A few firsts yesterday

[grayhawk]

Worked my first varsity plate yesterday. Two Trinity League schools that usually pay for 3 umpires in league play. This was a preseason scrimmage - 2 man. Besides that first, here were a couple of others:

 

1. BU hit with a batted ball. We had R2 and he was in C. Rocket hit right at him and he just couldn't move fast enough and it got him in the heel. I think he was in shock and didn't call time right away, so I did. The ball deflected off him and went about 20 feet in the air towards short left center. R2 is now rounding third and bearing down on me as I am calling time. We put BR at first and R2 back at second. OC wants to know why we called time, and he had no clue where the runners should be placed. It was all in a professional tone.

 

2. Overall play was sloppy and so was the pitching. I think there were at least 5 HBP and I had never kept a batter HBP at the plate. Well, it happened not once, but twice (once for each team). The first one the batter leaned into it with his elbow and I didn't hear a peep from anyone. The second one the batter stuck his knee out on an 0-2 curve and the fans from that team didn't like it. His coach, after the game says that they coach them to do it and it sounds like they get away with it often enough.

 

One annoying thing - several batters for the home team had a habit of getting set in the box very slowly with their hand up towards me. One kid was particularly slow and said the pitcher quick pitched him and he had his hand up. In reality, he was set in the box at the same instant that F1 started his motion. I told him that his hand means nothing and I am NOT granting him time to get in the box. Had to tell this to 2 other batters for that team as well.

 

Overall, I was thrilled with my zone, my timing and our rotations. I took one play at the plate 1BLX that I should have taken 3BLX, but it wasn't a close play. I have one small school varsity game this season (which is scheduled for an eval) with the rest being JV (one man).

 

Also, I was selected to be an evaluator this season.  I'm not certain, but I think I was the only 3rd year umpire asked to be part of the evaluation committee.  I will be evaluating rookies and 2nd year umpires all working solo.  Looking foward to helping others and to learning through evaluating.

[Richvee]

It seems to me leaning into the curveball is being taught more. Something to be aware of, and not let them get away with. The more we call it, the less we'll see it. 

[alex7]

Congrats on being part of the evaluation committee.  Not that you'd relax, but just want to voice to others how important it is for an umpire to stick his nose in the book even MORE when he's part of the evaluation group.  This promotion will benefit you as much as it will those that you're evaluating.