BillKen

13-4...OUT...Go Home! See you tomorrow!

Something like this?

The call might be tight...but it is right!

Technology Integration Specialist--A new position for me this year. I will be working on the campus of an elementary school and my primary job will be to teach classroom teachers how to integrate technology into their lessons. I will also be doing some webmastering, social networking, and video production for the school.

Two thoughts on this play. 1. What would happen if the umpires (they have a union) collectively decided to be civilly disobedient and take whatever punishment that MLB doles out as they refuse to overturn the calls after they get the ruling over the headset. If you think about it, Winters could have put the headset down and signaled out. Nobody would have known except the guys in New York and MLB Brass. The first guy to stand up for himself might be hammered on, but after it happened 4-5 times, MLB would get that there was a revolution occurring. Maybe mid-season isn't the time to do this and the union will likely have a lot to say about fixing replay during the offseason. But there is enough rebel in me to just wonder what would happen if they stood up for themselves and fought. Proposed Solution 2. Paint a runners lane (box) coming into the plate. If the runner hasn't reached the box (say 20 ft from the plate) before the catcher has the ball, no protection should be given to the runner. If he's in the box, the catcher must have the ball before going into the box.

Speaking as someone who was reluctant to bring this whole idea up, I think it is critical that we have open and honest discussion about the human element of emotion that lives inside us all. We can positively impact the character of one another through reasonable counsel and honest discussion. As soon as one of us goes holy roller and admonishes someone for sharing their honest feelings, our postings here are a waste of time. We all make mistakes in judgement, rules, and mechanics. It takes a little bit of guts to do what we do and taking criticism is often one of our weaker points. I'd like to encourage all of us to resist the urge to denigrate or argue back and forth over things in these threads. This is a pretty sensitive subject and the format should be positive in nature...Like a 12 Step Group Therapy session: My name is Bill and I was power hungry today. Prior to today, I haven't been a turd for 12 weeks etc... I hope not to come back to this thread to find more backbiting. I'd love to find this thread full of people who openly admit their mistakes so that we can all learn from that. Is this community that kind of community?

You can do it...I did! After my ejection (Baiting 1.0), I had the same two teams last night. The devil on my left shoulder was telling me to be a reda$$ and not take any poop, while the angel over my right shoulder told me to go bust my hump and don't give them any reason to ever doubt that you are a good ump who wants to give them a fair and perfect game. The devil is a bad guy to listen to! I went to the plate meeting and both coaches were very cordial. Nothing was mentioned about the prior incidents, we all shook hands and played ball. We had a great game...9 innings, 2-1, 2:20 long, and no junk. The takeaway from all of this is that we don't let coaches bring up plays from the past...so we have to let our past plays go too. We don't get the double standard...especially since we are the stewards of the game and we are given a lot of authority. A cop has his voice, his body, handcuffs, pepper spray, a taser, and a gun. I don't want to ever encounter the one who forgets that he has all of those other tools and just uses his gun. We as umpires can't forget our other tools either and just use the ejection tool. You are going to do fine. If the coach feels the need to eject himself, you can be the guy for the job. But I'm also willing to bet that you will not go for your gun first if he gets a little froggy. Good Luck and let us know how it goes!

Our football crew gets evaluated on a program called Zebra-Ware and I tell them every week...If you are going to be proud of their positive evaluations, you can't just throw out the negative ones. Either throw em all out or admit you stunk when its bad!

Didn't see it period. Physically impossible unless you were 10' tall. I called foul because I felt that it probably was. But I really am asking here.

Ties go to the umpire! We get to decide! It is the greatest part of umpiring! Great defensive play--Out. Sloppy Defense--Safe Great hustle to 1st by a fat kid--safe Batter's team losing by 8--Safe Defense down by 7--out. Two outs in the bottom of the last inning--definitely out. The game situation often determines who we give the benefit of the doubt to. Nothing happens in a vacuum.

I had one like this last week but the dropoff from the infield to the outfield is so drastic that from HP, there is about 15ft of the line that you cannot see. Of course the coach in the coaches box can see it fine because he's 90ft closer. When in doubt, what would you call? A screamer on the line and you are physically unable to see the line due to field conditions? Fair or Foul.

I still contend that it isn't important that they are good on the bases anymore. They just make a call so that one coach or the other can initiate the real call to be made. MLB umps have to be good at balls and strikes...and somebody somewhere is working on an electronic system to make that Perfect.

If it was NCAA you have to check. If it was OBR at any level you have to check. He's not in a bad spot. The coach is. F em. I work mostly Fed...I only have a couple of toes dipped into the NCAA thing, so this is good to know.

I didn't check him because I didn't need to. I wouldn't check him at C unless I knew I was the only one in the stadium who didn't know if the batter went or not. It can happen on a high inside pitch or a catcher popping up on a steal attempt. I'm still of the old school belief that most of the time it puts him in a bad spot to ask him. If he agrees with me, he is just kissing my butt (to the coach), and if he disagrees, he puts himself at risk with the other coach.. This is the kind of coach that would have taken issue with an ump checking with his partner in C (if it had not gone his way) because he knows enough about umpiring to be dangerous. I think he was in a bad mood and he was trying to get his kids into the game emotionally. To clarify, this was NCAA rules collegiate wooden bat summer ball.

Sliver Vane...looks great!

Have you ever baited a coach? If so, are you willing to tell on yourself and if it was worth it? I think I may have baited one and don't feel too bad about it. He had been a jerk since the 2nd batter in the bottom of the 1st when he came out of his dugout to implore that I check with my partner on a checked swing. It was a righty and my partner was in C. The kid didn't go, I had a great look at it, didn't need help and owned the call. He belabored the argument to the point where I had to say, "Coach, I'm going to turn around and go back to the plate and if you aren't headed to your dugout when I get there, you will be ejected." He complied. Later in the game, his assistant was arguing balls and strikes from the coaches box and I pointed directly at him and told him "That's Enough...Knock It Off!" After the inning ended, I casually moved up the line and told the HC that if he didn't get AC in line, that I would. He copped an attitude with me and I just blew him off and told him this was my last time to be nice. Bottom of the 6th and he comes out on me again for another checked swing...batter clearly didn't go and again my partner was in C. I'm admittedly not happy to see him and he loudly exclaims that I've got to check my partner on that. I said, "Sure coach, I'll check...Hey Blue, You didn't have a strike there did you?" He signaled safe and masked his laughter. The coach went ballistic..."That's a bullSH*# way to ask for an appeal! Do you think I'm stupid? Do you think I don't know what just happened?" I said "No coach, I'd be really disappointed in you if you didn't get it. I've given you a great zone tonight and I'm done with you arguing balls and strikes." He then walked over and drew a line on each side of the plate to show me where my zone had been all night. He was done before he got the first one drawn. After dumping him, he give me a full lecture on being professional and how I wasn't moving my feet and how I didn't check the pitcher for pine tar correctly and asked me if I had ever been to umpire school. I gave him the Jerry Lane silent treatment which really sent him to the moon...so he went back to the plate and covered it all with dirt. I resisted telling him that he missed a spot. He then gave me some more umpiring pointers before going to the dugout and throwing a bucket of balls and 3 helmets onto the field. Should I feel bad? Turn in my card? Go to camp? Shoot myself?

I'd like to work with Marvin Hudson because he's the kind of guy who just has a knack for staying out of trouble. I've learned a lot from him over the past 2-3 years and it would be neat to share a game with him.

I've worked with this guy...there is one in every association! Mustard on the hot dog!!!

Back to the initial discussion...my bag was stolen from my car early in my career and we filed it on our Renters Insurance. I went through and listed catalog prices for all pants, shirts, shoes, undershirts, accessories and equipment that I had in the bag...and the cost of the bag. The claim was filed for about $800 and we had a $250 deductible. I was able to replace all of my "old" stuff with brand new stuff and actually put a few dollars back in my pocket because I found some great prices on used gear and saved money by getting the starter kit discounts when you buy everything at once. It sucks, but it isn't the end of the world...unless you don't have insurance!

New Bumper Sticker! Sing a verse from Frozen and let it go.

NB is the one piece of equipment that I won't ever work without!

Worked 6 games yesterday with a Heat Index of 103. Made it through...I had the plate for the 3-5-7pm games. Been thinking of getting this: http://www.amazon.com/Champro-Umpires-Outside-Protector-23-5-Inch/dp/B007YH98WS/ref=sr_1_19?s=team-sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1405287709&sr=1-19 Would you ever consider this for 18-U Ball? List and discuss pros and cons!

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2014_07_10_oakmlb_sfnmlb_1&mode=video&content_id=34464575&tcid=vpp_copy_34464575 There is a Big W on the chin pad...it could be a patch, but I just can't imagine working big league baseball without Team Wendy Pads. Hope AJ is just out temporarily.

Any HP ump worth his salt is going to be up the line here following the runner to the 45' line (or as close to that as he can get). The only reason to do that, is to be there for help with a swipe tag, pulled foot, or extracurricular contact by one of the players. You did good...especially making the coaches get in the dugout before you discuss the play!

I think this question is great! And for me, it gets to the very heart of what works. Is it better to have quality stuff and look 100% professional and serious about this craft, or is it better to be perceived as the expert because of your knowledge? For one thing, I feel that if I were to get a call today asking me to fill in for a sick umpire at the next level...I better have the equipment to handle that assignment. You don't want to go work college ball with a single bar Champro and a $40 ribbed All-Star CP from Academy. So equipment is your lifeblood. You have to have ONE good mask, etc. This investment is first and foremost the most important. That said, you don't need a $90 throat protector from Japan. Those are just worn by people who can afford to keep up with the Jones'. It doesn't get you college games if you aren't currently working college games already! However, if you have quality gear, people you call with do notice. They talk to you...get to know you...ask you questions. You begin to network and when you go call a game with a guy that works at the next level, he notices that you are serious about it. He might notice some flaws in your mechanics, but to him, you have some potential. He begins to talk to others about you in his circle of influence and soon, they invite you to an evaluation camp or to work as a 3rd or 4th official and get you into the club. At that point, you need to invest in yourself and work on those little things that move you into the NCAA/NAIA/JUCO games. I really don't know anyone who moved up because they wore the best equipment. I also don't know anyone who went to a clinic and impressed someone so strongly that they got picked up on the spot without knowing anyone. To me...the single most important thing you can do to get a better schedule is to network yourself with the people who are already there. If they know you can call, they will do more for your future than you could ever do for yourself. It isn't what you wear or what you know, it is WHO you know that moves you to the next level IMHO.