Bad Night For Me

[Guest]

11 games in two days is right on the cusp for my limitations

Good luck and bring lots of Gatorade, water, and energy bars.

[Thunderheads]

11 games in 2 days has GOT to be brutal! Now, granted, this is coming from a guy just getting back into it after 15 years, but holy wow!!

THAT is a recipe for disaster in my mind, ...not necessarily physically (although it could be B) ) but mentally. Talk about a perfect opportunity for you to start thinking too much and get into a 'funk' and have one of those 'bad days' .........B)

[moblue]

The more games I can get, the happier I am. I've done 10 in two days before (last year) and yes it's rough, but I know I can do it if I keep myself fed and hydrated. When my legs get sore behind the plate, I open up into a very wide stance so I don't have to bend down as much.

The challenge here, as Thunderheads mentioned, will be mental. I have 9 year olds all day Saturday and possibly Sunday as well. There is only so much of an open strike zone I can have before I'll get tired of it. Hopefully these kids can pitch.... Hopefully the parents and coaches behave themselves.... Am I hoping for too much? :rollinglaugh:

[mstaylor]

As the kid from Angels in the Outfield said, "It could happen."

[moblue]

Well Saturday went relatively well, although I had to give a "that's enough" to a coach in the second or third game because he wouldn't let a call go (He insisted CI was an automatic deadball... nope. Then he got mad because we gave the coach the option of the result of the play or runners at first and third. He said the umpire should tell the coach what to do instead of ask him... wrong again.). I should have ejected him for mocking me putting up my hand to him to stop the comments, but didn't. He was the only one I had much trouble with all day.

Sunday, all I can say about that is WOW! I found out Saturday night that I was going to be working on the best field in the park, which looks like something a college would play on. The dugouts are real dugouts, wooden outfield fencing that is nicely painted, the "special" dirt for the infield where it wasn't grassed, you get the picture. I was completely surprised and thought that was awsome to get assigned there. The games went well overall. There were a few minor situations which were quickly settled, and one incident of my partner and I both giving a coach a warning at the SAME TIME! Talk about getting the point across.

[Umpire in Chief]

(He insisted CI was an automatic deadball... nope. Then he got mad because we gave the coach the option of the result of the play or runners at first and third.

Just remember here we do not offer the option of the play. It is up to the coach to know the rules and know he has the option.

From my interview with Hunter Wendelstedt:

Warren: In this example with catchers interference; at the Major League level do you offer the option to managers or not? Would the answer change at the amateur level?

Hunter: I don’t think that my answer changes from one to the other. This gets into “coaching” the teams. Even though they probably don’t the players and coaches are required to know the rules, too. We are not supposed to tell them what they can do, only allow them to make the decision on their own. However, that doesn’t mean that a reasonable question can’t be given a reasonable answer. And remember, some of their questions won’t have that question mark at the end of it. It may just be a statement like, “Hunter, there’s got to be a way I can get that run.”

My reply would be, “Why yes there is,” and then wait. If he asks how that is, I tell him. If not, too bad.

[PeteBooth]

Tonight I called a JV game. I was ready and confident about the game, then in the third inning, with two out and bases loaded there was a pop-up in the infield. I opened my big mouth very loudly with "Infield fly; batter's out!" about as loud as I could. My confidence was shot from there on out and I criticized almost everything I did. I felt like my zone had consistency problems (on the outside and upper portions especially). On a side note, one or more of the VT coaches started chirping about pitches and I got to use the 4-step method for dealing with them (ignore, acknowledge, warn, eject). We only needed to go to step two. I think my stare got the point across.

I have five games left this weekend. Any advice to regain my confidence quickly? Should I go bases first game of my DH tomorrow instead of taking the plate?

I am going to make the assumption (could be dangerous) that you played the game.

Ever committ and error?

If you let that error bother you it could effect you the rest of the game.

We are human and are going to make mistakes no matter how good one is.

Being an official is vastly different from being a particpant because NO-ONE is going to come out and say " that's ok Blue get the next one correct"

That's why you have to develop different characteristics when being an official because when we "kick - one" we are ALL alone and are going to hear it (within the norm not when someone gets personal)

When you kick one you simply have to forget it otherwise as you have expereinced the other parts of your game will be effected.

It's early in the season and you WILL "kick" another one - it's called being human.

As they say in Brooklyn NY - FORGET ABOUT IT and move on. I realize it eats at you but in between innings , get a drink take a deep breath and get ready for the rest of the game. The call you made is now HISTORY and there is nothing you can do about it except learn from it.

That's the one aspect of being an official that one has to come to grips with. How do I handle when I kick one. It is tough but we have to get over it and move on.

Pete Booth

[noumpere]

Just remember here we do not offer the option of the play. It is up to the coach to know the rules and know he has the option.

From my interview with Hunter Wendelstedt:

In FED, we do. And, I'll disagree with Hunter and say that we should do so in all (or almost all) amatuer levels.

[mstaylor]

In FED, we do. And, I'll disagree with Hunter and say that we should do so in all (or almost all) amatuer levels.

At the pro level Hunter is exactly right. At our level we need to give the option. NCAA even spells it out in their instructions to their umpires to give the option.

At one time we were taught not to but now it is pretty well accepted to give it now.

[JaxRolo]

As they say in Brooklyn NY - FORGET ABOUT IT and move on. I realize it eats at you but in between innings , get a drink take a deep breath and get ready for the rest of the game.

A Rum and Coke might do the trick. :wave:

[moblue]

Also keep in mind this was a 9U division where this happened. Most of the coaches are relatively new to their position unless they coach for an older child's team as well. I think giving the option at the youth league levels is good. It will help both the players and the coaches develope an understanding of the rule and not make us look like we are the bad guy all the time.

[JamesC]

Yawetag,

Yes, in PONY softball, anytime w/ runner on 2nd, you are in C...2nd base side of SS.

Anytime runner on 3rd, you are in D...3rd base side of SS. Both about 2 steps behind SS.

Yes, it can get confusing!

Sorry to digress but:

Is that strictly PONY? Because I know in many other rule sets (Dixie, ASA, NFSA, FED) you do not go to D position EVER with a runner on 3rd. C is as far as you go with a runner on bases, and that is if there is a runner on 2nd or 3rd.

[ukce1861]

Sorry to digress but:

Is that strictly PONY? Because I know in many other rule sets (Dixie, ASA, NFSA, FED) you do not go to D position EVER with a runner on 3rd. C is as far as you go with a runner on bases, and that is if there is a runner on 2nd or 3rd.

I think this "D" position is just a slightly shifted C, not what I would call D, which is on the 3rd base line. With a runner on 3rd, I might shift a little that way, but I would still call it C.

[Big Red]

James,

Can't speak for the organizations you mention, but let me make sure ya'll understand that were talking about PONY FP softball.

Ukce1861 pretty much nailed it....I should have been a little clearer on exactly what "D position" in a PONY 2-man meant as it's not like the typical D, baseball in particular for a 3-man crew.

Check out page 23 of the PONY FP Umpire manual from the link below, and you will see what I'm talking about....

http://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pony.org%2Ffiles%2Ffast_pitch%2F2010%2520Girls%2520Softball%2520Umpire%2520Manual.pdf

Yes, it's nothing more than a modified "C position" and not the D most know, especially in baseball. Also, unlike baseball, all positions are outside the baseline.

I've worked enough games of both now to feel comfortable switching between baseball and softball positions (for example, back-to-back games tonight...1st was softball as PU, 2nd was baseball as BU). But, for those not familar, it can seem whacked.

I hope that clears up any confusion over the positions and hopefully someone else might be able to answer regarding the other orgs you mention.