I was gonna say something but I didn't

[umpcoachfather]

At my sons game Babe Ruth, no idea who the ump was behind the plate. play at the plate and he crossed the 1st based line and followed the ball into the catcher, and he ended up in front of home plate, called out, (kid was safe IMO) coach came out and the ump said " I had the call I was right on TOP of it" He also threw his mask off and was wearing cleats. Ugh.....

Pre Season- I told my sons coach not to get me involved but he did ask me about a base award and the ump ended up awarding it correctly.

Not my association so I didnt say anything afterwards to the guy, if I see him again I may at least tell him to get plate shoes, unless he wants to be sitting down for 3-4 weeks, and that he shoudlnt throw his mask.

[cyclonehokiece]

Good job not getting involved right at the game, but maybe contact the UIC of the league and have him pass along the suggestion.

[semper_fi_72]

I also look down with some distaste every time I see a Umpire not wearing Plate Shoes or wearing cleats, shin guards outside of jeans, hats on backwards under their mask, etc, etc.

One thing I have come to understand is that they are who they are and the leagues that use them tolerate it because they are either volunteers or work for less then they can get a properly trained and experienced umpire.

Many may not know what they do is wrong because they have never been properly trained or advised.

There is the 90% group and then the 10% group which most of us belong to.

[Mike Prince]

IMO unless you really want to get involved and help the umpires with training and rules knowledge in a structured manner you should just stay uninvolved around game time and enjoy watching your son play. To them you are just an uninformed fan giving them a hard time. Approaching the UIC off-line in a more formal manner and offering to help out/run a clinic/mentor may be a bit more successful.

Also agree with what Semper said. A majority of the 90% group think they are doing just fine and don't want/won't listen to constructive feedback no matter how good it is, they don't realize that us in the 10% group actually want to help them get better - because they have already convinced themselves that they have it all figured out..

[sdix00]

I was at the local park last weekend and watched a minor LL game for a few minutes. (One-man) umpire worked REALLY hard but got everything wrong. And I mean EVERYTHING. Left his mask on all the time. Watched the runners with his back to the ball. Watched a runner slide in to 2B for out #3 with his back to a runner scoring. Hustled down the 3B line when R3 would lead after the pitch, even though there was no throw (so he had to return 40 ft to HP after every pitch). Keeling behind F2.

You know the drill.

He was a real mess.

BUT, no one knew it.

League officials probably didn't know any better. Coaches probably love him because they can manipulate him and because he probably doesn't make them follow any annoying safety rules, because he doesn't know them.

I am saying , unless we are umpires, we loves the Smitty.

[24sdad]

IMO unless you really want to get involved and help the umpires with training and rules knowledge in a structured manner you should just stay uninvolved around game time and enjoy watching your son play. To them you are just an uninformed fan giving them a hard time. Approaching the UIC off-line in a more formal manner and offering to help out/run a clinic/mentor may be a bit more successful.

Also agree with what Semper said. A majority of the 90% group think they are doing just fine and don't want/won't listen to constructive feedback no matter how good it is, they don't realize that us in the 10% group actually want to help them get better - because they have already convinced themselves that they have it all figured out..

Mike, well said. I posted recently about a varsity umpire (who I know is good) have an awful 1/2 inning while umpiring my son's game. I usually stand with some other dad's during the game. The others starting with their comments to the umpire and I eventually had to walk away and go sit with my wife And this was after I told em to give the guy a break and knock it off. You will get the occasional jackass "umpire" who gives other umpires grief, but I have found that most, especially those who take their calling seriously, will never criticize another umpire who is on the field.

[johnnyg08]

I am saying , unless we are umpires, we loves the Smitty.

Isn't that the truth?

[Welpe]

I am saying , unless we are umpires, we loves the Smitty.

Isn't that the truth?

Yup and the guys that try to do it right are looked upon as "unapproachable" or worse.

Since I don't work one man mechanics games, Stephen how should a solo umpire handle calling a play at another base while a runner is coming into home? I would think you'd need to be in a position to make a call on the play but as I said, I don't work one man. :shrug:

[24sdad]

Welpe, you end up making a lot of long distance calls. I will stay in the position for plays at the plate just as I would with two man. Once that is completed and there are other plays at other bases, hustle into the best position you can be in (which might be 120+ feet away) and make the call at that base. Long distance calls - ball beats the runner and the tag is down...out. Unless I get really screwed up, I will not put myself in a position to make a call at the plate from inside the infield. That means at some point, I probably had my back to something important.

You really have to rely on instinct. R1 with a gapper. I will start moving toward the library (others might move into the shallow infield), watching the ball and glancing at base touches (you will not see everything, every time). Once R1 is approaching third base, it is decision time based upon the location of the ball. I might stay in the library and just watch, I might move into the cut-out for a play at third or I might rule on B/R at second base if that is where the ball goes. If they do make a play on B/R at second, do not put the runner on third behind you. Make your call from the library. If R1 goes home, I have to decide if I need to retreat to the plate for a play there or if there is no chance for a play there. If R1 is going to score without a play, its time to move into the infield for a possible play on B/R, all the while trying to sneak a glance back at R1's touch of the plate.

All situations, of course, are different. What is important is to keep everything in front of you, hustle to the spot ("as far as the play allows") and make your call.