Had a bad game

[BT_Blue]

This will get a letter written to my assigner/commissioner and thusly to the state since both Oregon and Washington do not have a post game ejection.

There is no state separation in collegiate baseball. There is a post game ejection everywhere.

Of course you are correct. Its one of the reasons I like the NCAA rules. Its nice to have that immediate hammer.

[Jocko]

If I'm apologizing to anyone, it's my partner(s). They are the ones who had to pick up my slack and possibly suffer the wrath of the angry because I pissed someone off. THEY are due an apology. Coaches be damned.

[RichMSN]

It's not something I'd ever say after a game just ended.  First of all, there have been times where I felt I may have struggled a bit, and the truth is, nobody else noticed.  My off day might be better than what the coaches have seen recently OR it's just the fact I'm harder on myself than anyone else would be.

 

On top of that, I'm not sure it really helps.  If they think I suck, me telling them that I know I suck isn't going to help me.  I'm not looking for absolution, after all -- and the coaches are the last ones I'd expect to give it to me even if I was.

[Umpire in Chief]

Remember coaches and players are "rats" in the pro game. I wouldnt say boo to any of them other than professional pleasantries surrounding the game (plate conference, lineup changes etc.). 

 

I worked a double header with ump81 Saturday. First time I've worked with him in quite a while and the first time I'd ever worked with him at a college level. I have mentioned before he is a mentor of mine and very helpful in making me the umpire I am today. I had a pretty good game on the bases. Not so good by my own standards behind the plate.

 

I balled a beautiful 12-6 curve that broke late-- Assumption/ tunnel vision

My mechanics were not sharp and crisp.

Didn't loose the count, I just mis-spoke the count once.

Overall I just didn't "feel" it Saturday. I wasn't in the groove behind the plate and I don't know why.

 

Now on the positive side, I had one call I was pretty proud of. High inside pitch batter arches his back leans back to dodge the pitch. I was 85% sure I saw it hit the bat and 100% sure based on the sound it hit the bat.

 

The batter chucks his bat and starts trotting to first. I come up with a big "Foul! That hit the bat!" call. The batter taps his elbow pad and says that's where it hit. I announce, "No, back in the box!" The coach comes out we talk and I go to ump81. He says it absolutely hit the bat. 

 

I announce, "It's a foul" and point the batter back to the box.

 

We had a 2 hour drive home after the game and we had time to discuss the game in great detail. I fessed up what I felt were my weaknesses and he confirmed them  , but many are things only an umpire is going to notice. 

 

Here's why I write all of that...

I would recommend not engaging any player coach or other team personnel beyond professional courtesy. If you want to discuss your performance positive or negative discuss with your partner or another umpire. We have no friends other than other umpires when we are on the field.

[MidAmUmp]

There are times I'll admit a mistake, etc. to a coach and there are times I won't.

 

If I know the coach very well, I'll be honest with him if everything is calm.

 

I'll occasionally admit I missed a pitch.  For example a couple years ago a kid had a no hitter going and I balled a borderline pitch.  As soon as I did it I was like "f--k!"  The following conversation occurred...

Coach: Where was that?  

Me: I missed it.

Coach: What?

Me: I missed it.

Coach: Don't do it again.

Me: Okay.

 

I've also used the old line up card trick especially if a team is getting out of control over a call.  I'll call the coach over in between innings, take out the line up card, and tell him "Look, you and I both know I kicked the SH*# out of that, but I'm not going to listen to any more of it.  Get your team under control or I'm going to start running people."

 

Again, you have to know who you're dealing with and what you can get away with.  

 

Don't admit you kicked a call just to get the coach to leave.  

 

You'd better be pretty good or a salty veteran to mention it in passing as you're leaving the field or after the game.  They've never coached a perfect game and you've never called a perfect game.  Let them hash over their mistakes and you can hash over yours.  Believe it or not they aren't thinking about you unless you SH*# the bed and their only thought at that point is they'd better not see you again.

[Birdieseeker]

MidAm, how far were you and the coach apart when the conversation took place over the missed pitch?  Was he on the steps of the dugout?  I would have laughed my a$$ of hearing that.  How can a coach argue with your answer?!!?

[Haid D' Salaami]

I think Midam hit this one right.. you better have a good rep with the coach or this can bit you in the rear end..