jnazz

Re: Verbalizing balls I personally think that when an umpire doesn't verbalize the close ball call, it looks like the pitch froze (or shocked) him. This may not be an issue with the younger ages, but the older players definately notice it.

Crazy. What a great role model.

Great timing. Way to stay down and not bail on the pitch. I also love the hand siginals on the ball calls. He's screaming on every pitch. How do the batters know what's a ball and what's a strike?

WOW! Sounds like you've got some serious idiots in your area. Physical Contact in a 11 under game is rediculous. Doesn't your league back its umpires in situations like this? If crap like that happened in our area, this idiot wouldn't be coaching anymore. Sure, stuff like this happens from time to time in Legion, HS, and Men's, but 11u?

Ask Bruce Froemming

sorry, not familiar with LL.

The other question I have is -- Isn't the next batter the on deck batter? If so, he should be on the field. And if he's on the ball, he should be behind home plate directing the runner to slide or not. If this ball hits him I've got nothing. Now if it's a following batter, I may have a problem. Of course, it varies from situation to situation.

balls left strikes right

If interference is called an out also must be called.

In MLB he can go to his mouth on the mound (as long as he's not on the rubber) but I don't believe it has filtered down yet. So, must be off mound and must wipe. And, the first offence is a warning and I believe followed by ejection.

I have no problem supporting a Canadian company, but it's sometimes too much.

Is +POS still in operation. Everytime I call I get the machine with no room left in mailbox. And, if so, how are they to deal with?

I just spoke with one of our National's and I stand corrected.

Living in Canada used to be expensive, but now that the dollar is virtually at par, ordering is way cheaper. We pay exactly was our friends down south pay with the addition of a customs fee of approx. $20-$30. This isn't too bad considering what we pay up here for umpiring gear through Canadian distributors (see pro-image.ca and homerunsports.ca)

1. I was at a clinic earlier this spring and this exact situation came up. We were told that for this situation, eventhough he doesn't have to throw, you are to consider the pitcher still in contact with the rubber, therefore 0nly one base. There was a long discussion on this one, but the final ruling we got was that it was only 2 bases if the pitcher steps directly back off the rubber. 2. Balk 3. Balk

And if the catcher is telling the coach that the pitches that you called balls are strikes, it's time to have a little chat with the catcher. I call time and head around to do what looks like sweeping the plate, but little cleaning gets done. I have a little conversation with the catcher that only me, the catcher, and the batter know about. This works extremely well with the lower levels (approx. 16 and under). The older catchers should know better but you may use it if needed. I say something like, "We're on the same team here. If you lie to your coach anymore, I'm gonna throw your ass out of the game! Are we on the same page?"

Sorry I didn't really answer the question. In your situation I would do the same, no call until the tag.

If the plate is missed, make no call. You may notice MLB umpires will call nothing if a runner misses home and a tag is missed. Make no call and the catcher and runner will quickly get the picture.

Is it true that the Gold is no longer being produced. I heard that if the Gold is still being sold, it's old stock. Is this true? I notice Gerry Davis no longer carries the Gold (maybe for this reason).

I see on Gerry Davis' website, you give them all your measurements with your CP on. They customize the coat to your unique measurements. I know it's a few bucks more, but it may be worth the extra expense.

Thanks guys

Jump turn is ok if he throws.

I agree 100%. I actually had an explanation for a non-balk call for a coach on Friday that stopped him in his tracks. Situation - R1. Pitcher accidently takes "full windup" positon on rubber. As the right handed pitcher steps off with his right foot, the runner breaks and the 1st base coach screams "That's a balk; That's a balk!" The runner is out by 5 steps at second and here comes the argument. "He started his motion. That's the most obvious balk I've ever seen!" He said this loud enough for everyone to hear. So I reply (loud enough for everyone to hear) "He stepped off with his right foot which is his pivot foot. This is not a balk. There's nothing wrong with that play!" The coach turns around, puts his head down and walks back to his position without another word. Take that! p.s. this is the same coach who adimately argued against my delayed balk call a few weeks ago. He couldn't get how the play continues if the batter reaches and the runner advances, eventhough it benefited his team. Go figure.

You don't actually read the texts during the game, do you?

No balks in LL as far as I know. Nothing here. Re-do.