soapbox

I wasn't umpiring. I wasn't coaching. Just a tournament softball game that my little 10U angel was playing in. Middle of the inning, unannounced, she comes flying in from right field (no playing action). Crosses the 3B line and straight to the port-o-john. Never said a word. Everything just stopped. 2 minutes later out of the john and back to RF. We were all speechless. Some more than others.

Thats a balk!

Nothing to say. You did fine. Puts it all in perspective. You played at a high level, these are 9 and 10 year olds. The kids learn the disrespect from their coaches and parents. I love the "thats outside blue" from the bench or coaches box. Honestly, if I'm on the bases I'm not in a position to judge location of a pitch. If I have plate, don't need someone telling me about a pitch. I will know myself if I missed one.

Not me, but went for 6 years to see my daughters play pre-season games to their high school season. The complex is great. Best memories of years of watching them play were being there in March with friends to watch ball in the day and March Madness at night. Enjoy!

I have a problem identifying a ball that's fouled off a batter at times. Was doing a game by myself the other day and let the grounder to F5 play out for an out. Coach who got the out said after the play "isn't that foul"? Coach, I didn't see it so I didn't call it. He let me know he had a great view and it hit the kid. "Thanks coach!" Probably the hardest thing for me to tell when the leg screens the ball. How do you guys handle that one?

If catching the ball was a requirement for a strike, I'd have F1 walking them around all day. Until someone can show me a rule book that defines a strike as being "must caught", I'll use my best judgement. Same goes for F2 that sets up on outer edge of plate, just to have F1 hit inside portion. Looks dumb, but every game would be 3 + hours.

Hail Mary's don't work after a game like that Jax. Go with Bloody Mary's instead.

I've got one and they let me umpire. That's why I added it.

In New Jersey, to be certified you need the following: Navy Blue Shirt Grey Pants and a Pulse Lack of rules knowledge also a plus.

For the record, I love the 50/70 concept and do many quality games. Most of them are travel played under OBR. This was a last minute idea thrown together with no real commitment. They share players many times to field a team so we are basically umpiring pick up games. I only have one left and sent the schedule to a bunch of guys who don't mind them. Did a game the other day where the inning was 50 minutes long. Problem was, the better team spent about 5 minutes in the field the other team was out there forever. It's all good if they are having fun.

It is Sr. LL. Coaches don't coach. No way am I letting a batter in the box take a knee. To me, that's making a mockery of the game. I took them, because I service the league and couldn't imagine how bad it can be. And not one coach or kid taking it seriously so yeah, paid to umpire, but at this level, had no problem trying to help. Intermediate field is playing 50/70. And yes I smile under the mask. But just venting a little frustration at some very bad ball.

Last minute, I was handed about 40 games to get covered. I took some and distibributed the rest. Last night was stupid. First of all, these are kids that no longer play LL, but have moved to intermediate field and playing under LL. There are only 4 teams and one of them only has 8 players. That rely on call ups, but if you have a pulse you can play. The best few kids in this league are manageble, the rest, they might be nice kids, but baseball isn't in their blood. Every pitch a balk with runners on. About 200 pitches thrown by visitors, about 20 for legit strikes, another 20 because they crossed the plate, weren't over the batters shoulders and within 18" of either side of plate. 2nd inning saw 15 plated for home team, mostly on walks. F2 got the ball back to F1 1 out of 10 throws. I could have brought my laptop and done work from behind the dish and called the same game. The only thing more annoying were the coaches who treat it as fun time. Last week I told a buddy some of the ball has been so bad, I feel like a camp counselor. Yesterday, like a babysitter. One of the batters came to the plate and took a knee extending his bat like a bunt. Loudly called time and told him to take his position. Just a couple more left and I have about 15 more to get guys to cover. Truthfully, they should use kids.

Somehow I knew somebody wasn't gonna let that go.

How do I feel today? Hmmmmm! Property taxes approaching 15K in northern NJ Car Insurance premiums thru the roof Self employed in trucking and dealing with run away expenses. Tolls, fuel, to say a few....look up New York and New Jersey. You'd be shocked. 4 kids still in the house and a food bill of $1600 a month. I could go on and on, but would imagine you get the picture. How do I feel today? Grinding it every day. How do I feel about making an out call? Just fine. The home team made the mistake. Coach knows me. The kid knows me. Everyone expects me to make the fair, unbiased call. I'm sure will make them better in the future, but that's not my call. The proper appeal is. No offense, but feel free to influence a game. Me, I call it as I see it.

I never stare. Not helping either team.

I believe there was an entire discussion on the board about this a couple of weeks ago. Intermediate field and kid hits a bomb over the fence. Misses home! 3 inches short of plate and about the same past. No big deal, who watches? And then it begins. The rumble in the dugout. Apeal home, apeal home. And all I'm thinking is they won't. Well they did. And yes, I banged him out. They did their job and I did mine. It sucked, but oh well.

If I see it, I'm calling it. I always pregame with a partner on things at the plate. If I'm PU, I have no problem with a partner calling something if he sees it. Most important is to get it right.

Actually, I didn't see contact. That is not saying he did not interfere with F2 ability to catch the ball. That could very well be. I don't need contact to have interference. But I am glad to see that in this instance, it's sometimes an unavoidable cluster.

Basically I have a ball hit not very high right in front of the plate. F2 comes under for the catch as BR takes off out of the box. I did not see contact. Possibly there was, but certainly not a collision. More of a hinderance in catching the ball.

Had a pop up in front of home plate in a JV game. Ball not very high. RH batter very possibly interferes with F2 ability to make catch. Ball lands fair. I'm U2 and U1 signals fair and they play on with R2 and R3. DC wants INT and doesn't get it, but U1 wants conference with me and I have nothing. Did we get it wrong? I'm under the impression that sometimes you get this situation and to let it go. Assuming contact with F2 and then no contact. By the way, I tried posting this yesterday but don't believe it went thru. If it did and I didn't see it, my apologies.

Worked on it yesterday and will see how it goes. If not well, I'll be listing for sale and follow kanedog suggestion.

Someone posted a comment that it didn't work as advertised on the Platinum.

No. What is it?

Yes, just drops too low. Will post a picture.

So I've been using this CP for a few years, but despite having it tight and having the straps as high as they go, I find that I've got this small gap near my collar bone. Yesterday, sure enough, though hard to do, took a foul ball that found the opening. I've tried everything to close that area, but to no avail. Has anyone else found that problem.