The Man in Blue

Yes, not much to see, which is what has led to all the speculation online. I need to catch up on everything. I've "tapped out of the world" as school has started and I was/am just burned out on a lot of things. I'm not 100% certain where their umpires are coming from. There was an article in the early days that mentioned it was people who had worked their camps, but I'm not so certain about that. I reached out early on for information, but never received any type of reply. Kelly Elliott Dine and the umpire in the first ejection video worked most of the season, but we have seen a few other umpires rotate in for a few games, including Sophiyia Liu (I have a picture of her I was going to post because she is wearing a very shiny +POS bucket). If you want me to say hi to her, send me your name and her name. I would imagine the crew is here for the whole weekend.

@Lindsay . . . we have our second WPBL ejection tonight (first player ejection)! Bottom of the 5th inning with the bases loaded. Runner's interference call.

I know a single-A guy who was moved last year. His grandfather (a mentor of mine) and I were scheduled to go watch him work; he was moved a few days ahead of that.

THANK YOU @Lindsay! This has been quite fun on WPBL (non-umpire) boards. I'm either getting loved or roasted. Then I come here and @Velho just can't resist.

I don't disagree, but you can't learn the 2-umpire system or any of the others with just 1 umpire. I know, I'm just yelling at clouds.

Another tangent, since Max made this pop into my head: I am going to do my best to remain with the U1 and U2 nomenclature. It is a reminder that a minimum of TWO umpires is the norm, the expectation, and nobody should be doing or should ever be asked to do anything less (edit to add) in the amateur game.

I'm going with illegal and citing: From this position any natural movement associated with his delivery of the ball to the batter commits him to the pitch without interruption or alteration. But then, I am the guy who thinks we let them get away with too many stupid games without awarding stupid prizes.

But at what point did it become a ground rule double? 😁 Edit: Screw it, I'm giving him third base just because that was a cool no human being will ever replicate, even if Henry Winkler is still alive. 🤣

This is going to be an interesting one to follow. Lacking any real information at this point, I'll direct my response to the comments I am seeing. "It's a championship game, you can't/shouldn't toss him! They're down 6-0, why do you care!" Please, please, please, umpire brethren, NEVER fall for this line of rationale. If he needs to go, he needs to go. What happens next (i.e., suspension) is not our problem and we owe no favors. I've heard umpires justify non-EJs with "Yeah, but their next game . . . " NO, NO, NO. You are not working the next game and you are not a part of their team, so why do you care? If you are working the next game, you will have to deal with the monster you created by allowing him to remain in the game.

Back pockets when talking to a coach asking for an explanation. It prevents you from getting animated with your hands and is a better, non-aggressive look. And yes, it absolutely was AI generated.

It absolutely matters! You need footwear that screams "Respect my authoritAY!"

With the top off and comfy, eh? Ok.

I get what you are saying, but cutting costs goes hand in hand with reduced benefits (and reduced opportunities). I will be curious to see what the outcomes are over the long run.