dawg-man

I have been told to just say " ball" and not say " no he did not go" and then ask immediately if there is any doubt. If you say " no he did not go " and then ask and your partner says yes he did it has a way of looking bad.

The GHSA here in Georgia has us in the B positioning because you will have more pickoff attempts at first and because you will have a " better look " on a stolen base attempt. Personally I can see the attempt just as well in either position.

Trust me, you will love them.

I joind a gym in Novmber and have religiosly gone 4 times a week. Walk three miles on the treadmill and a brisk pace and then pedal on the recumbent bike. I was having some hip issues last fall and the bike seems to have helped alot. Lift weights but not heavy weights, more reps. I think its our duty to stay in pretty good shape and besides, we get older every year but the teams we work with do not.

What we were told was that if a bat was legal in 2009 then its legal in 2010. Has anyome been told anything different?

Maybe he should just use the Batphone or take a quarter with him and flip a coin to make the call. I think there is one in every crowd.

Our season starts Feb. 22. Unless it stops raining soon we may need Jim to start making plate shoes with better treads. Everything here is so wet. On the plus side though I can start to hear the leather popping and the bats warming up.

Welcome. Hope you enjoy this site as much as I do.

Welcome. You will enjoy it here.

I saw two umpires in a travel ball tournament argue with each other over this very same scenario. My son was coaching a team on another field and were not started yet. The TD finally had to come out and make the ruling on the play. It was sad to see from an umpires point of view. Luckily they got through it and all was well later.

I referee football and girls softball in the fall. Baseball is my favorite but I enjoy the fast paced girls softball and the attitudes of the girls playing. Football is fairly new to me ( two years) but I enjoy the Friday night atmosphere.

I would find it very hard to eject a pitcher because his hat continues to fall off. I would tell the coach either he could get another hat or replace the pitchr but why eject a kid for something that may be out of his control. I remember reading about this situation in a case book for high school ball. If someone has the case book with them please check this out and let us know.

Wait until he appears on American Idol and we all cheer for Simon Cowell to blast him.

Brian, My hat is off to you. You have the perfect plan. Of course I have been married 26 years and my wife knows that I can do the laundry, paint, clean etc. I do applaud you though. I keep telling myself the first meeting is the second Monday in January. You guys have a great weekend.

Can someone hurry up baseball season? My wife was talking last night about all the things in the house that needs to be painted............ Did I just hear leather popping?

My partner and I were umpiring a fall ball highschool game a few years ago and the field was located near some woods with really thick underbrush. One night we had alot of foul balls that went deep in the woods and noone would go get the balls. In the 5th inning my partner asked for baseballs and no one would give him any. He waited a few minutes and then called the game. We never had that problem again.

I know that alot of schools have a tight baseball budget and they will scrimp and save where they can. Baseballs are one way of doing so. I have never had a coach question the baseballs that we have used. If a coach really wants to raise a stink about this then I agree with Umpire In Chief 100 %. He would be a real A$$ Hole.

My workout for the winter is some high rep low weight programs. My wife bought me a treadmill ( maybe she is telling me something ) and alot of walking in the woods and the neighborhood. I have had some hip pain the last few weeks of fall ball and football. Has anyone had this and what did they do as far as excercise for this? I am currently 230 but I have a thick frame. Would like to get to 210. Brian, what were yu hunting for and did you have any sucess?

I plan on getting in the rule books more this short off season. Also purchase a couple pairs of the poly wool pants to go along with the " heather greys". I have an old Douglas West Vest that is still very useful but may look for another option this winter, any suggestions? Need to strengthen my hip because it started flaring up this fall with fall ball and football combined. Already looking forwadr to the first meeting in January and ball games starting in February. You guys have a great winter and lets have some good discussions on rules, mechanics and situations. I do not post often but I read it everyday.

Stan W, The picture proves just what I was said. Look at the pants, shoes and where he is behind the catcher. Just take some pride about your job and things will be better. Also need a hat and new undies.........

Coaches can and will look at how you dress and present yourself. I know times are hard on some people right now but spend the extra money to represent you, your association and all umpires with the way you look walking on a field. You never get a second chance for that first impression.

Brian, The snow looks very pretty from here. Of course its sunny and 75 today in Athens. You can keep that stuff up your way for awhile longer. I have games until Nov. 10.

I think if we are all truthful we all have these dreams about games we have called or calls we have made that follow us to sleep. Five games in a day is a little much for me so I know once you went to sleep you slept well.