wolfe_man

The assignor would know better than most, I'd trust him. If you aren't willing to wait, then don't take those games going forward. Around here, I've never had to wait more than 2-3 weeks, but I know some may take longer in other states. Most of mine this year, using Arbiter Pay, are paying in under a week!

Player banned for life from league. Umpire pursuing legal action now. https://www.nbc4i.com/news/thats-where-the-line-was-crossed-umpire-punched-at-recreational-softball-game-to-take-legal-action/ “The player received a lifetime ban,” wrote Dominique Shank, community relations chief, in a statement. “We fully support the umpire’s decision to pursue legal action against the player. In addition, the entire team has been put on probation for the remainder of the season, meaning any violation of the rule book will result in a lengthy suspension for the whole team.”

Some good points made here. What do you do with a new guy who gives you this feedback when asked what he had for you? "For what it's worth, the pitchers through you called too many balls and the hitters thought you were calling too many strikes." I had this exact feedback from a guy that worked with me this year. Then, he got in his car and drove off while I was left standing there in awe. (I hadn't even started to change yet - but he was gone)

If the ball is foul - then the ball must be either caught (runners can then tag up and advance at their own risk) or not caught (doesn't matter if they ran or not because it's foul anyhow). I don't see a runner running in vain here regardless of if fair or foul. IF they can tag up and advance, then they moved up - IF they cannot, then they're not running anyhow but waiting to see if the ball is fair/foul in the situation described (most likely a foul pop up/fly ball). On a line drive, the runners probably are running - but if it is foul and uncaught, then they'd have to return to the base occupied at time of pitch anyhow - so it didn't change anything. With respect, I think you're trying to imagine a scenario that the rule book stopped from being able to happen years ago.

Wholly agree, but I honestly wish that we could have volunteer assigned trainers to help these guys get started. Some are more suited to coaching new guys along while some have no business coaching new guy until they get it down themselves. And while others may be very good umpires, they are terrible trainers. It works out better for all if we can get the guys that want to train with the new guys. I'd even be okay with them getting a little extra for it. In the corporate world, a trainer normally is not just randomly assigned, but they choose folks who are good at their job and who have shown interest in teaching others. It's more efficient and helps with morale also.

The problem with cream is it shows dirt fast - and it's not for every body type. I much prefer the light grey or blue for hot days. But I am the odd guy evidently who prefers black. If it's hot, it's hot no matter what color I wear and I haven't ever noticed much difference between colors on those days. Black doesn't show sweat or dirt stains as easy, so I like it - not to mention it helps with slimming. 😁 To keep this on-topic, I was not initially a fan of the new black MLB shirts with blue collar insert, but it is growing on me. I still think it's a bit too plain though for the rest of the shirt. It needs panels or striping somewhere (side, neck, shoulders, arms, etc.) to look like an official. This current shirt looks too coach-y or off-the-shelf to me. It's just too plain.

Oh man, I'm sorry for you. Is it bad to think "please let me just do it solo" instead of having a newbie partner? I've had a few this year with mixed results. Some did fairly well, but some I don't think are going to make it long-term. One guy already has the attitude that he knows it all, not a good attitude to start with as an umpire. For some reason, all of the new guys want to stay on the field and shake hands with both teams too... maybe they picked that up in LL? When the game is over, I'm off the field ASAP and I don't stop until I'm at the gate by the dugouts - and only then long enough for my partner to catch up. A few times I get to the gate and turn around and have to look for them - sure enough, there they are in the handshake line saying "good game" to all participants. It's interesting in seeing how they handle close calls when coaches want to question or argue also. The HC came out on one guy who missed a call at 2nd base and all the guy would do was keep giving the hammer signal for he's out without saying anything. The HC walked away disgusted. For the record, I was new once. I am still no expert. I tried then, and still try, to keep a confident tone without appearing as a know-it-all. I realize there is much I don't know and further realize it is quite possible to miss something. It takes practice and experience to learn to get angle over distance, too know when you're too close, to know when you didn't get the best look at something, to realize you were out of position, etc. I try to be honest and humble as much as I can, so I am not just throwing off on newbies. I just prefer they have a similar attitude versus an arrogant one that can't be taught.

Coaches are like politicians. They never agree with anyone unless it suits their purposes. They have no friends, but especially not umpires. Like some on here say, if you believe them when they tell you that you're doing a great job - then you have to believe them when they say you suck too. Don't talk to 'em beyond the required stuff. They're usually only fishing for dirt to use against you in any way that they can.

Agree, as described balk with runners on. With no runners on, I'd be a lot more lenient also as it's not deceiving anyone or appearing to be a move towards 1B.

It might be LL or 9th grade baseball. It seems like a circus sometimes. And we all know there are clowns found at all levels of the game. 🤡

Oops... and I whiffed on it. It's not the first "pitch" I've missed this week - and it won't be the last either! 😈

We were told we don't have (or get to) buy new shirts and hats and switch to the new logo due to costs. So, for BB and SB we are still rocking the navy hats and shirts, while the other sports have went to the new logo from what I understand. I assume we'll be switching in the near future though.

He's talking about the OHSAA logo hat. It changed this year, but they didn't make us buy new hats & shirts for fear of losing (more) umpires due to cost. The new logo is black, white & green whereas the old was red, white & navy blue. new vs old

100% agree. It looks dumb, but he's in MLB and I'm not.

I agree. The shoulders fit me funny too, so I sold mine and went to another CP instead. I could never get them to sit right on my shoulders and I'm really not that big of a guy (46-48R, XL shirts, 17.5" neck).

This rule is a little odd and might be confusing to some. After telling you what to have at the plate meeting from the coach, then a kid can show up late and get added to the lineup and play. The thing to remember is there is no penalty assessed. The starting lineup and batting order may be set once you have them, but the substitutions are not. We're told if a kid shows up halfway through the game and the coach wants to play him, then we need to let him play and just add him to the substitutions list when he gets there. I've had coaches tell me they expect a kid to show up, but didn't put him on there in case he didn't make it. Other times, I've had ones coming from another contest to help out (JV to Varsity) and they added him once he shows up. The bottom line is they can keep adding substitutes as they arrive. No penalty can be assessed for late shows or for failure to be listed on the original lineup card. FWIW, I can probably count on one hand how many times I've seen this in 8 years of HS baseball.

And those are the two reasons I won't wear it any longer. 1. As it ages or gets impacted, those bottom clamps get loose and then it moves too much. 2. I hate how it fits on the skull cap... I don't dislike it, I hate it. I love the idea behind this technology (springs) and I love the shin-guards, but I have issues with the CP (why do your hard plates poke holes in the neoprene? - need a V4 already with rounded plate corners or something).

I normally just text him now, but I have used email at times also when asking about color options and examples. His cell is 860-838-7480 I will add that I'm coming up on two weeks since last contact, so it's possible he's out of town. Are you THAT Chris Sabo or simply a big fan of the 1990 Cincinnati Reds wire-to-wire team of which Mr Sabo was a big part? Sorry, I had to ask.

Tony (Mask It) has two of my masks right now. I’d say he’s still in business. Man, I sure hope he is because I already paid too!

I didn't either when I started out, but after several marathon walk-fest's I quickly figured out that I could do more than just call pitches while I'm back there. I don't technically "coach" anyone, but I suggest that we can get more strikes if they help me out. If you do it right, no one but you and F2 and maybe the batter knows what you're doing. Everyone wants more strikes! I mean, everyone... the pitcher, the coach, Mom, Dad, Grandma & Grandpa - even the batter would prefer there are more strikes. Do yourself a favor and let the catcher how to get more of them!

By Varsity it can be a difficult ask - but at JV I am letting them know often. When you jerk that pitch back, it makes it look bad/outside. Catch and stick it and receive it well and I can get you a strike there instead. Let me help you and your pitcher out, work with me.

That looks nice. Great idea! Does it help it lean back any? I keep having balls sneak back under my TG on bounces. I use only 6” but they’re still getting under somewhere.

I’ll check. I have a kit with several sizes so didn’t notice which I used.