Simply The Best

Moronic. Honestly.

He called the ball dead. What other issues are there?

I'm here to help when others do or cannot. STB !

yay - that's about the max excitement I can find for this jackleg.

I remind myself that the only person I truly have to answer to is myself.

I am Simply The Best - Worst ump ever. Been called that several times. I always agree. "I have a few minutes, would you kindly slop on your gear and show me how to do it?"

Plate. Solo? I get my absent partners pay. Otherwise, see ya'! P.S. I used to work solo and only on a rare occasion did the coaches take my obvious limitations to heart and back off the criticism. Worse game I ever called...it cured me...was a solo Southern Baptist Church ladies slow pitch...God, they were awful...from behind the mound (their request). The swearing and harassment was unholy lol. Game called in 1.5 innings. Unbearable and many of the players were neighbors.

Smile at the coaches. Briefly. Then move on and finish the HP meeting. Begin the game. Look, coaches like this are working you. They want to define a box for you, one that they will happily throw in your face once you give them one. So don't allow for discussions that involve boxing. At best, at the very last discussion, "Let's start the game and all your questions are answered." Blimey, I refuse to even allow them that. lol

Once the physical posturing starts, it's often not long until physical contact begins. When it does, then safety becomes paramount even if it includes involving the local LEO to assure it.

I'm with you, did the same thing. It's not that much better in older ball but at least the players, parents and coaches have had a few more years to muddle through the rules...or at least as they think they understand them.

Enter the lawyers...

The latter. The game is over and I'm off the field asap as soon as I call it.

Empathy with you. You did all that you could, called the game, got LEO security, left in tact. What few know is that there can be a mini-PTSD from this kind of officiating experience. I think that is sorta what went on with me. Processing is a process :).

Brother, so well said. Different strokes for different folks. /STB

Yes, I noticed but I have no empirical data that says this is a trend or a particular small set of PUs. My best guess is that there may be more catchers dropping to a knee (see image) exposing the PU to a greater chance of injury? So they go over the top? Don't know for sure. /STB

Warning given.

Perhaps you're thinking about this incorrectly. You don't control coaches, unless you consider a warning and an ejection 'control'. Try thinking "control the game" and apply with gusto the rules that support?

Intercommunication between umpires and coaches! Novel. And absolutely necessary. We established a 'code' of sorts, a system for ejections. Was explained to coaches, worked very well. Coach approaches, ump hands by side or behind back. Listen. Comment and/or end the conversation "I hear your view, Coach." If the Coach presses the situation, hands go behind the back and "we're through Coach." If that doesn't do it, eject. No "you didn't warn me" or "I get to have my say" or whatever. Coach violated a known and agreed to system and got exactly what Coach deserved.

Hostile environment? Been there, many times. Racism? Yep, that too. HTBT but Reggie may have waited too long to end this game. Toss them early, toss them fast and pull the plug as soon as it turns crappy.

Same here. Pet peeve. Umps that constantly check their indicators sometimes after every pitch. Just notch the wheels or, at least, adjust your mask with your left hand and take a peek

I hadn't either. lol

Why Parents Do That

Take Out The Trash

Video

I don't disagree but how many different strike zones can anyone realistically support if they are not "book" strikes? We were calling dozens of adult and minor aged groups, male and females, soft and hard ball. The pre-game dish conferences alone were untenable. lol The only way I see solving this problem, or at least making it tenable, is to have the officials and the league(s) administrators agree what zone is to be called. Not a solution but, at least, the ump will have a fallback position. <sigh>