Forest Ump

I might be over thinking this. It's C, right? What is the penalty for an illegal pitching position? a. With the bases occupied, a balk shall be called. b. With the bases empty, issue a warning on the first offense and rule “no pitch” unless the batter reaches first base. Illegal pitch shall be called on subsequent offenses (call a ball unless the batter reaches first base). c. Both a and b.

Remember also That the rule says...The head coach must attend the pregame conference, if available. That means if he's at the field and could have attended the conference. If he's taking care of business elsewhere , i.e. had to leave, still in class, late, whatever. Then this rule is not enforced.

The College Rulebook Study Guide is good place to start. I use it to supplement the rule book. I've always liked the way Carl explained the DH rule in the BRD. It helped me to understand the intricacies of that rule. Having the BRD will benefit you across all baseball codes. Both of the books I have mentioned are available on Amazon. Congratulations on your advancement. Don't sweat the small stuff. It will come to you over time.

You've got a pretty good look at this play. Nothing wrong with coming up hard, slapping your chest telling the PU you've got it, and selling that call.

You can lead a horse to water but..............

LOL.I like this part. I said, "You're Ejected, eh?"

It's a good reference book with case plays. I use when I take the test each year.

In the NCAA rules, this is called orchestrated activity. I don't allow it. I use the same language in HS ball . Same thing if they are banging on dugout walls or fences.

I think that if you pull that glove in a JC game or higher, you may be looking at less assigments next year.

I'm with Specks. I thought this may be a new ailment I needed to be concerned with.

Agreed.

At the NCAA meetings this year, a lot of time was spent stressing that umpires are to use the phrase "in my judgement".

I thought your strike call looked crisp and solid. As others have said slow down your timing. No need to make the call that quick. Watch it into the glove, make a decision, then make the call. Some of the fast timing can be contributed to the cage work. The guy feeding the balls was to quick between on the rubber and set. I always get them to slow down so that it mimicks game conditions.

That was one of the ones you missed. I missed two. Went back and did it again and got 100%. In that question, the emphasis is on runner placement.

yes

What ^^Salaami ^^ said. plus you have two opportunities to take it.

Corrrect. You can not be called out if you are hit by the ball while on the base in the game of softball. A major rule difference between the two sports.

Regarding knowing who the head coach is. If it's a HS game, I look it up on Max Prep before going out on the field. Max Prep has an app for both Apple and Android so everyone can use it. Max Prep also gives me stats that allow me to know what's on the line for for both teams. If it's a college game, that same information is available on the conference web site. Now if it's some other type of league, you're just going to have to ask or deal with it if you need to.

You have to make this call as soon as you see it. Call it loud and sell the out call. If a runner is in scoring position with two out, this out will be a time play.

Eric Byrnes is an asshole. He hates umpires and has always been a vocal opponent of umpires. He's involved with one of the independent leagues / teams near San Francisco. They tried using the computer to call balls and strikes at a few of their games. Total BS. From the article: “Note that the pitch graphic is left to the networks to determine how it wants to display it. Each ballpark has its own centerfield camera positions, but they don’t affect the Pitch f/x tracking. If the graphic box doesn’t seem calibrated, that’s likely a problem in the TV control truck. TBS had those issues during last season’s playoffs.” That statement says alot. That box is what everybody sees. The public makes up their mind by seeing that box and pitch placement. So then it is perceived that the umpire is screwing the pitcher and is incompetent. They can't get consistency from one park to the other with the cameras or the drawn box. And here’s the big thing in my opinion. Instant replay can determine fair/foul, safe/out, GRD/HR. Those are generally straight forward questions with a yes or no determined by another human watching video. The ball / strike is determined by a computer. Computers can be hacked and that can determine gambling outcomes. Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/gil-lebreton/article105378146.html#storylink=cpy

It bothers me when I hear other umpires regard those who may use a certain signal as being inferior. Yes I agree, the wipe off is not needed once you have signaled your other intentions with two outs However it is a useful signal and is just another form of communication that we as umpires use. I've seen all kinds of signals used by AAA guys all the way down that I thought were kind of odd but when it comes down to it, it's about communication on the field. Nothing wrong with the wipe off signal.

Could not disagree more.

These look pretty sharp. https://www.amazon.com/Reebok-Energy-Mens-Basketball-Black/dp/B005GKYA28/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1472519081&sr=8-16&keywords=umpire+shoes

You beat me too it. Gary is an exceptional umpire. Works D1 as you said and instructs at the Black and Blue Clinic. Those other umpires were lucky to work with him.

Never had this happen but I do umpire with this thought. I come in peace but I prepare for war. If a coach is not going to stand down after you have asked him to do so, then he's just shown you up in front of his team and everyone else. You have to deal swiftly and strongly with this. I don't think adding a conference to the score is going to address this lack of respect this coach has shown you. Warn him, then dump him. Coaches come out generally for three reasons. Calm down their pitcher. Give a relief pitcher more time to get ready. Not happy with the calls they have been getting. It's this last one that needs to get your bat senses tingling. Why else would he act like an ass. Don't give him much time if any out there on the mound if this is the case.