WIUMP

He kicked the SH*# out of this call. Just saying. F2 was not in an illegal position (which doesn't necessarily matter for MC, I know.) Contact WAS avoidable, not after he started his sliding abortion thing, but still avoidable. Contact WAS above the waist. Contact WAS excessive. I know R3 did not have intent to injure but anyone watching would have said otherwise. Basically, R3 looked like he didn't make up his mind b/t head first or feet first. Instead spikes catch in turf before dirt cutout. He stumbles a bit trying to regain his balance (think NFL player who is barely tripped up trying to maintain balance to goal line) and hits F2 in the chest at almost full speed with his shoulder down. He accidentally hit a catcher. Not MC. Interpreting intent is a tricky game. I'm not saying you wouldn't have seen the play differently but I disagree with "kicking the s#!t out of the play." I think the entire discussion of "eject or nah" has so much gray area that message boards cannot possibly do justice to the situations. I don't think that means we shouldn't discuss them, though. I've read almost everything on this discussion board about ejections, including the thread about baiting coaches (lol). The ejection is probably the part of umpiring that I have the most apprehension about and fear I will handle the worst. I like the discussion of thought processes and analysis. It is very helpful as a new umpire. It is really hard, however, to understand all the nuance of a situation unfolding in real time unless you are there in real time.

He kicked the SH*# out of this call. Just saying. F2 was not in an illegal position (which doesn't necessarily matter for MC, I know.) Contact WAS avoidable, not after he started his sliding abortion thing, but still avoidable. Contact WAS above the waist. Contact WAS excessive. I know R3 did not have intent to injure but anyone watching would have said otherwise. Basically, R3 looked like he didn't make up his mind b/t head first or feet first. Instead spikes catch in turf before dirt cutout. He stumbles a bit trying to regain his balance (think NFL player who is barely tripped up trying to maintain balance to goal line) and hits F2 in the chest at almost full speed with his shoulder down.

After being on the administrative side of incidents and ejections in a parks and rec. office for nine years, I agree that umpires are at least complicit in most ejections (I'm not sure its 99%). Passion is part of umpiring (or at least is should be) and sometimes that passion can boil over in the heat of the moment. It doesn't excuse either side but I think its naive to think that most ejections are based solely on the player. I disagree with the notion that "you have to get the player out of you," especially in terms of game management. Embrace the fact that you are or were a player. Embrace that you are or were a coach. Understanding those perspectives will make you better at handling conflict and in turn, a better umpire. One of the most important tools for managing conflict is empathy. The ability to have empathy doesn't make you a "coach's umpire" or a "player's umpire." It allows you to gain more information about how to handle a stressful situation and make better decisions. I intend on playing and coaching as long as my knees and patience will allow. I expect to have a better understanding for all facets of the game though my multiple endeavors. This is such pro-coach 'homerism,' it's just laughable. So, please, do tell - other than being the guy in the blue shirt that was assigned to the game, where was my complicity in their jackassery? I have no doubt that there many instances where the player or coach hangs himself and gives the umpire no choice, your scenarios illustrate that. In your scenarios, no empathy is needed. I assume, however, that since you take time to visit umpiring websites and moderate umpiring forums that you have a grasp on your craft, as do many others on this board. I've seen games get out of hand due to asshattery by players and coaches and ineptitude by umpires who either don't seek to work on their craft or who are not cut out for umpiring. I've read the ejections reports and field supervisor reports when this happens. In this administrative role, we are hardly able to be a pro-coach homers. First, umpires are contracted by us which already puts us in a position to defend the umpires' actions. Second, the umpire has total jurisdiction so the ejection stands as do the accompanying penalties depending on the league. My point is that so many situations could be handled better by umpires, especially inexperienced or lazy umpires. In your scenarios, you said that if you failed to act, other umpires would have to clean up your mess. That is the point I'm trying to make. Poorly handled situations might not even pop up in the same game. It could be the same tournament or down the road a bit. I'll leave you with 3 scenarios from my experiences: I played on an adult team for a manager who was out of control but never got tossed even though he did crap like you mention. In one of those games, things spiraled out of control to a point where two other players on the opposing team had been ejected for the same actions that our manager got away with. In another game, that same manager was arguing balls and strikes from the bench. I would have dumped him. Instead the UIC walks toward our bench and says loud enough for everyone to hear, "that's enough of your bull sh!t..."–no ejection, though. Manager kept chirping all game about balls and strikes. Later in the game, our catcher, while batting, gets called for interference during a SB attempt. When he came out to catch the next inning, he asked for rule clarification and was immediately tossed. I was assistant coaching a varsity game at the Metrodome. R3 tags on fly ball. Play at the plate. R3 slides awkwardly (IDK WTF he was doing), gets his feet tied up in the turf-dirt transition and hits the catcher pretty hard. It looked a lot worse than it probably was. Still, it was malicious contact. R3 ejected which includes a one game suspension. Umpire handled the play so decisively and professionally that the game was hardly delayed. His brief explanation to our HC, was clear and concise while still showing empathy for our player who appeared to have accidentally cost himself a game. I have a lot more. Many start with a hot head coach or player or parent who is not dealt with appropriately and end with a giant mess. Edited to add: I think you have "empathy" and "sympathy" mixed up.

Honigs is selling the new model 1000s. http://www.honigs.com/detail.asp?Item=1635&Sub=9

After reading some of the linked threads, I am nervous of some of the products being advocated. Many household cleaners and polishers have ammonia or silicone or other chemicals that, although may produce desirable results, will ultimately harm the materials on the shoes. Maybe the shoes have been made with just as many chemicals and no ill effects will result.

a "clicker" and "sweeper" in one?

After being on the administrative side of incidents and ejections in a parks and rec. office for nine years, I agree that umpires are at least complicit in most ejections (I'm not sure its 99%). Passion is part of umpiring (or at least is should be) and sometimes that passion can boil over in the heat of the moment. It doesn't excuse either side but I think its naive to think that most ejections are based solely on the player. I disagree with the notion that "you have to get the player out of you," especially in terms of game management. Embrace the fact that you are or were a player. Embrace that you are or were a coach. Understanding those perspectives will make you better at handling conflict and in turn, a better umpire. One of the most important tools for managing conflict is empathy. The ability to have empathy doesn't make you a "coach's umpire" or a "player's umpire." It allows you to gain more information about how to handle a stressful situation and make better decisions. I intend on playing and coaching as long as my knees and patience will allow. I expect to have a better understanding for all facets of the game though my multiple endeavors.

First instinct would be to kill it. (I play at a quad-complex where the fields have virtually no foul territory, are spaced very close together, and have little protective netting. It is a major safety hazard, IMO, when a ball or balls are on the field). The OBR does not provide for calling of time in this instance. From the scenario, the pitch has already begun so UIC cannot stop play except for light failure or an incapacitated player. EDIT: FED does not have the 5.10(h) caveat. I would still be inclined to kill it. I'm looking at 5.10 (h). Source: mlb.com. 5.10 The ball becomes dead when an umpire calls Time. The umpire-inchief shall call Time -- (a) When in his judgment weather, darkness or similar conditions make immediate further play impossible; (b) When light failure makes it difficult or impossible for the umpires to follow the play; NOTE: A league may adopt its own regulations governing games interrupted by light failure. © When an accident incapacitates a player or an umpire; (1) If an accident to a runner is such as to prevent him from proceeding to a base to which he is entitled, as on a home run hit out of the playing field, or an award of one or more bases, a substitute runner shall be permitted to complete the play. (d) When a manager requests Time for a substitution, or for a conference with one of his players. (e) When the umpire wishes to examine the ball, to consult with either manager, or for any similar cause. (f) When a fielder, after catching a fly ball, falls into a bench or stand, or falls across ropes into a crowd when spectators are on the field. As pertains to runners, the provisions of 7.04 © shall prevail. If a fielder after making a catch steps into a bench, but does not fall, the ball is in play and runners may advance at their own peril. (g) When an umpire orders a player or any other person removed from the playing field. (h) Except in the cases stated in paragraphs (b) and © (1) of this rule, no umpire shall call Time while a play is in progress.

That is a great post.

One of the issues I find most intriguing about U-E is the swiftness with which many say they would dump a player, coach or manager. I know every situation is different and the heat of the moment can't be adequately explained on a message board. In almost 30 years of playing, coaching and spectating all levels amature baseball I can count on one hand the number of ejections I've witnessed. All but one of them were for egregious offenses—players leaving dugout to argue, malicious contact, etc. I'm not suggesting that we get great game management from the umpires around here; some are terrible, most are unremarkable at best, only a handful or two that I've had are really good. Umpires around here, even in some of the MSBL sh!tshow games just do not eject with the frequency that guys on here tell us they do.

Manfred is determined to make his mark. Isn't he?

Congratulations.

If UIC is not notified of a courtesy runner, can the replacement runner be considered a substitute?

Does/Should your record-keeping as UIC differ if you have an official scorekeeper? The conference I coach in provides official scorers for Var much like they do for basketball or football. I'm sure you college umpires deal with official scorerkeepers quite often. How does that influence your record-keeping?

Apparently, this was a frequently inquired about situation here in Wisconsin. http://www.wiaawi.org/News/NewsReleases/tabid/113/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/4349/Hidden-Ball-Trick.aspx (hopefully this link works)

Do umpires typically feel "shots" to their LGs? I caught for many years as a player and still catch sporadically and I don't recall ever feeling pain after taking a shot directly off the LGs. Foul balls, wild pitches, passed balls, getting crossed up, etc. Of course I was hit on my unprotected areas a lot (quads/inner thigh, forearms, toes) but I never took one square to the LGs that made me think twice. Maybe I was lucky for tens of thousands of pitches.

Umpires with trouble seeing? There's a joke there somewhere.

What is your colleague's interpretation? The rule seems pretty direct in terms of its application to the hidden ball trick.

WIAA (WI) contains only Fed publications; rules book, case book, umpires' manual. No state publications at all. I kinda feel like I'm missing a few pieces from my envelope. There are a few documents on the website which serve as addendum to the Fed publications. The state adaptions are also listed on the web.

I figured since some are already beginning their season and others are anxiously awaiting a thaw, I might as well revive this thing. Also, I'm new and I love gear of any kind. Hat Color/Brand/ 2-4-6-8 Stitch: Black & Navy / Richardson / 4-stitch plate, 8- stitch base Sunglasses Brand/Model: N/A Mask Model: Wilson Dyna-lite Mask Pads Brand/Color: Wilson Doeskin Mask Harness Brand: Wilson stock w/MLB logo Chest Protector Brand/Model: Schutt VX Chest Protector Harness: Schutt stock Shin Guards: Diamond DLG-UMP Throat Guard Yes or No: No Helmet Brand/Model: N/A Cold Gear Top: Under Armour Cold Gear Compression Cold Gear Bottom: N/A Heat Gear Top: Under Armour Heat Gear Compression, Nike Pro Combat Compression Heat Gear Bottom: N/A Sock Brand/Long or Short: Pro Feet Shooter Sock Cup Brand: Shock Doctor Pants Poly Wool Yes or No: No Long Sleeve Shirt Color: N/A Short Sleeve Shirt Color: Black, Pro Blue, Powder Blue, Navy Plate Coat Color/Model: N/A Jacket Style/Color/Model: Majestic Convertible Pullover & Therma Base Zip / Navy Patent Leather Belt Yes or No: Yes Flat Black Leather Belt Yes or No: No Base Shoe Brand: Nike Lunar MVP Pregame II Black/White Plate Shoe Brand: New Balance MU460 Shoes with White Yes or No: Yes Indicator Strike 3 Ball 4 Preferred Yes or No: Yes Plate Brush Style: Wood Pencil or Pen: Pencil Line Up Holder Use Yes or No: Yes Gloves Brand/Wear Yes or No: New Balance / Yes Mock Turtleneck Yes or No: No

My economics background tells me that if Honigs was enjoying large profit margins on these pants, other manufacturers would jump in with a similar product. The PW "formula" isn't that hard to replicate. There aren't any proprietary materials or processes involved. Instead, I get the impression that Honigs has very tight margins on these. They are made in the USA after all.

In Milwaukee, where I coach, an umpire's locker room just isn't feasible. Only one high school in our division has a field close enough to the school to offer this to umpires. Most of our fields are at city or county parks. We're lucky enough to have real bathrooms but a secure place for umpires to change at our school is a 15 min. walk. Many of our conference opponents have a port-a-potty and if they're lucky it hasn't been tipped over. The city football facilities, while not amazing, are all at or near enough to schools to offer team and officials locker rooms.

Off the top of my head, these are the possible shirt choices. Please fill in any I may have missed. Pro Black (2015, no piping) Pro Black (2014, piping on sides/sleeves) Black (2 white stripes on sleeves) Majestic Navy (smaller red/white stripes around 3/4 of sleeve) Navy Powder Blue (navy/white stripes) Lt. Blue (black/white stripes) Scarlet Red Gray White Cream Pink As a rookie, I'm sure I'll take my share of solo games but I'd like for a majority of my shirts to match anything my potential partner would have.

I'm revisiting this again. I didn't want to create a new topic but I have an additional inquiry regarding dress. I knew coming in that umpires (the halfway competent ones, at least) coordinate their shirt colors. I was given a black shirt (not MLB-style) and Light Blue (black trim) shirt. I also picked up a Majestic navy blue shirt. I've noticed that the Majestic navy blue shirt has a different trim style than other navy shirts. How anal do (should) umpires get about matching? Is my Majestic shirt acceptable if my partner has a Honigs? What about pants; charcoal vs. heather? Thanks again.

PM has been dispatched.