BillKen

Pandora's Box has been opened!!!

We've all been there...a pup working with one of the association big dogs. I think you would be best served to use the following guidelines. If it is your call and you are 100% sure of your ruling...you stick to your guns no matter what. If you are 99% sure or less and there is a little tingle of doubt in your mind, ask-discuss-and make a team ruling that you agree on together. If the Big Dog is the calling umpire and you think he is wrong, you advise and be respectful. A little diplomacy goes a long way...and if you can keep him out of trouble, you'll make a friend for life. As the pup, they expect you to mess up and they like being there to help you. But they reeeally like it when you make them look good! If they are stubborn, let them go it alone and don't run for the rulebook when you head to the truck. Most self respecting umps will look things up on their own if there is doubt. If they ask in a post game setting, then its ok to slap em upside the head with the book (especially if you are right)! Officials have big egos...it takes a lot of confidence to do what we do. Ultimately, there is a pecking order and the UIC, HP, or Crew Chief has to make a decision when the crew has to discuss things and there is a conflict. You have to accept that there will sometimes be conflicts in this arena. One day, you'll be the Big Dog and some snot-nosed 19 year old kid will come along and be the 2nd coming of Joe West. You'll love it when he messes up and comes to you for advice! But you'll really love it when your arse is in a bind and he knows the right answer!

"Thats only a ______________ (insert any sanctioning league that you AREN'T playing--LL, HS, College, Pro, Dixie, Legion, etc) rule, coach!" Gets them every time!

Team Wendy pads may have helped here.

I had a bad game a few weeks ago...I only had 4 hours of sleep the night before. Even though I was amped up (it was a playoff game) and didn't feel tired or sleepy, my mental acuity and my eyes were just not at peak performance. I knew I was struggling, the coaches knew I was struggling, my partners knew I was off and it was just one of those bad days. You just have to move on and get past it.

I think Laz is one hell of an umpire...but umpires don't have to be good anymore, they just have to make a call to start the process. MLB has killed the game.

Terrible rule...Wash knows that to get the rule changed, he has to make it an issue. MLB pays attention when skips get run. I think Wash getting run on two different transfer plays is what helped to initiate the new interp. Maybe he will be the martyr for this change too. It sure needs to be changed! Of course, it could just be that he hates sitting and watching his team suck for 3 hours!!!

Was working some 18U ball Sunday and I was in "B". F1 attempts a pickoff and even though R1 was leaning the wrong way, he got his hand back into 1B in time bc F3 put the tag on his hip and not closer to the bag. I give a pretty emphatic safe signal with an audible "He's Safe" call. Parents on the 1B side go crazy..."ooooh Blue...he was picked like a booger!" This happens again with the tag being on the hip and it is again close, but the runner is safe. I go a little louder with my "SAFE" call. Again the Lawn Chair Lunatics give me the business. At this point, I've decided my next move if there is another pickoff throw and I'm praying to God that I get another chance! F1 delivers the 0-0 pitch and R1 stays put. F1 takes his position on the rubber and throws over to F3 and once again R1 dives back in safely. I yell out, "HE'S REALLY SAFE"! They cracked up! Never heard another word from them the rest of the afternoon. Sometimes showing them that we are human and letting them know that they aren't stressing you out is a good thing. I'd never do this in a HS game, but in this case, it was acceptable and it worked! Use at your discretion!

Took another shot today in mine...4th or 5th time now. I've never felt one that hit me there. NB is the best equipment you can ever buy.

Can't wait to get hit in the face wearing this beauty! Thanks to Tony at Mask-it Sports!!!

This mask shall be officially named...The Usher!

I propose that this mask be given an official name...The Usher!

When the coach gets paid by a school or professional team and the wins and losses count towards a real championship (Varsity and above).

It is 8U ball...give him time to get back on the field.

As long as you are putting it in your ball bag and not wearing it on your wrist. Is there something wrong with wearing a watch in your association? Never seen anyone get dinged around here for wearing a watch in games that have a time limit.

Just sent in an old Honigs to Mask-it. I have some black TW pads ready to go on it when Tony is finished...went with the silver vane. Will post pics when I get it done!

Glad I don't have Brooks Baseball at my games because BJ is out on this pitch with me too...but in some ways I'd like to know how good I am!

My LL pays $45 a game...cash. Its a great Friday night gig to get a DH and make some weekend cash. My UIC knows that I'm not driving in to town, getting dressed up, and sweating my hiney off for $45...so I always get the DH. It is about time for them to go up...HS makes $60 and they have tried to keep pace.

Manager: Is it in the book that its a strike when the kid gets hit in the head? Me: Yes coach...its a new rule this year.

When the coach said Where is your zone?, I think I would have just walked off and ignored him. If he is the aggressor at that point, he dumps himself. The less you say, the less that can be used against you. No need to defend your zone with the book comment.

Been there in that exact same situation...only the kid threw to 2nd instead of 1st and I had already turned to 1B. Its a great lesson and one you won't soon forget!

I've called a lot more force play slide rule INT calls at 2nd from PU than I've called RLI from PU in my career. If we are playing the numbers, you'll see me up the 3rd base line just past the cutout of the plate area with my primary focus on the ball. If SS boots it, then I'm going to move my attention more from 2b to RL...but I'm not going to follow the runner up the 1b line. I can see it fine 15 feet from the plate towards 3rd.

I switched from point to hammer in a playoff game a few years ago. I was working with a D1 guy who had been trying to get me to switch so I decided that the Hawthorne Effect could help me and it did. He gave me a good eval and I've never looked back. You can do anything you set your mind to!

I'm in the same boat...I'm averaging 2 a game...most of them for not stopping. Our HS season is a week away from ending the regular season and I'm still calling them. My partners have called 2 total in my games and both of those were with me. I'm willing to bet my next game fee that the first runner on base will see a quick pitch with no stop in my next game.

You made a call...you didn't need help. Once you make it, you own it. Tell your partner to get some training. That's a guy that doesn't get it.