The cost of going to the MLB opener

[dumbdumb]

In the Fullerton/UC Davis game we had a bit of a mix up.

R2/R3, U1 is in deep B, U3 is on the line. Base hit to L/C gap with both runners scoring. B/R heads to second. As B/R was half way to second, U1 is moving back toward first base. U3 had come into the infield between 3rd and SS. The throw was going to 2nd and it was going to be close. I don't know why U1 was moving back toward first...maybe did not know B/R was going for two??? Either way, it looks like U3 may have seen U1 moving away from second and came in, but he would have never arrived in time. They both stopped and looked at each other as the play was unfolding (and I am sure experiencing an "oh crap" moment). Apparently a light clicked on for U1 and he started sprinting BEHIND B/R toward second base. B/R beat the throw and was called safe by U1. They both kind of looked at each other and then went to their positions.

I would imagine no one noticed except the three umpires on the field and, unfortunately, their evaluator. Their evaluator pulled his CCA manual out, noted the page number for this particular coverage and documented it. He also told me U1 (crew chief) was one of the best umpires he has ever evaluated.

It was obvious there was a screw up, but what impressed me is they didn't allow it to continue...they acted and did the best they could with the situation they put themselves in.

Who knows why he did what he did, but everyone screws the pooch now and again. I guess the moral of the story is to limit the amount of pooch screwing, learn from your mistakes and strive not to repeat them.

Since he was already in B1 position at the start of the play, it would seem he would have the BR wherever he went. At the end of the play, he would then move if needed.

However, I saw a game where the 3BU was in the middle © with 2 outs and a runner on 2nd. As he moved towards 3rd on the hit to left and then released back to 2nd. As the runner went for home, the 1B umpire kept wanting to pivot in and take BR to 2nd. They were both moving in for the play at 2nd either on a double or when the catcher gave up the run and tried to get the guy at 2nd. This will cause problems in a big game if not handled right, even if it is the correct mechanic. In the old days with a single runner on 2nd with 2 out, the first base umpire would be in B and the 3BU would be at third. On that type of hit, the 1B umpire in B would have the BR wherever he went and the 3BU would just watch the touch and have any play back into 3rd if the runner did not go for home.

Dave Gimbi was the plate umpire on Saturday. One of the base umpires Van Raaphorst worked the Regionals and Supers last year and the other, Pflugradt was an alternate for the Regionals.

Gimbi had a balk call back in 2010 that caused a stir and let Fullerton score a go ahead run in the 7th inning against UCI. He then had to toss the UCI 1b coach. UCI scored 3 in the bottom of the ninth, so the balk did not matter at that point. Apparently UCI blew a lot of bunt attempts to move runners over in that game also. But hey, that was in 2010. Life goes on. Hopefully they can all get some post season assignments. You should have learned a lot by watching them.

[mstaylor]

Without looking at my CCA manual, C for U3 with two outs and R2 is correct. On the hit U3 should take the R2 to third and let U1 pivot and tke the runner to second. I could be wrong but that seems logical to me. If the BR tries for third, U3 is already there. If her gets hung between second and third, both ends are already covered.

[dumbdumb]

Without looking at my CCA manual, C for U3 with two outs and R2 is correct. On the hit U3 should take the R2 to third and let U1 pivot and tke the runner to second. I could be wrong but that seems logical to me. If the BR tries for third, U3 is already there. If her gets hung between second and third, both ends are already covered.

MST

Sorry, I meant position B, but on the 3rd base side, like for taking steal from the 3rd base side. This caused a yo yo effect in this game where the 3BU would keep moving down to third in case the runner held up, and then when he went for home the 3BU would move back towards 2nd where the 1BU kept taking the BR to 2nd and they were now both at 2nd. This happened more than once. Does the 3BU yo yo between 3rd and 2nd on this and take the BR at second or does he just stay at third and let the 1BU take the BR to 2nd. Both at 2nd base happened a couple times. 3BU should move over towards third in case the runner does not goe and just stay there rather than release back to 2nd so the 1BU can take the BR all the way to 2nd, or, the 3BU does release back to 2nd and the 1BU just watches the BR touch 1st and does not take him into 2nd. One or the other but not both which happened several times and both were at 2nd.

Seems like in the old days, 1BU would be in B on the second base side. This would let the 3BU stay ahead of the play and the 1BU would take the play at first from the infield. It looks like they want the 1BU taking the play at first from the normal 1BU position for a play at first now with 2 outs and the runner on 2b only, therefor the 3BU comes into the middle on the 3rd base side of the B position. Thats great for a infield out, but this problem happened a lot when there was a base hit.

Sorry for my terminology of C like I was talking about a 4 man crew.

[johnnyg08]

I went to MSU v. U of M yesterday and spent $36, which included tickets and concessions. A gorgeous day and great baseball. My SWMBO mentioned that I watch the umpires more than the ball game! Which, by the way, I do.

U of M = ___________________ Just curious. Thanks.

[Jeff C.]

I went to MSU v. U of M yesterday and spent $36, which included tickets and concessions. A gorgeous day and great baseball. My SWMBO mentioned that I watch the umpires more than the ball game! Which, by the way, I do.

U of M = ___________________ Just curious. Thanks.

Michigan.

[johnnyg08]

Got it. Thx

[JaxRolo]

Miami! :wave:

[mstaylor]

According to the CCA manual it says to handle a R2, two outs with the same coverage as R1, R2. That means the U1 does rotate in and takes the BR to second. The only time that doesn't happen is if the ball goes to right field.

[dumbdumb]

I went to MSU v. U of M yesterday and spent $36, which included tickets and concessions. A gorgeous day and great baseball. My SWMBO mentioned that I watch the umpires more than the ball game! Which, by the way, I do.

U of M = ___________________ Just curious. Thanks.

Michigan.

And if you were there on Saturday you saw Dave Buck on the plate who worked the 2011 regionals (2004 CWS), Mark Uyl working first base who worked the 2011 Regionals and Super Regionals, and Mike Conlin at third who worked the 2011 Regionals and CWS. You saw some very good umpires and should have picked up a lot of pointers watching them work.

Buck is a MLB observer in Chicago, so if you go to either of the Chicago clubs, just guessing you will probably see a guy sitting right behind home plate although maybe not the first row with the 1000 dollars fans, with a clipboard like the scouts to write down various situations that happen during the game and how they are handled. I would just guess that it might include observing rotations, positioning, handling situations with players and managers, and maybe the observer even has to carry a watch like the umpires to keep up with POG issues that several MLBU have alluded to and the fact that they are graded on POG. So a guy behing the plate with a clipboard, like a scout, and a stopwatch like the umps on the field might identify the observer.

Mark Uyl is the Assistant Director of MSHSAA and is in charge of the supervision and coordination of the 13000 registered officials in Michigan.

Mike Conlin works D-1 in baseball, football, and basketball. He worked American Leagion tournaments while taking an officiating class at Central Michigan. Some small college coaches saw him work at the tournaments, thought he did a good job, and hired him to work their games. There is that quick entry into the College Level.

Once again, you had a very experienced crew to watch.

[Jeff C.]

I went to MSU v. U of M yesterday and spent $36, which included tickets and concessions. A gorgeous day and great baseball. My SWMBO mentioned that I watch the umpires more than the ball game! Which, by the way, I do.

U of M = ___________________ Just curious. Thanks.

Michigan.

And if you were there on Saturday you saw Dave Buck on the plate who worked the 2011 regionals (2004 CWS), Mark Uyl working first base who worked the 2011 Regionals and Super Regionals, and Mike Conlin at third who worked the 2011 Regionals and CWS. You saw some very good umpires and should have picked up a lot of pointers watching them work.

Buck is a MLB observer in Chicago, so if you go to either of the Chicago clubs, just guessing you will probably see a guy sitting right behind home plate although maybe not the first row with the 1000 dollars fans, with a clipboard like the scouts to write down various situations that happen during the game and how they are handled. I would just guess that it might include observing rotations, positioning, handling situations with players and managers, and maybe the observer even has to carry a watch like the umpires to keep up with POG issues that several MLBU have alluded to and the fact that they are graded on POG. So a guy behing the plate with a clipboard, like a scout, and a stopwatch like the umps on the field might identify the observer.

Mark Uyl is the Assistant Director of MSHSAA and is in charge of the supervision and coordination of the 13000 registered officials in Michigan.

Mike Conlin works D-1 in baseball, football, and basketball. He worked American Leagion tournaments while taking an officiating class at Central Michigan. Some small college coaches saw him work at the tournaments, thought he did a good job, and hired him to work their games. There is that quick entry into the College Level.

Once again, you had a very experienced crew to watch.

Yep that was the crew. And I enjoyed watching them work. I can only hope to be a third as good as them.

[yawetag]

Andrew is that the River City Rascals

It is. A bit of a drive from my house (30 minutes), but well worth it.

[Thunderheads]

If my son and I were to attend the Angels' opener tonight, it would break down like this:

Tickets: $170

Parking: $10

Gas: $30

Dinner (restaurant on way): $40

Other options include beverages, snacks, a new cap, etc. can easily reach another $100

If we were to attend the UCLA Bruins game instead, it would break down like this:

Tickets: $0

Parking: $0

Gas: $10 (Westwood's a lot closer than Anaheim)

Dinner: $40

Guess which game we're going to attend.

(MLB's exorbitant prices courtesy of Butt $elig.)

3/4 of a tank to go to Anaheim ?????? :shrug:

[Kevin Finnerty]

It's a 100-plus mile round trip from my area.

At $4.50 per gallon, 100 miles is $30.