Good game...

[Thunderheads]

I know this doesn't mean much to others, but ....

Last night I was switched to do the u16 travel team at the last minute. Now, for some stupid reason, ... I tend to get intimidated with the 'better ball' and the older kids. Don't ask me why, ...I just do, especially when all I've been doing so far this season is 12-13-14. So, that said, it was a step up for me.

I had the stick, and just wanted to say I had a great game, felt good, and the game in general couldn't have gone better. Had a great partner, and I don't think I missed a pitch...I really don't ...and usually I know when I miss a couple...close, but would like to have them back.

Anyhow, ...great game, ...nice comments from the coaches and the fans as we left ....just a good night!

I know, ... :blah Jeff.... :blah .... but ... it felt great and gave me a nice confidence boost too!:clap:

[Mike Prince]

Jeff, just remember that if you listen to them tell you you were great, you also have to listen to them when they tell you that you suck... . Sounds like you had a good game though, hopefully the next one is as good too.

[Thunderheads]

Jeff, just remember that if you listn to them tell you you were great, youv also have to listen to them when they tell you that you suck...:)Sounds like you had a good game though, hopefully the next one is as good too.

LOL isn't that the truth!!

....it was nothing major, just a few 'nice game blue' ....that kind of stuff.... and oh, I'm sure the moans and groans are just a few games away!:rolleyes:

[JaxRolo]

It is good to have good games!!!

I had 3 College Prospects games on Sunday. It was 3-man mechanics. I had the last game at the Plate. It was 95+ degrees.

The level of play was great. We had no complaints about the Umpiring. (I did miss a banger at first on the first game.)

When I had the plate I felt in the zone. Great Pitching from both sides.

Just Fun. We even worked for free as a favor to a friend. (Believe me we will reap rewards later)

[ukce1861]

Jeff, just remember that if you listen to them tell you you were great, you also have to listen to them when they tell you that you suck... . Sounds like you had a good game though, hopefully the next one is as good too.

Had a game Friday night. Home team got down early and they (the fans) whined about everything the whole time; pitches, positioning, everything. Anyway, they come back and score 5 runs in the bottom of the last inning and win the game. As we're walking off the field, all we hear is "Good game, great job, etc, etc, etc...":rolleyes:

[PeteBooth]

name='Thunderheads' timestamp='1307457431' post='55892']

Anyhow, ...great game, ...nice comments from the coaches and the fans as we left ....just a good night!

Do not translate nice comments from coaches / fans = GREAT game.

You can have a great game and the coaches / fans think you suck especially when you get that game in which you have to make an OBS call/ FPSR call.

IMO, the comments from my peers mean the most because they KNOW when you suck or are in the 'zone"

In addition you need to examine why you get intimidated and work on that. You say you mostly umpire 12/13/14's. Are you HS certified? If not I recommend that you do and then after you "pay your dues" you will start to move up. As you do more and more of 16's hopefully you will start to get comfortable because generally speaking if you are intimidated in doing a particular age group then you should not umpire at that level. Believe me coaches know who they can intimidate and who they cant.

Pete Booth

[Thunderheads]

Do not translate nice comments from coaches / fans = GREAT game.

Pete, I didn't say that at all. The 'comments' where an afterthought ...I'm saying personally, I thought it was a great game. I didn't say or infer, that the 2 comments we received as we left made this a great game.

You can have a great game and the coaches / fans think you suck especially when you get that game in which you have to make an OBS call/ FPSR call.

of course you can!!

IMO, the comments from my peers mean the most because they KNOW when you suck or are in the 'zone"

As a matter of fact, ..my partner (someone I haven't worked with yet) did in fact say to me , "great game Jeff, nice work back there, and it's nice to work with you!" THAT meant the most, and I forgot it in my OP

In addition you need to examine why you get intimidated and work on that. You say you mostly umpire 12/13/14's. Are you HS certified? If not I recommend that you do and then after you "pay your dues" you will start to move up. As you do more and more of 16's hopefully you will start to get comfortable because generally speaking if you are intimidated in doing a particular age group then you should not umpire at that level. Believe me coaches know who they can intimidate and who they cant.

Pete Booth

Pete, this is good stuff here, and I think I can answer this. I think that 'intimidated' is the wrong word, and I've been thinking about this, and it is definately not the proper wording/feeling. I guess what it is, is that I put more pressure on myself with the higher level ...and all I need to do is just call the game and enjoy it like I do any other game.

I probably should get HS certified.

Moving up ...well, ..getting HS certified would be moving up for me, ...I'm 45 with a full time job, and just like doing what I do as a spring/summer/fall 'hobby' like most of us.

Thanks for the insight sir!

P.S. ...FPSR??

[Guest]

1) FPSR = force play slide rule

2) At higher levels of ball, coaches, players, and fans do damn well know what good umpiring looks like. While you shouldn't walk away from a field where you know you were shaky going "well, the winning team's fans said I did a good job, so I must've been alright", it is a bit ridiculous to infer that any comment from a non-umpire (good or bad) should be dismissed immediately. If you've got both the winning and losing teams sending you on your way with a kind "thank you" and "great job"; chances are you just left a real good impression on them.

[Dragon29]

Concur - While it doesn't mean as much to me as when a fellow umpire gives me positive comments, I do appreciate hearing positive comments from the members/fans of the losing team. It's just one of those little 'Everything is right with the world' moments.

I don't dwell on them or take them to heart, but it is nice to hear that the people who lost the contest understand they lost it, not you.

[yawetag]

Jeff, just remember that if you listen to them tell you you were great, you also have to listen to them when they tell you that you suck...

You must not be married. :D