labguy1971

Would have to be there for that one. Based on your statement, I have nothing but the out at 2B. Good question.

JonnyCat, I agree with runners on 1B only or 3B only. With multiple runners I still stand and take a small step forward eye on F2 or the ball, don't know why I do that. Will have to figue that one out.

Post pitch when there is possible throw by F2 to 1B or 3B, I typically take a couple steps towards the cut out but still keeping eye on the catcher (or ball) to better my angle. A fellow umpire that does college and AA ball as well as high school ball told me to try to do this as it is a good post pitch mechanic. Maybe could have helped ya. I do and I like it cause it keeps me involved and moving (slight movement but still some).

Good stuff, thanks!!!

Are you making the call immediately, or are you taking a breath and then saying "ball"? My trainer and I beleive that my timing is okay. There was a time I would rush to call it but couple of umpire camps fixed that but not the verbalization. Gonna keep working on it. Thanks everyone for all the good suggestion!!! I appreciate it.

So far, good advice and thanks once again.

Got a habit I am trying to work out. I started calling games for local rec league few years back and would say "ball low, ball high, ball out..." . Not sure why I did that but it is a habit I am still trying to break with calling middle school, JV and Varsity games as my trainer with association tells me not to do that and I agree. Usually by the 2nd to 3rd inning I have beaten myself up enough so that I stop doing that, any suggestions on how I can stop and or does anyone else do that as well call ball with location? Thanks for any help in advance

Break all of this down - Ground ball up the middle that you think is going to get thru if not for a great play by the 2nd baseman - take off your mask and back up to the POP. 2nd baseman is throwing to 1st and R2 isn't stopping. You say you moved to see the running lane/pulled foot @ 1st. That's secondary to your own responsibility on the play - R2's touch of 3rd, which can be viewed from POP. You aren't going to have a running lane violation on a ball hit up the middle. You can get a look at a potential pulled foot at 1st from POP...but don't give up your responsibility (touch @ 3rd) for being an extra set of eyes on your partner's call (pulled foot @ 1st). Ball and runner coming to the plate and the catcher is setting up for a swipe tag, move to stay on his hip/glove arm (usually 3BLX to start) and swing around staying on his arm/hip through the tag (which will usually have you ending up on 1BL or in fair territory). agree

Yep, sometimes even when you have it blocked you still get a call from assignor ("can you work that day? I know you have it blocked, but we need ya") . No problem really as I believe that it does not hurt to ask. They just have a need and if you take it to help out it is a good thing.

Good question, I would have just gone by where the ball was. So learning something more on this topic.

I still think POP is best position. Gotta see the touch at 3rd and you can still help with F3 pulling foot or swipe tag (POP is not that far from 1BL). Going 1BLX causes to many problems I think, 1st seeing the catchers back, second be more in the way of a bad throw by F3 that deflects away. Read the throw from F3 and than read your catcher as he will tell you where the play is to be made (tag) and a couple of steps towards 1B around the plate should get you in the proper position. I always go by a rule that my head trainer told me, go in this order. 1st- fair-foul, 2nd- catch-no catch and than everything else. Everything else for PU would be first, touch at 3rd, 2nd help with F3 pulling foot or swipe tag, see if runner is advancing home and than read throw if true than read F2 as he will tell you where tag is going to happen. Just my opinion

Welcome back

Been scheduled for 20 games since beginning of our year down in Georgia for GHSA. However, half have been rained out to include today. Got 3 more scheduled this week. Hopefully mother nature cooperates the rest of the week. Got a meeting tonight for rec games and that usually starts around mid April.

The peanut gallery should not enter into anything you would want to evaluate about your performance that day. Agreed, knew that I did not have best angle. Peanut gallery was just funny as they did not let it go. They did not bother me so to speak, but just funny as they went on for the remainder of the game. Could not help but smile about them. Took my lumps from the coaches as I had to address an issue due to me not being in the right spot. Good thing my partner had my back and we ended up getting the call right.

Make the call as the base guy. Had one where the coach was quite certain F3 pulled his foot and asked for help. I did not mind as I did not have the best angle (my fault of course) and in my view F3 held the bag. I called time and went to my plate guy and he told me that F3 did in fact pull off the bag. I gave the safe sign and of course the other coach raised cain, who can blame him. I than talked to that coach and said from my angle it looked as though he held the bag but I did not have the best angle and was slightly out of posisiton so did not mind asking for help in that instance and we got the call right. I am a new guy and still working on my foot work and placement for plays. I was to close to the base path and did not make the proper adjusment from posistion C as runner were on 1B and 2B. Tough lesson for me but hopefully I learned from it. I should because the rest of the game, the fans gave me hell and wanted help on every call on the bases. Coach was cool after the explanation but the peanut gallery would not let up. Took my lumps and moved on.

Good advice. I am pretty new to umpiring and your post is quite good.

POP as your money play is the play at the plate and your still in good position to help with pulled foot at 1B. New guy so I am also working on positioning and footwork to get the best angle. Good question.

That was beautiful!!!!! Love it.

I agree with ricka56. I actually had a coach question me on a run down play in which the runner between 2nd and 3rd was obstructed in his mind by F6 while returning to 2B. I told the coach that F6 was receiving the ball so no obstruction. He was good with that explanation.

Now that is just funny!!!!

Welcome

16 games in with 6 rainouts to include 2 varsity games rained out. Done a mix of middle school and Junior varisty high school. I love those umpire coaches that can call balls and strikes from dugout, 1st base and 3rd base coaches box and even with eyes closed. I also like the ones that call interference, infield fly and whatever else they can think of. Glad to be working the games though. Just had a game each day so far this week, but most likely a rainout for a DH supposed to call today. Oh well.

Heck Maven, that was at least a nickel's worth!!!! just poking, good points.

As a Braves fan, way to go Fredi!!!!!

Way to go!!!!!!!