umpstu

One time I was umpiring a game in a small farming community which had an FFA organization. The school had a pig exhibit beyond the right center field fence area and a batter hit a scorching line drive to the fence in that exact area. As the fielders converged upon the baseball a sow, who had birthed a littler of piglets, came crashing through the fence and ate the ball. The players were okay and my partner and I got together to see how to handle this situation. We finally ruled an inside the pork home run.

I have to say my opinion of the sunglasses being removed is horse crap. How is removing sunglasses respecting somebody's dignity? I do agree with removing the ask, but I would never consider this a big deal. Would never ding someone for that.

My brother was a high school AD for many years and if any of his coaches crossed the line he would have them in front of his desk the following day. He would let them know that there might have actually been somebody's son, daughter, wife, husband or parent in the stands who were there to watch the officials work and how would he like it if people were to address him like that? Brother was a good coach and AD. Now retired and AD's still call him for advice.

More than likely it is his brother who is a scout for an MLB club, I forget which one, but he helps out with the Area Code Games each summer. Don't know if he was the coach or not.

And it sucks when the site admin is the AD and the AD is also the head baseball coach.

Love Will's book, Men at Work. But I love the bat flip and the home run trot. Mostly enjoy td celebrations in the NFL.. And used to love Billy "White Shoes" Johnson's end zone dances.

Turner's action and words in the dugout was way out of bounds, kind of like his running to first. Do like this series though. Glad Nat's won last night so we could see another game.

I'll let you tell them. D2 is fairly good ball, but the Orange/Empire Conference is the most competitive baseball around.

I get Gary's emails.

Congratulations on your selection.

Good point.

Can always count on you to give me a chuckle. After Mizzou's game yesterday I needed that. Thanks, Rich.

Use a cocktail stick!

I wore Gerry Davis plate shoes and loved them. Had no issues with the traction.

More than likely those 10th grade coaches were happy to see a good umpire. I don't mind working freshman and jv ball.

I don't see a problem. I know that after 25 years I don't really enjoy putting up with unruly parents and coaches any longer. I can only imagine how good ball is at the 4 year old level.

AMEN

And if you call a strike out of the zone ot isn't a missed call. You just got a strike. It's when you call a strike a ball that is a missed call.

Last night had a pain free game until the bottom of eighth and then took an 84 mph untouched into my right bicep. HS varsity fall ball so kids might not be too familiar with each other yet but I did not hesitate to let them know to get their act together. And then took a foul ball directly to the mask in the top of the 9th. Yikes. Go Cardinals.

Maybe it's just a personal thing. Since you learned the bases and then the plate, that's all you know. You will make a name faster by working the plate. And a great thing about the plate is you don't fall asleep. There is something happening every pitch that requires your attention. If I'm working a DH I'm on the plate for the first game.

Good stuff.

Advice from me is to work as many plate games as possible.

I was probably the first person to buy them. That being said, if it's a perfect storm it's a perfect storm. If I were buying shin guards today I would most definitely buy Force 3. I've taken 96 mph off the F3 and felt nothing. When I got hit I had been having a brutal couple of days on the plate. The Oklahoma Sooners coach saw me watching some ball and made the comment that he had never seen an umpire get hit so many times in a game. Said he felt sorry for me. Had no idea how he recognized me as I was in civilian clothes. Man, I got killed those couple of days.

Just read the rule.

The Cardinals did win. As they should. GO CARDINALS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!