kstrunk

What are the UE's? Full name please.

Hey Guys, In our local league, I recently called Catcher Interference on a catcher when the batter's bat struck the catcher's mitt, resulting in a foul ball. I called it and awarded the batter 1st base. I thought it was a bit peculiar, because I usually note when the catcher is too far into the batter. I found out last night that In the past week, 2 other umpires made the same call for the same batter, against 2 different teams. Total of 3 umps, 3 teams, 3 catchers, 1 batter, same deal. The other umps are not aware of any of this yet, to my knowledge. 1 of the catchers was my son. He's telling me this batter waits until the pitcher starts his move, then backs up, and also drops his hands low enough to hit the catcher's mitt before he swings. This is LL Majors baseball that is VERY competitive in our league. If this kid is intentionally striking the catcher's mitts to get on base, what to do?

Where can we find these books at affordable prices? I'd love the Evan's book, no way I can afford it! $60!!! I just got the PBUC red book, and my UIC loaned me some CCA books. Hoping these will assist in mechanics.

Grateful for all the wisdom on the EJ, or not... but I've been watching 10 years olds swing at balls flying toward their faces for years! Not at all uncommon. I had one last night, but somehow it didn't him or his bat.

So grateful for the advice. I'll be finding more base assignments, even if as a volunteer. I'd have to admit that I made a solid 50% of my calls last night WITHOUT being completely stationary. Each time I was convicted, but still found it tough to break the habit of not feeling close enough. I'm wondering too if I was trying to do too much... trying to see everything at once, every touch, even with multiple runners, etc... Is that possible?

Called the bases for the first time last night in a 'Majors' opener. Whoever says the bases are easy may not completely understand the complexity of the assignment. I've studied and studied and studied, and still felt somewhat unprepared. I believe it's one of those things that requires some practice and experience. By God's grace I got through without making an idiot of myself, mostly anyway.

Congrats! I see even veterans have new milestones! Something to look forward to I guess!

@johnnyg08 What is the book from which you copied. I desperately need that book. I'm new and need a ton of work on position mechanics. Please help! thanks.

@johnnyg08 What is that book from which you copied? I need that, desperately. I'm a rookie and need a ton of work on mechanics of this nature. Thanks.

New to this guys, but in the 5 scrimmages I've called behind the plate, while I haven't had UI, I've had a bunch of light and minor contact from catchers trying to catch high pitches or back hand wide pitches. Am I too close or is that normal?

That's what my mentor is teaching. Even though it's seniors, the quality of play is suspect at times.

I had my 5th plate overall, and first seniors, last night in a scrimmage. My partner was our UIC (and my mentor), so I was nervous. Need help on PU mechanics in 2 man on 90 ft field, and have to work on not ringin 'em up on the high strike (only once). I guess I've always thought a strike was a strike, but I get that sometimes different situations call for a different look, and I'm getting the game management stuff little by little. Other than that, it sure was fun!

I was surprised that NOBODY had even heard of this option. Of the numerous commentators who called the play, it was foreign to all of them, including former big league ball players. I would expect that someone would have at least heard of it? It seems necessary to educate the people of baseball, but how?

The Yankee game yesterday had a catcher interference play that confused every commentator (including former major leaguers) who saw it. Most of them said they'd never heard of the manager getting the option to accept the result of the play. I'm astonished that people who are around and/or IN the game that long are so detached from the rules of the game. I realize it is probably rare, but to have never heard of it? We need to educate the people of baseball!

Called my second scrimmage last night, solo. Had a blast! Ran my tail off, but had a blast. Felt more comfortable than on Thursday. Lots of good experience with interference calls and DP's. Got beat up toward the end when they put a kid behind the dish who never caught before. I can almost say he still hasn't caught! He let 3 of them go by without even moving, I took 2 of them, 1 on the forerarm, thank the Lord the pitcher wasn't a fireballer! I'm certain I need to work on being stationary for base calls. On about 50% I'm sure I was moving when the play happened. Angle was good, I just kept moving closer instead of stopping.

Thanks. My plan is to regularly observe where in my game I'm getting anxious, that'll be the spots I need to work on, and at the same time seek feedback from experienced and educated umps who may have opportunity to watch me or work with me. Thanks for the encouragement.

Well... My first game as an official umpire is done. A LL Majors scrimmage last night. It went well, but boy do I have a lot to learn. You can read, study, and practice all you want, but the game is just different. Experience will always be the best teacher. I need to work on following the ball when it passes me (behind the plate), and positioning. This one was easy, low stress, but I know that most are not.

So grateful folks! Much learned. Don't watch big league umps, and get in a clinic! I'm also going to continue practicing keeping my head still; as still as possible anyway. Thanks again.!

I was watching Gerry Davis call the Yankees game last night, and noticed he moves his head when calling pitches, not just occasionally either. In anticipation and preparation for my first season, I've been reading everything and anything (probably not a great idea) about proper mechanics. I've found much that says 'work to keep your head completely still, tracking the ball only with your eyes'(which makes sense), and I've found some that says it's ok to move your head 'naturally' as you track the ball, so you don't risk losing the ball. Is their a RIGHT WAY? If so, what is it?

So I'm getting that, the play where the ball is is ultimate, everything else is secondary. Until the ball is gone, my focus is on the pitch and potential events associated with the pitch. Which leads me to another question - Knowing that bases are secondary in the solo situation, and knowing I'm not going to have optimal positioning, do I still sell each call like I was right on top of it, or do I expect coaches to understand I can only view one thing at a time? I'm going with the former, selling it all the way, but then that leaves me open to 'c'mon blue, there's no way you could make that call from there!!!!'.

guys where do I find the list of abbreviations? Thanks.

Got it! Thanks.

I'd dump him too. While he can and should be forgiven, he's left his integrity at home in the AC! If he can't be trusted to at least call somebody, how can his calls on the field be trusted?! That aside, what made the experience 'behind the mound' so miserable?

Thanks guys. Very helpful. Another question, is it 'mandatory' to always exit the slot to the left when trying to position for a base call, or is it batter dependent, left or right handed (exit opposite batter). I realize we need to get the best angle, but I'd imagine that swiftness in getting there matters too? Any other advice for a 'one man system' is greatly appreciated. Thanks again.

I'm preparing to call my first game soon, and our association is light on umps, which means I'll be alone alot. So you're by yourself, with a runner on 1st, less than 2 out, Batter looks at strike 3, and the runner is going. Do I punch him out as per normal which could cost me time and position for the steal call? Or abbreviate the called 3rd strike somehow? Thanks.