MObetterBlue

We're in the 5th inning of a game that was going very smoothly. No disagreements and very little chirping from either team. I'm in the field. Outs don't matter, R1. Steal attempt and R1 is nailed. Nothing controversial about the play. On my way back to A slot the OHC respectfully asks how long F4 can be in the basepath. I respond that as long as the ball is in the air, he's good and can be right where he was. He says OK and then turns around and clearly announces to his dugout "blue says he can stay there so just go right through him." I say "Bob, if a player does that, I'll have to remove them for malicious contact." He turns to me and very agitatedly says "you guys are making this stuff up!" I say "no coach, we're not making this up and that's a warning. Your player did it right the way he slid into 2nd." He takes a couple steps towards the dugout, stops and turns to me announcing very clearly for his team and fans in the area, "Why are you even over here, go away. You're not even involved with this, you need to go over there." He literally shoes me away with his hands and at that point, I hadn't moved from the spot where we originally started talking. My only response, "coach, you're gone." I never raised my voice or got animated. It was just a very strange EJ. 0 to gone in 2 minutes and completely unnecessary.

Catch. And ouch...

Huge USSSA tournament in KC this weekend (as long as we're not under water ). Hundreds of teams from all around the country. Really good teams and really good baseball. Monday, the 14U Majors championship games will be televised on one of the sub-ESPN channels and I'll be working. If I can find out which channel for sure, I'll post and if anyone happens to be watching, I'll try not to suck.

Did it look to anyone else like Odor's arm slot was really low in trying to go to first? Like he was almost trying to hit Bautista with the throw? Certainly hard to judge intent here with the angles and not being familiar with Odor's throwing motion. Just a possibility I was wondering if anyone else might have seen. Other than boxing or MMA (and maybe hockey), that's the best punch you'll see landed at an athletic event. BOOM! Then he slapped him on the head with his glove for good measure!

Beautiful place! Down near the lake even. Me = jealous.

You know, I get it that we have to be above this and take the high road. Discretion is the better part of valor and all that... I've never been followed to the parking lot. Leaving the field there are things said at times and I either ignore them depending on the proximity or just say have a nice day/evening and keep walking. But seriously, I have the gift of sarcasm and there will probably be a time where it gets the better of me. If someone ever chases me down, I think it will be a LOT harder to contain. In #Umpirechick1's case, if I was her partner, it would be pretty difficult to hold back a retort of "Great, you're teaching your kid to be a poor sport AND a sexist idiot. Well done."

Sorry, can't help myself. Had a brother-in-law we called: #retodd

I was working a game for some college club teams a couple weeks ago. A pitcher came out with some black framed, hipster type glasses so I mentioned to the catcher that he looks just like Ricky Vaughn. He just laughed and said "the Wild Thing". I'm pretty sure, for baseball players, Major League is required watching but it still helps maintain a little faith in humanity when you can throw out a Harry Doyle line and everyone knows what you're talking about.

GO PANTHERS! I'm class of 89! I'll planning on being at the clinic but I'll probably have my own room. Plus (as you can tell by my grad date), I'm on OG so you'll probably want someone to hang in the lounge longer than I will. Let's definitely have a beer though!

It sucks making a bad call. It sucks worse having a bad game. I think the snowball affect can get any of us but just being aware of it should help us to knuckle down and focus on the next play. The most important pitch is always the next one. Nothing we can do about the last one. Take a step back, take a deep breath, refocus and be ready for the next pitch. Doesn't matter which game it is, 1st or 7th (if you're that crazy - which I've done a few times ). 4 games is good for me now - 2 and 2 then head home for a shower and an adult beverage.

Welcome! What part of town are you from?

And more importantly, heal up soon @TKSjewelry!

Did you not learn that the game was complete (even with the clock) and she toughed it out - most likely so the kids could keep playing ball? At that point, game clock = irrelevant.

I was glad to see @Maven brought up the bunt situation. We have several youth teams in the area that like to call for a bunt with R1 specifically because F5 will come in. Once the 3rd base coach sees this, they have a call for R1 to continue past 2nd to 3rd. I think it's a pretty good play actually. Knowing about it though, as PU, I'll watch for fair/foul, obs/int and then head to third. I'll have pre-gamed this with my partner and I'll be letting them know "I'm at third" when it's possible for me to get there. I'll be 50 this year and my knees aren't the greatest but when the situation calls for it, I'll be down the line. I'm also not opposed to letting my partner know that "I'm staying home" when ball gets hit to a gap and R1 may try to score. It's all about the communication - pre-game and on the field.

Well done. Save the drama for your mamma!

Wow! That sucks on many, many levels. Praying for your speedy and complete recover.

Been meaning to do this for a while and I had a little time last night. It's not my best Photoshopping effort but it's not too bad. I couldn't find decent pics to put a trooper behind the dish but I'll keep looking. If you get out, you get a blaster to the chops!

Nice! Thought I might be in the show for a moment. I was at game one and was at the entrance to see the crew go into the stadium. Saw Ted Barrett in that suit - crazy and cool. He's a big dude. I'll never get to that level but it's a great glimpse into their experience.

Lighten up, Francis...

... With Mo and Vinnie from the Collections Dept.

Really, who doesn't love a good rant! I have a different twist on one from a Monster Bash tournament in October. 14U AA ball with R1 and 1 out. He's stealing as the batter swings and misses. Batter is off balance and is CLEARLY in front of the plate between the batters boxes. Catcher does a nice job of coming up and making contact with the batter as he throws to 2B. It was so blatent, my BU even sees it. I call interference immediately, batters out, runner back to 1B. Parents start chirping... CHIRP, CHIRP, CHIRP... OHC calls time and asks what I had. I told him the situation. We're standing near home plate and to my utter shock, the coach says, "Hey catch, great job there". He gives the catcher a fist bump and walks back to the 1B coaches box. Frankly, I'm impressed. Well done coach. Parents on the other hand won't let it go... CHIRP, CHIRP, CHIRP... I ignore them. An inning later the team with the coach I now respect a little, has lost. They're clearing the field and the parents are still chirping. Crazy. That same coach walks up to the stands and says, "You need to stop. This is embarrassing!" and heads to his dugout. My partner and I were walking off the field when that happened and it stopped me in my tracks. I turned around, jogged over near the coach and just say "Hey coach, thank you." He nods and we both go about our day. So I guess only 99% of coaches are truly rats. .

I thought that was a great article too. A pretty objective look at how good those guys are at a very tough job.

Murphy's Rules (Closely associated with Murphy's Law).

The shots off to the side of the mask SUCK!

He flipped his wig because he's a douche.