coachshook77

Not at all what was implied here! I can tell you from experience that from the box that some plays can go either when it's a bang-bang play. I've seen them over the years and have had them tell me it could have went either way. If you stay in the guys ear all night, it tends to set back in the corner of the mind. If you read a little closer you will see that I said, "I try to be consistent". Never did I mention cheating at any time. Judge not less ye be judged! Personally, I have seen it from both sides, guys that are not willing to admit mistakes because they feel they are beyond reproach.

First off, let me say that I am in my second year of umpiring. Secondly, let me add that I have been coaching high school baseball for 21 years. I want to give you a view from the coaches box first. I wanted to begin umpiring to have a better understanding of what the umpire has to deal with. I have just completed my 26th year of teaching and coaching (been coaching basketball and football for all 26 years) and love the game and would like to eventually call HS ball. I can tell you that I have only been tossed one time and I deserved it. When I disagree with a call, I always stat my opinon, get blues view point, express my opinon once more and then walk away. I know that a continued act of stupidity by me will only have an effect on any close calls that I may need later on in the game. I have never had an umpire overturn a call nor would I expect it to happen. I have had the plate umpire confer with his partner due to one maybe being out of place but, if the don't change it - I live with it. I have watched a runner beat the tag due to the 1st base mans foot being a little off the bag but 20 years ago an umpire told me that his angle does not allow him to see the foot off the bag by an inch. I CAN LIVE WITH THAT! The one thing I have learned is not to be an ass about it. If an umpire ever tries to get an attitude with me, I just say, "I'm going to be professional about this since I need my job, how about you." Never been dumped for that. Now from blues stand point. In most calls you are only going to make 50% of the people happy. I have already heard, "Last game we played blue gave us that pitch" and I just keep my mouth shut and go on my way. I may not be perfect but, I try to be consistent each game. I have found a lot of coaches that know parts of the rules and don't want to hear the remainder of them. I have been guilty of that as a coach. If you want to know who was calling the game, go to the league director since he should have a record of it from the booking secertary. NEVER EVER, EVER TAKE IT OFF THE FIELD! If the coach saw him in the parking lot, he should have let it alone. I can tell you that if an umpire, football or basketball official ever came up to me at my vehicle regarding something that happen in a game - he would probably get his ass kicked. I have an administrator, athletic director and Georgia High School Assocation that are all open for them to lodge a complaint. If I have a probably with them, I have their booking association and Georgia High School head of officials that I can contact.

Okay guys, help me out on this. Being a Rookie, I want to make sure this is correct. In USSSA rules, I believe it states that a right handed pitcher cannot fake a throw to third unless he steps off the back of the rubber and becomes part of the playing field as a left handed pitcher cannot do the same at first. It is my understanding that IN USSSA RULES that the pitcher can fake the throw to second only. I'm I correct in how I read that rule. 7.05.D It is a balk if the pitcher, while touching his plate, feints a throw to first or third base and fails to complete the throw: Pitchers may still feint a throw to second.

Thanks Jocko. As you could tell from post, I thought I blew it. Hard lesson learned for this rookie. Batting team won 8-7 so, coach was a little forgiving after game. One thing I always want to do is get it right. If I am unsure, I will always refer it to the experts.

Here's one from the Rookie. Give me you answers and let me know if I made the correct call. Bases are loaded and the batter swings and misses a third strike. Catcher did not catch the ball and runner takes off for first base with only one out. I called batter out as catcher stands in attempt to throw the batter out as he runs toward first. As the ball is being thrown, R3 takes off for home. I ( assuming the runner did not know the rule) stepped forward and screamed 'batter is out' since he cannot advance. I ask runners to return to their previous base. Coach from the batting team came unglued and said he always has his batters run on dropped third strikes since he wants to advance runners. This was in a 12U, USSSA game. How bad did I blow this or was the offensive team trying to deceive the defense?

Thanks guys, This has been a great deal of help. Remember, Not knowing is not ignorance... Not willing to learn is!

This was a USSSA 16U game. Since the pitch had been thrown and I instructed bother runners to return to their orginal base, I thought the warning and threat of ejection was sufficent. It this had been done prior to the pitch, I have to believe that I would have ruled it interference (or unsportsmanship) and called both runners out. Would this have been correct?

Sorry for not posting enough info. Remember, I'm a rookie. R1and R3 have a lead and coach in third base box scream out 'THAT'S A BALK' and crosses over third base line with his hands in the air. Everyone stopped and R1 and R3 begin to advance. It was close call on balk and made partner nor I had made call. I called time and went to coach and told him that if he cross the line again during live ball, he would be restricted to dugout. I returned both runners to thier original bases.

What is the rule regarding a third base coach entering the playing field during a live ball? Sorry guys, I'm a rookie.