ShinySideUp

"Oh, no, you don't, coach. If I have to stay here for this game, so do you."

I LOVE this! Nothing but respect shown, all the way down to the ground. Now, if he'd thrown a punch, THAT would have been a dis. "If you were losing hundreds of thousands of dollars, you'd be upset, too." Priceless.

I don't want to get TOO personal, but if your game is over and you're home, you could (maybe even should) take the shorts off and wash them.

I read that article in my new hometown's paper yesterday. Then went to the ball field to watch the Georgia State tournament. Overall, not bad umpiring, and pretty good play. I didn't get to meet any of the umps, though:tantrum:

The other scary thing is this: Bob gets audited. He has some umpiring income that's unreported. That gives the IRS reason to audit the association. When they audit the association, they get the assignment records, fees paid, and name of every umpire on the list. I'm on the list. Fortunately, my records exactly match the assignor's records, and my return accurately reflects income, mileage, and expenses related to my umpiring. I'm home free ... except for the medical bills from the heart attack I had when I got the IRS audit letter. Yeah, I paid taxes on the couple of thou I made umpiring, but I avoided the need to hire a lawyer, and the expense of back taxes/fines. I'm ahead in the long run.

At U19 Legion level, I might warn F6, but I'd certainly be on the lookout for retaliation the next time he got to the plate. I'd also be watching for R1 to take direct action, should he have the chance to slide into 2B. Seriously ... U19 Legion and the runner fell for that? Was this the same guy that didn't peg the runner outside the lane in an earlier discussion?

awwww, I clicked the link, hoping it was like www.failblog.org For the record, it's not.

I'm trying to teach my sons (both umpire with me) what I describe as "The Dance." It starts when the ball goes back to F1. F1 receives the ball, and does his "get ready to pitch" routine. As PU, I'm watching F1, but also being aware of where BU is, where the runners are and what they're doing, and what the on-deck batter is doing. Batter gets into the box, F2 goes into his crouch, and F1 steps on the rubber. In a good game, with good flow, these three things happen at almost the same time. If not, as PU, I'm watching them all but more aware of the "missing element." IOW, if B1 is taking too long to get into the box, I start a mental timer, and at some point encourage him to get into the box. If B1 is ready, but F1 is stalling, same thing. I have never noticed a catcher stalling. As F2 gets into position, I set my feet. Personally, I don't adjust my position based on catcher setup, unless he's so far inside I have to move up/back to see the plate. As soon as F1 is on the rubber, though, I have at least one eye on him at all times. Balked a guy this year who snap-threw to F3 while batter was getting set. Problem was, F1 was still in his "set" position, and didn't move either foot when he threw. So ... F1 in set, F2 in crouch, B1 in the box. I maintain my awareness of where F2 and B1 are, but now I'm focused on F1. I also slow my breathing slightly. He goes into the stretch and I drop into the slot - my checklist is: where is the ball (glove or hand)? feet in position? full stop? (HS only: glove below the chin?) shoulders stopped? knees stable? elbows stopped? (partner balked one for "chicken winging" while adjusting the ball on Monday... I missed it because it was the away elbow) As F1 moves to throw or pitch ... Pickoff, Did the pivot foot move first? If yes, was it a legal disengagement, jump step, or jab step? Did the free foot make distance and direction toward the base? Did the foot land before the throw? If the free foot moved first, was it a move to the plate? Assuming no balk, I stand up and if the F2 moves, I move out and wait for him to get back into position before I set my feet. I've noticed that the best varsity catchers don't even move on the pickoff, so I stay where I'm at. F1, F2, and B1 all reset, and we're back to the set position. On the pitch, when F1 starts his delivery I take a breath, lock my elbows into my sides, and "lock in" my head position. Follow the pitch in, swing or not, strike or ball, caught or not. F2 throws the ball back, and start again at the top. Of course, most of it's not that methodical ... but it's helping my 14 YO catcher learn the difference between being PU and F2.

HS Varsity two city teams - rivals. VT is known as one of "those teams," and partner reminds me that this will likely be a lively one. Sure enough, chirping in the first, warned the bench (through VM) in the second, and EJ in the 4th. Easy one ... 1B coach came down the line screaming at me after a strike call. Problem in the 5th ... HT batting, and batter gets just enough of a high fast one to deflect it into my mask, right at my forehead, and then over the backstop. Clearly no intent by F1, and F2 immediately asks for time "to go talk to my pitcher." Two separate voices from the stands behind me: "Nice pitch Bob. Throw it there again" (and yes, the names are changed). They LIKE the fact that I got clocked. No problem, they're spectators, and the HT AD is in the scoring booth if they get out of hand. VM brings me a (different) foul ball and as he hands it to me, I say, "Jerry, your fans are pretty low to cheer after a shot like that." Well, "jerry" goes BALLISTIC. "I don't believe this! I can't control my fans! My catcher called time so you'd have a minute to breathe, and now THIS!?!" etc. But ... he didn't say anything personal, and he walked away as soon as he started ranting. So I let him go. Then... he got to the dugout and kicked the cooler from one end of the dugout clear to the other end. I looked over, and he wasn't cursing or yelling, and was actually getting ready to sit down, so I let it go. After the game, the ADs from both schools were on hand (the HT AD called the other AD when his coach got ejected), and they said they were surprised I hadn't EJed the VM when he kicked the cooler. I figured, I set him off with my comment about the fans, and I wasn't bothered enough to halt the game and MAKE him deal with them. I just shoulda kept my mouth shut. (Side note: my partner and both ADs said my strike zone was consistent and pretty good - that the pitches the VT was whining about were, as I called them, inside. Consistently.) sigh. shoulda kept my mouth shut. OR, shoulda EJed VM. didn't do either.

HS Varsity ball, two competitive teams. I'm BU. R1, no outs. F3's glove has a loose lace or some other problem with the pocket. On three pickoff attempts, I've noticed the ball peeking through the back side of the pocket. Here it comes ... F1 gets a generous lead, F1 pitches, F2 guns one back to F3. F3 is swinging his glove forward to make the catch and tag. Ball hits him in the pocket of the glove, and , and then falls out the back side. As the ball is in mid-air, F3 tags the R1 with the empty glove, and by some miracle of reflexes catches the ball with his free hand before it hits the ground. I call safe (it's an obvious call, to me) but DM in the 1B dugout wants the out. "He caught the ball and made the tag, blue!" Yeah, but not in that order, skip. And by the way, have your F3 fix his glove!

Columbus, actually, potentially as soon as mid-july. Anybody have suggestions (or contacts) for a good umpire association? Or any insights into life in Columbus?

Yeah, help if the batter is hit with a batted ball ... but don't "help" if you think you saw or heard the ball hit the bat and your PU partner doesn't call the foul. It's his to live with or die by.

I bought the diamond silver mask at the beginning of the season. I love it! This being Iowa, I haven't worked a ton of HS games yet (school got out yesterday), but the mask has held up to at least two direct strikes in a 14U tournament w/AA teams. I've no idea how fast the pitchers were throwing, but the first shot spun the mask off my face, and the second was straight from the bat to my nose. Rocked my world for a minute (and gave me the flinches for the rest of the game:banghead:) but no real problem. The mask got a bit of green ink from the ball rubbed onto it, but appears no worse for the wear. My partners are consistently amazed with the light weight, but seem to think that lightweight = flimsy. If I were doing upper-level Legion or college ball, I'd probably spring for the Wilson...but then, I'd also be making enough to do so.

Or, as I saw Saturday (I was BU), HT gets up by 6 in the first, 11 (total) in the second, and then STOPS stealing and running aggressively. Tourney rules say 15 after 3, 8 after 4 ... and because VT scores 4 in the 3rd, we went to 5 innings. "Coach, I get paid the same either way, and I love to see kids play ball. But you just burned two innings from your pitcher's arm.Sure hope you don't need them tomorrow in the bracket round!"

Sounds like the right call to me... but what's an INPH?

Chant with-em. Sorry, I couldn't resist ... the chanting and team spirit is one of the reasons I enjoy doing softball when I get the chance. Too bad it pays about half what I get for baseball. And lest I get tagged as a moneygrubber, every dollar I get right now for umpiring is a dollar less out of the savings account, since the job situation is sorely lacking at the moment.

Another from the tourney today...12U USSSA R1, RHP F1 engages the plate in the set position with hands apart. Batter is outside the box taking practice swings. F1 puts his hands together (not the "stretch," just puts the ball into the glove). Batter steps into the box, and F1 separates his hands, then goes through the rest of the pitch like normal. I didn't think the move was deliberate, nor intended to deceive ... it was more absent-minded, and the runner didn't react. No harm, no call. Thoughts/comments?

I don't remember what game it was (during the MLB Network "Round the Bases" highlight show), but in an MLB game ... R1, R2. RHP. F1 comes set, then steps at the very end of the pitcher's plate (directly toward 3B, and gaining roughly 2" distance, from my angle in the easy chair), then threw to 2B and got the pickoff. My wife just laughed when I said the MLB ump was wrong, because he stepped toward third *unoccupied* and threw toward second. sigh

I was absolutely stunned this morning when I showed up for my day's tourney games. Four fields (so 8 umpires) the TD and the field director ... and not one of them know about the lightning strike in VA this week. I thought EVERYONE was on the Internet ... and every umps on multiple boards trying to improve!:smachhead:

And a new one, from today's tournament games. PU, a former catcher (and otherwise a Very Good Ump) uses a hickey-style helmet. Between pitches, and sometimes even between innings, he doesn't hold the helmet -it's on his head, cocked back so the facemask is on his forehead. With a quick nod, the helmet drops into place, and he's ready to go. I dunno, I just think it's tacky.

In two separate games this week, with different teams (both 13U USSSA), the catcher would consistently line up WAY outside - like the glove is at or beyond the outside edge. Pitches come in, and they're outside, but because of where the F2 is set up, the coaches think it's a strike. In the first game, it got to the point where the coach was so upset that his disagreement about a balk call sent him ballistic, and he wound up getting tossed. He hadn't said anything to me that I could warn or toss him before he blew up. Tonight's game, the F1 was unhappy, but again, not chirping at me so I could warn. Coach didn't complain, but the "fans" gave out a lot of "Wow!" and "Good pitch! Throw that one again!" So... the question: is it advisable to tell the coach "If your catcher didn't set up so far outside, when F1 hit the mitt it'd be a strike"? (Side note: Tonight's F2 set up even farther outside on a 0-2 count, and F1's threw right to the mitt, but batter reached out and drove it to deep center. Coach asked, "Hey blue, was that on the outside half of the plate?" and I answered him. Good idea or not, given that he was polite about it, and hadn't given me any grief?

And they melt in a fire ... though that's not such a concern to me any more. I also don't like patent - I got a wide leather belt at JCP or Kohl's or someplace like that.

If you hang out on eteamz, you know Mike_CVUA. He posted the link to this story: Last Night's Tragedy. (Spotsylvania County, VA) -- A 12-year-old child is dead after being struck by lightning in Spotsylvania County Wednesday evening. According to the "Free Lance Star," Chancellor Middle School student Chelal Matos and a friend were both struck as strong storms moved through the area. Matos was pronounced dead shortly after he was taken to Mary Washington Hospital, the second child, who was airlifted to VCU Medical Center in Richmond, is said to be in "very grave, critical condition." The Sheriff's Office says the boys had been playing little league baseball at Lee Hill Park, when the game was stopped because of the weather. The boys were playing catch in the field under their parents' supervision when the lightning struck Matos and transferred to the other boy. Frank Albright, whose son plays on the little league team, says it all happened so quickly. (Copyright © 2009 Metro Networks Communications Inc., A Westwood One Company) 6/4/09 6:44AM WMAL Story http://www.wmal.com/Article.asp?id=1355075 I don't apologize for the cross-posting ... EVERY umpire needs to hear - and heed - this story!

I have the Honigs K30s, and I've had no problems with them for four years. Well, one problem - the closed cell padding on the back gets slimy wet in the first inning or two. Does anybody make a SG with padding similar to the WV Gold? Removeable preferably, but at least covered with a porous fabric?

I love my McDavids compression tights, except for two things: The cup seldom gets "seated" right; and You have to wash them without softener So I've tried the jock outside the tights with the cup in the jock, and that's better. and I wash the tights with my uni pants without softener. Works For me.