Kyle_Stevens

However, I am not sure he meant to. I was watching the UNC/FS game. Top of 8th, there was a close play at 2B. BR was called safe by 2B umpire (sorry, don't know his name). Like I said, it was a banger. So in typical tv fashion, the play was slowed down and then slowed down even more, then paused, then shown from a 2nd then 3rd angle, then slowed down again. Low and behold the umpire's call was RIGHT ON! The compliment came as the color man said the umpire gave a 'delayed call'. The play happened...pause...umpire made the call. To me, it was perfect timing. Again, this is a compliment to the umpire, IMO, I am just not sure if that was the intent. Just something that caught my ear.

I got into umpiring really because my dad has been an official for 30+ years, so I grew up with an officials view point of things. I was in college and needed some extra money and I love baseball. I really got into it and then I joined the military. I was in for 5 years and missed umpiring everyday. Once I got out I jumped back into it because I missed it so much. So for 5 years I read about umpiring, read the NFHS rule book and watched as much umpiring as I could. Then when I started back it was difficult putting all I have read into action. I don't know if I excelled or do excel at it. I do know that I work hard and hustle every play of every game and continue to learn every game from situations/partners/Umpire-empire.com. I did have a state tournament coach in the area tell me that he would have me any day for any game, this was even after tough loss to his teams rival, so I took that as a compliment. I just love umpiring.

I haven't called fan interference where I am. I don't think there are enough fans that come to games and sit where they would be able to 'participate' in interfering.

I might bring the subject up during your pre-game/changing clothes. Just see what your partner thinks of it or if he has heard of it. I think you are correct that you could stir up trouble if you were to walk out and start enforcing the new rule. Is this in the rule book? I have not been fortunate enough to delve into Legion ball around here. If the rule is in the book then it is a rule just like any other. I would think a good way to get the rule enforced and help out the umpires would be to make it a point of emphasis at the next meeting, umpires and coaches alike. I am sure that there will be alot of heart ache. Just my $0.02.

Batted ball hits R1, I have R1 out.

I will watch as much as I can to study the umpires. Unfortunately, I haven't found a game on tv that focus' on officials...hhmmm...do I have any takers on an all officials, all the time tv network? Seriously, I will watch as much as I can. If you are umpiring a game on tv that is broadcast all through the country, there is much the I can learn.

I have IFF, or would have called IFF. F4 can make the play with ordinary effort. HTBT, but I think it could be justified F4 intentionally left his position. Like I said, I would have called IFF but I am interested to see what the vets say!

Games like this are a lot of fun when the players are there to play, the coaches there to coach and the fans there to cheer! (The way it should be)

Barnum and Baily... Sounds like the Commish is a fellow coach or former coach. Also sounds like the commish and the coach he talked to are buddies. If these 'coaches' think they are so 'good', tell them to go get a real coaching job. I am sure there is a JUCO or high school needing a coach to save their program. If there is not in your area, there are several here! I can understand being hesitant to show someone the door in LL; however, this might be a good time to make an example of someone, set the tone. To me, they know what they are doing, by giving your grief. They have gotten away with it to this point. Once they cease to be good examples to their kids, there is no need for them.

USSSA, R1, 1 out. F1 comes set. R1 takes off for 2nd. R1 reaches 2nd before F1 goes home. The pitch is fouled off to the fence. Does R1 go back to 1st? Same situation except the pitch is hit as a fly ball to F8. F8 catches, throws to 1st. If R1 makes it to 2nd before the pitch, must he tag up at 1st or at 2nd?

I think that you are justified either way, considering the level of play like you said. Were the conversations you had with him in ear shot of others? If they were, you could've taken him aside and sternly given him his two choices, both of which involve him ending the discussion of balls and strikes. Quite a few of the LL coaches around here think they are next in line to replace Bobby Cox and are wanting to practice during an 8 yr old game. Most of them get by with it around here because of the experience level of the umpires. I am also irritated that the coaches don't understand the 'plane' at the front of the plate. When a kids knees are 8" from the dirt, the ball can cross the strike zone and even hit the back of the plate. However, it is not our job to explain this basic stuff.

We have already started our playoffs here, Class A-B. Regionals are late this week. I was asked to call one but my wife is graduating college at the same time. Family is coming in, ceremonies, parties and all. Here is a piece of advice to all, don't tell your wife that, while you are proud of her, umpiring regionals is also a big deal. Not good...not good:(

I should have been more clear on this. The dugouts were below ground with no fence/net in front. The kid had one foot on the ledge. The ball did not go into the dugout; he picked it up in front of it. Sorry for the confusion!

Well, I think he didn't want the call so that he could have another runner on the bases. It was a District Championship game and he was wanting all the runner he could get. This is just my opinion. They had some momentum starting and I think he just wanted to keep it going. Thanks for the reply!

I had an Infield Fly situation tonight. Runners on 1st and 2nd, 1 out. We had strong winds blowing from third base to first. Batter hits a fly ball, 25-30 ft high, toward F4's position. F4 was keeping the runner on 2ndat the time of the pitch. F4 was making an effort to catch the ball and the wind kept taking the ball away from him, he did not end up catching the ball. The runners advance to 3rd and 2nd and I have the runner out. Offensive coach says that it wasn't an I.F. because F4 had to make too much of an effort. Was I wrong on this call?

I am watching the Red Sox/yankees game and I just love to watch Tim work. I love his stance and relaxed calling style.

I am happy and impressed that the kid apologized to you guys. Maybe his temper won't be much of a problem anymore or perhaps his coach needs to intervene a little more. Great job!

Bottom 6, District tourny, I am U1. The home team is down by one run with a runner on 3rd, two outs. B1 hits a ground ball to F4, F4 throws it poorly and it gets by F3. The ball rolls to the dugout, where home team is, and a kid in the dugout reaches down and picks up the live ball. I call a dead ball. At this point I am not sure what to call or where runners go. My first initial decision/thought is to put the runner back third and and batter on first. After I talk to my partner, he says with the ball being live the batter is out. I call batter out and we move to the 7th. They ended up winning in the bottom of the 7th. It was an intense/hard playing game. Had a great time. Ok, let me know if we did this correct and what could have been done better. NFHS: I looked the ruling up right after the game, didn't even start to undress. I found what I think is the ruling at 5-1-1e; 'ball is dead when e. there is interference by a runner, batter-runner, or retired runner, the batter, or by any person. In the dead ball table, #9 Interference by others connected with team...Pen.-Runner is out. Other runners return.' Let me know! Thanks for your time, Kyle

Hey guys, Thanks for all the replies, I really appreciate the responses. I like what all had to say. I would say that Bigdog said it best, 'Anticipate the play and not the result', which is exactly what I think I did. Again, thanks to all! Kyle

Man, that is something! What got all that started?

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3338854 I wanted to applaud Phil Cuzzi. He handled this with great professionalism. We all know that it is mostly a show when Ozzie starts jabbering. Phil did a good job.

I just worked my first little league, USSSA, tourny this last weekend. I agree that it is awkward. I found myself on a base hit I will leave A and run to turn and watch the runner and all of the sudden I am right there. I found that I did not have to run as much as HS, you can take 3 quick steps and be in position. It was fun though. Little league is a blast when the coaches are there to coach and not act like Bobby Cox!

Hey fellow umpire addicts, For some strange reason I have been anticipating a play/call in my recent outings. I haven't had a problem with it in the past, but for some reason, just recently, this has bit me in the back side. For instance, in a HS game, R1, 0 outs, batter hit a fly ball to left-center. F7 catches the ball while R1 is half way. R1 see the ball caught and starts back to first in kind of a walk/jog. I see look back to pick up the ball and see it is coming to first. I think to myself, "He'll get back." To my surprise, the ball beats the runner back in a banger. I SEE the runner out, but call him safe. I knew I blew it and wanted to crawl under second base. Even a guy in his truck in the parking lot yelled, "He blew that one!" I thought it was funny but was embarassed beyond belief. Like I said, I haven't ever had a problem with this except just the last couple of weeks. I don't know if it is just me getting complacent or something else. Anticipating a play is, in my opinion, an umpires #1 mistake. My next time out I am going to, on each play, say to myself, "Nothing, nothing, nothing..." then call it as I see it. Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions? I would love to hear if you all have had any trouble with this or have any advice. I am a better umpire than the couple bone-head calls I have made. It eats away at me during the night.

I also appreciate the invite to the site. This place looks great. I hope we can get some good discussions and advice here like we had on Rob's site. Look forward to it!

I agree with all here. I too, was in the military, Army, and looking sharp and crisp is the standard. I believe that walking on to a ball field with shiny shoes, crisp pants, and wrinkle free SH*#s, you have somewhat of 'instant cred'. If you look like you know what you are doing they will assume you know what you are doing. If you walk out there and look like you just un-waded your clothes from under the bottom of your seat, you are going to automatically be judged probably hear from the coaches for the rest of the game.