Umpirechick1

Thanks Jeremy!

I find it amusing that the topic under war stories is "worked with a forum member" Turns out to be a good thing.

@ricka56, I'm never going to say that to a coach - especially on the field. I'm not going to put myself in the same catergory as the kid or coach who thinks that behavior or language is appropriate on the field. I didn't say I wouldn't think it, but I'm not saying it. As far as my fellow umpires go, they didn't want me to get to the guy before they did. I know that because that's what they told me. It wasn't done with glee the next day - that was sarcasm - which doesn't come across in text. It was my partner's decision, and I was thinking the coach would go ballistic and cause a scene. However, he didn't and I was grateful for that. I can take the high road on the field, but in the parking lot... now you're treading on my ground, in my space... while I'm changing and getting ready. @MObetterBlue, I'll have to remember that one!

I usually don't answer, but it was that kind of day. We'd had a long week during the death of my mother in-law and I was just happy to be on the field doing what I love. And I certainly wasn't going to stand there and take his crap. On the positive side, his son was a perfect angel the next day. I was BU and the kid SS so he had to see me a lot.

13u AAA bracket of a big tourney this weekend, and team is losing 13-1 in the bottom of the 7th with nobody on and 2 outs. I ring up the batter and he immediately turns around and yells "THAT BALL WAS ON THE GROUND!" Not quite - it was an outside corner pitch right above the knee - but he obviously saw it differently than me. I simply said "That's 3 strikes, you're out... ballgame." As we're getting the game card signed, he's still yapping, but with his dad on the other side of the fence. As my partner and I walk towards the gate to exit, kid looks directly at me, and said "That ball was on the ground and you know it." I decided to take the high road and not eject him (big mistake) but stated "Young man, that was a strike, and you don't ever get to yell at an umpire that way. If your team was still playing, I'd eject you because that's unacceptable." As we're walking out, the coach starts yelling "Your job is done BLUE - get off the field!" I politely tell him that I had no problem calmly telling his players what behavior is allowed and what isn't and we leave to go to our cars and switch out. We'd been at our car for about 2 minutes and the dad and kid come down the hill towards us, walk past us on the sidewalk about 25 feet, and then the dad has the balls to say "That last call you made was horrible." I said "Sir, the game is over and we're changing for the next game. Walk away and leave me alone or I'll call the police." He started acting like he was swinging a golf club. I said "Now I know why your kid acts the way the does - he gets it from you. And since you're still here harassing us, I'm calling the police." He started walking away when he saw me dialing 911, but his parting shot was "You need to go back to softball." WHAT? I said "Impossible, since I've never called softball." I'm still not sure why they think that's going to hurt my feelings. It was also rather entertaining watching my partner, and another umpire (both Marines) think they need to come to my defense and end up standing back enjoying the sh*t show. Always good to know someone's got your back - just in case. It was fun informing the coach the next day what had happened, and my partner (same from the day before) telling the coach that the dad wasn't allowed to watch the game today. I was hoping to avoid writing up a report for an ejection and still had to write one regarding the idiot dad following us to our car.

That's exhausting! How is he coaching and what parent has the patience for that?

Nice!!

@ZebraStripes, he knew you - but couldn't get over to you - too many people that he had to talk to and couldn't make it your way. Said he kept getting "snagged" by people who knew him way back when. He did say "I almost didn't recognize Jeremy without a hat." Thanks for the support.

Thanks Jeremy. Darren & I appreciate you coming by last night. He said "I can't believe Jeremy stopped by, but it's good to have support from your umpire friends." It meant a lot to both of us - today is going to be extremely difficult.

That's definitely a while back since its Greg Maddux and Eddie Perez.

Shhhhh... it was Darren. Hahaha

I once worked with a guy who put the ball in play with every pitch. He was not a rookie and insisted it had to be done. ???

I don't see where he mentioned the kid got hit in the head. ? How about just answering his question? I would, but I don't know LL rules.

Yes, because the ball hit the ground first. The term "dropped third strike" often confuses people, thinking the catcher must "drop" the ball and then batter can run. In reality, it's an uncaught third strike. The ball must go directly to the catcher's glove for it to be an out. When there are less than 2 outs and 1B isn't occupied, or when there are 2 outs, if it hits the ground first and the catcher catches it, he must either tag the runner or throw him out at 1B.

@Tksjewelry, Sounds like you handled it like a pro. Let him leave looking like a fool. But, why do you say you're used to coaches and parents ignoring your calls?

Yes, he did. We watched the runner at 1st flinch the first time.

He pitched in last night's game - we were there. It was his ML debut. As soon as I saw it, I commented on it. My son - also an umpire as well as former HS pitcher - was very intrigued. And yes, he did it with runners on base

@Welpe... sounds like a bad day. Glad the arm is OK. I agree with @Cav in regards to where we get hit. Ugh!

That is true - I did say that @ZebraStripes. I will also say that I don't have a wife, I have 2 kids but they're grown, I teach so I have summers off, and I do wish that I was independently wealthy.

We are currently in week 7 of our HS season. That being said, we've had temps in the 40's and temps in the 80's. We've had frost, rain, wind and beautiful sunny days. I've had games where I had to wear gloves and 4 layers one day, and sunscreen the next. Gotta love GA weather!

Because I'm the primary caregiver for my in-laws who are both in poor health and I'm the only one in close proximity (husband travels every week - everyone else lives out of state), I do take mine on the field. It stays in my back pocket and we have a way for me to know it's an emergency if they call. However, I won't be like the guy that I recently worked with who was chatting it up on the phone in between innings. He took 3 different calls during the game. I watched in utter amazement from the field.

What??? You mean those gray pants from Wal-Mart won't work?

@ZebraStripes you'd better watch out. You might get stuck with that crazy umpire from the Peaches cabin again. Or maybe after her concussion, she's turned into a sweet GA peach... NAH - that will never happen!!

CDP sends out a packet of information which includes an umpire resume that you need to fill out and send in. If you don't receive yours within the next week or two, you could call them and ask about it. There are also maps of the complex and information about skills competitions, rules, schedules, etc. There is also a list of things to bring. My big suggestion is an extension cord and a small fan (or get one at WM once you're there). I bring one that clips onto the side of the bed. Might want to bring a light blanket - the nights get rather chilly. You might even want to bring earplugs - I've heard there are some guys who snore like a freight train back there! I fly into Syracuse as well. There are some things that I don't bring because I don't want to bring more than I have to. There is a Dollar General about a mile from the park and a Wal-Mart about 15 minutes away. Those are things like cleaner for my shoes and some bottled drinks for the week (I get tired of water and red Gatorade). Since you're 19, I'm guessing you can't rent a car. Do you have a way to get to CDP? Politics? That's guys who sit around and try to figure out why someone got a certain game and they didn't. Why one guy gets to work on a webcam field and they don't. Why one guy gets a good crew vs. bad crew. No big deal. Just come to umpire and have fun. You'll meet a lot of great people.

Maybe you need to slow down your timing, maybe you're over thinking it. In the end, it's your judgment. But I'm never looking at a player's face or reaction in order to make my call.