SH0102

@catsbackrI am new to this site, and didn't mean to cause waves. I am always just trying to learn, grow, improve. I appreciate being challenged. I wasn't upset, if I am wrong, I want to know I am wrong so I can learn from it. The only problem with forums, is similar to text messages, sometimes intent, connotation, meaning, get lost if not written exactly as you intend. First, yes, it was an NCAA umpire, and a pretty good one, at that. But keep in mind, this was during Summer tournaments for 14-18 year olds, not sanctioned HS and college games where there is usually a site supervisor. In a youth tournament, at least where I am from, if a fan is getting out of line, it is the responsibility of the coach to tamp it down. I believe that was backed up by many people on here saying "go to the coach". As mentioned, if a fan is truly unruly, in the end, the game could theoretically be forfeited. I believe the intent of that "quote" is to let the coach know, you need to handle your fan (who is undoubtedly a parent or relative of one of their players). I have only ever used it once...in the game I referenced where my son, who loves umpiring, was exposed to the worst fan base I have ever been a part of as an umpire/fan/player. One in particular was loud and rude would be the nicest thing you could say about him, I will choose to not use worse adjectives. At the end of one half-inning, I went to their coach and told him, "Coach, I need you to handle your fan or I am going to have eject you". He said he didn't know who I was talking about, and I said "Coach, yes you do, everyone in the ballpark knows which one it is". I never heard a peep from that fan the rest of the game until the last out was made, at which point he told my son to do the world a favor and go die. Point is, as an umpire I will not engage with a fan. I simply told the coach to take care of it and he did. You are right though, warnings should precede that point unless it was an out of the blue, just awful comment. Thank you for your input, I sincerely mean that. I was not being argumentative. I respect the wisdom any umpire shares, especially ones that have worked their way up to the college ranks.

@catsbackr....I am always open for suggestions and learning, so may I ask why you find that so insulting? By rule, a head coach is responsible for the conduct of his players, coaches, and fans (exception would be when a venue has a site manager and then they would be). Umpires can not throw out a fan, only delay the game and threaten forfeit of the game if they are not put in check. Telling a coach they need to handle their responsibility or they will be ejected, I am struggling to understand why you find that so wrong? EDIT: I see that you do NCAA umpiring...perhaps I should have clarified that I was NOT referring to college where a coach is not responsible for the fans. The OP was referencing youth games, that is what I was talking about.

There is no rule requiring it, it's really more about common sense and situation. If I can take a step in either direction and help the defense and still be in position for my calls, then great. Funny story, I was in the "C" once, and the SS asked if I could take a step (don't remember if it was right or left), so I took a step and asked if he was good. He said "oh, it isn't for me, the center-fielder wanted you to move". I went back to my original spot. From that distance, F8 can move literally three inches and see the entire batter. That was pretty humorous in my mind though, never had an F8 ask me to move before

I know no one has posted to this thread in almost 2 months, but wanted to share a few things I have learned that have helped me. 1) As others already said, you have to have open ears but a closed mind, meaning you need to hear what is said so that anything that is egregious or threatening is dealt with, but a closed mind in that what you hear does not impact your focus, thinking, decision making, etc. 2) A mentor umpire who has trained me up enough to be an NCAA umpire now, gave me a line that I have since used and it has always worked. When an opportunity arises, I will talk to the "offending coach" (coach of the offending fan base) and tell him/her, "Coach, if you can't get your fan to lose his behavior, I am going to lose you". No coach will ever choose themselves being ejected over a fan. 3) Find humor in (most) situations. Obviously if someone is yelling racists, homophobic, etc comments, there is zero humor, but if they are yelling crazy, screaming rules that aren't correct, just laugh to yourself. 4) As I had to teach my 13 year old son when he got his first experience with horrible fans, literally the worst I have ever encountered (one told my 13 year old son who was on the bases to do the world a favor and go die), you just do not engage with fans, ever. The game was bad, but that was said after the game when he went to fetch his drink, and my son went to give him hell, and I screamed for him to get over here (to me) and we walked away together. Just nothing good can come of it. Leave the field with people only being able to say "that guy/girl was really professional". They may have hated my strike zone, or thought I blew a call, but what I can control is my hustle, poise, and professionalism. No one will leave the field saying I lacked in any of those 3 And have fun...think about being a fan at a basketball game, or hockey, and getting excited for a fight (in hockey) or yelping at an official. You don't actually want someone to get hurt, and you forget about the fight pretty quickly. How quickly do you forget about a bad call? Unless it's on the game deciding play, everyone forgets in a matter of minutes, if not seconds. Some fans will even say "ragging on the official is just part of the experience". 95% of people who complain about a call, or strike zone, will forget it the next time the ball is put in play. I wouldn't sweat it too much, and those times where it is getting out of hand, take it up with the coach.

Please note, my info is based on experience and opinion. I have not seen a "manual" or official credo regarding this topic, if there is one: 1) General Philosophy: If you can move at the request of an infielder without sacrificing your position and ability to be in the correct position, then by all means give them a step. **Note**: I never move at the request of the runner on 2nd. 2) On a small field, it is pretty easy to get to the correct position, so I would definitely move at their request. On a small field, you can get almost every call from the working area. 3) I have worked outside on a 60' base field, and I was just straight up uncomfortable. I ended up just working inside and making sure I wasn't right in front of F4 or F6. While being outside is theoretically possible, I don't think it is good practice for "working your way up" to 70 - 90' fields where you won't do that (unless you get to 4-umpire games) Heck, part of learning to be a good BU is anticipating positioning, where you are in relation to fielders and ball and the path of the throw and adjusting properly so that you end up in a good position. Where better to gain experience than a field where the IF'ers are practically on top of you? Just my 2 cents

Biscuit, thank you for the feedback. I have some intersquads coming up, this will be a great chance to try that out.

I am late to this party and don't have anything to add to the plate discussion that hasn't already been shared. Where I most want to learn how to apply this is on the bases, especially 2nd base. I have never worked a 4-umpire game, and perhaps that allows more freedom to utilize it as U2 can sometimes take plays on the outfield side. One play in particular that I think about often (as someone who mostly has worked 2-man and some 3-man) is a throw coming from RF as the runner is sliding into 2nd. Oftentimes F6 will be fielding the ball on the outfield side of the bag and tagging the runners right-side of their body. So the wedge would be basically in the 2/3 baseline or even further into the outfield direction. This just can't be done in 2-man ever, and I don't think can be done in 3-man either (though I may be wrong). I am not sure how to not get blocked out at all on a throw to 2nd from RF, the closer to RF line, the more difficult to not be blocked.

I am new to this site, and new to NCAA umpiring, but my personal opinion is that I want to be the most professional person on the field. I am not going to feel like I lose credibility in my duties because I clean the plate for the kids. I am not punishing a catcher or pitcher because of what his adult coach decided to do. I am cleaning the plate, putting the ball in play, and focusing on the next pitch and continuing to do a good job until the final out.