kstrunk

You mean this isn't a simple matter of chronological seniority/longevity/tenure?!!!

My son and I saw that guy pitch a couple weeks ago and he asked me if that was legal. The real quirk, if it's the same guy, is that he taps the toe of his free foot on the way to coming set, and it's a bit more than just a 'touch' of the ground, almost like he puts it down twice. I answered my son "I guess so, because nobody is calling anything, but certainly gives reason to look for something". Just annoying!

After you've been faithful and honest in a constructive and friendly way with no attempt on his part at change (assuming you work with him multiple games), tell the partner you're gonna notify the assigner that you'd prefer to not work with him, and then do so. If nothing changes, you might want to work somewhere else.

Actually, this comment is a positive reflection on you, as the coach noticed the difference. When I work with a guy like this, and in my area it happens ALL THE TIME, I try to kick up my focus even higher, and MAKE SURE the difference between my partner and I is absolutely noticeable, even to my lazy partner!

I agree with the idea that the game should be about the players on the field, and that we as umpires should be as much 'out of sight and mind' as possible... HOWEVER!!! For the love of the game, we have to be loud enough to be effective! Giving counts, putting the ball in play, calling 'foul ball' on close ones, and yes, even calling 'ball' on occasion, requires significant volume to be effective. If we're trying to find balance between NOT being the focus of the game and being effective, IMHO we should err on the side of increased volume, especially in key situations.

I lost 3 this week, including my first NCAA game tomorrow. But hey.. the Good Book says God sends the rain[snow] on the wicked and the righteous... so who am I to complain! Just praying He melts it fast!!!

I think I'd have to fail pretty miserably to allow this to happen, and I say it that way because to call this, BOTH umps would've seen something illegal that they failed to call. If neither saw it, it shouldn't be called. But if either saw it and didn't call it until after the coach brought it to their attention, it was perhaps a borderline infraction, i.e... hands separating simultaneously to stepping off or something along those lines. I'd probably be more apt to tell a coach something along the lines of... 'I won't call a balk because you think I should, and even if we missed something, the idea of us calling a balk NOW, simply because you said we should, is a recipe for disaster going forward! Back to the dugout, let's play ball.'.

What level Stan?

I use the Wilson bag, and I'm struggling to find the best arrangement as well, but I'm managing. Though I'll be honest, if I used a HSM, I wouldn't have a clue. I DO NOT put uniforms (except jackets) in my gear bag. I keep my mask on top, away from the dirt from shins and shoes. ONLY shins and CP go in the bottom. I think I can do better.

Bring you snow shoes!

Terrific!!! Praying God melts it and dries it quick!

The landscape is as white as can be here in Eastern PA. So much for my first 3 games of the season next week. They say more snow coming Tuesday. Ugghhhh.

@maven, I wish I could, but I simply don't have the brain power. Anyone else able to help our brother who helps us so much?

I can admit to this much... I've jumped the gun on this, and thus going against the grain, I've called strikes that are too high, allowing the pendulum to swing too far too fast, and I must be very cautious with this, even now. But I agree with... Well said.

I think the issue is... a runner seeing the pitcher in said position thinks the pitcher is in the windup... and takes off on first move. Then the pitcher comes set, steps off or makes a move, and picks the runner off. So coming set doesn't right the inequity of the initial position.

This discussion is exactly what I was referring to when I started the "Getting On the Same Page" post on 2/23, and agreeing with @conbo61, it is an excellent one! That said, there has to be consistent enforcement for coaches and players to realize they can't 'push the envelope' and get away with it. I'll be the first to admit, when the majority of umpires in particular locale are NOT calling something like this, it makes one think twice before he/she does, and perhaps even look for a reason not to call it.

The NCAA video that just came out on the High Strike has answered a pet peeve of mine, and I am so grateful that they put it out. I think it's well done, and I'm praying guys will embrace the concepts therein wholeheartedly. The pitches shown are pitches that can be hit hard by batters, and indeed are pitches that are often labeled 'mistakes' by pitchers and defenses. True, they DON'T want to throw it up there because it's a pitch that can be driven out out of the park. That, coupled with the truth that it is within the strike zone according to rule, DEMANDS they be called strikes. And in so doing, IMHO, we will benefit the game for everyone, IF the majority of us get on board. But frankly, I'm not sure why we wouldn't??? Thank you NCAA Umpire Coordinators!!!

May we ask at what level this college game was? Not that it should make a difference, but I'm curious. Thanks.

Agree. I've tried because I'd consider it if I can make it fit correctly, but haven't found an actual UMPIRE's helmet that'll fit.

I love watching Laz Diaz call MLB games. Love his energy and enthusiasm. But it's puzzled me for a couple years now, why he's constantly changing his plate mechanics. For a couple innings he'll work the slot 'heel/toe', then he'll switch to the scissors. Calling strikes too... he'll use the hammer out front, then later he'll point to the side, and then he'll often switch back. Does anyone else do this? Is there a rationale for it? Or is it just a personal preference?

Pre-game, pre-game, pre-game!!!! It is vital to 'pre-game', that is, explicitly discuss coverages, signals, and communication techniques at this stage of your career. Many 'experienced' umpires will go WAAAAY too quick through this for it to be effective for you, and some will neglect it altogether. DEMAND a good, 15-20 minute pre-game discussion, and make sure you understand your partner's lingo. There are other spots on this site to give more specifics on this. Happy reading!

Well said Kyle. If you take a solid shot and your mask doesn't at least spin/move significantly, it's probably too tight and your brain is taking more of the shock than it needs to. In this case, the Force 3 will only help minimally, and concussions may still result. #kinematics of trauma.

I couldn't agree more. To continue to allow the rules/mechanics to be manipulated by the individuality of players will eventually be counterproductive to everything the powers are supposedly trying to accomplish in terms of participation, pace of play, greater market share, etc... UNLESS they're hoping for a dramatic effect that will result from the chaos!

Of course in FED, if I'm not mistaken, after 'messing it up' the first time, they could simply call 'time' and then verbally articulate that the runner missed 2nd, and get an out on a dead ball appeal. Correct me if necessary.

So the BR CLEARLY beats the throw, but misses the bag, and the only person in the stadium that realizes the BR is out, is you. Is there a mechanic to be used to sell WHY he is out in order to avoid a crap storm. Something similar to when the fielder is off the bag... OR, is that why they're advocating NO signal until the appeal?