My first HS JV game

[Hackman61]

I've been assigned to my first HS JV game of the season for this coming Saturday. I've done mostly PONY league 10U and 12U stuff and wasn't expecting the call. I'm a little nervous but also excited as all get out. I just hope the dang wind, rain, hail, and snow stops by Saturday. Any helpful nuggets from you experts in HS JV would be helpful. I'll be a single, no partner.

[mtnump]

My first one is tomorrow...2-man. Just hustle. That's all you can do in 1 man. Don't suck!!!

[Hackman61]

My first one is tomorrow...2-man. Just hustle. That's all you can do in 1 man. Don't suck!!!

LOL...Good tip.

[JaxRolo]

Get out from behind the plate.

Work on your timing!

[Triguy29]

I had my fiirst two HS JV games this year as well. I was definitely nervous and excited, but was surprised because the play wasn't as fast as I thought it would be. I did 14u and 16u in a very competitive fall league and their level of play was as good if not better so it wasn't a huge jump. For me I just stayed very focused on each play and where I needed to be and what my responsibilities were and it was fine. With a one man crew its easier in the fact that you have everything but harder because you have everything. haha great advice right. Just hustle and let the coaches know your alone and you will do your best.

[Welpe]

Put a priority on angle over distance and try not to be running when you're going to make your call. Otherwise, it's still baseball. Good luck!

[capnumpire]

This might sound crazy but when I do solo JV games I still give signals. Not emphatic ones but enough to keep my head in the game. Time plays Infield fly, tag ups and the like. No one notices but they reinforce your game skills for when you do have a partner.

[Stretch]

Stay on TOP of your line-up cards. Take your time with subs and courtesy runners. This could be the JV coaches' first year and they might not understand how subs and courtesy runnrs work. It is better that you catch a mistake as the coach is trying to make a change than latter on.

[cyclonehokiece]

Stay on your toes. While not as many strange things that happen in youth ball will happen, strange and unexpected things still happen in play. Do not anticipate any play, keep your eye forever on the ball. Since you are alone, try to be in the best position possible, but know you cannot cover everything. And have fun. That is what it is all about.

[semper_fi_72]

As said, get out from behind the plate on every play.

Get the Angle first and then then close the distance.

Make sure you stop, set, see the play, use timing and make the call.

Think ahead of the game on the possible plays that could be made.

Hustle, Hustle and Hustle.

Timing, Timing and then some more Timing.

On tag plays that there is a lot of distance between you and the play, if the ball beat the runner there, we have an OUT, unless your 110% sure the tag was missed.

[Hackman61]

Great comments fellas. I appreciate it. I'll definitely be hustling and working hard on my timing.

[gobama84]

I've been assigned to my first HS JV game of the season for this coming Saturday. I've done mostly PONY league 10U and 12U stuff and wasn't expecting the call. I'm a little nervous but also excited as all get out. I just hope the dang wind, rain, hail, and snow stops by Saturday. Any helpful nuggets from you experts in HS JV would be helpful. I'll be a single, no partner.

Know the differences in FED Rules and OBR. And relax!!!!

[grayhawk]

You will be astonished at how much more you enjoy umpiring at this level than at 10U/12U (assuming the baseball is decent). 16 year old catchers look like superstars compared to their 12 year old counterparts. Pretty much all of them know how to block a pitch in the dirt, and many of them do a very good job of receiving the pitch as well.

Be careful with the low part of your zone - it is going to be much higher than you are used to. These kids are BIG! That said, there will be more situations where the batter's arms/hands block your view of the pitcher releasing the pitch. Do your best to adjust so you can see the full flight of the pitch when this happens.

On steals, make sure you see the catcher's release so you see any possible batter's interference - you have time to get a step or two out to see the tag at second/third after you see BI/no BI.

FPSR - do your best. This one can be hard when you are solo.

Have fun!

[sdix00]

Here is a doc I compiled which I scan before my game. Maybe it will help.

http://sn.im/umpirehs

[yawetag]

Think ahead of the game on the possible plays that could be made.

Definitely this. For example, with R2 and a grounder to the infield, get to the left side of the mound. You're in a good position for the play at 1B and you're ready for the play that may occur at 3B.

[Hackman61]

Game is almost here and my nerves are tingling. Kind of like Spidey Senses.

[mstaylor]

Just remember it is just another game. It may be faster than you have done but it is still just another game.

[Hackman61]

Thanks Mike. I just got assigned 3 more for next week. That feels good.

[Hackman61]

Well my first HS JV game is in the books. It went pretty smooth, 18-3 in 6 innings, TOP of the 6th went forever as the visiting team exploded with 10 runs to put it away. I feel that I made good calls at the bases and on the banger at the plate. I was a little rusty for the first few innings, it's been such miserable weather up here for so long. Home team coach came out to talk with me after I rang up one of his players on a curve ball that broke down into the zone. He says, "Now Blue, I'm not coming out to argue..(I said good) but then he started complaining that I need to let his players hit. "That ball was low" as he walked away. I just stared at him. His team got spanked and his pitchers just couldn't hit the strike zone. Their poor catcher was just all over the place chasing balls in the dirt.

Anyway, this was a big learning process for me as I have been replaying my calls and the game in my head all afternoon and evening. JV up again on Monday, Tuesday and Friday with 3 Mustang 10U games on Saturday.

[mstaylor]

So what did he think he was doing, gratuitous whining?

[Hackman61]

So what did he think he was doing, gratuitous whining?

He was quiet the rest of the game. After he went back to the dugout, next batter, from his team, I called the same strike and he never said a word. I was so surprised at how young these two coaches looked. I mistaked both of them for players. Next game is tomorrow.