jtcoldshot

For our town league they would post all of the games for pretty much the entire season up on a shared google spread sheet, and you would basically just look to see what was open and let the assigner know what games you would like to work. This has worked out pretty well the last couple years. But there was one team that always seemed to be "open" for plate and bases pretty much every week. It didn't seem to take too long to figure out why, was just bad baseball. Of the 5 or 6 games I did for this team I think I voluntarily signed up for one, the others I was asked by the assigner kind of last minute since no one really wanted it. The games seemed so long, I can't think of 1 game that made it all 6 innings. I think it was half the kids cared and the other half really didn't. I did the bases one game in particular where the 1st inning top and bottom lasted 1 hour (game time 1:50). I find it hard to stay focused during those long brutal innings, especially when you see the players not really give a crap. I find myself having to remind myself to focus, focus, focus. I don't remember kicking any calls during these games but would find myself drifting off at times just wondering when someone is going to make an out. And asking myself why I keep working these games. But part of me kind of enjoys it in a weird way, because I tell myself, "you know what, these parents have to sit through this crap, some of these players do care, and I'm getting paid to basically watch a baseball game." And with that I find the opposite happens sometimes when you are working a little higher level ball, or have two really good teams and just seemed to get locked into the game and feel like you are seeing everything.

I almost want to make it a tradition now every year on my last game of the year. But I don't know if I'll have the balls to actually pull it off.

Tonight I worked my last game of the season (12U) as most of the teams are getting ready for state in a week or so. Nice hot and sticky July evening. After the top of the 3rd inning I walked over to my cooler that's hanging on the fence to get a drink of water. My wife ( who ive told before not to talk to me during the games as I don't want her to take any crap from any fans who may not agree with my calls, balls/strikes etc.) comes over and says, "hey do you need anything?" I said no thanks I'm good I have a Gatorade and water right here, and with a big eatin' grin on her face says, "you know your shirt is on inside out right?" I looked down to see indeed that somehow before I left the house I managed to put my shirt on inside out. I found it actually funny that I made it to the 3rd inning and no one either seen it, or wanted to point it out. Nice Blue!!!

In this situation I would probably call time as soon as the BR stops to take his stuff off. Everyone knows the coach wants time after the walk so I would give it to him. I don't see any reason the runners would try to get cute and steal another base knowing their coach wants time so if the defense thinks they are going to get a couple free outs because the BR hasnt "touched first base yet so there isn't time" Im not calling the runners out.