Dobie

This is certainly a HTBT play. That said, in NCAA Baseball, the MC has to be very obvious to me before I call it. Remember, that unlike FED rules, NCAA rules allow a runner to run over F2 in certain situations. From the NCAA Rule book: So if F2 is blocking the plate, I will usually not call MC. Of course, if RX puts a forearm to F2's nose... I probably have something.

I disagree with this and I'll tell you why. When we take the field, we are a team. If you let players/coaches ride you're partner, you're letting the inmates run the asylum. I would hope that if someone was snipeing me, my partner would step in and take care of it. What if your partner hears the comment coming from the dugout, but is far enough away that he doesn't know who said it? Have each others backs out there, guys.

The first time I think to myself, "It's gonna take me forever to clean my shoes!";)

Here in CT it's open book and no time limit. Whats more is that there is no minimum score... you just need to hand in a test and you can start collecting you're $78 varsity game fees! Even better is that there are still umpires scoring below 70%... I really don't know how that's possible!

In OBR, F1 can move from the mound to another defensive position once per inning. Look at the case book comments (italics) for rule 3.03. In the FED he may also do so once per inning. In the book, read Rule 3-1-2. This situation is explained about half way through the paragraph. Hope this helps.

If you're working the true Two-Umpire System... My peer in VA has the proper mechanic... before 45' line- PU. after 45' line- BU.

My first pair of plate shoes were the heavy (and I mean HEAVY) +POS high tops. They lasted about 9 years, and the heel cups became so soft that my heel would slip off center of the sole. But the leather was top notch, not a mark on them. I finally got new ones (SpotBilt Patent Leather high tops) and will be replacing them this summer after two years. So I guess the amount of wear you get depends on the quality of the shoe. My new ones will be the New Balance. I have the base shoes and the comfort is unmatched!

Wally, IMO you could have diffused the situation by simply acknowledging the balk comment the first time they brought it up. These coaches were obviously clueless, so give them a clue. Someting along the lines of, "That's not a balk coach," or "He's fine, look at rule 8," would most likely have ended the comments. In my games (and I'd like to hear what the rest of you think) as soon as I notice the rule book in hand, they're both gone. You will no doubt be asked, "For what!?!" My reply is simple... "I don't tell you when to hit and run, You're not going to try to give me a rules clinic during the game." Simply put... I don't show them up, so I expect the same courtesy in return. It doesn't take long for word to get out that you are fair, but will not put up with the shenanigans. __________________________________________ Now my best ejection occured during a summer wood-bat league game. I was admittedly struggling behind the plate with my strike zone. Both teams were chirping. I had batters looking back at me, pitchers glaring in at me... I was awful! The pitcher throws a belt high fastball right down the middle... "BALL FOUR," says I. Batter begins to trot to first base, and I notice the pitcher walking toward the catcher. I can tell he's beside himself. F2 meets him half way, F1 sidesteps and is coming in to talk to me. He gets to the cutout and says, "Where's your strikezone tonight?" I reply, "I left it in the parking lot, you can find it while you're out there!" *DONG!* He's gone! Later that season I had the same team. Manager sends F1 out with the line up. He's laughing on his way to the plate meeting. I look over his shoulder and the whole team is laughing. He hands me the line up and says, "That was the best ejection any of us have ever seen. We voted you the funniest umpire in the league." I was glad to see that this was indeed a new day.

When I blow a call, I let them have the same amount of leash as I do when I'm 100% right. Let them have their say, and that is that. Remember the saying, "Give 'em an inch and they'll take a mile,"? We simply cannot allow that. I am approachable, I will discuss, I will listen their first time around, and I will allow them to argue. What I won't allow is for them to make it obvious to everyone in the ballpark that I am (or they think I am) wrong. If you let them rant longer than normal, you're telling everyone that you screwed the pooch. Then you may be in for a long night. Another drawback of giving them more time than normal is what happens if the other coach come out on you and you listen, explain, and then end the discussion? Now you're not treating each the same... we can't do that either. Just my opinion...

I could not agree more with the idea that F1 should have been tossed... automatic! Then the manager would have gone if he was protesting balls and strikes. My guess is that he was protecting his F1, from himself (iow, he engaged PU in order to disengage F1).

I really don't think it is a rule listed in OBR, but instead a directive sent down from the commish.

Found my way here from Rob's site. I used to post regularly at the official forum... but the need to wade through the BS became too taxing.:rolleyes: