TheGeneral

You need to file a TASO rule misapplication report on those guys if they don't see the light. I think it definitely needs to be brought up and emphasized at our meetings. I will discuss it with our leadership at some point. I know the rule and I will make sure I teach every guy I work with the rules as well. Whether 2 years or 20. I just realized we screwed up another appeal play in the 1st game. Situation: R2 and 2 outs. Batter laces a double to the gap but misses 1st base on the way. R2 scores. The defense appeals properly and I bang the runner out for the 3rd out. The coach goes ballistic and comes out on me. I made a mistake and said the words "I thought he missed it" instead of just saying "he missed the bag". He jumped all over it and started going to town. After all is said and done we move on. But I was a moron and we let the run stand instead of removing it even though someone specifically asked me if the run scored. It didn't even occur to me it was the 3rd out at 1st base. Rest assured I will get it right next time. Two different appeal plays at 1st in 1 day. One the run scores, the other the run doesn't. Fun stuff. Just curious, team was batting in this situation? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

One of the big reasons this is commonly misunderstood is because players are coached to turn to the right. Think about it: it's dang near impossible to look like you're attempting to go to 2B if you turn to the right, so coaches for years have taught it as a rule of thumb to be safe. It's when folks are taught this as a way to play and aren't properly explained it's not the rule, it just helps clarify an umpires opportunity for judgement, then they think "oh, coach makes me turn that way, so it must be a rule," and the snowball starts to roll... ...into your game, when that kid becomes a coach and never bothered to learn the actual rule. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I love logos. The whole idea behind representing your group/team/company, and trying to get an icon or design to brand everything you stand for really fascinates me. Do your associations have a logo? Why or why not? Do they have a patch, or is there just an acronym on your hat? I'm curious to see the differences throughout this group and hear why some choose to and some choose to not to have one. If you could snap a picture of it to, please post it!

You're just tempting fate and asking for a whole lot of ouch when you do that. I agree and now that he said it, he's going to get one straight in there. I've been hit a couple of times, and that's what prompted me to getting one in the first place. However, recently I've been doing more softball (don't start, it's where the money's at and a higher position for myself), and although it's been mostly the HS level, these weren't state-caliber pitchers, so I've gotten a little lazy in that department. This adds also from going straight from work to the field, and not wanting to wear compression shorts all day. Don't worry, y'all will be the first ones I tell when I'm reminded of why I should always wear a cup Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I sure don't! Rarely wear it on the plate even. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

For the situation's sake, I was implying the score keeper to be a team hand, not league hand. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

So, what did you do? Call the chalk, or judge your own line? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Worked a tournament in my grandparents town, and my grandpa came down to enjoy the day of ball and watch me/hangout between games. One particular game a fella was giving me the business, and asked my grandpa if he thought I was playing favorites bc I "knew people" and awful. Grandpa said no he knew I wasn't playing favorites because I didn't know a single person there besides him. Shut the guy up real fast. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Let's play a little "choose your own adventure story," shall we? Rec league middle school. Early in the game. No outs. Away team Player B bats out of order, watches 4 straight balls and walks. Home scorekeeper notices, brings attention to manager, who brings it to you. While confirming the lineup, the managers talk and agree it's no big deal and decide to let it slide, just have Player A bat in Player B's spot. Would you: 1. Figure it's rec league, as long as the coaches are happy, use that and continue play? or 2. Ignore the compromise, enforce the out? If you picked 1, go to 3. If you picked 2, go to 4. 3. Player A hits into a double play, you wipe off the sweat as the compromise didn't make much of a difference. Move to the bottom of the last inning. 2 outs. Home team is losing, ducks on the pond. Player D gets a hit, driving in enough runs to tie and win the game. However, it was Player C's turn to bat, who has just been skipped. Away manager comes with the out of order, stating it's different than earlier and actually altered the course of the game, offering the solution of resetting the field and bring up the proper batter. Home manager argues that it should be allowed, since they let the away team get away with it earlier, no matter the outcome. What do you do? 4. Same situation as 3, except special needs Player E thinks it's his or her turn to bat. First pitch swinging, same result. Away manager comes with you didn't let us do it, they don't get it either. Home manager comes with the player wasn't supposed to go out there, but everything happened too fast and nobody was able to stop it before it was too late. Meanwhile, the fielders are lining up and the home team has cleared the dugout and hoisted Player E into the air, celebrating his or her first hit that just won them the game. Your call?

I actually have no control over the sound effects or music, we've got a guy for that, so I'm just talking. But you mean recommending Three Blind Mice the umps entrance music is a bad idea? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Tonight I begin a journey into the season in a different uniform at the ballpark. Instead of the powder blue and charcoal grey, I'll be donning khaki and hunter orange... with a giant snake on my back, and instead of wielding the power of judgement, instead I'll attempt to harness the power of... the microphone. That's right folks, you're lookin' at the new PA announcer for the Southern Ohio Copperheads, a college developmental league team. While I would occasionally work in the booth for my local Little League and Pony League football, those gigs were little more than "now batting" and "no smoking" announcements. Tonight's script is 55 pages. 55 pages of sponsors, PSAs, entertainment, and many words that I'm not sure how to pronounce. Oh, and did I mention that our team has about 3 names that are remotely familiar, and I don't get a pronunciation guide until a few hours before the first pitch? And that half the stuff in the script is carbon copied from last year, including names, dates, and times? And that no matter how hard I try and practice, I can't say the word "philanthropy" under pressure? I went to the Cleveland Indians spectacular last night and for the first time, instead of watching the center fielder and the umpires do their job, I focused mainly on "the voice," and boy am I in for a ride tonight. Wish me luck, fellas. I just might need it.

I'm with MrBlue here. If, and only if, it's full participation with the pitcher and catcher warming up, I'm not against letting them have their fun for 2 minutes until it's time to actually start the game here. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This is one of the weirdest actual rules, however the original post was asking for things that coaches say are rules but aren't actually. But yeah, the leaving too early in LL is... different. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Almost always I have two games, and I prefer plate first and field second. I take the drive down to the field as a time to get in game mode, and starting my evening off on time and on pace is how I like to start. The second game is when I start to get antsy, so the ability to move around the field helps cure that.

It seems that you may be in a spot that just plain doesn't get it. If these types of things are common occurances, I'm involving the board. Have them hold a meeting with all people involved on how proper game management and etiquette actually is. Unfortunately, I've too been in this situation, and the board is as about as coherent as the coaches and don't do anything. If this is the case, here's my suggestion: Study up on here. Wear a uniform (if you don't already). Treat a game like any person here in a civilized environment does, including for ejections. They won't like it, and will call you crazy, but you may be the one good sheriff to turn the whole corrupt county around. Good luck!

On the Oregon Trail and nobody died of dysentery?

Definitely gonna rock me some suspenders like the top left guy next season.

I'm not at nowhere near the stature to post a welcome to a community that I haven't been a part of too long, but good to see another guy my age with the same passion for the game as me! You'll soon see that you will learn a ton here if you stay open-minded.

Shenanigans..... Hey Farva, what's that restaurant that has the cheese sticks and all the goofy stuff on the walls?

Y'all get boxes for your 8-9 year olds? We're lucky to have foul lines or a backstop around here!

In the defense of khakis, that was what the league required us to wear. Whenever I went anywhere else, I wore my OHSAA shirt and grey slacks, but at the local LL, I wore the shorts, league polo and hat, because that was our required uniform. Heck I had a league give us red tshirts with the logo on the front and "UMPIRE" printed big across the back and we wore them with black gym shorts (it was a slow pitch league using USSSA rules) one year. Are these textbook umpire uniforms? Not in the slightest. Did they show we earned a spot on the league's staff? You betcha. Much like the real world, if you're an independent contractor (get a game through an assigner), you can wear whatever you want (grey slacks and standard uniform). But if you work for a certain company (a league) you may be wearing something that although isn't the industry norm, is still their uniform (in my case, these examples). So, Ruleskeep, you have seen many'a ump give their humble opinions and guidance, and while I agree with them, this is why I offered you different ideas for your choosing. Showing up with all the fancyschmancy equipment to a sandlot game without complete comprehension yet of the mechanics and rules may make you look more like a redass than your current attire, so anything slightly more professional would help tremendously. Long story short: if you want to succeed in this business, looking the part is half the battle.

I have khakis, but everybody's been jumping all over me to wear grey. And I have a real issue with tucking in my shirt, is that totally, absolutely, one hundred and eight percent required?More like 114%.....Even just for LL?Everyone has given you the advice to dress the part, look and act professional, focus on doing a good job and you will advance. Use that info/advice as you see fit. If you truly want to advance, you will take the advice given to you and run with it. If you don't take the advice and you want to keep wearing khaki shorts, untucked shirts, feel free. But you WILL get grief, which WILL lead to less game assignments, and WILL eventually lead to no umpiring. There is no "hard way" or "my way" when it comes to dress and professionalism on the field for the umpire. YOU WILL NOT ADVANCE past you town little league. That's the cold hard facts. If you're looking for a career/hobby where you can express you individualism in the way you dress, umpiring may not be the path for you. You want to be different and have a career in baseball, maybe try reporting, announcing, or team mascot would be the way to go. I will take this advice, but the shirt thing is...well, lets just say I'd be miserable. How would something as simple as tucking your shirt in, something that almost every profession makes you do, make you miserable? The players and coaches have theirs tucked in, and they seem to get along just fine.

I beg to differ. If it weren't for the lax, sloppy uniformed, an very amateur attitude of many umpires before our time, there wouldn't already be a stereotype for umpires portrayed on TV and in movies that were made before some of us were born.

I have khakis, but everybody's been jumping all over me to wear grey. And I have a real issue with tucking in my shirt, is that totally, absolutely, one hundred and eight percent required? If this were the middle of the season, I'd say go with khakis until you could get grey. But understanding your area of work, I recommend two courses of action: 1. It is the off season, so you have plenty of time to eBay/thrift and round up a couple real polos, grey slacks, black shoes, belt, and hat. When the season starts, you'll be the most high speed official out there. 2. Round up your colleagues and come up with a "uniform" for your league. Everybody over the age of 11 owns a pair of khaki shorts and belt, and Walmart/Family Dollar sells plain polos for less than 10 bucks. You'll not only look like you're making an effort to be professional, but if your crew all dresses the same, you'd be amazed at the different treatment you will receive. And you have absolutely no idea how much more professional a tucked in shirt is, so yes, it is 108% required if you want to be taken seriously.

I grew up in about as bassackwards of an area that you can get, and besides my mentors, the on field attire is nothing short of atrocious. But, they knew that they weren't working with future MLB umps, but rather a hodgepodge group of kids trying to do their best on a old ball diamond. My first "uniform" was a cotton baby blue polo tucked into khaki shorts and non-flashy running/athletic shoes. If you can't get some grey slacks right away, wear a pair of khaki shorts/pants with a thrift store plain polo tucked in. It may not be textbook, but it shows you're giving an effort to looking presentable.