NFUA_44

We can leave the political discussion to other forums, but as Big points out being prepared in today's world is a must. I personally make sure that if someone wants to confront something it happens in the vicinity of as many witnesses as possible. That said, there will be times somebody is dumb enough to want to chase you down, at that point they are clearly the agressor and liable for whatever problem they create for themselves.

You don't need time to stand up on a bag your already on. You don't need time to throw the ball to F1. If I get a fielder that wants to stand and hold a tag on a kid who is on the bag I have no problem telling him to throw the ball back to F1 and let's go. IF there's a circumstance that somebody needs time, then I grant it, pretty simple stuff. I've had coaches tell me I can't tell them to throw the ball back, to which I politely respond, "I will grant time when it's needed coach", I'm not going to stand around and wait for someone to accidently walk into an out. From a game management perspective it's easy. Everytime the word "Time" is called out EVERYBODY assumes a relaxed action posture on the field, we then have to wait for everyone to get ready, and PU to put the ball back into play. Keep the game moving, and keep the ball alive, players play better, coaches have less time to get squirelly, and a good amount of baseball gets played.

It's like a pick off, you gotta be 110% it's there, cuz your gonna catch some crap no matter what. Use it as a learning experience though, next time you'll be better prepared to make sure it happened before you wind up on the hook for the adult beverages for the night. Yeah, we've all been "that guy" at some point, live and learn my friend.

Unfreaking believeable. 5-6 y/o baseball and that's what their getting! Just imagine the trauma these poor kids are having to endure. Now you can't even go play a baseball game without a threat of violence, and we wonder why some younger kids have such a tough time in making appropriate judgements as they get older. What can possibly be going through your damn head to even consider that this would be acceptable behavior. Then they say their "looking" for the parent that did it! How do you not know who just fired shots into your vehicle! I hope they are just hiding out and they actually know who it is, so they can press this idiot to the wall and set an example.

"I understand coach. We will work harder for you." About the only neutral thing you can offer here while still acknowledging that it happened. He obviously knows who is supposed to make the call so trying to gloss it over isn't going to help you out and may turn it into a kettle of fish you don't want to tip over. This way you acknowledge him, and let him know you'll do what you can to prevent it from happening again, as a team. Keep everything as "we" even if you partner is dumb enough to try and roll you up under the bus by pointing at you. I would avoid any discussion of umpire mechanics with a coach on the field, or off the field for that fact. There can be so many variations of mechanics if you start getting into the way you do things and he see's it done different somewhere else your opening a can of worms for the next crew. Keep it simple, acknowledge the mistake without getting into details, and move it along. Obviously me and the partner are having a very long conversation after the game.

I just started using this at the beginning of the season, but only with familiar college guys that I know have worked it before. I guess I felt like if I tried it while working with them and ran into any real problems I would have somebody that is familiar with it to cover it with after the game. So far I haven't run into anything that has been problematic, and as MidAm points out, most of the time your going to get the expected play, but I'm waiting for that time when it goes funny to see how it all works out. All of them (3) have referred to it as an "advanced" mechanic, but none have come across as saying it like you have to be as good as them or anything of that nature. I'm still much more comfortable in C since I feel like everything from there happens on instinct. This one will have to grow on me I think.

Thank you sir!

The good ones treat umpires and coaches with respect, but are firm none the less. Many times the good ones start out with a lot of rough edges and improve over time as they start to understand the lay of the land, almost like new umpires when we learn as we grow. Then there are plenty that are looking at only the $ signs and view the "help" (read umpires) as a necessary evil. Find a good one, and be willing to work. The rest will come in time. In my case I had to be willing to travel, and the work conditions are such the travel is less of an issue. I'm also used to extended trips for other levels so that helps too.

I have run them off the field but never had to actually dump one. Although I'm sure this might become a more frequent occurence with replay being so popular, they are going to believe we should all participate in their hobby. This would be the primary reason I won't let any of them on the field or in the dugout unless their part of a pre arranged program where they are vendors or something and there is a clearly defined dead ball area for them.

Sweet! Thanks Michael!

Rich, To clarify, are you saying the MLBUM has clarified the sitch and it's now different? I don't have a current MLBUM, last I tried to get one I got the little update they did in 2010. Could you post the cite if possible. Guess I need to go hunting a newer MLBUM too!

I only seem to have the fogging problem with my bifocals when I'm calling from behind the mound........... Like many of the other repetitive motions we use in our general mechanics, practicing in front of a mirror will help a great deal. I suffered through trying to get it down for a couple of weeks when I first started and then worked on getting things right with the mask coming off with the left hand. As that was mastered so was the glasses issue. I didn't hear to many comments, but I switched to contacts after my first season so my experience was limited there.

That would be because you work for the best TD ever known to mankind! In all seriousness though he knows how to take care of his umpires, and balance that with keeping his paying customers happy. He also doesn't put up with BS from coaches. Good man in a storm, I've done work for him every year since 2008 and I'm always glad to travel to his neck of the woods. There are a few others of the same cloth, as I'm sure there are in many places. Unfortunately you get the douche bags like Jax has had to deal with and it makes life difficult. People like our man in Auburn are the reason I happily travel to work once my other spring schedules back down.

Doh! Didn't even think about the thread title just the sitch as described. Having no other point of reference for it outside of most youth programs, I would have to go with Rich's take on it. Don't think it's addressed in other rulebooks, is there reference to it in the LL RIM perhaps?

Have you noticed a few of BalkHawk's recently expressed beliefs? Yes. But this belief trumps them all, IMO. These weak and fallacious arguments are thinly veiled argumentum ad hominem. This is a millenias-old troll tactic. If my argument is weak, you should have no problem refuting it. If it is silly, you might consider not wasting your keystokes. If you think it's cool to jump on JM's back because he is a stronger umpire than yourself and hurl pop shots without giving any reason, I say you are a coward. Ad hominem An ad hominem (Latin for "to the man" or "to the person"[1]), short for argumentum ad hominem, is an argument made personally against an opponent instead of against their argument.[2]Ad hominem reasoning is normally described as an informal fallacy,[3][4][5] more precisely an irrelevance.[6] I will respond to Richvee's previous post: I believe the definition of a foul ball makes a reference to the ball touching a player (or umpire) instead of the player touching the ball on purpose. In the definition of a catch, there are two references to a fielder touching a ball (with his glove) when, in Rich's opinion, the writers could have just as easily said 'ball touches player' (BUT THEY DIDN'T SAY THAT!!!) A CATCH is the act of a fielder in getting secure possession in his hand or glove of a ball in flight and firmly holding it; providing he does not use his cap, protector, pocket or any other part of his uniform in getting possession. It is not a catch, however, if simultaneously or immediately following his contact with the ball, he collides with a player, or with a wall, or if he falls down, and as a result of such collision or falling, drops the ball. It is not a catch if a fielder touches a fly ball which then hits a member of the offensive team or an umpire and then is caught by another defensive player. If the fielder has made the catch and drops the ball while in the act of making a throw following the catch, the ball shall be adjudged to have been caught. In establishing the validity of the catch, the fielder shall hold the ball long enough to prove that he has complete control of the ball and that his release of the ball is voluntary and intentional. Rule 2.00 (Catch) Comment: A catch is legal if the ball is finally held by any fielder, even though juggled, or held by another fielder before it touches the ground. Runners may leave their bases the instant the first fielder touches the ball. A fielder may reach over a fence, railing, rope or other line of demarcation to make a catch. He may jump on top of a railing, or canvas that may be in foul ground. No interference should be allowed when a fielder reaches over a fence, railing, rope or into a stand to catch a ball. He does so at his own risk. If a fielder, attempting a catch at the edge of the dugout, is held up and kept from an apparent fall by a player or players of either team and the catch is made, it shall be allowed. Yes, jkumpire please save us.......

No run scores if the third out is recorded before the batter/runner reaches first base, or the third out is the result of a force play. Since your R2 didn't touch 3rd, and you will be calling him out for abandonment (once he reaches the dugout) then you wouldn't have a run scored since the 3rd out was due to a force. The coach doesn't need to appeal anything, and you should wait to call the abandonment until it is clear he has left the field.

And that my friends, is the rest of the story. I sure do miss Mr. Harvey Thanks MidAm

You need to re-think this statement brother. If F9 caught a ball that was 20ft. to the foul side in the back corner of RF, your saying that R3 can't tag up and score since there is no such thing as a caught foul ball?

I don't see anyone taking anything serious in this thread. What are you referring to? Regardless of what your answer may or may not be, I'm siding with Grayhawk. If you're walking on the field to do a game, you had better be serious and be ready to do a good job. If you're not, then do something else! IABlue, do something else, yeah, maybe more softball would work out for you. Just sayin........

Is he wearing an Unequal CP No not Fitske, the Pic Dude!

Inland towards Orlando there is a over abundance of stuff to work. The problem is that a chunk of it is what your running into now, with little independent guys that will bend over to placate coaches, and the rest is handled by a variety of Associations. My overall suggestion would be to find an Organization to go to work for anyway, this way you have someone to step up and handle these tools when they get stupid. I know it's not easy in our area of Florida, like I said before it's the wild west at times, but you can find a good organization to go to work for and have the support you need. And JM you are right. I grew up there on the coast. It's flat, and damn hot. I will take my beaches and sandbars all day long though. And I will never live somewhere that requires a plow of any kind!

Jax; Lake City is a rat hole for TD's, run very far away. Check ATL, not sure how far that is for you, but there are more games and sites than you can shake a stick at, and I've not heard of any MAJOR horror stories. In my experience the GA payscale isn't the greatest, but that's a regional issue too. Jocko, Central AL has been better, now the question is will it hold up. I've stuck my toe in over there only once this year and it was good. The South remains solid.

And how did I know that it would be you or michael first to catch it. LMAO

Florida is a vastly different creature. In the North there is no real Assn but rather a biunch of guys putting crewa together. This is a primary reason that any USSSA work I do is thru an Assn and 90% of that work is AL. I would rather travel than to deal with the outlaw mentality and pay scale. My primary college group is even based out of AL because North Florida is a hornets nest. I have the benefit of being near the border but still travel extensivley. Jax you may want to check the ATL coridoor and what's in between. If u can travel the Daytona Beach/Cocoa area has some solid groups. Sometimes the time spent on the road is worth the improved work conditions. YMMV

The Thirteenth Edition, 2010 of the J/R has the same language in italics. Looking through it's case plays it appears that allowing R1 to keep his advance base on the wild pitch is the one exception. They have another case play where there is backswing INT and it's a playable ball with R1 returning. The JEA is pretty well bland on the issue other than to say that INT without a play basically equals no out, and send everybody back. Sayhey, I too stand corrected. And now I know, the rest of the story.