Thunderheads

Thanks again ........ fixed it for you

Thank you sir, ... is this something I'd find under "definitions" or is there a cite with a 'comment'? Thanks again

Hey everyone, Yesterday, ground ball to third, ... the throw causes F3 to lean "up the line" .... he catches the ball, foot on the bag, THEN, B/R ducks because of an impending collision and hits F3's arm causing the ball to come out of the glove. I pause, think hard and fast and continue to call the runner out as the contact caused the ball to come loose, and F3 did secure the ball with his foot on the bag prior to contact. There was very little questioning of the call (mainly the runner) ... I did explain it to the head coach between innings, he just wanted clarification and was pefectly fine with it all. Correct call? Thanks .... (don't have time to peruse the rulebook this morning)

As many of you know in my Swan Song email, I've been doing this for 20 years, with a large gap in between (1996-2009). My last ejection was in 1995, and yesterday was number 2, ... yes, 2, and my first HS EJ. And,.... don't start with "if you only have 2 ejections you've been missing opportunites, you don't manage the game well, ...blah, blah, blah" .... Anyhow ..... bottom 5, 3-2 count, very nice pitch that catches the inside corner. I ring him up as he steps towards first because he thinks it's ball 4. He comes back, picks up his bat, and DRAWS A LINE! I look and think to myself "well, ... there it is!" BOOM! This one was a gift 😆

it is? Cite please? (asking honestly)

3rd Ball overthrown out of play [ 5.06(b)(4)(G) ]. First throw from the infield. This is the most common scenario that you'll see – a batted ball to an infielder (F6, for example) who then throws wild to first base and the ball goes out of play. The instant the ball goes out of play call "Time" (dead ball) and award all runners, including the batter-runner, two bases from the time of the pitch (TOP). This places the batter-runner on second base; any runner whose TOP base was second or third will score. There's one wrinkle that you need to keep in mind. Rule 5.06(b)(4)(G), Approved Ruling stipulates that "If all runners, including the batter-runner, have advanced at least one base when an infielder makes a wild throw" then the award is two bases from the time of the throw (TOT) instead of TOP. Seems simple enough, doesn't it? But here's the rub. You (all umpires) must see the release at the same time you have clear awareness of runner positions. Not an easy task, but fortunately this is a pretty rare case.

No, no, no ..... a thousand times ..... NO! Keep that softball SH*# on the softball field!

NEVER!!! PLEASE, NO, NOT THAT!

This is interesting, even though I know Keith is kidding, ... I honestly find the bases very challenging, I mean, if you're going to do it right, not chase the ball, be in the right position for most plays, watching the ball, trying to see ALL touches on every base (to assist my partner '3rd'), etc, etc ... PLUS, ... it's way easier to be surprised on the bases, IMHO. I think it's all a balancing act, ...communicate w/ your partner a day or so before the game, make sure either one of you haven't had "team A" 3 times on the dish already, all the things that have been discussed. Also, sometimes you have a partner who's "coming in hot" from a work meeting, long commute w/ potential traffic issues, etc ... worse thing in the world is to be late and have to get ready super fast for a plate .... for me, I need that relax time ahead. Anyhow .... that's my .02

based on what I remember, they do a deep clean of all the padding, and replace any fasteners that need to be replaced

Thanks Steve, that means a lot!

Thank you, ...but I'll still be on the site

Thanks Dawg. Well, you must understand the context. My job has never really interfered with umpiring, and I've always had great bosses who understood. My new responsibilities is a new thing, and it's just making doing games more difficult, but ... my work life is just one reason for it all as I stated. Plus, let's not forget, I'm not a spring chicken either 🤣

After much thought, many conversations and exhausting contemplation, the 2024 baseball season will be my umpire swan song. New work responsibilities ( 10-11-12 hours a day sometimes ) .... my own added stress I put on myself to perform and do a good job, the timelines/ deadlines for post-season, the time and grind of the game prep, physically and mentally, the list goes on and on. Do I still love it, ...yes I do, I can't say I don't, but the above takes away from that, and it's become a "chore", and "another job" ... and I'm just tired of feeling that way. I started umpiring in 1990. Took a break after the summer of 1995, and came back to it in 2010, and ... here I am 14 years later (I joined this site in 2009). Not including the canceled season of 2020, that’s 20 years. Yeah ... I'm good. Does it make me sad, ... yes, it does to an extent, but ...at the same time it makes me happy (if that makes sense)! A lot of my burden is self-induced, I know that, but it’s my nature. I’m a people pleaser involved in a job/hobby/craft where it’s IMPOSSIBLE to please everyone, but damnit, I’m going to try **says me shaking my head** 🙄 To everyone I’ve ever umpired with and had umpire conversations with, and to all of those I've learned from on this site ....THANK YOU. What an education this site has been for me over the past 14 years! It’s been a great ride, a great education, and quite a realization as to how much time and effort it takes to be a good official. 20 combined years of doing this and there’s PLENTY more areas where I could improve, but at the end of the day, I know I always gave it my all, and I was always eager to learn and to get better. I was blessed with being able to work a Sate Finals for the MHSAA in 2018, an incredible experience and memory. I was also able to work a showcase double-header last season at Comerica Park with a great partner and friend, Jeff Sandora ( @UmpJeff). To umpire on an MLB field was one of my few ‘umpire bucket list’ items, for sure. I'll still be here on the site, so this will be my avenue to 'remain in the game'! Thanks again to everyone. I’ll never drive by a baseball field again without my heart skipping a beat. Chat soon!

I've seen 2 hat fliers in the last 2 weeks

See .... I told you I was probably wrong!

not sure if this is serious or not but ... not sure what kind of grounds we have to do so? ( I CERTAINLY could be wrong!)

Had a kid yesterday - with 2 strikes on the batter who'd double pump his lead leg a little bit, ... made me think of this stuff 'trickling down' ....

thanks! no space between the @sign

THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

This is a very interesting view of this, however. Play B, if you look at it ....with f4 taking the throw and coming towards 3rd base, ... if R1 is going in standing up because he sees what's going on, ...isn't he in fact 'veering' / staying away from the fielder? I KNOW WHAT THE RULE SAYS .... but again, I see what @noumpere is presenting here

it's not similar, it's identical. And as I understand it, yes, you must declare. I caught that the other day also

Rich, I do agree here, but playing devil's advocate .... alteration, maybe, but ...all this mumbo jumbo is happening during his 'move' to the plate. You'll see a lot of pitchers in their motion pop their glove with the ball in their hand (quite different, but similar?) Interruption, maybe, yes, but .... is Clayton Kershaw guilty, too? Again, just thinking out loud. Again, ... B would probably be the most logical, but ....

I know an MLB umpire who does this when he's on TV ... says 'hi' to his mom w/ a certain gesture

but .....this wasn't a "quick return pitch" ....