Partner vent

[Paperipper17]

:ranton:Worked a 15U DH yesterday. Games at 9 and 11 AM. I arrived at 8:15 and started the Partner Vigil. By 8:45, I figured I might as well throw on my plate gear. 8:50, still nothing, and his number isn't listed on the website, so I walk down to the field. Coaches meeting at 8:55, they both say they haven't seen him. So, I figure I'm working solo. A little pissed, but no big deal. I look over to the 10 y/o field to see if my buddy on that field has started his game yet. I see a guy dressed for the plate come ambling over from that field. And I do mean ambling. No urgency whatsoever. He hits the field right at 9.

"Hey, there you are. I think we can hold the start for a few so you can change."

I tell him that I'm sorry, but I'm not going back to change. We're supposed to meet 30 minutes before the game in the parking lot. That's been said at every association meeting I've ever been to. Apparently he came straight from work and thought it would be easier if he just met me at the field. He says, "Fine, I guess I'll just change here then. Even though I'll have to work the bases is my plate shoes." Like I'm wearing sandals or something.

So he walks over to the dugout and starts to change there. Not the bathroom, 50 feet from the dugout, but the dugout. And he takes. His. Time. Finally, three minutes later, one of the coaches, another ump in our association, walks past me and says "This is ridiculous, let's just start it." I had to agree, as another game was scheduled right after this one and he hadn't even taken his CP off. So, I say "Play," and we play. He walks out after the second batter. Several times I was reminded of what my roommate used to say on the practice field when someone walked out late for practice: "If I was late, I'd be running!":D

Second game got started at 11:20. Before the game he tells me "You've got the bases no matter what. I don't rotate." Oh, nice. Meanwhile, I rotated at least a dozen times when I was back there, as he was pretty much a rock in the field (not that I wouldn't have anyway lol). He made some good calls and communicated very well, but wore out his two spots behind the mound. Also, I lost count of how many times I had to hold up the pitcher after a walk or HBP because he hadn't finished walking over from A yet.

I've been truly dissatisfied with very few partners I've had. Maybe two or three of several dozen. And I truly hope, and do all I can to make sure, that no one I've worked with has left thinking "I hope I never get that guy again." It isn't hard to show up on time where you're supposed to be, hustle, and move a little. Or clean your damn shoes once in a while :wow:

Edited October 17, 2010 by Paperipper17

[okump96]

At least you had a guy show up. I worked 15 innings of juco ball yesterday solo. one of our newbies was supposed to be there but for some reason he never showed.

[Ros@]

I firmly believe better alone than wrongly accompanied.

I know how to handle myself... but having to deal with umps who just wanna help out.... gimme a solo game!

[JaxRolo]

At least you had a guy show up. I worked 15 innings of juco ball yesterday solo. one of our newbies was supposed to be there but for some reason he never showed.

Maybe he was scared! :question1:

[JaxRolo]

Worked a 15U DH yesterday. Games at 9 and 11 AM. I arrived at 8:15 and started the Partner Vigil. By 8:45, I figured I might as well throw on my plate gear. 8:50, still nothing, and his number isn't listed on the website, so I walk down to the field. Coaches meeting at 8:55, they both say they haven't seen him. So, I figure I'm working solo. A little pissed, but no big deal. I look over to the 10 y/o field to see if my buddy on that field has started his game yet. I see a guy dressed for the plate come ambling over from that field. And I do mean ambling. No urgency whatsoever. He hits the field right at 9.

Un-excusable. All these guys should know to meet in the parking lot at least 30 min early. And then to show up late and assume that they are working the plate? I don't think so.

Tell Leland about this. Or was it one of Lelands buddies?

[tjshanno]

not being there at least 15 minutes ahead of start time drives me crazy, and often disrupts my concentration at the start of the game...I hate that

[Don]

At least you had a guy show up. I worked 15 innings of juco ball yesterday solo. one of our newbies was supposed to be there but for some reason he never showed.

Sometimes it is better to not have the guy show up.

[JaxRolo]

not being there at least 15 minutes ahead of start time drives me crazy, and often disrupts my concentration at the start of the game...I hate that

Even 15 is not enough. Getting dressed, pre-game with partner and plate meeting would take more than 15.

[kylejt]

I gotta ask,

Is this the new Sen. Larry Craig stance?

[JaxRolo]

I gotta ask,

Is this the new Sen. Larry Craig stance?

That picture was taken just moments before he did a full split. :question1:

[Paperipper17]

I gotta ask,

Is this the new Sen. Larry Craig stance?

C'mon, Kyle...You used that one already here...

Okay, I'll ask.

Is this the new Senator Larry Craig wide stance?

Be original, man :question1:

[kylejt]

They say memory is the second thing to go when you get older.....

..... I can't remember what the first thing is.

[Paperipper17]

I must admit, I laughed the second time too

I need a new picture lol

[mrumpiresir]

I once worked a varsity game solo because my partner , for some reason, thought the game was Wednesday instead of Tuesday. I now make it a point to call my partner the night before a game to discuss who is working the plate, where we will meet, and what time we should meet. Had I done that on the occassion I mentioned, I wouldn't have been alone. I missed the first inning of a legion game this year because I thought I was off on a Saturday, but received a call from my partner 20 minutes prior to game time as he was wondering where I was. Took me a half hour to drive to the park. So you can avoid a lot of problems by making that call the night before.

[yawetag]

I once worked a varsity game solo because my partner , for some reason, thought the game was Wednesday instead of Tuesday. I now make it a point to call my partner the night before a game to discuss who is working the plate, where we will meet, and what time we should meet. Had I done that on the occassion I mentioned, I wouldn't have been alone. I missed the first inning of a legion game this year because I thought I was off on a Saturday, but received a call from my partner 20 minutes prior to game time as he was wondering where I was. Took me a half hour to drive to the park. So you can avoid a lot of problems by making that call the night before.

I'm surprised your organization doesn't at least mention this during your beginning meeting. My organization highly suggests doing it -- I think it should be required.

During the high school season, do you call the school to make sure the game is still being played? Why wouldn't you do the same for your partner beforehand?

[JaxRolo]

I once worked a varsity game solo because my partner , for some reason, thought the game was Wednesday instead of Tuesday. I now make it a point to call my partner the night before a game to discuss who is working the plate, where we will meet, and what time we should meet. Had I done that on the occassion I mentioned, I wouldn't have been alone. I missed the first inning of a legion game this year because I thought I was off on a Saturday, but received a call from my partner 20 minutes prior to game time as he was wondering where I was. Took me a half hour to drive to the park. So you can avoid a lot of problems by making that call the night before.

This would work well if you knew who your partner was.

We just started using arbiter but even then they won't post the games till very late the night before or the same day as the game. Heck, Some of the games are not even in Arbiter you just get a phone call from the UIC.

[Umpire in Chief]

He too have a policy that you contact your partner(s) 48hours before a game.

Our commish contacts us directly, most of the time, if the game is assigned with less than 48 hours notice.

[mrumpiresir]

Surprisingly our association hasn't stressed what I think should be the requred call to your partner.

Our assignor is very good at keeping arbiter updated so I know who my partner will be. I never call the school because the assignor will let us know if the game is cancelled or changed. If we don't get a call one hour prior to game time we will get a show up fee, half the game fee.

[semper_fi_72]

I am in 4 Associations that use Arbiter.

HS is usually assigned weeks in advance, unless it is a last minute change.

In fact for 2011, first half of season will be assigned on Jan 31st.

The other 2 are mostly self assigned and in 1 I am one of two assignors. Only have to assign games that are open or to move people around and make sure the talent is distribute well.

USSSA games are usually assigned by 9PM on Wed night for the up coming weekend. If I am PU on the first game/s we are doing I contact partner on Thursday starting around noon. If partner is PU I give him until noon on Friday to contact me, before I take the lead. Meet 30 prior (min) in parking lot.

For high school games:

When assignment received, PU emails partner and exchange verify phone numbers and uniform for the game. With the new system for assignment I would email 1 week before game.

PU calls partner 48 hours before game.

PU calls AD at school day before the game for any additional information/requirements. Parking, do they need a W-9 (Take one with you anyway).

PU contacts partner after that call, if necessary to pass on any additional info.

Contact partner a couple of hours before game time to make sure there are no last minute problems.

Meet min 30 minutes before game time. I hate being late and you will generally find me at the game site 1 hour before game time.

If someone is not there, start blowing up their phone.

In any case, for any game, if someone is not there 30 minutes before game time, start calling. If you are the one running late, CALL!!!!!!!!!!!! TEXT do something.

Oh 1 final tip.....Program your partners phone numbers into your cell, then you can't say I left the paper I wrote your number on at home.

Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance :D

[semper_fi_72]

Surprisingly our association hasn't stressed what I think should be the requred call to your partner.

Our assignor is very good at keeping arbiter updated so I know who my partner will be. I never call the school because the assignor will let us know if the game is cancelled or changed. If we don't get a call one hour prior to game time we will get a show up fee, half the game fee.

I think that is dangerous. IMHO

What if assignor is unavailable and did not get the info?

Never ASSUME.

Once the 24 hour mark is meet the Schools Athletic Director should be contacting umpires first.

We have way to many schools and members for Assignor to try to keep up with last minute changes. The ADs have access to Arbiter and have all the assigned umpire info also.

I even had one game location changed this year at 8 am on game day because the home team field was covered with snow the night before. They moved it down out of the mountains and we had a 80 degree day at the site it was moved to.

[yawetag]

I think that is dangerous. IMHO

What if assignor is unavailable and did not get the info?

Never ASSUME.

I agree. Plus, it tells the AD (or whoever you speak to) that the umpires will be there.

[mrumpiresir]

I have been a member of umpire associations in three different states and in none of them was it standard procedure to contact the AD. I'm not saying it is a bad idea, it certainly is good to communicate with the school prior to a game.

I've been fortunate to work with reliable people and in the five years I've been in this association there have only been one or two instances where the school did not tell the assignor of changes.

Once the assignor got the date wrong and my partner and I showed up for a game that was't scheduled. The association paid us a show up fee.

I guess the attitude is that those issues are between the assinger and the AD to get the assigning correct.

The umpires face stiff penalties for failing to show at a scheduled game so that has not been a problem.

[semper_fi_72]

I don't know of other HS associations but we have 688 teams listed in Arbiter for our Association. This includes Fresh/JV and Varsity teams.

If each school carried all 3 teams that is still over 225 Schools, which it is actually more.

We had approximately 160 members last season.

No assignor is going to be able to keep up with changes, make those changes and notify the umpires. Especially on days where one area may be getting rained out while another is not.

The Athletic Directors and Umpires must communicate.

We are only one Association in the Southern California Area.

I would be interested in knowing how many Associations have that many teams in there area. I would venture to say we are larger than some of the small states associations.

[mstaylor]

We don't have anywhere near that number of schools or umpires but we still call each other at least the night before and the school the day of game. It is rarely a problem but there are occasional problems. Last year we went to Arbiter but before that it was all done on paper and phone calls. A number of years ago the interpreter called me to verify we were working a game and I was already somewhere else. Disaster was averted because we comunicated in time to fix the problem. Game site changes or game times are the more common problem and that is fixed by calling the AD.

[yawetag]

I would be interested in knowing how many Associations have that many teams in there area. I would venture to say we are larger than some of the small states associations.

In the St. Louis area, my organization has all the high schools in the area, except for three. I just pulled a list from Arbiter -- 1012 teams listed in the "HS Baseball" list. It's possible a lot of those teams are just placeholders for teams we don't actually service, so I'd say we service at least 700 "teams" over all the schools.