Umpirechick1

Only the resume.

We have a lot of leagues in our area that based on NFHS rules but have time limits. There are also a lot of Grand Slam tourneys (Fed rules). Both have time limits and that always supersedes number of innings. Otherwise, what's the point of a time limit?

@CarterCaplanTheUmp, I was told we need to have a form for each team/week that we're there. At the top of the form is team name/team number and week attending. I fill out the form, leaving those spaces blank and then copy it and fill in the team info for each week that I'm there (4 weeks for me)

Haha!!! Good point. And a functioning zipper is preferred. I would suggest you not use a very large safety pin in place of a zipper.

I don't have Heather and don't plan to buy any. I took my charcoal and it was fine. No one really cares, as long as they are still gray! (As opposed to the guy last year who had pants that were so faded they were almost white).

@clasonater... I hope not... I am one!! GA girl who likes to hunt, fish, and shoot. I just don't chew!

@ZebraStripes, OP has less than 2 outs, so yes the batter is still out b/c 1B is occupied with less than 2 outs. If the infielders decide to "haul tail to the dugout" (is that a redneck term?) then the other runners would be free to advance at their own risk. But batter is still out.

Dang, that sux! I can't imagine the pain while you waited that long for help! Prayers for a full recovery!

Great story. But even with any type of scrimmage game, it would kill me to put my gear on over my uniform. Sadly, we just had an email sent out from our HS association addressing this. I was amazed.

I've seen a few guys wear them in some of our weekend tourneys, but we're not allowed to wear them for our HS games (GA).

I'm not saying it's a balk, as the pitcher clearly steps off the rubber. I'm just saying that's what I see as deception, (more like a Webster's definition) meaning he wants the runner to think he's adjusting his hat when he's just biding his time to try and pick off the runner. Yes, if he gets caught, that's on him and his coach. Although this pitcher isn't the first to execute this move, this video has gone viral. Expect to see pitchers of all ages attempting it this year.

That is a true definition of deceiving the runner to me. Torres from the TB Rays has done this, too.

That was a really helpful comment. (Insert sarcasm)

If I'd heard the exchange between the coaches, I absolutely would've stopped it - I've done it plenty of times in the past. Anyone who has worked with me (or seen me work) will find out quickly that I won't tolerate a coach acting like that. However, all I heard was the defensive coach talking to his catcher. I found out in between innings that the offensive coach (at 3rd and in front of the opposing team's dugout) said something to the other coach. Evidently there is some past history between the two, and that made it worse. I just know that a lot of guys let this kind of thing go because of the accusation that umpires have rabbit ears, etc. But because this is a safety issue and poor sportsmanship issue, I wanted opinions on what others would do.

I also look for one that is reputable and that my fellow umpires have attended and recommend. It's important to me to have quality instructors, classroom time, and field time. Instructor/attendee ratio is important. I want to be able to have a chance to run those fungo drills more than once - because if I screw it up, I want a chance to do it again to get it right. It's important to have instructors that want to be there and that want to instruct and give me constructive criticism. Location and price are important as well. If I'm going to attend a camp, I don't want it to cost me 1/2 of my season's earnings.

I don't know you, but I hope you're kidding about your second statement.

Good advice - thanks everyone! While I'd like to say I don't think this will happen again, I'm sadly confident that it will.

@grayhawk that's the exact clip that I thought of when he said that!! He made another comment saying "It's always interference when you hit the batter" or something stupid like that, and that's why I answered the catcher. @maven I was also in the fence about addressing it with the coach. I'm 99.9% sure that I would address it in an actual game. I would address it from the same perspective you mentioned as well as safety.

13U pre-season scrimmage game, playing by NFHS rules. Runner on 3rd, and F2 is constantly throwing down to 3rd after the pitch trying to pick off the runner. (He'd been doing this most of the game when there was a runner on) After a pitch, which the batter didn't swing at, F2 throws down and it was a bad throw (off target, but nothing major). There was no interference from the batter, but the coach was definitely not agreeing with me. I hear the standard "He's gotta get out of the way Blue!" and then to F2 "STOP throwing around him or over him or whatever else you're doing... If he doesn't move, just hit in the back with the ball. It will be interference every time!" F2 is a little surprised at that, he turns back toward the plate and asks me "Is that true?" I simply said "No" because I'm not going into an explanation in the middle of an at-bat. The 3rd base coach is livid, says something to the coach, but at the moment I didn't say anything. I'd planned to say something between innings, but decided not to being that it wasn't a regulation game. Now, I'm wondering if I did the right thing. The last thing I want to happen is a kid getting hurt - and especially because I didn't say something to the coach. Basically, the coach wanted F2 to be able to stand up and throw immediately without even giving the batter time to move. Suggestions?

Thanks!! The weather is perfect this weekend. Perfect weather for baseball - great way celebrate is to work a few games today.

@ZebraStripes, that's funny right there! I don't care who you are! hahaha

"Good kid, bad decision" is how they said the coach spoke about it. So what? It was intentional. Bad decisions are made all of the time, but the consequences should be much more than suspended games. I'm glad the ref took charge like he did, but maybe it's better if we just lie on the ground/floor etc (like soccer players do). Make a big deal of it, make sure he's not hurt, and then make the punishment much more severe.

Sorry for your loss. We've used a hat patch as well as the silicone arm bands.

I wear 2 because I like the balanced look and I always have at least 4 baseballs and that would look strange shoved into 1 bag. I don't care what others wear - personal preference. However... I draw the line when I'm PU, and my partner wants to wear one in the field. Ummm... NO! That happened last year in a JV game.

I was BU in a scrimmage game today (nothing like baseball in temps of mid 30's and low 40's) when I overheard one of the 9th graders ask another player "Is that a girl? Or a guy with a ponytail?" The other player responded "Yeah, it's a girl - but don't mess with her - she's tough." Nothing like a good laugh to keep my mind off the cold!