The Winning Run

Looking for some assistance in moving up to begin working college games. I am trying to figure out how to sign up for the tests. I also know I need to make connections and attend camps. I have reached out to an assignor asking what I need to do in order to be ready come Spring, but never received a response. Just not sure what I need to do in order to move up from working high school and travel ball games. I live in Cincinnati. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I am in Ohio. I was shocked in both cases that I was not at least questioned about it, but I think the teams were wanting to wrap up the blows out quickly. In both cases after the outfielder finally caught the ball he threw the ball back into the infield. As least one runner advanced (2nd to 3rd in situation #1 and 3rd to home in situation #2). I was asked in situation #2 by the manager before another pitch was thrown if the batter was out (not arguing but a clarification question). I confirmed the out, but did not say anything about the defense having or not having the ability to double off a runner, which I obviously now know was wrong. The ball was tossed back to the pitcher and the game carried on. There was never a verbal or physical appeal to any base the runner had started on. Nor was there any questions after the game.

I have had this situation come up twice this year and wanted to make sure I was making the proper calls. In both situations the games were blow outs so my calls did not alter the outcome of the game. Runner(s) on (which base does not matter), less than 2 outs. Ball is hit in the air well into the outfield (no way it could ever be infield fly if that situation existed). Runners hold until they believe the ball shold be caught and take off for the next base. The outfielder does not immediately catch the ball, but bobbles it a few times before securing the catch. The bobbling of the ball is not done to deceive the runners, but due to outfielders lack of concentration or skill; some of the bobbles could be on a highlight or blooper tape. The runner(s) are clearly on their base when contact between the outfielder and ball is first made but not when the ball is secured, again think blooper reel slow motion bobbles so there is time for the runners to begin moving. The batter is out. I have ruled that the runners had to hold/ tag up once the ball is secured/ the catch is made, thus the runners can be called out for not tagging up. Does the runner(s) have to wait for the ball to be secured to properly attempt an advance? No one has questioned my calls, but I wanted to make sure I was getting the call right.

Was not sure where to put this story. I worked an adult league game tonight, and need to know if I handled the game properly. A little background. I worked a game 2 weeks ago for the home team. The Managers' brother of the home team is playing SS and is continually questioned literally every call I made in that game until he announced I was trying to have the other team win because they are white. Home team was all African-American Visiting team was all white. Middle of the game I have had enough and tell him to stop and warn him. He is quiet the rest of the game. Home team comes back and wins in their last at bat. Fast forward to tonight. Home team is back for more. Again Home team is all African-American, visiting team is all white. I am working the game solo. My zone is good, very consistent. No complaints from the visiting team. Bot 3rd it is 19-0 Visiting team. My league has a 20 run mercy rule after 3 innings. Bot 3rd 3-0 count pitch right down the middle, a pitching machine couldn't have thrown a better pitch, I call strike 1 as the batter tosses the bat to head to first. Batter walks to pick up the bat talking about how in all the years they have played that pitch has never been a strike. I ignore. Two batters latter batter hits a bouncing ball down 3rd base line. Ball stays fair, bouncing once after it had passed the bag before going foul. I signal fair ball. LF and 3B are shocked. Pitcher and SS start talking about how I am giving this game away again. I tell them that is enough. Both P and SS ask who I am talking to, before I can respond the Manager is heading my way yelling that I am not suppose to talk to them but to him. I try to inform the Manager what I had but he continued to yell at me before walking away. Bottom of the 4th, it is 21-2. 15 run mercy rule if the home team does not score 4 more runs. 2 outs, 1-1 count. Pitch comes in at the top of the zone. I call strike, 1-2. Managers brother from the other game takes about 3 steps out of the dugout with his hand held at his eyes yelling the ball is here, motioning. I put up the stop sign and tell him to get back in the dugoyut and that is his warning. Next pitch batter popouts out, ball game over. I did my best to ignore, but they started bringing up a previous game and suggesting I was actively trying to make them lose. Which let's be honest they didn't need my help to lose tonight. The race card was not used tonight directly, but it was hinted at. The demonstartion of the pitch at the eyes after coming out of the dugout definitely needed a warning, but what about an ejection. I did not eject him because I felt it better to just get the game over than to potentially start an argument. I feel that they tried to get personal at least twice as well as argue balls and strikes. Did I handle the game and the home team properly. What should I have done differently? I am dedicated to improving. I usually start about 15-20 minutes after my last game of the night to work on my physical mechanics. On the nights I do not have games I spend about 30 minutes rereading the rule book.

Working solo in a Rec League Softball game last night and had two different situations where the players were close to crossing the line. Both call I was in the proper position to have a clean look. 1) Grounder to 3B, throw to 1B, bang bang at first. 1B caught the ball then came off the base. Clean catch, foot still in contact with bag when catch made, beat the runner. I call Out. Runner says 1B came off the bag. I shook my head and begin to return behind home plate. Runner jogging back to 3B dugout continues to protest. I tell him its over. Runner replies loud enough for everyone to hear, "YOU MISSED IT BLUE!!!" Runner apologized in between innings. 2) Both pitchers equally did not like my zone. I was not expanding off the plate to their liking. My zone felt good, consistent the entire game. Pitcher for the same team as the runner in first scenario (different player) does a little walk about after a close pitch does not go his way, ball was too low and too far outside. Pitcher doesn't say anything. Batter eventually gets out. Pitcher is first batter up next inning. Pitch comes in and hooks just enough to catch the inside corner at the top of the zone. Pitcher (Batter) steps out of the box and shakes his head while looking down and says loud enough for only the catcher and myself to hear, "You've got to be kidding me." He never looks back or says anything else but shakes his head until the next pitch comes. Did I handle these correctly situations correctly by not ejecting either player?

My name is Derek, I live in Cincinnati. I just started umpiring a few months ago and absolutely love it. I grew up playing baseball, and have been trying to get into umpiring for a while. Right now I am just working slow pitch soft ball. I am working as many games as they will give me, and I am still asking for more. I want to umpiring baseball, being new to umpiring this forum has been great for weeding through the equipment that I need. I am absolutely loving the competition on every pitch to get the call right. If anyone could help steer me in the right direction regarding getting into umpiring baseball or any other advise I would greatly appreciate the help.