What a difference a day makes.

[tjthresh]

Well, I got my first on field experience this weekend.

My organization has set up clinic everyday from this past Friday to next Saturday. The one I went to on Friday I was the only student with 3 instructors. Good for me, right? More than you know.

Friday was an absolute train wreck. I found it to be fairly simple, but there weren't any real sticky situations either. Plate work was a different story. It took me forever to call a strike. When I did it was in the dirt. When there was a hit, I had no clue. It was like, "Hey, there's 7 other ball players here. Where did they come from?" One would think how would a guy that's never done this before have a clue. That is logical, but I still felt like a idiot.

Saturday was a different story. The main think that came out of my field work with that I need to move to get better angles. I tended to stay in B or C to make all my calls. Behind the plate, I was more confident calling pitches which allowed me to work more on what I need to do after the ball is hit. I could feel the difference in the way I worked by the end of the day. It felt real good.

I've got 5 more clinics. I hope the weather doesn't screw me over.

[mstaylor]

When you say clinics do you mean you are working live scrimmages? We just finished our scrimmages, test today, season opens tommorrow.

[tjthresh]

Yes, live scrimmages. My association calls them 'On Diamond Clinics'.

[Umpire in Chief]

Great experience and remember to keep learning and taking it all in.

[PeteBooth]

I recommend keeping a note-book.

When I first stared I kept a note-book and included all the critiques that were given to me.

When I got home I read them and then worked on my weak points.

I divided the note-book into 3 sections.

1.Rules

2. Mechanics

3. Game Management

Also, do not be afraid to ask questions during the clinic no matter how simple you think they are. The key is LEARNING and everyone learns at their own pace.

Umpire as many games as your schedule permits. The more games you umpire the more comfortable you will feel. If that means volunteering at your local LL organization or other youth ball orhanization to get games in then so be it. The key is to UMPIRE.

Good luck!

Pete Booth

[ukce1861]

I recommend keeping a note-book.

I can't recommend this any higher. I started keeping a game log at the start of this season, and it's helped a ton. It forces me to evaluate my games and identify weaknesses and track my progress on addressing them. An absolute must do for any serious umpire.

[tjthresh]

Had another scrimmage last night.

I screwed the pooch once when I failed to make an IFF call. I signaled to the BU that that potential was there and all. I just blew it.

Other than that, the only issues I seem to be having are indecision/not knowing where to be, and getting better angles. I just need reps.

I did have a banger play at first that I seemed to impress some of the vets with. Close call that I got right, and I sold it well.

There were more newbies there last night, so I only work 6 outs as BU and 6 as PU.

Hope to get more work tonight.

[Umpire in Chief]

Keep getting in thos reps and keep learning. Once the game slows down enough for you start thinking about not just what you're doing, but why.

[JaxRolo]

Had another scrimmage last night.

I screwed the pooch once when I failed to make an IFF call. I signaled to the BU that that potential was there and all. I just blew it.

Just don't forget that it is still an IFF even if you do not call it out.

[yawetag]

Had another scrimmage last night.

I screwed the pooch once when I failed to make an IFF call. I signaled to the BU that that potential was there and all. I just blew it.

Apparently, the BU blew it, too, or you could have echoed his call.

[AZ ump]

Just don't forget that it is still an IFF even if you do not call it out.

Really? I was taught to try to call the IFF when the ball is near the peak of it's height, and if not possible, to at least make sure to call it before it hits the ground. Once it hits the ground, it's too late to call it.

Just did a quick look around the internet to see if I could get some confirmation, but haven't found anything official. Just this site, points 6 and 7 specifically.

Is this wrong, or do is it handled differently in some leagues?

[spiritumpa]

Really? I was taught to try to call the IFF when the ball is near the peak of it's height, and if not possible, to at least make sure to call it before it hits the ground. Once it hits the ground, it's too late to call it.

Just did a quick look around the internet to see if I could get some confirmation, but haven't found anything official. Just this site, points 6 and 7 specifically.

Is this wrong, or do is it handled differently in some leagues?

it does not matter when or if the ump calls IFF--if there is r1-r2 or r1-r2-r3 with less than two outs --the IFF rules are in affect--the umpire does not have to call it for it to be so.

[AZ ump]

So how is it handled if the ball falls to the ground, without being called, and runners start running, fielders start throwing the ball around etc. Do you then kill the play? Or do you wait for it to finish, and then inform the BR that he is out due to the IFF? The ball is live so you could be penalizing (either side) if you kill the play.

[JamesC]

In my experience, the players and coaches are just as much responsible for the rules as we are (supposed to be anyways). There will be no force play, and the runners still have to be tagged to be retired. Anyone else want to chime in on this?

But spirit is correct, even if you mess up and do not call the IFF, it is still in effect. However, this does not excuse the fact that you did butcher the call (not meaning you did, just meaning in this particular instance).

[JaxRolo]

In my experience, the players and coaches are just as much responsible for the rules as we are (supposed to be anyways). There will be no force play, and the runners still have to be tagged to be retired. Anyone else want to chime in on this?

But spirit is correct, even if you mess up and do not call the IFF, it is still in effect. However, this does not excuse the fact that you did butcher the call (not meaning you did, just meaning in this particular instance).

From my experiece so far. If the infielder drops the ball the base runners are running anyway. Whether you call it or not.

Had one the other day at 12U level. Bases loaded. Fly ball to F4. I make the call. F4 drops it. All runners go. F4 picks up the ball and tosses it to F6 who tags the bag. I call the runner safe.

Coach starts Yelling and screaming that it is a force out.

I turnaround and stare at the coach and point to him and firmly say: COACH YOU DO NOT YELL AT ME! CALL TIME AND TALK TO ME LIKE A MAN!

He then called time and I granted it. And he asked me why I called him safe.

I explain it he siad "thank you Blue. Good call." Didn't hear peep from him the rest of the game.

[mstaylor]

It is important to call it when you can, it will save you a boatload of trouble. Call it at the apex of the ball, make it loud. If you miss it there are privisions to go back and get it, don't allow the defense to get cheap outs if possible.

[AZ ump]

Thanks all for the replies. That's what I love about this site, I'm always learning something new. (I've been reading it for months but just finally registered, in hopes to be able to give something back).

To be clear, this situation has never happened to me (cause, you know, I've never made a mistake), but I always had it in the back of my mind and ALWAYS made sure to call it before it was caught/hit the ground to make sure I didn't get in a sticky situation.

[mstaylor]

Welcome to the site. To be honest with you, it is a weak spot for me. I really have to think about calling it when it crosses several batters.

[noumpere]

So how is it handled if the ball falls to the ground, without being called, and runners start running, fielders start throwing the ball around etc. Do you then kill the play? Or do you wait for it to finish, and then inform the BR that he is out due to the IFF? The ball is live so you could be penalizing (either side) if you kill the play.

In FED, the players (on both teams) are supposed to know the rule and whether it applies. So, play on and whatever happens, happens. Frankly, I think that's wrong.

In OBR (and NCAA, I think), use the philosophy that the rule is to protect the offense. So, if the defense gets zero or one outs, the play stands. If the defense gets two or three outs, retroactively enforce the infield fly rule (batter out, other runners return).

[Fittske24]

The purpose of the infield fly is to remove the force and protect the base runners. The batter runner is automatically out when a fly ball meets IFF criteria. So the batter is out regardless if the ball is caught or falls to the ground. The base runners can remain on their bases without being required to advance. If they do decide to advance, they do so in jeopardy.

[UmpTTS43]

In FED, the players (on both teams) are supposed to know the rule and whether it applies. So, play on and whatever happens, happens. Frankly, I think that's wrong.

In OBR (and NCAA, I think), use the philosophy that the rule is to protect the offense. So, if the defense gets zero or one outs, the play stands. If the defense gets two or three outs, retroactively enforce the infield fly rule (batter out, other runners return).

In OBR, you cannot retroactively enforce this rule. If IFF is not called, play on and whatever outs occur stand.

[mstaylor]

In pure OBR you are correct, in youth OBR fix it. In Fed there is an edict that the umpire not put players in jepardy. What Noumpire says seems in conflict. Do you have a casebook cite about that?

[UmpTTS43]

In pure OBR you are correct, in youth OBR fix it. In Fed there is an edict that the umpire not put players in jepardy. What Noumpire says seems in conflict. Do you have a casebook cite about that?

I am in agreement with you. I believe FED has a case play to retroactively enforce the rule. I do not have any case plays at this time, just my "knowledge". :)

[mstaylor]

My casebook is on my laptop that is not working right now so I can't check it. It just seems counter to everything Fed has ever said about how to enforce mistakes. I'm not saying he is wrong but it seems counterintuitive.

[yawetag]

7.4.1g: With R2 and R1 and one out, B4 hits a high fly to second base which could have been caught by F4. Neither umpire declares "infield fly." F4 unintentionally drops the ball but picks it up and tags R2 who is off the base. RULING: The half-inning is over as R2's out is the third out. The infield fly out for the second out holds even though it was not declared. The situation determines the out, not the declaration. The umpires should always declare "Infield Fly, If Fair" to lessen any confusion.