Catch18

When I hear people tell me about their 9 year old kid playing some 50-75 games, I say “sorry.”

FML….Email from State assoc.: “Many of you may have heard about an upcoming change to the OHSAA logo…..blah blah more blah….” They’re giving us 2 years. Great. Dropped $70 on a new quarter zip windbreaker this year. Prob a 7-8 year coat, ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. Way to help the officiating shortage. That’ll keep the 2nd year guy around for more.

I had this exact play earlier this year….I was PU, partner was in A. Exact throw takes 1B to the backside of 1st and they questioned if he stayed on. That’s a difficult call for PU. I told him as such because we can’t see the backside of the base contact. Why the hell are we asking a guy ~45’ (at best) - 60’ feet away, on the opposite side of the base, who *maybe* got set in time (because we sometimes don’t), who’s got a runner in between him and said base/pulled foot….trying to discern if the fielder held the bag. Yeah, let’s not trust the guy who wasn’t sprinting up the baseline, who’s 10’ away, with a perfect view (because he executes a great read-step[emoji41]), and no runner legs flailing….sure, totally not the guy I want on the call. Go back to the dugout coach. Blue light shopping special is over.

My “President knows the varsity team ball players” recruiting was not allegorical [emoji1787][emoji1787][emoji1690][emoji1690] Hey, I did it….baseball junkie, started when I was a kid in the local leagues. Nothing wrong with that.

No, that’s 11-12s. See my previous post about previous seasons issues and losing umpires. I think they’re struggling to put it together. And most def all positioning, mechanics, signals need taught. But I can’t blame them….we don’t know what we don’t know.

I really fear, too, Max. Which is why I’ve stopped by to watch a couple innings lately, after my son’s games on the smaller diamond. They (all) need help. Big issues last year with their UIC under-minded and resigning. I haven’t seen an adult umpire this year - word is they walked with him. I don’t have the time to volunteer to take the role. But I’d love to step in, help train a little bit, clean up a lot of the obvious “I’m hear because the league president knows I’m on the HS varsity team” kind of stuff. Maybe turn some teens into good, young certified umpires…..and grow our dwindling ranks. For crying out loud, I live in a town of ~17,000 and I’m the only Class 1 HS guy in the zip code (OH does Class 3 after you graduate from the class, Class 2 can do up to JV, Class 1 Varsity/Post season). Works for me though, get my pick of the litter at the HS 5 min from the house.

Gotta get some of these young lads caring about their tibias….maybe I can farm out some gear.

This has to be one of the most colossally stupid umpire ideas I’ve ever read on this site. Get a clue.

I dunno…the rah, rah, sportsmanship, rah, rah be nice…..newsletters from NFHS seem to be working. But that’s just me ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

White/gray on a glove: laces, piping, logos…leave that alone. We’re talking the actual leather panels and makeup of the glove. Leave the 1st one, go get the 2nd.

Great lollygaggers reference!

NFHS 2022 definition, “…hinders a runner or changes the pattern of play…” Unfortunately the casebook doesn’t describe anything beyond “completely blocking with his leg.” I believe it’s widely interpreted that forcing a runner to go through the legs of a straddling fielder is obstructing him. And we can prove it 2 ways: it forces him to slide so he doesn’t plow through him to get to the plate; or the runner has to go around the def. player, which we would know is OBS. Many say the access the defense gives doesn’t have to be the preferred access the offense wants, and I agree. But through the legs, that is not.

You put quotation marks around “kicked at”…making me think you’re trying to somehow get there….and you want to rule MC? To me, that looked like the least malicious malice in the history of maliciousness.

HS sub-page. Stay on NFHS.

100% NFHS.

Lol, agreed. I gave you his answer….not whether I agreed wholeheartedly [emoji41][emoji41][emoji41]. I think it’s doable. It’s one of those “bust it out during summer daddy ball” not in HS season trying to remain in your state umpire pool![emoji1787][emoji1787]

My last reply was rather excited, more context here. Yes, with 1 runner mostly we’d apply this. Multiple runners, not so much for obvious reasons. How on a clean double w/ 1 runner are we not completely in the cutout with a great view….so many are content with basically shallow B because it’s in the working area…meh. I once brought up the clean triple with no one on to our mechanics interp. Thought I could impress a former AAA crew chief [emoji1787][emoji1787][emoji1787]. He advised not to - if that runner decided last-second to change direction and head back to 2nd, we’d be caught chasing a 17 year old and be way out of position. Besides, the cutout of 3B with read-steps in/around/beside can be a great view. #awaywithangleoverdistance

I can’t like this enough!!! Great awareness. Great use of positioning to our advantage. What’s the old montage? Angle over distance. I HATE that adage. I know, I know. It’s always said in the frame of “if you have to pick one.” That’s lazy — we should be shooting for both! Sometimes we can only get one. I’m talking about trying to get both. I think far too many of us amateur umpires use that as a crutch & way out of hustling and getting on plays. I’m always challenging myself to move. This is sports and athletics. We should be moving…..and I don’t think we give enough credit to widening our “working area” well beyond what the book says.

Well done sir, applying that common sense, and all…..

This s*** is gettin’ lit!!

Well I’ll be a monkey’s uncle. Notice these never happen to say, “and the next game will be played without umpires.” [emoji41][emoji41][emoji41]

Who forced any parent to say anything to truck ump? Please don’t paint the picture of “he was asking for it” by merely existing near the field. Could you show me your rubric for how “awful” a game were allowed to have that permits abuse in the lot? Physical or verbal. Did you even read the whole article? A parent screaming to a coach, “the umpires are getting attacked” is a pretty good indicator which way the ball is bouncing.

I’d like to see one added: “I currently hold no additional info to help on that play.” When coaches go shopping for calls, I’d like to say, “sorry, Chuck, he flashed a signal to me that he’s got no info. It’s something we pregame to prep situations.” Save me a stupid, worthless trip. Although, I guess I could just start saying this to coaches anyway[emoji848][emoji848][emoji848][emoji3166][emoji3166][emoji3166].

1. Do not let the pitcher pitch w/o batter ready and looking. This manages the situation better and avoids something dangerous. 2. Batters have a right to get all the signs and then get set in the box (note: I did not say take forever. Move the game along). 3. Put a hand up if the pitcher appears he’s ready to go, but the batter is turning from signs to get ready. 4. If DHC gives you SH*#, look at him and say, “I’d give your kid the same chance to make sure he’s ready.” If he’s still a dick, you weren’t going to prevent anything anyway. 5. If they’re dragging ass getting in the box, a few calm but direct words just loud enough for the hitter to hear, “let’s go, you need to get ready” should suffice. 6. Remember, pitching/working quickly or with good pace IS NOT the same as a “quick pitch.” Coaches don’t know this. 7. The pitcher/defense is under no obligation after a pickoff to ensure the runners are ready and back. If they’re slow and the pitcher/hitter are ready, too damn bad. 8. Put a stop to any “gamesmanship” of requesting time, shenanigans, stepping out, extra stepping off, etc. 9. I’ll probably think of something else later.

Has there been to your knowledge no problems with this rule in the last 29 years? I still have to explain to varsity coaches balls OOP aren’t 1+1 phantom beer league softball base awards…..yet here we are. Chill bro.