HuskerUmp22

​That's the thing - I thought they were distracting the pitcher and then the other team got loud too. It's a tough call and I might have been a little on the cautious side, but the kids can still have fun without it.

1) Showing up late for games (I don't care if it's kid ball, you should be there at least 20 minutes before, not 5-10 min). 2) No communication before game. 3) Dressing like they don't care. 4) Always asking if you can take the plate. (I don't like excuses). 5) Not putting the ball in play.

I worked a JV game tonight which was between two of the top teams in the state year in and year out. I mean most of these kids would be playing Varsity on 70% of the schools here. Anyway had a couple situations I'd like to share and maybe see what you guys think. 1) I warned both benches for bench jockying. Here's how it went down. VT F1 picked off five straight times and HT dugout started getting really loud. Making all sorts of comments like: "Oh boy, another one coming!" Then a little later in the inning VT dugout was making comments. I said: "Time. We don't need any of that. Both dugouts." We finished the inning and HT HC came up to me and said: "Blue, why did you warn both benches there? Neither of our two teams play like that." I replied, "Coach, I thought it was needed and I did not want things to escalate from there." He said, ok but still didn't think there needed to be a warning. I said, Ok. We played on. I never heard much from the benches the rest of the game. Did I handle this ok? 2) Situation: Runners on 1st and 2nd NO outs. Batter hits a rocket to the outfield and there is a play at the plate. R2 is out at the plate, right after I called him out the Batter Runner is caught in a rundown between 1st and 2nd base. My instinct is to go help my partner by sprinting towards the 1st base side. Well I totally forgot about R1 and he comes all the way around to score and there is a play at the plate. And guess what? I'm all the way down by 1st base having to make that call. It was a close play, but luckily I think I made the right call because nobody said anything about the call. Anyway I felt really embarresed and almost laughed at myself. My partner did not say anything but wow that was the first time anything like that has ever happened to me in 7 years. It was a great game and the VT won 6-5. I had a couple plays at the plate and felt like I was in a great position both times to see the call. I was 3B extended. I also learned from a Varsity game earlier this year where I made a mistake and offered the batter time after the pitcher already started his motion. Tonight the batter asked for time and I said "No time. No time." He adjusted.

​I agree with that. I had umpired for about six years before I started working varsity games. Of course I started when I was 17 years old.

How do you guys handle warnings with regard to this topic? I'm guessing we would never walk over to the dugout. Would it just be talking to the HC of the violating team and telling him to have his guys knock it off?

Are the announcers correct that throwing equipment is subject to ejection? Based on what I saw there I don't think I would have ejected, but still tough call.

It's funny listening to the announcers: "That's not a balk."

I've come to the conclusion that most coaches in select ball don't understand proper etiquette or don't care to understand. Everything from leaving their coaching boxes, charging at the umpire, commenting on balls and strikes, yelling out "balk", the list is unlimited but it's come to the point where I just want to stick with HS and forget select ball. I only do it because I enjoy the kids, but most coaches are close to ruining it for me. I'm sure this has been discussed before here, but I had to vent. Now I would like to hear from some of you HS varsity or college umpires about how you would handle some of these coaches. What do you do when the coach leaves his coaching box without calling time to argue a judgement call or comment on a call you made? What about when the head coach doesn't come out to the plate meeting and you have three different coaches wanting an explanation on a call or rule? Any other thoughts about this predicament?

Do any of you guys see the whole team come out to time the new pitcher? That drives me nuts! Is that an automatic only batter and on deck outside the dugout, even in the younger ages?

I used to put my hands on my knees till I took a Foul Ball on my left hand and broke one of my fingers. This was about 5 years ago and probably my second year umpiring. I now put my hands under my thighs.

I have done 65 games so far. Started on March 19, but have had at least 20 rainouts/cancellations. This week and next week are pretty slow weeks, I believe. We are going into districts/state for HS, so there are not as many games. I did a 13u x 5 games yesterday and that will not happen for awhile. (CWS it may happen) I like 3 or 4 spots better. @MadMax Wow!!!

​It was the only time I've ever done that EVER working basketball or baseball. It was in a bad part of town about 9 PM and I just did not feel safe there. There was no site director and college kids were doing the score and foul sheet. My assigner said I did the right thing.

I work basketball as well, and I had a coach say something similar to me at a basketball game I was officiating this winter. He said, "I'm going to beat your ass..." I walked off the court and forfeited the game. I did not go to the police though. I didn't think about that.

​Great stuff! I agree with your analysis, especially on game management.

Boom!

Yes. I feel really bad about it now looking back. I have umpired for 8 years since I was 17 years old, but still feel like I have A LOT to learn.

You are correct that I made a bad move by keeping batter in the box. I guess I wasn't thinking about the game situation and the entire game context. I feel like game management situations like this is where I have a lot to learn. ​ He had his arms up and intentionally interfered with the fielder trying to catch the throw. There was contact, in my judgment it was MC. My partner said he did not think it was MC.

You could always get together and tell your partner the information that you have, especially if you are 100% sure it was obstruction. As far as if it should be obstruction, maybe look at the third base coach and see if he was going to send the runner. The runner may have just took an aggressive round off second and then collided with the SS. I don't think I would call obstruction if that was the case. If the CF was coming in hard, I don't think most would go to 3rd at that level.

Freshman (Fed rules) game: Bottom 5, score is 11-0 VT winning. 2-2 count ball hits batter, but I judged that the batter permitted the ball to hit him and called 3-2 count. Batter is not happy and coach wants explanation. I explain to coach the rule, but he says, "He doesn't have to get out of the way. What are you talking about"? I disregard and we play on. Next pitch is ball four, batter throws his bat back towards their dugout. I warned by telling the coach: Coach, number ... has one warning for throwing the bat." Coach does not like that either but says hey... cut it..." Next play popout to second base. Runner goes back very aggresively and makes contact with F3. I thought it was malicious, so I ejected the player. The player was also on a very short leach. Coach wants explanation and fans were not happy. My partner talks to the player and gets him calmed down. Discussing with my partner at the end of the game. He wasn't sure if the play at first was malicious or not but indicated to me he was watching the play to determine whether the throw beat him or not. A fan came after me at the end of the game when we were walking out. He said: Blue! You did not do your job well by taking control. You let that get out of control! My reply. Oh really? Put a shirt on and try it yourself. " I walked away after that. A couple things I'm wondering here: 1) The game was one out from being over. Should that determine whether I should eject or not? In other words, because the game was about over, should I just let it go? 2) When I warned the player, how should it go? Do I talk to the coach personally or the player? I said it from my position behind the catcher. Any other thoughts?

​I did the same thing recently and once you wear them for the first time you'll realize they are worth the $$.

​I have them unaltered, then go see my own person to get them altered. I think that is the way to do it.

​I wish I had that problem!

​Zappos.com

​I see a pair of Nike Compression Tights for $25 free shipping online. I think I'm going to grab a pair.

​How much does it cost to get one shirt tailored?