Remember why we are out there

[ALStripes17]

As much as we remind the rats that "Baseball is a game..." we can always take an opportunity to remind ourselves as well.

Calling 18U (OBR) last night was more than enjoyable. Both coaches asking questions about rule myths between innings (just learning, no actual occurrences), opposing players chatting with each other and still playing hard .... then there was my partner:

My partner and I pre-gamed a couple different things that we should try out (stance, hammer vs. point, punchout, etc). So we decided to have a little fun with the game and try out the variations we have seen and heard.

I'm in the 4th inning of my plate game and the batter walks with nobody on. He was the goofball of the team, so he begins to sprint to 1B about 30 feet from the bag and slides (with little grace) into 1B. Some of the parents start laughing and the kids in the dugout start cheering when all of a sudden my partner (now in B) looks over at 1B and sells the biggest 'Safe' call I've ever seen... double 'Safe' clutch and all. Between innings, he came up and said "it felt right."

Best call we made all night

We are tasked with protecting the integrity of the game, but remember to enjoy yourselves out there fellas (and ladies).

[BigUmpire]

Great story.

Bumper sticker:

 

• “We are stewards of baseball. Our customers aren't schools or coaches or conferences. Our customer is the game itself.â€

[RingEmUp]

Great story.  I remember years ago when a 12u catcher dared me to do a Cha-Ching for a strike 3 punch out.  This was when the Cha-Ching commercial was so popular about 20 years ago or so.  I fullfilled my part of the dare. 

[millerforrest]

AMEN!!!! We have a "job" to do as umpires, but baseball is meant to be enjoyed and fun for ALL (including umpires).

I miss the days of past MLB Umpires who had personality & flair like Ken Kaiser who would "shoot out" the players at 1st base.

[UMP45]

AMEN!!!! We have a "job" to do as umpires, but baseball is meant to be enjoyed and fun for ALL (including umpires).

I miss the days of past MLB Umpires who had personality & flair like Ken Kaiser who would "shoot out" the players at 1st base.

That was Ron Luciano.

[Jocko]

OUT OUT OUT OUT OUT OUT OUT!!!!!!!!!

[stl_ump]

$$$