BigUmp56

From over 90' away you saw that his entire foot was on top of the fielders foot? Tim.

Maybe we're saying the same thing in a different tone. The point being pretty much what MT said. Being noticed for doing a good job is different than being noticed, well, just to be noticed. Some of the best games I've ever worked were games that almost called themselves. The players understood the game and played it at a high level, and mine and my partner's jobs went relatively unnoticed. Tim.

Agree with Matt and Roland. Way too much dialogue with a player. You might not even want to have that much conversation with an asst. coach. Rules explanations should be reserved for the team's manager. Tim.

I have to agree with the above post. It's annoying as heck to me to watch a "larger-than-life" umpire work a game. Respect is earned on the diamond through hard work, hustle, sound judgment and rules knowledge, appearance; and a QUIET confidence. We insist that the players and coaches don't show us up, and the theatrical umpire constantly shows up the games participants. I've seen footage if you working in a big tourney, Rich. You certainly aren't the kind of "show boat umpire we're talking about. Tim.

I was hoping someone would point out that you're misunderstanding the difference between an appeal play and an appeal to an umpire. Thank you, ForestUmp. Think of it this way. When a coach wants you to go for help, what is the first thing they're supposed to do befote they come and talk to you? The answer is to request "time." Knowing that as well as knowing all appeals in OBR must be made during a "live" ball situation tells you that asking a crew to get together on a call is NOT an appeal, by rule. Tim.

Early congratulations on getting the plate for the championship! Tim.

I hope you told your partner after the game that the concensus here was to not pick this nit. The runner should have been called safe. Now; after having seen an umpire convinced to change his call, this fielder is going to play footsie with every runner that safely slides into a base he's covering. It's bush league nonsense like this that ends up with players at higher levels getting hit in the ribs while at bat. Tim.

It sounds to me like this forum is starting to pay divedends for you, Grasshopper. You handled all four situations just fine. Tim.

Definetely should have been ejected earlier. "That's two you've missed." "You're not going to be here to see if there's a third." BINGO!! Tim.

Timmons kicked it. Fair ball, no INT because the ball didn't hit him. Tim.

Somebody upstairs is trying to tell CB something. I believe this is the third time this year he's had to leave a game after being hit in the head. Tim.

It's not even a little bit surprising to me that the manager and the commentators don't understand how and when a basepath is established. The one thing we should take away from this as amature umpires is how NOT to handle a heated discussion. In MLB it may be perfectly acceptable to stay away for a bit while one of the crew is being surrounded by a coach and players, but in an games we call as amature officials, as soon as one of our partners starts to get bombarded by a group of players, we need to bust ass out there and move the players away from the discussion. They did get to this melee to break it up, but in my opinion, it took longer than it should in an amature game. Tim.

I like it. Five words or less to explain why it was a balk. "He failed to stop." "He didn't step directly." "He hesitated during his deliver." "He can't feint to third." Pick your pleasure on brief descriptions of other balks. And add to the arsenal of explaining non balks. "That's nothing, Skip." "Skip, he's fine." Tim.

I've been hearing some really negative things about OC. It sounds like they're going the way of +POS. People aren't getting their orders for months AFTER their cards have been charged, or not getting them at all. Can't get them to respond either; without a credit card company making a dispute. Caveat Emptor.... Tim.

I guess I don't know how much easier it could be, Scott. I can tell from your questions about balks and game management that you're on the cusp of being able to take the next step and be a really good umpire. But in order to do that you're going to have to figure out who to listen to and who to ignore. There is enough information in this thread that you should have a proper understanding about when profanity is acceptable and when it gets someone ejected. "That's horseSH*#!" - Just you and manger hear it. Acceptable. "You're horseSH*#!" - Doesn't matter who hears it. Easy ejection. Personal. "That's horseSH*#!" - Everyone can hear it. Easy ejection. Personal; He's showing you up. Tim.

Sounds alright to me. As long as after coming set and starting the hands again, he keeps something moving, he hasn't "double set." That said, one of the biggest innaccuracies we hear about balks in amature ball is that a pitcher is alright as long as they do the same thing every time. This isn't correct. A legal move is always a legal move, and an illegal move is always an illegal move, regardless of how many times they do it. And while you would be able to get a balk call if the pitcher started his hands up and then stepped off, it isn't a balk if he starts his hands up and then attempts a pickoff while in contact. I'm not sure why you feel that a pitcher starting his hands commits him to pitch. Tim.

We have a section on the ABUA forum for CDP interactions. We get a good number of teams coming to the site to find umpires to accompany their teams. That might be a good place to start. Warren has a CDP section here too where you can express your interest in finding a team to go with. Good luck! Tim.

I didn't know that JE no longer trained officials for PBUC. When did this happen, Mike? Tim. Where you been???? I usually pass over the pro school stuff. I'm too old for it. Tim.

I didn't know that JE no longer trained officials for PBUC. When did this happen, Mike? Tim.

I've seen a few guys working solo from the mound area for the little guys. I'd rather be behind the catcher, but I don't see a problem working 8U from the mound if that's what someone wants to do. Big diamond? Not a chance anything good could come of it...... Tim.

I've used the GD Ultimate Socks for years. Love them! Tim.

Carl sent me a early draft of his "Mechanics for the 21st Centuy" and we discussed the idea of eliminating A position for two man, ad nauseum. I see some valid points to it, but to me, there's no better view of a pickoff at first base than from A position. We all know how to call it from B or C, but in my mind giving up the foul line to the PU, and the sacrifice on the pickoff, doesn't make switching to the new mechanic make sense to me. Tim.

The one piece of advice I give any umpire having to work solo is to tell them to get their mask off and get out from behind the plate into a resonable working area to make calls on the bases. You'll need to learn that when working solo, the angles you take to see a play develop and unfold, are much more important that the distance you'll be from the play. You're simply not going to get anywhere as close to a play on the bases as you will when working 2 or 3 man. Don't let youself end up in a straight line with a fielder throwing a ball, the runner, and the player fielding the throw. You'll miss a lot of calls if you do. We call this "being straightlined", and you'll hear us discussing it all of the time here.Try to get to a spot that affords you a view of the play at a 90 degree angle to it, if at all possible. Move to the best spot possible and set youself up before having to make a call. You don't want to be moving when you make a call. You want your eyes steady in order to take it all in. PAUSE (set yourself), READ (see the entire play unfold), and REACT (make the call.) Tim.

Thank you for your comments of advice, Ump45. I'll be sure to give them the same consideration as I would any other classless comments I've seen from you in the past. Tim.

I'm going to be on a charity motorcycle ride & rally all day Sunday, but I'm always interested in seeing an up and comer work a few games. Is there a possibility that you could leave a link here to the games once they're archived? Thanks! Tim.