JohnT

I agree that a bit of a downturn is a good thing from time to time. It keeps businesses and organizations honest, and filters out the bad ones. For example, Khoury League is the oldest youth baseball league in the country ( 2 years before LL). It used to be all over the country and now we are down to about 12 leagues in the metro east St. Louis. This is the same as weeding out businesses such as GM. Its a lovely thing we call in Econ 101 capitalism. I highly doubt we will make it and I think another organization is in our not to distant future.

In our league, if it is an adult cussing it is automatic EJ. If it is a player, that player gets a warning, and the next time its an EJ. No ifs, ands, or buts.

Thanks for the comments guys. I am looking forward to a better season this year!

The situation I remember most was an 11u game during fall ball. The whole coaching staff was a bunch of jerks, and ended up getting kicked out of the league at the end. (Not for this specific incident, just everything added up until something broke the camel's back.) The manager came out to argue balls and strikes with the home plate umpire. (Yea, thats a no-no.) So while the PU was occupied with that, the coaches in the dugout started to head towards home plate to join the manager. I cut off the coaches, told them to go back to their dugouts, and to "not start." Well, the one smart mouth said, "Listen kid, Im 35, and your 16. Don't tell me to not start." I ignored as I kept shoo-ing them back to their dugout. When they got to the dugout, the same smart mouth said, "Ok we are here, now get back to your position." to which I replied, "You don't need to be telling me what to do!" He then took my name and number blah blah blah. The manager ended up getting EJ by the PU for arguing balls and strikes. Poorly handled on my part? I think so. The coach brought the conversation to a personal level and I followed. But, I have learned my lesson.

As I am preparing for the upcoming season, I have begin to wonder about all the past opportunities I have had to eject, and haven't. Probably the most frequent opportunities, is age. I hear couple times a year, "Listen kid, your 17 and im 35, you don't tell me what to do!" I am assuming bringing up age like that would be grounds for an EJ?

:clap:

I have been told that every umpire, despite of his experience or lack thereof, should have goals as they continue to umpire in order to improve. Some goals will probably be minor things, and others (like myself) will have more major goals in order to improve. What are your '09 goals? Mine are: - Officiate at least fifty games this year. Before, I had burned out way to quick and ended up not doing many at all. Only way to improve is to keep doing it. - Become more efficient is softball. Even though BB umpires seem to look down on SB umpires, it seems like it would be a good fit for me. - Have a more consistant strike zone. Most of my troubles begin when I haven't done a game in a while, and I do the plate. I am just out of practice. - Work on game management. I need to put up with less BS and establish a reputation for myself as an umpire... not a coordinator. Yes, I need to eject someone this year. (Looking back, I have several opportunities a year that I don't take) - Have more fun! By the end of the game, and the season, I want to feel like I had fun! This past season, it seemed more like a job... While I was working the plate, I couldn't wait to get done with the game. This caused a widening strike zone, and several unhappy coaches/fans/players. What are your goals for the 09 season?

I, personally, do not like the HSM. I think that it is too bulky on my head, too hot, and too loud. I was forced to wear one as a catcher, and I did not like it at all. Traditional style for me.

Well, I am a Warner fan... so I'm gonna have to go with Arizona.

I am looking into getting another color or two to add to the shirt inventory. All I have now is the navy with white and red stripes, and the powder blue with the white and navy stripes. What colors do you have in your inventory, and which do you recommend for a "fun" color? Im thinking of getting a black one, but there are many options. :shrug:

I don't really consider myself a UIC. I just schedule, and I am at the park every night to filter bs complaints from valid ones, in which case I call, or get, a board member. When school lets out, I am at the park working on the fields every day until game time with my partner in crime, and then we work during the games. Sometimes I umpire, but I mostly stay there to make sure all the umps are where they need to be, and we don't have any bs complaints. In a league with 700 + kids, this is a full time job from April - July. Burnout is a high possibility I havent even thought of. Yet, I can't wait for the season to start during the winter... I just know Im gonna get sick of it soon after it starts.

Welcome! We have a helpful and experienced group here!

$35 for some select. $40 junior high - soph range $55 varsity level -coming from a fellow umpire who does these high school games.

Here is another question: Which youth league do you think is the best as far as rules, stability, etc?

Any update on this?