TheGeneral

The officiating crew got into the throwback spirit in the Indiana vs. Louisville game today. Have you ever donned a retro uniform before? If so, share your pictures! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Still a few years away from finding my place in the night sky Heck, I'm still a year or so from those railroad tracks. But, if you're told you get to learn to drive and shoot a tank, you can't turn that opportunity down, no matter what's on your collar!

BU: Fist bump partner, hustle down the line to the grass. When we're ready for play, I walk up to the bag and give it a small adjustment kick, and walk backward to my spot giving the PU the double pistols with the biggest smile possible to indicate I'm ready. PU: Before giving the game ball to the pitcher, I stretch with hands up to face and elbows out, look away and give the ball a quick kiss, and then toss it to the pitcher. It looks like I'm just preparing to throw, but I sneak a little peck in as it passes my face. And now that I feel like the Tinman without it, I get a good pre and postgame stretch in.

Got the call for a couple of solo MS softball games, and was reminded of this fun tidbit from last spring. I'll refer to the teams by color, for a smidge of anonymity for the girls. Background: School Purple and School Blue are old-time rivals, going back over 100 years. I am a School Blue alumni, yet have called games for School Purple for years. I'm also the UIC for the Town Blue Girls Softball Association, so I'm surprised at how many of these parents have no clue who I am. We had one little jumble in a play at the plate. Purple in the field, Blue on offense. Catcher moving towards the ground up the line, runner poorly attempting to slide and foot getting tripped by F2 mask. No malicious contact, attempted to avoid contact, so I "have nothing." F2 drops the ball, runner safe. Parents go nuts (of course), but both coaches generally understand as they tend to scraped knees and elbows, so we continue without a problem the rest of the game. Jump to later that evening, and a family friend shows me a Facebook rant. To paraphrase: "this stupid umpire was cheating for Purple and letting their catcher try to hurt Blue's players, yada yada yada" and posted a video. The video showed Purple's F2 moving her mask purposely moving her mask right into the baseline, where one would begin to slide. I watch the video and can’t believe what I’m seeing. This middle school girl is intentionally picking up her mask from initial drop and placing it right in the sliding path. But then I take a look at my placement… This is a screenshot of my position when the dirty deed happened (I wished I had the full video, but I don’t). I’m up the line, preparing for a play at 2B or 3B, WITH MY BACK TO THE PLATE. How on God’s Green Earth am I supposed to see that happening, when I’m watching for 1,881 other things? I laughed it off as I watched the vultures peck away at their keyboards. The only time the mask came into play, the Blue team was safe and scored! And if they didn’t like that I couldn’t see with the eyes in the back of my head, maybe actually pay a second official. Oh well, wrestling is over, and I’m happy to be getting back on the field next week!

Last year, instead of calling balls and strikes, I was learning how to drive and shoot a tank. This year, as of a phone call tonight, I have been named the Umpire-in-Chief of our local summer softball organization. With this big honor comes big responsibilities, such as finding, training, assigning, and evaluating our crew. When I left, here is the state of our officials: No training. Two sets of shared equipment left in the concession stands overnight. A t-shirt with the league logo on the front and "UMPIRE" printed on the back, and a suggestion (that was rarely followed) of khaki shorts. Showing up 5 minutes prior to the first pitch. These kind of things. When I showed up in a pair of grey slacks and an umpire hat (I wore the league shirt with the chest protector under it to conform to the league "uniform"), the place thought they got me from the major leagues or something. And while I have had some training, called some Varsity games, and taken to doing my job correctly, I could still use a lot of suggestions prior to taking command of this ragtag group and getting them season ready. And in case you're wondering, Opening Day is May 7th. So, with just over 2 months to properly train umpires for the very first time, I'm asking for your help. I'm not looking to prepare these folks for this season's MLB World Series; I'm looking to get them through a rec league that covers 1st-12th grade. What are the main things you suggest to teach? In your opinion, what are things you cannot do without knowing before stepping on the ballfield? Do you teach any clinics, and what are some of the methods you use? I'm open to any and all suggestions, folks! Part two. Currently, these umpires are organized under the local league, with the UIC being a position on the board. This is beneficial in regards to funding, however, can be limiting to future growth. I have the option to organize these umpires as a separate entity (our area has no umpire association), and build them with their own association identity. This might lose initial funding but could open doors to different opportunities around the area. While this is something that can change after a year or two and isn't initially as important, I'm curious to your opinions on this as well.

​It actually works with a protector under it well! You just have to make sure you get the right size. I wear a M shirt, so I wore a L when behind the plate. ​ I wasn't afraid he fashion police would be there to critique, I was just curious to see what some of the people here would do if presented with this. Me? I wore it, and enjoyed it. I have worked for this league for a while and pushed for them to get their umpires some sort of shirt to wear. Previously, I would be wearing a standard uniform with a partner wearing gym shorts and a cut-off. It not only made us look like a mess of a partnership, but it made the crowd and coaches not take them as serious. Now with these shirts, the difference the officials have been treated is measurable; it's amazing what a simple matching t-shirt will do to credibility on the field. This was a big step for the WCHGSA and even though it's a t-shirt, and even though half the folks wear khaki shorts, it's a step towards uniformity and helping build credibility. You know some of the folks here, I wanted to see some people's reactions and opinions about it before I gave the backstory.​

When getting scheduled for games with my old league organizer, he asked my shirt size. "Finally!" I thought, they are getting their umpires shirts to at least pretend to look uniform. When I got to the field, I was handed two of these. My question to you is, would you don this shirt to match your partner for the evening, or would you refuse the league shirt and wear one of your own polos? What if you are working solo?

I spent all of last summer working for the media staff of the Southern Ohio Copperheads, a premiere wood bat team in the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League, and didn't get a chance to hit the field. This season, I've been at Fort Benning, GA since January for some fun fun training, and just got back this week. One of my first phone calls was to my league director asking if there were any games left, and last night I was back on the field! High school summer softball league, two games in two and a half hours, not a single complaint or agitation, and very good ball. Couldn't ask for a better homecoming! If I randomly dropped a conversation with anyone from here, I do apologize, but I am back and look forward to interacting with you crazy folks once again.

I get asked my zone all the time. I tell the closet kid to hold his bat straight out, then point straight up, then reach behind him. It usually ends with a chuckle from the coach (and an acknowledgement that we're not discussing that) and a wide-eye look from the kid. And they're swinging the bats the rest of the night - On the EJ, I'm coming after the "have to be from somewhere." Don't accuse me of being a homer. I'm also (outside of previous context) leaving "there's no way that missed" alone. It's a knee jerk reaction that shows disagreement alone, and as long as it's not paired with anything else, or happening frequently, I can brush that one off easily.

Not to dive in this mess, but I'll throw a couple pennies into the jewelry part of the discussion. 1. Summer league middle school ball where our town frequents for tournaments. Kid dives back to the base. His Livestrong band gets caught on the corner of the bag, completely snapping his wrist. His season was over. 2. Local summer rec league, HS girls. F5 playing shallow. Line drive hits her ear, driving the tiny earring back into the soft spot behind the ear. Her mother had to dig the earring out of her neck on the field. We 100% enforce no jewelry of any kind.

Sanitary ? Other colors are unsanitary ? Cotton generally cleans better than Under Armor type stuff. Any non-cotton undershirts I've had tend to not release all of the odor under the sleeves even after multiple washings. You must really put out some powerful odor! Mine clean up just fine. Being in the Marching 110 and a varsity cheerleader at Ohio University (not at the same time, but two years of each), OU has a Russell contract, so maybe it's just a problem with their products specifically. And to clarify, it's more of my deodorant smell that remains, however my cotton shirts only smell of Tide!

Sanitary ? Other colors are unsanitary ? Cotton generally cleans better than Under Armor type stuff. Any non-cotton undershirts I've had tend to not release all of the odor under the sleeves even after multiple washings.

I'm not saying that at all. The OP said what would YOU want to see as prerequisites, and when anyone applies for a scholarship/job, the person giving usually gives to the most qualified/has the best resume. Personally, I would like to see that if someone showed the achievement of completing college, it would be beneficial to competing for the prize, in this case a scholarship. I don't think you need it to be a great umpire, but I think it does help show your drive and work ethic.

Our league does white undershirts. It's light, cool, and sanitary. And a pack of five runs like 10 bucks at Walmart.

I think if that extended to 22 years of age and a Bachelors Degree helped sweeten the chances, then it sounds like a pretty good list of prerequisites!

Sharpie or duct tape? They'll cover anything.

An electronic call system that alerts everyone prior to having to leave for the field. OP: Weekly check, picked up in concession stand.

One of my favorite displays of sportsmanship. Six years ago, I worked a LL All-Star game. It was an away game for my league, and our district has a umpire from each town work together, "to keep it fair." My partner took the plate, and we worked great together. The problem was all one-sided: my hometown. Middle of the game, R1 and R2. R2 leaves way too early, I indicate it by throwing my hat (how our district does it). The batter gets a single, scoring both runners... however, due to LL rules, if a runner leaves too early, (s)he must return the last possible base not occupied by the batter-runner. This brings both R1 and R2 off the scoreboard and back onto 2nd and 3rd base, respectively. Crowd and coaches go insane. I indicate that I made the call before the ball was even hit, and the rule does the rest of the work. I handled the manager, and my partner ensured the 3B coach didn't include himself in the conversation. Next batter strikes out, leaving ducks on the pond, a big hole on the scoreboard, and a growing sour atmosphere. Late in the game, R1 and R2, two outs. After some horrendous fielding, an inside-the-part-(error assisted)-home run, all the runs score and tying the game... except R2 missed 3B by no less than 4 feet. The guys in NY wouldn't even need to see the replay to see how bad this runner missed the bag. As expected, the home team appeals and throws over. I signal an out, as well as the dropping of the atom bomb. All three coaches bum rush, my partner sprints down to shallow LF to assist in the commotion, and the fans lose their apples. The manager initiates it with "we're protesting this game," and I toss the 3BC for throwing profanities at me. Whoever is in charge of the protests in our district's LL board enters the field, and calls the person he's in charge of reporting to in Indianapolis, our LL's regional office. Meanwhile, a fan threatening to "beat my ass" (a 40 year old threatening to beat up a 16 year old, how manly) is trying to enter the field. We send the kids to the dugout and my partner calls for law enforcement. Eventually, the district representative ends up being transferred/given the number to call an office at Williamsport, the HQ of LL. Once with the right person, he explains the situation, and hands the phone to me. The guy on the other end said that there was no protest because it was on a judgement call, they can't protest from the earlier play because it's already past, and way to have the balls to call it right even when it means terrible things for my hometown. I hang up, give the verdict, and we finish the game, with my town's team losing by 1 run. My partner and I go to the umpire room and change/post game, and I head out to the parking lot to catch my ride (Side note: I didn't have my license, but our local LL sends their umpire rep with a parent, so they don't have to cover transportation fees that are a couple hours away. Screwy, but that's how they operate). Problem is, my ride left me, as did all but one parent. I asked where John Doe was, and he just gave me a look of concern and told me to hop in. On the way home, I call my UIC/mentor/assigner and tell him the situation. He said he was proud of me, keep my chin up, and way to call the game fairly. I also receive a phone call from the league president, who says town B's police had called with reports of death threats on me, they were going to investigate, and wanted to know if he knew anything about it. He told me that he was going to investigate, not to worry about it, keep my head low and not come around the field for a while. One of the fellows who threatened my life was during the joint after game meal provided for both teams, you know, after the emotions from the field should have been cooled down. It was the head coach. Who lives 7 houses down from me. Who turns out has been to prison for domestic abuse. The kicker? The (former) league president's brother. Turns out, my league didn't help town B's police, stating there was a lot of things said in the stands, your fans must have just misheard our fans, and completely buried the whole felon/brother threats. Instead of my league supporting me and it's umpires, it turned it's back on me to prevent a big black eye on it's organization. I did get a little victory from the situation, however. Soon, the league president was given the boot after many skeletons were found, as was his brother from coaching, and besides finding an odd amount of screws sitting right under my tires before I leave my house, I have a clear conscience and the cool confidence that I know I can be faced with the hardest call ever, and still call it fair.

Our two local chiropractors are Dr. McCraken and Dr. Crush. I wish I was joking. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

There's nothing better when you rarely forget the count and as you start to sweat bullets, they hit the next pitch, resetting the count for you. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

0-2 count, ball in the dirt, I start to ring him with a big "striii..", realize I was completely wrong so I stand up, take my mask off and trying not to laugh say "ball" as plain and calm as possible. Catcher, batter, and both coaches had a good chuckle on that one. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

There are. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Many rule sets for fast pitch softball changed the rule that you don't have to make any attempt to move out of the way last year. Some coaches heard that and assumed/tried to fool the umps in baseball recently. But that's a new softball ruling, not baseball. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

One league I've worked for had overall such bad coaches that they made us reiterate the 7 calls a coach couldn't argue: "ball, strike, fair, foul, safe, out are judgement calls and are not up for discussion. If you have a problem with a rules interpretation, calmly request time and approach the umpire that made the call. If you fail to do this properly, you may be sent home, and you can't argue any call after that for the next two games." I got could usually get that fun addition spit out in 10 seconds. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The offense? Hardyharhar. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk