soapbox

Saturday bracket play of a Softball Tournament (14U). DC comes out after #14 obtains 1B on BB. #00 is coming up to bat. Line up card has #00 up before 14. OC says he made a mistake on card and that the names and order is right, he just mixed up the numbers. I call BOO and inning ends. We fixed the numbers on line up cards after that, but was I wrong to call BOO or should I have corrected right there? And then, fixing it afterwards seems officially wrong, but all parties agreed. Didn't impact the outcome. Defensive team was losing and did lose.

I'm doing a 50/70 game the other day. Good battle up until the end. 5-4 games goes to 15-4 in top of 7th. Go into bottom of 7th, 2 outs, 1-2 pitch to the tallest kid. Ball right over the plate, 2 inches above the ankles. I call it a ball. The crowd starts yelling, don't start changing the zone now blue. Hmmm, 95 degrees, 2 1/2 hours, and I get slack for extending the game by a pitch. Too funny. Two days later I go to watch my son play on same size field. Watching with my wife as the 6 umpires in the stands call the game for the field umps. She says to me, "I don't know how you do this."

Jax, don't be so hard on yourself. I have you being wrong only 397 times this year.

I only wish I new the runner was coming in up. Close play, had he slid, it just seemed like you want to be 1BX. But from what I'm reading I guess not. I'll get it.

Thanks Brian. I've been working alot of games, but this was what I would call very good ball players. Big field, but everything happens so quick. It was quite the experience from LL Majors to this wood bat league. I would have loved to know for sure I got it right, but from catchers reaction, I was sure I kicked it. They won by alot, so no harm, but do you ever say to the catcher (nice kid), if you missed it, basically, your sorry. Or do you just stay out there stoically as if there was nothing missed. He didn't complain, simply when asked by coach did you get him, his reply, yeah I had him. Oh well. I really do want to get good at this.

Play at plate, ball coming from RF, hits the cut off between 1B and Pitcher mound. Where should I be to get best look? Runner came in standing, avoided catcher, and catcher swept tag around on his back. I called safe, didn't see the tag, apparently the catcher and the coach did. Didn't impact anything. I was not exactly 1B extended, but maybe a couple steps to 3B. Is this the wrong spot for me. Thanks for the info.

Had the pleasure of doing my first Mens Fast Pitch Softball game. Ages of players ranged from 20 to 65. Local league with about 8 teams. You would think they're out there for fun. I do lots of ASA and everthing the same but the ball compression so calling game is no different other than the big babies they are. I could have EJ about 6 of them. Language, attitude, not getting a pitch they wanted. I would have started tossing, but only manager would be left. I'll take the kids any day.

Not the case in ASA

TH3 turned us on to Holden Beach. It was paradise.

Hey Buddy: Now a 2nd post, lack of support from your fellow umpire group. But even though I know I'm about to get knocked around with you, I'm jumping on your bandwagon.

BTW, did I fail to mention that the Cubs and Braves were both my sons Little League teams?

In 2008 I was on the Cubs coaching staff. In 2010 I was on the Braves staff. Never played at a high level though.

Seems like the thing I struggle most with is catchers interference. Usually in LL Majors. Catchers get too close and I'm not 100% sure on a swinging strike or foul. I think my position is correct and I am listening, but I just feel that I don't get it right all the time. I always error on not calling if not confident. Any suggestions?

For anyone who doesn't think you kill a play on what you described is just plain crazy. Fine don't kill it, but can the doctors on hand fulfill their duty and rush the field and administer aid. I agree, it's just a game.

Point taken. Won't lose site of the ball. Thanks all.

OK. This happened last month and kind of bothered me for a couple of days. A month later, I can sheepishly take the criticism (if deserved). 12U boys. R3, wild pitch, short back stop. I come up 3rd base line and get ready for play at plate. Since I don't see or hear catcher, I get in very low crouch in the event he is behind me and must make a throw to F1. Well, he was behind me, but instead of throwing the ball, lunges over me and lands on R3 who slides in safely. I make the call. F2, jumps up, tearing up, and yells for the entire complex to hear, "What the Hell, you got in my way!" Nothing I could do, and felt as far as the play, all was good. But as he was just 3 feet away at time and said in anger, I knee jerked reacted and loudly exclaimed, "You, You're out of here!". Now, don't get the idea I was confrontational, but would have liked to been more polite. Also, after being read the riot act by coach that he didn't use profanity, he went in dugout and chirped to the ejected player, an inning later, to another coach. Both time with cursing, but I let go. An inning later he walks into crowd and takes a survey and kindly comes back to tell me that the 30 umpires in the stands (aka his parents) said I should have only issued a warning. I wish I had, but no going back. Any feedback?

But Rich, under that theory, where does the rule say you can fix after the fact?

The umpires in question are young men in high school. They do their best, but certainly not what we would call seasoned and matured. As it is, I believe they did verbalize, but a discussion took place. I was the DC and was fine with either the whisper or non-call, but many questioned. I stated my interpretation. I don't think you can say obvious, because it could be obvious, just forgotten.

My interpretation of the IFF Rule is that if the umpire fails to make the obvious call in Little League Majors, using OBR, that the out is still recorded on the batter and the runners are not put in jeopardy. Now after reading another forum, I'm not so sure. But I would be hard pressed to have a routine IFF to F6 drop with R1 and R2 and reward batter with the base because of my neglect if ball dropped. The rule states "Shall" be declared, not "Must". This seems open to interpretation. Any thoughts? I've seen where umpires have said they would fix after the fact in runner was put out, but if that's the case, why wouldn't it just be an out if the umpire missed verbalizing.

Yes, then just a timing play.

Thanks for the answer. I just wonder if we treat this as a force, why wouldn't a tag appeal be treated the same way.

Can you explain to me what the result is at that point. Also, what had he missed 2B. I'm not sure I have this correct in my mind.

You are right. I was doing a game by myself and catcher informs me R1 is leaving early. Well first, kind of hard to follow the ball and watch runner at same time. Secondly, I don't believe I can do anything about it. Can I tell a coach to make sure R1 holds the base until ball reaches the batter? Why should the coach if there is no consequence?

Thanks Cat. Just seems like offense gains unfair advantage on infield hit that may otherwise be a force out at 2B. I read the different scenarios and doesn't seem to account for this. ASA is easier. You leave early, you are out. Thanks again.

LL Rules. Major League game. R1 leaves early. Ball hit to F6. F6 decides to go to 2B for force out, but R1 beats it. Does the play stand?