The Man in Blue

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.

Clarence will also be on his phone between innings. I'm sure he is just checking his e-mail to see which higher-paying game he wants to pick up tomorrow (and then find replacements for the two he already has booked).

Both things can be true at the same time.

Sounds to me as if you have umpires who work softball as their primary. An illegal pitch presents the offense with an option of the penalty or the play.