newbie.....hello all

[umped up]

It is a shame that some guys feel that bringing new guys along is a bad thing. My only concern with you working at a high level so fast is game management. If that isn't a problem then all is good. I know guys that have moved very quickly, sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad. Every case is different. Also, we love war stories, just start a new thread about it.

mstaylor...thank you. You and others have been very insightful to say the least. I was taking some situational testing and there is no way in hell I would have gotten some of those questions right without me reading the post about "Balk w/ CI". I read through that post until I felt that I understood it. One of the questions posted was: There are runners at 1B and 3B w/ 2 out. As the pitcher starts his delivery, the umpire signals "balk". The pitcher, however, continues and the batter connects for an apparent extra base hit. Both runners cross the plate and the runner pulls up at 2nd. then the SS calls for the ball, touches 2nd and appeals that the runner from 1B missed 2B. The umpire agrees and calls the runner out. Is this the right call? I see this and without a doubt, I knew exactly what the call was before looking at the answer. I was absolutely correct. I wouldn't have had a prayer with that one if not for this forum. My answer of course is that the umpire is correct for calling the runner out AND the runs do not count since that was a force play at 2B. The balk play was satisfied with the runners advancing plus the BR but there is no protection past the bag your entitled to. (my words obviously)

There were 3 similar ones like this and without a shadow of a doubt, I knew the answers, thanks to you guys here.

To answer your question or concern about game management, I wont lie to you and say Im a veteran but I'm ok at it. I may have a little longer rope and put up with a little more than the seasoned ump but I'm not the extreme. I'm to where I need to tighten it up a tad. No one at any of my games would think, "holy sh@% blue, get in controll will ya. Now last year when I thought I was gonna do a few college games but ended up not doing any (I was kinda dissapointed) my game management wasn't that good for that level. That would have been my 2nd year so in hind site, Im glad I didnt get any college games. I got a lot better at it with one more year under my belt. I guess my assigner knew what he was doing. At the time I'm thinking "come on dude, give me some college games". I can now see why he didn't. I'll get better at all facets of this job and as long as I do it, I will continue to get better and learn. Thanks again

[Kevin Finnerty]

It's a good thing that there's a less-than-20 percent chance that we'll need to know that other 80 percent.

Or so.

[dumbdumb]

It is a shame that some guys feel that bringing new guys along is a bad thing. My only concern with you working at a high level so fast is game management. If that isn't a problem then all is good. I know guys that have moved very quickly, sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad. Every case is different. Also, we love war stories, just start a new thread about it.

Well you know I agree with you on this. Dick Cavenaugh of the Big Ten apparently went straight to college ball years ago.

My question to umped up is

Were you a former catcher. Catcher's seem to pick up umpiring quicker since they were handling pitches all their lives, but of course excellent umpires have come from every position, and of course some may never have played at all or past Little League. Also, being more mature, you should be able to handle situations better than an 18-22 year old.

Thanks for your humble apprecition of your good fortune. Don't apologize, just run with it and see where it takes you. Where you end up will depend on the level of speed you can keep up with, from all that I have read here. You will eventually max out, and hopefully that max out point will carry you all the way to D1 or whatever your goal is.

Working the dish and game management skills are what get you to the highest levels. They need good plate umpires everywhere from what I have read. You seem to be ahead in that area. Now, get with your mentor and learn as many game management situations as you can. They have probably seem or heard of just about every situation out there and how to handle them from their own mistakes. Stay ahead of the curve. Of course there are still things out there that haven't happened yet, and all the good officials try and use their past management skills in new situations. Sometimes, no matter what you do, you just cannot win. Hang in there and learn.

Good luck and ask away, MST and the other good umpires will help you out.

[umped up]

It is a shame that some guys feel that bringing new guys along is a bad thing. My only concern with you working at a high level so fast is game management. If that isn't a problem then all is good. I know guys that have moved very quickly, sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad. Every case is different. Also, we love war stories, just start a new thread about it.

Well you know I agree with you on this. Dick Cavenaugh of the Big Ten apparently went straight to college ball years ago.

My question to umped up is

Were you a former catcher. Catcher's seem to pick up umpiring quicker since they were handling pitches all their lives, but of course excellent umpires have come from every position, and of course some may never have played at all or past Little League. Also, being more mature, you should be able to handle situations better than an 18-22 year old.

Thanks for your humble apprecition of your good fortune. Don't apologize, just run with it and see where it takes you. Where you end up will depend on the level of speed you can keep up with, from all that I have read here. You will eventually max out, and hopefully that max out point will carry you all the way to D1 or whatever your goal is.

Working the dish and game management skills are what get you to the highest levels. They need good plate umpires everywhere from what I have read. You seem to be ahead in that area. Now, get with your mentor and learn as many game management situations as you can. They have probably seem or heard of just about every situation out there and how to handle them from their own mistakes. Stay ahead of the curve. Of course there are still things out there that haven't happened yet, and all the good officials try and use their past management skills in new situations. Sometimes, no matter what you do, you just cannot win. Hang in there and learn.

Good luck and ask away, MST and the other good umpires will help you out.

Thank you, I really appreciate that. I have no problems asking questions. I did catch some in my career but it was maily SS, 3B and CF. I probably caught 5-6 years total. Thanks again for the support.

[mstaylor]

Catchers make good umpires. I was a center fielder, took my a ton of work to learn and understand the pitching rules.

[Majordave]

Pretty sure I know you and worked with you at Kauffman this past fall. Were you the plate guy on game 1, day 1 on 9/22/11 and, if so, did I send you a pic of you and our other partner titled 2 Gay Porn Stars? Ha! If so, to the rest of you this guy, Rob is his first name, is the real deal as an umpire. He is also the best overall/all around player in KCMSBL in my humble opinion. I have worked with him a couple of times and worked games he has played in several times and he is a tough out. In fact, I don't think any opponent has ever gotten him out. He is always on base, always scoring runs and always driving the ball around the yard not to mention making play after play in the field and keeping the absolute best positive attitude out there.

He does ask questions of his partner, when it is me, and I told him to go to this site. If it isn't you Rob, then please tell me who you are by PM.

Dave Teater--a/k/a MajorDave

[umped up]

Pretty sure I know you and worked with you at Kauffman this past fall. Were you the plate guy on game 1, day 1 on 9/22/11 and, if so, did I send you a pic of you and our other partner titled 2 Gay Porn Stars? Ha! If so, to the rest of you this guy, Rob is his first name, is the real deal as an umpire. He is also the best overall/all around player in KCMSBL in my humble opinion. I have worked with him a couple of times and worked games he has played in several times and he is a tough out. In fact, I don't think any opponent has ever gotten him out. He is always on base, always scoring runs and always driving the ball around the yard not to mention making play after play in the field and keeping the absolute best positive attitude out there.

He does ask questions of his partner, when it is me, and I told him to go to this site. If it isn't you Rob, then please tell me who you are by PM.

Dave Teater--a/k/a MajorDave

Holy moses batman, Yes this is me. Dave, thanks for the kudos.

[ukce1861]

Pretty sure I know you and worked with you at Kauffman this past fall. Were you the plate guy on game 1, day 1 on 9/22/11 and, if so, did I send you a pic of you and our other partner titled 2 Gay Porn Stars? Ha! If so, to the rest of you this guy, Rob is his first name, is the real deal as an umpire. He is also the best overall/all around player in KCMSBL in my humble opinion. I have worked with him a couple of times and worked games he has played in several times and he is a tough out. In fact, I don't think any opponent has ever gotten him out. He is always on base, always scoring runs and always driving the ball around the yard not to mention making play after play in the field and keeping the absolute best positive attitude out there.

He does ask questions of his partner, when it is me, and I told him to go to this site. If it isn't you Rob, then please tell me who you are by PM.

Dave Teater--a/k/a MajorDave

Holy moses batman, Yes this is me. Dave, thanks for the kudos.

Kudos? He called you a gay porn star... <_<

[umped up]

Pretty sure I know you and worked with you at Kauffman this past fall. Were you the plate guy on game 1, day 1 on 9/22/11 and, if so, did I send you a pic of you and our other partner titled 2 Gay Porn Stars? Ha! If so, to the rest of you this guy, Rob is his first name, is the real deal as an umpire. He is also the best overall/all around player in KCMSBL in my humble opinion. I have worked with him a couple of times and worked games he has played in several times and he is a tough out. In fact, I don't think any opponent has ever gotten him out. He is always on base, always scoring runs and always driving the ball around the yard not to mention making play after play in the field and keeping the absolute best positive attitude out there.

He does ask questions of his partner, when it is me, and I told him to go to this site. If it isn't you Rob, then please tell me who you are by PM.

Dave Teater--a/k/a MajorDave

Holy moses batman, Yes this is me. Dave, thanks for the kudos.

Kudos? He called you a gay porn star...

Exactly, which means I'm hung. :rollinglaugh:

[yawetag]

Exactly, which means I'm hung.

That's what he said?

[umped up]

Pretty sure I know you and worked with you at Kauffman this past fall. Were you the plate guy on game 1, day 1 on 9/22/11 and, if so, did I send you a pic of you and our other partner titled 2 Gay Porn Stars? Ha! If so, to the rest of you this guy, Rob is his first name, is the real deal as an umpire. He is also the best overall/all around player in KCMSBL in my humble opinion. I have worked with him a couple of times and worked games he has played in several times and he is a tough out. In fact, I don't think any opponent has ever gotten him out. He is always on base, always scoring runs and always driving the ball around the yard not to mention making play after play in the field and keeping the absolute best positive attitude out there.

He does ask questions of his partner, when it is me, and I told him to go to this site. If it isn't you Rob, then please tell me who you are by PM.

Dave Teater--a/k/a MajorDave

Hey big Dave, have you been working much yet this year? I'd love to partner up with you again soon. I was going to leave on my profile page how I heard about this site but couldnt figure out how to leave it. Thanks for the recommendation, this has been an awesome site to learn from.

[umpire78]

"The thing I love about baseball is that I learn something everyday". That's how I approach umpiring, I'll never know it all!

Hi Newbie - I wish EVERY umpire had your attitude. I umpired for 32 years and to this day, I DON'T KNOW IT ALL. And, I did learn something everyday. Too many umpires think they do know it all. They don't. No one does. It is not only important to know what TO do as an umpire, but also what NOT to do as an umpire. In other words, learn from your mistakes because, you will make them.

Best of luck to you.