyball coach made a substitution at once. Schools in NJ are also required to do baseline testing of all athletes, which helps in trying to determine whether or not a head shot has caused a concucssion and whther or not the student continues to suffer the ill efects of one. The course is worth the time and should not cause any undue hardships. It also provides protections to the official who errs on the side of caution in NJ, since athletes removed for possible concussions are barred from returning the same day unless a physician certified in concussion management certifies the player is safe to return to the contest.

This. And I'm OK with plate hog.

"Catch!" and "No Catch!" have always served me well. I did not always use them, but as I worked with better umpires, I paid attention to what they did and when they did something that was different than I did, I would ask why. Then I would listen to their reasoning. Some here have quoted the rules book about its terminology. I prefer to use the mechanics that I have learned from better umpires on the field and in the clinics they have led. Many of these are not succinctly addressed in a rule book or in an umpire manual that I have at my disposal. Perhaps chief among these mechanics is that I try my best to communicate what I think my partner needs to know, especially when he may not see what I see. Things like "Ball's down" or "I'm on the line" are key with runners on and base coverages dependent upon what's happening on the play. I find it so aggravating with people who know everything and are quick to show everyone how smart they are by picking nits that seem so insignificant. I have worked with some "experienced" umpires that I never want to see again, who are experts on the rules and mechanics, but can't umpire to save their life. It isn't always about what it says in the book. I much prefer working with a partner who makes me better or one who wants to get better rather than one who is a clubhouse lawyer. My apologies for the rant.

WTF is wrong with these jackwagons? As a wise member of this board once said..... Eject early to eject less

Without reading any one else's responses..... If I am BU, I would have called R2 out on force at 3B and R1 safe at 2B since it sounded like the runner beat the ball. I did not hear my partner make a call on the play by F7 and the runners are mine. Once my calls were made and I found my partner in my hip pocket I would likely have a conversation about what his call was since F7 was moving to his right on the play and the peanut gallery is barking something about a dropped ball. Regardless of what the initial calls were, my conversation with my partner would be only with my partner, not with the DHC and certainly not with #10 standing right there. If I am PU, I am coming out to my partner to ask him if he heard me yell, â€No catch! No catch! Ball’s down Richee!†and then get R2 out at 3B on the force.

You know you just sealed your fate, don't you? My guess is that by game three next season you are nursing some sort of hideous welt somewhere. I think that falls into the same category as the "Game's moving along nicely, huh?" comment from coaches.

So many of the coaches in the games I officiate, including HS varsity and above, would not really have a clue about the option. Those that have some idea do not know exactly what their options are. Suppose for a moment that you do not engage the OC about his options. After the game, some one informs him about the rule or maybe he even cracks a rule book. If you are any good as an umpire, you will likely run into each other again. What happens the next time you meet on the field? “Hey blue!†“Yeah?†“Remember that play when you called CI and those runs came off the board?†“Sure†“Why didn’t you give me the option of how the play turned out?†What’s your answer? I say give the options.

I am bowing as I type, which isn't easy because I am thick around the waist. Waiting for my new shin guards to come in and wanting to know how fat guys look in plate coats? I would say they look like fat guys in a plate coat?

No I don't think it's ok RAT! Just another example of sticks and stones DB! Given the wording of your OP, I got the same impression. Lighten up, Francis. No need for personal attacks that include abbreviating a word that I'm sure you know is banned on this site. Thank you Sgt Hulka! Some one needs to be the big toe!

Is the throw to 2B a true throw to attempt to retire the runner? What if it's a set play where F6 cuts off the throw prior to the ball getting to 2B in an attempt to prevent R3 from scoring?

I have the death stare.

I suppose this would be covered under: Rule 6.05(b) Comment: “Legally caught†means in the catcher’s glove before the ball touches the ground. It is not legal if the ball lodges in his clothing or paraphernalia; or if it touches the umpire and is caught by the catcher on the rebound. If a foul tip first strikes the catcher’s glove and then goes on through and is caught by both hands against his body or protector, before the ball touches the ground, it is a strike, and if third strike, batter is out. If smothered against his body or protector, it is a catch provided the ball struck the catcher’s glove or hand first.

This is a great example of thinking about your thinking. The ability to reflect on one's own thought processes and be able to change their view based on evidence and analysis indicates a high level of intelligence. Editorial aside: Too bad our country does not have leaders who value such abilities. I could not agree more with the last part of that answer as well. All the follow up posts and in depth analysis is purely conjecture, but it all serves the purpose to get all of us to think about how we might react to a similar situation.

Let's not forget..... we all are viewing this from the comfort of our computer stations. I stand by my initial reaction of OBS because that's the most likely instantaneous reaction I would have had on the field. I would even go so far to say that I would likely entertain a coversation with one or both HCs and a conversation with my partner. BTW, my chair is very comforatble.

I think I have OBS and a runner at first. Seems that F1 already had his shot at fielding the ball when it deflected off his heel and he altered BR's progress toward 1B. As Manny quotes from Wendelstedt, "If, however, the ball is deflected behind him, or if the ball is more than a step and reach from him, he should no longer be considered in the act of fielding the ball." That's how I see it.

The problem with only the written word is that there is no opportunity to have a realistic conversation. Tone, emphasis, and nuance all are lacking in this format. To add to that, the reading comprehension of your audience impacts their understanding of your ideas. You should also consider that some people have to be right and need to let everyone know how smart they are - even when they are a total jack wagon. It is the most difficult communication medium to master, yet it can be the most effective when done well. Hopefully, I will one day be able to communicate as effectively as many of the members here seem to umpire. - Kevin

Whoa! It isn't OK to set my mask on the ground? What do I do if my clicker gets stuck and my phone rings at the same time?

Just a tip to players and coaches who might be lurking: Yes you can get an out by touching the base with any appendage including the one mentioned above - or even your head or torso - while holding the ball. However using that particular appendage would tend to be a tactically poor decision, and even if successful is likely to result in someone's ejection. Possibly an arrest too. And if you think it hurts when someone steps on your foot with a spike......

Some has been paying attention!

I thought we were going to keep that conversation between us... no?

Once again, I would opt for the silent stare..... and perhaps a few blinks.