Kyle_Stevens

I completely missed the part about it being a charity game, good grief.... I did read the post about the game, however. And yes, it does sound like a blast! Again, my apologies.

Depends on who is playing and coaching. From your post it seems that you didn't have a very competitive game and your coaches were more than understanding. I am sure some coaches would have had a fit. This is a funny play, however. Talk about 'Wild World of Sports' and I have never personally heard ornithologist, so this site is great because you gain knowledge on things other than baseball! However, I would give R1 second base by way of verbal obstruction. I may be asking for trouble but F3 told R1 to look up and then is tagged.

I don't have my rule book in front of me but I think this would be up to judgment of the umpire whether it is distracting. The NFHS rule book talks about the color of a pitchers glove but I don't think there is anything about glares off of gloves. This could ba situation where the offense was trying to get the upper hand on the defense.

R1, 1 out. B1 hits a ground ball to F6, F6 throws (poor throw) to F3, ball gets past F3. The base coach intentionally stops the the ball. My ruling (NFHS): The now BR is out and R1 stays at first base. Am I correct? What is your ruling?

I appreciate the link to the video, Larry. I am working on the stance that BigUmp posted in the picture and you posted in the video. Here at work I have to find a secluded place to practice so I don't get a 'What the heck are you doing?'

What a deal! This sounds like a goat farm. Nothing like making an umpires job a little more difficult. My question after reading your post is, where do we, as umpires, deem the field un-playable? I understand when weather is the issue but what about things like you said, extremely high grass, something wrong with the pitchers mound, deep holes in the infield/outfield? I know it may be a stretch but, what if the the grass is so deep that a base hit is lost in the grass?

Thanks for posting the picture, Tim. I have seen this picture several times, mostly on the JEA website but also on the other site you posted it on. A few questions about the stance. With this are you working the heel/toe in or are you standing square to F1? What is the most important part to keep consistent? The width of your feet or just keeping your forearm in a consistent place?

This particular game I was working around this catcher. They were working inside all day long. But you are correct, I too think I need to get more into the slot. I have no lock-in mechanism. I had been relying on leg strength. I have discussed this with another member on the forum and he helped me realize that I start missing pitches(low/outside) because I am getting tired and my position is changing. I would gauge my head height by the top of the batters strike zone. I am really wanting to get to a good clinic where someone can work with me, face to face; however, this is the nxt best thing! Thanks for taking the time!

Majordave or others, Have you blacked out the entire shoe with your NB? I have been thinking about blacking out mine but I am not real sure how they will turn out.

I have heard gorilla arm but don't know exactly what it is. Can you explain? Thanks!

I bought the New Balance 450's and love them. They are my first pair of actual plate shoes. They clean up very easy. My only negative about the NB 450's is the shoe laces, mine wore out in about a month. I have some very strong military rope that is about the size of shoe laces and they have done the trick. When it comes to sizing, I really needed 12.5 but I don't believe they make half sizes that large (I am not sure if they don't make them or the supplier didn't have them), so I ordered 13's. They fit just fine and have not had any problems. I really do like the look of the patent leather and know some gents that have them and a damp cloth gets them shiny. I am not sure how easy patent leather is fix if they are stepped on by a catcher and he puts a gash on one. My $.02.

I thought the evaluation was great! Like I have said before, I have never been evaluated (or seen an evaluation) and am dying to be evaluated. From what I read it wasn't as bad as I was thinking. Thanks for being so candid and letting us in!

AAU National Championship team? Yup, I am sure he/they know the rule. This may be a rule the coach deems to a rule that is a non-issue. Does it really distract the opposing team? Probably not. But I have found this is the age that either side will try to gain the upper hand any way they can. Make big issues out of small ones. This also may be a situation that could have been stopped a while ago by enforcing it with previous umpires. I am guilty of letting things like this go and it may have caused problems for my brethren down the road. I like the way you handled it with your situation by recognizing that it could potentially be a problem, by doing what you did he is less likely to throw a fit. What room does he have to wiggle?

Are you talking about before or after he has come set? Before coming set? Yes, I have seen this and (the pitchers I have seen) are not intending to deceive. I did not balk this; however, one of the pitchers I saw I balked because he dropped the ball, twice. I honestly don't think they are trying to gain anything by doing this. Is this a balk by the book? I think so, but this could be OOO, unless his hand is near the groin area. After coming set? No, I haven't seen this.

Fine post, sir. As for the ejection, I saw it on ESPN and only heard what they had to say. My only thought would be Fairchild might have heard more than we know. When it comes to announcers, you are right on the money. Most announcers have a great knowledge of baseball and players; however, when it comes to rules and umpiring they don't have the first clue, (i.e. mechanics). I also have heard a lot of 'they are replacement umpires'. Good grief, where do they think the MLB guys come from? The guys that are 'fill in' are probably the next guys that will be permanently moved up. On other forums there is a lot of talk of Rob Drake and his recent ejections. He is a 'fill in' and has been for several years now and he also works more games than the 'regulars'. Bottom line, they wouldn't be there if they weren't competent. Commentators on the other hand, most of them, call the game from a fans stand point.

I just heard on Baseball Tonight that the LLWS will utilize instant replay. I, for one, am completely against instant replay and hope this is a colossal waist of money. Has anyone else heard this or any more?

Hey Dean, Welcome. You said you are getting a late start but with your hockey officiating experience you are already ahead of most. Good judgment, mechanics, even-keeled demeanor are needed to officiate in general, which I am sure you have, now it is just an in depth understanding of rules of baseball and spending time on umpire-empire (and a couple other sites) are what you need now. Again, welcome. Kyle

I am sorry for your bad outing. I really don't think it is as bad as you do. If I think I have a bad outing I will dwell on it but my partner might not have seen things the way I do. I might know that I have really screwed something up but I may have been the only one who knew about it. A good umpire is always harder on himself than anyone else. I think we magnify our shortcomings and these shortcomings are not as bad as we think. Did you get a chance to read the eval? I really don't think it is as bad as you think!

That's kind of like your buddy trying to set you up with his good looking girlfriend's ugly girlfriend, "Well...she's fun to talk to..." Thanks for sharing this with us. I know for myself, I don't like to talk about the screw ups but those are what make us better. The more umpiring you do the more technical your screw ups are but the better you are. As I have posted in another thread, I umpired for about a year (Park & Rec) and had a 5 year break. Well, after my break I got in touch with an assignor in the area and he had a tournament coming up. I told him that it has been a while since I have umpired and he told me that I will work with him and will be 'just fine.' First game I was behind the plate. My timing was crap, "STRIII...pop of the ball hitting the glove". One situation, R1, BR hits ball to right-center. R1 is coming in to 3B at the same time the ball is. The play is over, F5 is holding up his glove w/ball, R1 is still laying there with his foot on the bag. The head coach, R1, F5, and my partner all look at me at the same time...standing at home plate!!! After an awkward pause, my partner calls out. Coach says something about 'you didn't even see it/ he was out of position.' At the half inning, my partner helped me notice rotations and such. I told the coach I was sorry and was out of position, he said no big deal. Next game, top of first, second batter. He hits a routine ground ball to F6, F6 juggles with it, a real banger at first! I had it, thought I needed to sell it. I rare back and punch it and at the same time yell 'STRIKE'. The silence seemed to last for several minutes. There was some laughing and the HC yells 'Does he get two more blue?' This is where I chuckled and wanted to crawl under 1B. Anyway, I love it and can't get enough of it!

My guess...$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

I found this and really enjoyed it. I sure would like to be hanging out with these guys some day!;)

There is a guy in this area that fits the same description. You see his name and kind of cringe. He is a great guy, just too 'relaxed' on the field.

I have found the best way to learn the rules is during games. I have made ruling that were incorrect on the field and once the game is over, I get back to the dressing room (or my truck) and look up the rule; however, these are the one that stick with me. On the other hand I have made rulings I know are right and a coach will question and make me doubt myself, get back and look it up and reaffirm myself. I have been making it a point to read my rule book for refresher. To me, there are three 'levels' of the rule book. 1)Reading the rule book 2) UNDERSTANDING the rule book and 3)Being able to apply the rules from the rule book. 2 & 3 is where the bread and butter of being a good umpire is. I have to read and then re-read certain rules to try to get a good understanding of what I have read, then I will follow that up with the case book. I do know that experience is key to gaining a good knowledge of the rules. So, how do you all read the rule book? How often do you read the rule book?

The other night I had a partner that I haven't worked with. During our pre-game/changing clothes I asked him what signals he used during the game. He started telling me his strike mechanic. I was a little confused (and getting worried at this point, we were calling a prospect camp game 16-18 yr) and let him finish. Then I asked him specific signals like infield fly, coverages. He told me he 'doesn't bother with signals' he just goes and calls. I really didn't know what to say other than a skeptical 'oh, really'. Anyway, during our games I used the signals I normally do and communicated as normal. What do you do when your partner doesn't bother with signals or communicate well? Do you try to 'make' him communicate? Am I geting worked up over nothing?

It is nice to hear that you were taken care of. Some coaches I have run across barely have a 'Hi, how are you?' before a game, much less pay you for a two man crew. Again, good for you!