Umpirechick1

I had the honor of working round 1 in 7AAAAAAA (3rd, then 1st - no dish as it was a sweep), and then also worked round 2 in 3AAA here in GA. Worked 1st, dish, 3rd. Saw a crazy bat flip on a HR that probably landed 3 hrs later. It was a great experience!

I wouldn't want to wear that as a CP - can't see it giving enough protection. I love my Champro hard-shell. And, I wouldn't use the pillow either - and I work in GA in the summer heat - it's a bad look and I'd never hear the end of it.

@Roger Barkley,if you're looking to go this year, teams will be looking for someone last minute, so you'd want to be approved by the park ahead of time. Your best option is to contact Brad Levy at the CDP office and get your paperwork in before looking for a team. They're currently starting week 9 of 13. If you're looking to go next year, teams get their week assignment in October, and many of them will start looking for an umpire then if they don't have one in their area that they know. There is a forum here to post and get your name on a list, and then you can get your paperwork turned in to Brad. Hope that helps

I do wish they started at size 7. Currently, 3N2 is the only brand that has a plate shoe in something smaller than 8.

What Matt said... so if 1B is occupied, and there are less than 2 outs when there is an uncaught 3rd strike, the batter is out. If the runner at 1st tries to steal 2nd, it's not a force - he must be tagged out.

Anyone umpiring in Las Vegas next weekend? For the "Fight On" tournament?

I'm sure I'm leaving people out, but... @Shawn Franzeo, @dbayles, @krobin68, @MadMax, @boddies23, @Thawk751, @Matt Hoey, @Mick, @jaybird_1981, @paulmckk, @CarterTheUmp, @Todd Sloka, @Glove Smith, @JasonPalo, @Josh Thompson,

The SK catcher has now done it 3 times, and I just watched the PU come out, clean the plate and shake his head and say "no" to F2 again. Hopefully the kid gets it. Otherwise, I'm asking for an interpreter and telling him to stop.

Yes he has. He may not know what PU is saying, but the tone should tell him enough to understand.

I love what the announcers said in the LLWS final today... "Turning around and looking at the umpire, whether you're a hitter or a catcher, is kind of like eating pasta in a white shirt - It's just not the best idea. It doesn't go over all that well."

Nice to have fun in the off season - fishing in Fla.

I agreed to work a 10u scrimmage by myself last night for a friend's team. Other than the jack wagon who wanted to complain about the strike zone starting with the 2nd pitch, the night was fun. The best part was on a check swing and out of habit, the coach yells at the catcher to "ask for help" so when the catcher turned to me, I pulled off my mask, pointed to myself and said "Did he go?" And then I quickly said "NO!" Lots of laughs from the fans and the coaches too.

I agree - that's obstruction with the fielder laying on the ground and the runner can't get to the bag. With the runner going to 3rd, and the fact that the fielder is on top of the bag, I'd award him 3rd.

Definitely INT. I'd have MC based on the lowered and thrown shoulder.

Ridiculous. I hope they suspend him big time. He was out of control.

A batted ball is determined fair or foul based on where it is touched, not by the position of the fielder's feet. If the fielder touched the ball while it is in fair territory, it would be a fair ball (even if fielder's feet are in foul territory). If the fielder touched the ball while it is in foul territory, it is a foul ball (even if his feet are in fair territory).

@BRUMP, that's crazy!

One of the worst things a coach said to me and my partner was at the plate meeting in an 11u travel game. My partner was a black man and when the VTHC walked up and we introduced ourselves, he looked at my partner and then at me and said (with a smirk on his face) "What is this?? Double minority night?" I was stunned and so was my partner, but we quickly recovered and we both dumped him at the same time. He was actually mad at us. Once we submitted our report to the head of the league, he was suspended.

We all know that letting mad mamas handle it is probably worse than anything a SD can do.

@Tksjewelry, I've heard some similar, but not that bad. I agree with @scrounge - I would've stopped the game and sent them packing.

You may end up on someone's FB page or YouTube if they got video. Sorry you didn't get the 10!

I once had to explain to a coach that we try to determine if the BALL is fair or foul, not the player is his feet. He finally understood.

I was thinking the same thing, only because a lot of people will yell "He's out - it hit him!!" When I remind them this is baseball, not dodgeball, they get a funny look on their face and then laugh. Truth is, the runner isn't out when hit by a thrown ball, and no interference, unless the runner does something stupid like Iike try to grab the ball. As described in the OP, it's nothing - play on.

I would've loved that! I worked the USSSA Global World series in GA Fri-Sun and the temps were mid-upper 90's. Add in the GA humidity and everyone was miserable. There was one turf field that was reading 137°. I was unfortunate enough to have to work a game on it. By Sunday, they decided to move those games to another park since kids were complaining about their shoes melting.

Funny you mention that @MadMax, because knowing he was such a traditionalist, I had no idea how he felt about women in baseball, whether it be players, coaches or umpires. From the first time I went to CDP he was friendly, and seemed oddly curious about how I would handle things. I know he watched some of my games, and he once told me to get on the golf cart with him and he told me I called a great game, and that I "handled the a$$hole coach very well." He was genuine about his love of baseball and the people involved - no question about it. I had some great conversations with him in June - he gave me some advice that I'll never forget.