LMSANS

I think you have it backwards.

I love it because I get to keep playing baseball, get paid for it, even though my playing skills have deteriorated over the years. I get great satisfaction working with the players to play the game.

Lo and Behold.... we are back to using NFHS rules. No helmets for the coaches.

Like Kyle, I use the box, for both baseball and softball. My first 2 years, I rested my elbows on my thighs, tucked in. Last year, I tried going to putting my hands on my knees but could never get comfortable with it. I tried for about 30 games. This year I went back to tucking my arms in and resting them on my thighs. In the first week of the season I took a dozen balls off of both hands, forearms and biceps (softball and baseball). I decided I must be doing something wrong. So I started putting my hands behind my back and I have not been hit in the arms or hands in over 80 plate games. As far as I can tell my zone has not changed.

Finally got it to upload. With assistance from our host. I usually print out about 20 sheets prior to the season starting. I use this form for baseball and softball. It fits easily in my pocket portfolio. I save the lineup card for actual lineup changes, subs & reenters. I put one slash through a starter that is removed the first time; an X for a sub that is removed or a starter that is removed a second time. Score card.pdf

I got nervous before every baseball game I played and still get nervous before every baseball, softball and football game I officiate. The object is to channel that nervousness into positive energy. That's what I've done whenever I play or officiate. It doesn't matter the level, a LL-jr regular season game at the local field or the HS All Star game at the local minor league stadium. I've always considered that nervousness a good thing. It forces me to focus on my mechanics. If I lose those nerves, that is when I hang up my chest protector.

Just trying to get the details in, but the "swing" was barely enough to get in the zone. The contact was barely noticeable. If anybody had asked, I would probably have thought to give the foul tip signal.

The talking heads are only there to stir up discussion, no matter how inane or stupid. If they just said the obvious nobody would listen.

Welcome Kevin. There are 3 things you can do to become a better umpire: Learn the Rules Work as many games as possible Learn the rules Everything else is baseball (or softball).

I'm working the plate in a college summer game. It's the 9th inning, the home team just took a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the 8th. No runners. 1-0 count. Pitch comes right down the middle, batter starts to swing, stops, but makes contact, right to the catcher. What did I do? Just signal strike. My partner asked me about it later, he said if I had asked he would have said no swing. I didn't point that he went (which I thought he did). I didn't signal foul tip (which he did) I didn't verbalize anything. Thankfully, no one noticed except my partner. I got away with one there.

This was easy. What did I win?

I tend to be more tolerant than most. In this case, I am leaning towards tossing him as soon as his "concern" became critical because he was baiting. No one is allowed to argue balls/strikes. You have grounds as soon as he goes there.

I use a form that was provided to us as cadets. If I can figure out how to upload it, I'll be happy to share it with you.

Our assignor sent out an email at the beginning of the legion season about the helmet rule. I haven't had any legion games yet but saw one and the coaches were wearing the cap style helmet. He also sent out a message that we would be using legion rules, not Fed. In the past all the coaches would agree in the pregame that we were using Fed rules. Then the winner would advance to the next level and be shocked about the rule differences. This was allowed because most of the umpires are Fed umpires and didn't want to be reading other rule books.

And everybody says these adult games are he77

Where does it say that? I'm looking at the definition of Position D -- Both feet in foul territory, approximately 10 feet behind F5. :confused:

There is very little to cover this issue in the LL rule book. 4.06 covers the same as 3-3-1, but does not have the "fair play" statement. Neither does the OBR for that matter. This looks like a case where 9.01c can be used.

I probably would have called time when I heard the comment and issued an unsportsmanlike conduct warning on the HS and lower level. Adult ball, just called time. Obstruction is as good a rule to cite as any, but I'm not aware of any verbal obstruction rule. Fed rule 3-3-1g4 seems to cover it nicely g. commit any unsportsmanlike act to include, but not limited to.... 4. behavior in any manner not in accordance with the spirit of fair play. the penalty can be ejection with the option to warn. "there's no lying in baseball!"

That's a fact, Jack! NOT I, like you, would have trouble saying anything inflammatory. I usually turn off the jabbering from the dugout. Then I turn to quote Mr. Siegel "that's enough!" In over 350 games, I've only had 3 EJ's. Maybe 2 or 3 more I should have. My most recent EJ was a freshman that couldn't keep his mouth shut. In this case I told the player "you're gone!" and I said to the coach "Bob, you need a new first baseman..." and explained why. That is about as witty as my retorts get on the field.

In the BRD there is an official interp..." "goes by a fielder" is defined as "within an arm's reach." The fielder must have a "legitimate" chance to field the ball else the runner is out" "a step and a reach" generally refers to how far you will protect a fielder (from intereference by a runner) that bobbles a hit ball. I don't see the application with this type of interference.

I'm a lttle confused here. Why is the defense asking about an out? The call is wrong as UIC said.

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Hi all, I started umpiring 4 years ago. Actually I started at the age of 16, but then took 30 years off to pursue other things. If I knew then... I umpire baseball and softball. Last year I took on football and this year I'm going for basketball. But my passion is baseball. I'm not a great spectator of the game, but will watch it occassionally. I especially like going to the local A-level pro games (Lakewood Blue Claws - Phillies). I umpire all big field leagues. I just haven't gotten comfortable with the small field. I do HS baseball/softball, ASA softball, ABCCL (College wood bat summer league), Jersey Shore (Adult rec ball, mostly ex college players), Over 30, American Legion and Junior LL. I'll also do tournaments as I become aware of them. All the HS games I call are in the Shore Conference in NJ. The Shore Conference is made up of 43 schools (public and private) in Ocean and Monmouth County NJ. The non-HS games are in the same geographic footprint. I try to umpire 100 baseball/softball games, referee 75 football games (includes youth), and I'm expecting basketball to be in that range. My only goal is to become the best official I can be. If I get recognition for that, great. I get a kick out of being on the field. I'v been married for 31 years and have a 17 year-old son. His last touch of a baseball was when he was 9 and I was pushing him to play LL. He pushed back and it was a good thing too. He was really awful. He doesn't play any sports but plays a mean bass. I am a consultant. I have 32 years experience in every aspect of payroll, human resources and employee benefits. Currently I design and build general ledger interfaces for ADP payroll clients. I do this over the internet, from my home. Which gives me a lot of time flexibility to officiate. In addition to umpire-empire, I also particpate at officials.com and umpire.com. I only use LMSANS cause I hate trying to remember different IDs and logins.

I'm cash only.

I haven't started the adult leagues yet, but will this Sunday. However, my experience over the last couple of years has been positive. Every time I read the comments on the forums, I can't relate. I've had to eject 1 coach in 3 years, and it is possible I jumped the gun on that one. I have heard the occassional zone squawking from the dugout but nothing direct or beligerent. Of course, I am now doomed. :rolleyes: