Penguin

I heard a new one this weekend. I had finished up my games in 16U tournament and was eating a hot dog and watching the next game. It had been a crappy day all along with on and off misting to light rain - but never enough to delay games - just make people a little miserable. The game in question started out dry and things were progressing nicely. Then the mist started. Then a little heavier. I know I was not the only one that noticed the pitchers must have suddenly gotten better because the PU was calling a lot more strikes. Then it happened. At completion of inning, coach, on way back to dugout asks PU, "what kind of strike zone are you using?" I am waiting for the PU to tell him he won't be discussing that but instead the PU blankly looked at him and told him he was using the dehydrated strike zone. The coach had to ask what the hell that was. PU's reply, "you know - when you add water it expands!" You should have seen the coach's face. I had to get up and walk away. :wow:

he didn't just "draw" a line - he crossed it. Once he crosses the line - he might as well just keep going!!

I've only had one catcher try to frame anything this year. He was great. Held obvious strikes and those he thought were strikes for a 1 count and then threw back to pitcher. He was very honest about it. If he held for a 1 count and I called ball - coach might ask where it was and he would let coach know it was close but low or in or something like that. The rest of the catchers I had this season - well let's just say I did a lot of praying that they would catch the ball, or at least deflect it away from me. :D

how about NOT getting called to tell you the start time is being moved up a half hour because they are adding a second game and making it a double header Then - being the first to arrived and becoming informed it is a double header and partner on way. Partner arrives in base gear without plate gear so you know you'll be behind plate for both games :angel4:

You ain't never had a decent tan till you've gotten one from snow reflection! :angel4:

:clap: I guess I'm lucky where I am at. We don't have the "cheering/chanting" in SB anymore or less than in BB. Actually don't have any "fat slobs" in either sport. As far as mechanics, in WI they are telling us they want the hammer strike in both sports. :ranton:Brushing the plates between innings - good God ..... get over it or yourself already or don't do the sport. But why bash it becuase you personally have a problem with a mechanic. Bottom line - if you want to be a good ump you'll work at it and will be ....... if you don't want to - you won't. If you personally don't like the mechanics - don't go there but stop putting others down. Let's be honest - there are "fat slobs" (not my term) in every sport at every level. Plenty of guys in pro sports that are not in the best of shape and have horseSH*# mechanics. There are also plenty of officials/umps who have nothing better to talk about than slamming other officials/umps/sports. That certainly does NOT make them knowledgeable or good officials/umps. I've got pet peeves too, but do the job I am required to do. I figure it's like life - if I want to live - I've got to put up with both the good and the bad cause the alternative stinks!

sorry to disappoint you! This was varsity. In WI we'd never make a comment like that in 14 and under.

Last night had a double header. 1st game I'm at the plate. Starting with the first pitch - a called ball - the pitcher shook his head and was muttering. Nothing that you could really understand - but he was unhappy. Following the 2nd inning the coach comes out and asks about my strike - his pitcher didn't like it. He "ususlly" throws more strikes. I politely told the coach we were not going to be having that particular conversation - during or between innings. He knew as well as I do what the zone is. After 3rd inning he is out again and stands beside me and very quietly says: "my pitcher says your strike zone is tighter than his girlfriend - what do you have to say about that?" Being kind of a smart alec - I couldn't resist. Just as quietly - so only he could hear I said: "sounds like he needs a new girlfriend!" I thought he was going to pee his pants - never said another word but smiled the remainder of the game.

Hey, I'm a newbie in baseball, 3 yr softball, 6 years volleyball and 26 years as a basketball official. Am really enjoying the baseball/softball. I was asked to start umping by athletic directors and conference commissioners due to a shortage of umpires in the area. Of course - am a Brewers and T_Rat fan! :smachhead: