Kyle_Stevens

I have tried one of these on in a sporting goods store, I had to wipe my mouth I was drooling so much. I loved it. I have a few other 'toys' I need to get before. I have read that some associations still want you to wear a hat when not wearing your mask, i.e. between innings/pitchers conference. Has anyone else heard this? I still want one.

Omaha, absolutely. This is my long term goal. Along with that, I want to be a state tournament umpire. I keep throwing little hints or jokes to my wife about going to the Jim Evans academy and try my hand at that. I know the odds of umpires getting selected to work pro ball but either way you come out of a school like that a better umpire.

Thanks would probably be all I could say, too. I have had some 'nice job, blue' from a couple of player and a couple of fans, but nothing like you haveing him come up to you. You know, he might be 'sugaring' you up for the next time you have the dish when he throws! I'm kidding, umpires need a little ego boost every once in a while.

I am just trying this out, attaching a picture. Last night I had a small 'media' corp following me, ok...it was my wife but still. Anyway, here is what my plate stance looks like. When I first looked at it I thought I might be a little high; however, this is where I am comfortable. Let me know what you all think. Looking for any pointers!

It depends on what level of baseball you are calling. LL, something light and breathable. HS and up, something hard shell or thick. One thing that I take into account is collar bone protection. I feel more comfortable with some protection around my neck. I haven't had a broken collar bone but know some guys who have. From their discomfort, it would be awhile before you are calling strikes again. You are looking to spend $40 to more than $250. Also, check out the reviews section tab at the top of the page by the forums tab. There are several that have been used and written about, see how others like different equipment.

I am like Warren, I would rather take the plate. I feel I am better at the plate than on the bases. This is probably because I have been behind the plate more. I have had more practice calling strikes than moving from A to B to C, so as of now, the bases are 'harder' for me soley because my base mechanics aren't as second nature/reactionary as my plate mechanics. I agree with Bigdog, neither one is harder than the other. IMO, one could seem harder until you are proficient at that position.

For you guys that use the scissors, where are your arms? The umpires that I have seen in the last few years have their hands on their knees, but I remember seeing pictures of umpires that have their hands behind their back, old pictures. This is something that I have been intending to try but never have.

I agree, great call and great team work! Nice job on the side of your partner for getting with you to make the call. Unfortunately, spectators sometimes look at this as umpires 'not knowing what is going on' or 'being incompetent'; however, if one knows anything about baseball and umpiring, they know that you are doing your job very well. Most important thing is to get the call right.

For me, I like the power. Since my wife won't let me be in charge at home I have to look for it in other places and umpiring gives me that power! Kidding. I love umpiring because it offers me, personally, a great challenge. There is so much to learn and so much to master. The officiating profession is in my blood, if you will. I grew up watching my dad referee basketball. I guess I try to emulate him in the sport I love.

I have always worked from the box. For me, this has always felt natural. I get in the slot, squat at the knees until my eyes are at the top of the strike zone, my head is high and inside corner of the zone. I put my hands on the under side of my thighs and try to tuck my elbows to my torso. This is my stance. I see guys on tv, had partners, or watch games where I see guys in the scissors, or have a modified box, or have their hands on their knees. The ones I see on tv look so comfortable in their stance. I will try a different stance at home in the mirror but feel very uncomfortable. Once I get to a game, I am more worried about calling balls and strikes rather than try a new stance. What do you all use, feel comfortable with, have tried and not liked, and for what reasons?

This might be the most important one!:)

Larry, the file you uploaded is great and I have printed off a sheet to give it a try. Thanks for all of the responses! They will give me a good place to start and help me develop my own system. Again, thanks and send more if you have them. Kyle

I was supposed to have some pretty good games last weekend but mother nature had different plans. We got 1 inning in. The local university was hosting a prospect camp and I was fortunate enough to be asked to work the games at one of the sites, either that or they ran out of people to ask:D! Anyway, these were outstanding teams, better than most of the games I work. During the HS season or if I work LL, I am nervous before games; however, before my first game I was more nervous than I normally am. I think it may that it was because this was better ball than I normally see and I just simply didn't want to screw anything up. I was working with a veteran umpire in the area who calls HS through D-II, possibly D-I next season. It was another ho-hum game to him. Do you all still get nervous before games? Will my nerves subside after several years? I hope so!

My initial thought would be, of course they do! He is center stage at home plate and after a call against him, he draws a line, what better way to show you up? However, like you said, things like this may have been disregarded in some way. I have never called adult leagues and have read posts that would sway me to not even mess with them.

Hey Kevin, Welcome to Umpire-Empire. There is alot to learn when it comes to umpiring. This is a great place to hear the experience of veteran umpires. I am sure you will enjoy it here!

How about an 'atta boy'? Congrats to Fresno St. My prediction is exactly why I don't waste time betting. I would just as soon give the money to my wife.:)

I have Georgia winning 8-6

I have been back umpiring for just about a year now, altogether about 2 1/2 years. I haven't sent anyone to the parking lot. However, there is an instance that I want to see how you all would have handled. Situation: HS tournament, I am U1, top of 3rd. Visiting team is down by 3-4 runs and are at bat. I get hit by a foul ball for the second time in 2 innings. I call a strike at the letters and VC calls time and walks down from the coach's box. He says, 'Blue, you feeling ok?' Being polite I say 'Sure! What's up?' Coach: " I don't think you are seeing things well, that wasn't a strike' as his voice starts to rise. In the middle of this I turn and start to walk back to the plate. He shouts, 'There's no way that was a strike'. I turn around and hold up my hand, 'THAT'S ENOUGH!' (Thanks, Mr. Siegel) To which he walks back down the line to the coaches box. His team was thumped. I hear him mumble the rest of the game but nothing I or my partner could make out. After the game one of the area veteran umpires who was watching the game said that he thought I was going to toss him for sure but appreciated my professionalism. So, what say you all? Was I too easy on him?

This is pretty clever!

Where can I find the first newsletter? Is this something e-mailed?

I was reading the 2-man mechanics page (http://www.lbua.net/two-man.html) on the Lone Star Umpire website. The web site is not specific on you situation, I am sure because this doesn't happen all too often. However, it did say something about peeking at the runner to see if he is trying to steal to be able to get in position. IMO, this is a gap in the system. My thought to remedy this would be to pivot back to the runner after you see the pitch get past the catcher. However, you are supposed to let the ball take you to the play. I don't think there is much more you can do. I think you did a great job in handling the situation. From your description of the coach, I would have to believe him too, but like you said, you can't call what you don't see. A good coach will understand what happened.

This is something that I haven't found any information on. What exactly do you write on line-up cards during the game? What I am talking about are things like, charged conferences, substitutions, position changes, etc. I looked at one of my cards this weekend and it was full of chicken scratch and I wasn't able to make much out of it after the game. Can you guys tell me what kind of notes/abbreviations/templates you use to keep neat and handy information during a game? Much appreciation!

I agree with you. I really enjoying all of the umpires at the CWS. Like you, my goal is to be there!

I just turned 28. I have 2 great boys and a wife that puts up with me, there is a lot to put up with too! I have been umpiring a total of 3 years. I called for two years starting in 1999, joined the military, and have been umpiring for the last year. I joined the U.S. Army, serving in the 101st Airborne Division for 5 years. I was an infantry mortarman. I spent a total of 24 months in Iraq before getting out. I am currently going to school at Oklahoma State and majoring in Marketing. I am still trying to figure out what I want to do when I grow up. I love umpiring. I don't know what it is but I cannot get enough of it. You can net ever stop learning about the game or about mechanics. I want to become a master of the rules and have a long way to go. I umpire high school, B,A,2A right now and help out a buddy of mine with LL (USSSA, OK KIDS) tournaments when he needs it. I was fortunate enough to work districts, regionals, this year, and an all-star game for one of the conferences near my town. My ultimate goal in umpiring is to be the umpire that when I walk onto the field, at any level, the coaches say "All I have to do is coach today, I don't need to worry about the umpiring". Ultimately, the best I can be.