into the fire

[renegadewolf]

Mens league, playoffs, game 3 of 3 loser goes home. I am on bases for a close 3-3 score but otherwise uneventful game, next to no chirping. Top of 6, 1 out and my partner sort of stumbles away from the plate bent over, I call time and hustle in, my partner was on his 10th game of the weekend, and isn't exactly a small person. I was worrying it was a heart attack. Fortunately (?) I suppose on the last pitch when he came up to call strike 3 and start the chainsaw something went in his back and not in his ticker. Long story short, he is out, cannot complete the game and was being brought to the hospital by his wife. Fortunately I have my gear, but it's in the car in the parking lot a good 300 yards away. I get back a few minutes later (ok closer to 7 or 8 minutes) and our assignor happened to be at the game, so he took the bases. Gave the pitcher warmup pitches ala start of inning as everyone had been pretty much milling about doing nothing. Fortunately the teams really took me out of the game swinging the bats (and getting easy runs with a couple badly timed errors). Still felt a little rusty but it went well enough. On the plus side for now, everyone thinks I am wonderful for hopping in there and finishing the game behind the plate (what other choice did I have really?) No word as yet on how my partner is, he wasn't moving very well when he left, so I suspect he may have just had his last weekend calling ball this year. Home team ended up winning 7-4 in the end. Glad I always carry my gear, second time this week I have needed it in a pinch situation

[Pete Peterson Sr]

This story exemplifies why I always take my gear (even if it's a single and I'm scheduled to work bases), and advise all younger umpires to do the same. One just never knows when a partner might go down, be stuck in traffic, or any number of other situations.

[JaxRolo]

Welcome back and Good Job!

[mstaylor]

I always do the same, always carry my gear. Once I stopped to watch a HS soccer game. It was scheduled to start at 3:00 instead of the normal 4:00 start. Somehow the crew wasn't informed of the early start so they weren't coming until at least 3:30 to begin their pregame. I had my gear so I jumped in to start it until the regular guys made it.

[Jocko]

Man, that dude musta had a helluva chainsaw mech. Lol.

[Richvee]

...Or maybe it looked more like these........

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=7086395&c_id=mlb

[renegadewolf]

I've also gone to my daughters games and sure enough one of the umps on another diamond doesn't show, can't tell you how many times that has happened. I am always happy to have been a part of making sure someone got to play a game of ball because I had my gear.

[Jocko]

I've also gone to my daughters games and sure enough one of the umps on another diamond doesn't show, can't tell you how many times that has happened. I am always happy to have been a part of making sure someone got to play a game of ball because I had my gear.

I've picked up many a game this way. I dig making $ when I wasn't expecting to.

[Typhoon]

I remember stopping to watch a ballgame and one of the crew did not show. They asked me to fill in. Only problem was i didn't have my gear with me as I was on my way home from work. It was a half hour drive home so I did the bases dressed in loud Bermuda shorts and a Hawaiian shirt. Nobody seemed to mind as they were happy to get the game in. Normally I would have my gear with me but it was spread out in my apartment airing out from a game the night before. Hey Renegade that was in Hanover just north of you, many many years ago.

Tony

[Jocko]

I remember stopping to watch a ballgame and one of the crew did not show. They asked me to fill in. Only problem was i didn't have my gear with me as I was on my way home from work. It was a half hour drive home so I did the bases dressed in loud Bermuda shorts and a Hawaiian shirt. Nobody seemed to mind as they were happy to get the game in. Normally I would have my gear with me but it was spread out in my apartment airing out from a game the night before. Hey Renegade that was in Hanover just north of you, many many years ago.

Tony

was your out verbal a healthy "ALOHA!" With a crow hop hammer?

[stl_ump]

...On the plus side for now, everyone thinks I am wonderful for hopping in there and finishing the game behind the plate (what other choice did I have really?)

Behind the mound?

9.03

(a) If there is only one umpire, he shall have complete jurisdiction in administering the rules. He may take any position on the playing field which will enable him to discharge his duties (usually behind the catcher, but sometimes behind the pitcher if there are runners). He shall be considered umpire-in-chief.

[Richvee]

... I was on my way home from work. It was a half hour drive home so I did the bases dressed in loud Bermuda shorts and a Hawaiian shirt....

Tony

Nice work Attie! Now that's what I call business casual!

[th3]

i think the choice he was referring to was to do the game or not..and behind the mound is not really a choice...c'mon

[Jocko]

i think the choice he was referring to was to do the game or not..and behind the mound is not really a choice...c'mon

I learned a lesson Sunday. Writing a post about it in War Stories.

[Haid D' Salaami]

Problem 1... 10 games in a weekend.. what good could any umpire do working that many games.. and you live in Alabama so it was hot and humid.. and it was adult games so it was a normal field..

Guys need to stop working so many games chasing the all mighty dollar bill, it is gonna kill some one.