Tksjewelry

Last year, being my rookie year, I didn't know the official term "restricted". Working a TC 12u (Fed rules) game I grounded two coaches to their dugouts, and used the term "grounded" which I'm sure didn't help my professional image that day. It worked, but it was astounding that it did.

I've had the feint to third conversation a few time this week too. There must be some strange rule enforcement out west in our state as I've heard from several coaches from out state that the feint to third was legal but it was only the 3-1 that was illegal now. *Umm what!?!?* Here's another good one: if an infielder runs to the out field to catch a fly ball then it has to be ruled an infield fly. *oh for sh*t sake* ​There is some weird rule enforcements out state as its only from coaches outside the two big cities that I've heard these bizzaro rules from, especially at this level of ball. Plus, I'm not sure they are allowed to get dumped out there or their umps take too much abuse. The coaches are utterly shocked to receive an ejection warning, it shocks them into silence, which, at least is good for us.

Not gonna lie, I despise Utrip state. Coaches and fans take a trip to bizzaro world when state tourney roles around. We had Majors and AAA last weekend, next weekend is AA. I've had the most ridiculous rules conversations with coaches this week, one, I actually laughed at a coach through a whole rant when he tried to "inform" my partner and myself that Utrip completely changed the rules of baseball 101 two years ago and we should learn to read them. Same game, the formers AC comes at me with "you know nothing about basic baseball rules! You know very well you can't leave a bat out on a bunt and call it a ball! Next you're going to tell me the hands aren't apart of the bat" and que my hysterical laughter. Not the best game management style but seriously, these guys were that ridiculous that I couldn't help myself.

If it's a kid that hasn't played that field before, maybe clarify how this works when you introduce yourself to the catcher. I'm a little surprised that any catcher over twelve doesn't have this process down, we do this at most fields, not just the ones with huge backstop areas.

@Majordave I just had a partner with one of those shiny navy shirts! It was the only shirt he owned. I nixed that real quick and we wore two of mine.

Hey @Maven can you quote that Wendelstedt interpretation for me please.

I was "that partner" as a rookie that only had Navy and powder, now my back seat is a hanging rack rainbow of colors. I've even started picking up extra shirts in all the colors for when I have "that partner". Having a few extra saved me from wearing Navy three times in the last week. (it's been a long long week ) I think navy should be relegated to the box that says "break glass in cases of emergency only"

I bought a new mask today. I like my HSM but the pads were falling out because the glue failed and wilson wouldn't replace them. Well a coach I know played with the Pirates and he had his bullpen mask he was selling. It may be a catchers HSM but it's so much lighter than the one I have.

Oh dear L*rd I hope not.

That's awesome! The Marines boot camp is no joke. Congratulations and thank him for his voluntary service. My step son leaves August 4th for boot camp. Already made our reservations on base rentals to see his graduation. So excited for him.

​That's what I did also, called the coaches in with the TD and told them both that if I saw anything even bordering on unsportsmanlike conduct I start tossing players and coaches and if I heard any more threats to players from the stands I'd clear them. All ejections would be carried on throughout the course of the tournament, including the fans. Game came back under control, luckily. My poor kid rookie partner was completely turned off of the rest of this tournament because of this game. It would have been a tough game for a seasoned vet let alone a 16yo rookie.

F4 was a BIG kid and that's position over the bag was where he stayed with a runner on and pitcher on the rubber. This was a dirty game, lots of BS going on behind my back while I was in C (with a rookie behind the plate), to the point where I moved to B to keep an eye on F4 and F6 and I called for the TD to sit in the stands. I more than likely got this whole thing wrong as there may have been "some" base to get to.

In a Fed tournament , I had a F4 straddling the bag with one foot covering the runners side and one foot in the outfield side. Pick off attempt and the runner is back with his hand on F4's foot. I called obstruction and the runner safe. Was that correct? If I remember correctly, isn't straddling the bag at all considered obstructing the bag in Fed? I'd like to make sure I have this correct before I resume games tonight or tomorrow. My Fed book is out on loan to a rookie for the weekend (right when I need it).

I'm working that tournament too! Thanks for coming up and helping us cover it, it is most greatly appreciated. Welcome to the site!

I had a coach curse at me when I was PU a month or so ago, only I didn't hear him as I had my HSM on but my partner ran him in the blink of an eye. I only found out what happened after the inning was finished. The other day, I had a coach fly aggressively of a bucket cursing the whole way at my partner (BU), I ran him immediately. I didn't even wait for him to find is his curse filled sentence. In this situation, there was a history with this coach of getting into altercations so I was in front of him fast to end any advancement which could have ended badly. ​I think for every situation it depends on the partner. There are some I would intervene for and some I know not too. I've worked with some rookies and I'd definitely run them if my partner froze as others did for me when I was the rookie. Maybe this is something that the guy who froze should work into his pregame with future partners and practice on his own.

#4 OBR clarified this in the 2015 rule book. If BR goes over a base on a walk, he puts himself in jeopardy.

​Damn! That would be cool to attend! Wish I could but UIC would hunt me down and shoot me if I wasn't on the field that Thursday and Friday. If anyone is planning to attend and wants to work some games the next week to help pay for it, we're definitely in need of some umpires. Plenty of great baseball slots open.

In slow pitch utrip, the base is a safety zone for runners, unlike baseball rules. As long as he's in contact with the base and makes no deliberate actions to impede the course of the ball, he's safe. If the ball was on the foul side, it's a foul ball. If the ball hit the runner on the fair side with part of the runner in foul, and the defensive player is playing up in front of the runner, live ball. The ball must pass the closest infielder to remain live. If the defensive player is behind the R3, dead ball, BR gets first, R1 gets second, R3 is safe and stays at third.

What size are you looking for? I've seen some on Amazon left, about 5 sizes available but I'll bet with some serious Internet searching you could find a pair or two in your size.

You got the call correct.

It's nice to hear about coaches preferring to forfeit a game for the health of an umpire, even a kid umpire. Your not going to see that everyday. I hope these guys get to replay their game, because they did the right thing the first time and, imo, that should be enough to warrant a replay.

I'm so jealous! Glad you had a good day on the field. Those are the days where you a have a pep in your step as you leave, yeah, that's an awesome feeling.

You're twitter famous!

Find a new UIC immediately. Don't work for any jacka** that won't have your back. Screw the spineless tourney director, but it's UIC's J-O-B to have your back. I blew some major calls last year, but my UIC backed me to the hilt. He may have ripped me a new one later, but he always always covered my rear end to coaches and directors. 1)Toss the fan. 2)Toss the coach. 3)Join this site and start reading the back threads about tossing, I got a lot of perspective from those threads.

Triple crown brings in a bunch here for three weeks, pays for hotels, and (I believe) they supply some CWS tickets. Plus there are a few other tournaments during that time so there is plenty of games if you want more on top of TC. Out of towners get first choice of all games (even non TC games) those three weeks. TC games are over by 4pm to accommodate CWS game attendance. I would imagine they have made selections for this year but if you'd like, I could dm you UIC's contact information as he would have all the information on how to get on the list. It may be him that makes the list for all I know and there may be slots available. I ​average 5 games a day during TC. Three in the morning and two in the evening. I believe the pay is 40 per game but it might be higher for out of towners.