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I worked a 12u game last night with the absolute worst partner ever. He shows up 5 minutes before game time. Wearing black pants. With a brown belt. No hat. At least he had a Navy : shirt ( though it looked as if the nasty thing had been crumpled in the trunk and used to pick up dog poo). This not being the first time we have worked together, I asked him (as I did a month ago) why he hasn't purchased grey slacks yet. His excuse was they allow the youth umpires to do it, why is he any different? I told him yes, to start out, but they all have the proper uniform now ( we give youth umpires a pass to start out). He gives me a big sigh and I left it alone. Then the fun started. His version of "A" was right behind F3. With runners on, he set up right behind the pitcher. Yes, even with a runner on second . I asked him, between innings, to please set in the right spot as the coach complained that they couldn't pick to second because he was in the way. His response was, I'll duck if they throw. He flat out failed to make three calls. Not missed. Flat didn't make a call. Just waited for the play to end, walked towards the base the play happened at, looked for a second and then just walked away. Didn't look my way as if he needed help or had a brain fart. I had no idea what to do. After the game, he left as soon as he could. No post game, no see you later. Nothing just poof... Disappeared. I went to the assigner ( using the term loosely) and requested to not be partnered with him. Ever. She said she would try her best, but I might have to go solo. I replied with I might as well being by myself tonight... And went into detail about what happened. She already had written complaints from parents to back up my story. When I finished, she said Well, it looks as though we found ourselves a new T-ball ump. And that was the end of it.

I had someone work the plate with me on a LL Junior Game last night. First time I ever worked with him and he had asked me to get some games. I am the UIC and Assignor for a LL. Was given a make up schedule on Sunday for games that had been rained out and need a couple of guys do to short notice. I called this guy and gave him a shot. First, the game became a blow out in the TOP of the third, with VT going up 18-1.Believe it or not, that was not the bad part. Once it was 18-1, I had a brief discussion with the VT manager while the HT was changing F1s and we discussed him shuting down, not stealing and going base to base. I also talked with the PU ans suggested he open the zone up as big as possible. His response was, I don't ever change my strike zone, that's not fair. I was already displeased with him because he lost track of the count on the batter at least 6 times and the number of outs several times. Then a batter takes a pitch with a 2-1 count for a ball and starts walking up the 1st baseline thinking he walked. R1 and R2 start walking to 2nd and 3rd. HT Manager who is on defense yells for his catcher to throw to 3rd base that it was only ball 3 and try to get R2 out as he heads to 3rd base. As catcher starts to throw, PU yells out TIME and kills any possible chance of stealing a out on the bases. He then asks me what I had for the count again. Dah it is now 3-1. We finally get to the bottom of the 4th inning. HT is losing 20-1 now. The 3rd out was made on a D3K with F2 throwing to F3. After I call the out at 1B he calls to me. "R3 scored before you called the out at 1B. Does the run count"? I said "NO" and went to short RF. HT Manager is in 1B coacking box and tells me if we are within 5 minutes of the No New Inning Time when the inning is over to end the game. 3rd out is made and I signal the PU to call the game with a wave and cut accross my throat gesture. He goes to the score keeper and then the HT Manager with his team around him and asks, "Got 5 minutes left, do you want to continue or call the game"? He looks at me and now with his kids around him has to say lets keep playing. While the teams are getting on and off the field, I advised him the Manager had already asked me to call the game and he put the Manager on the spot by asking in front of his team. His reply was "Well I didn't want to call the game early and have someone complain". I smiled and replied "who is going to complain"? I am the league UIC and both the Manager and I are on the Board. He was trying to save his team any more embarassement. Even the VT Manager was waiting and expecting the game to be called. Luckily he sent three batters up and they must have been told to just put the ball in play and make a out because it was 3 up 3 down. Then the HT was retired easily and game was over. 5 innings in 2 hours and 20 minutes. When the game was over I try to post game with him and he just wants to argue everything and point out all his experience. That is how he has always done it, etc etc etc. Ok fine, TY have a nice night. I won't be taking his calls or calling him to even umpire a wiffle ball game. Sad part is he is a member of the HS Unit working one man Freshman and JV games. He has now earned the title of Worst Partner I Ever Had!!!!!!!!!! Guess you can see I was throughly impressed or should I say disgusted. So when you work with an Assignor/UIC because you want to work games in thier league, Disagree with everything he tells you. That will definately get you more games. I have 12, 13, 15, 16 year old umpires that put this guy to shame. Still think it was a bad dream or a result of the mild concussion I got on Saturday.