"Guest From BBF"....No Longer

[mudvnine]

Gentlemen (and I assume Ladies), 

 

Only through an "umpiring/rules" post and discussion at another site, was I made aware of your site.....and I can't tell you how pleased I am that happened.

 

While I umpired for many (9?) years beginning with rec. ball prior to HS, and then through HS and my college days, I'm most recently involved with the game in the capacity of coaching HS baseball.

 

Having read your responses to the original question/situation posed at Baseball Fever (BBF), I must say that your knowledge, interpretations, and explanations were much appreciated, and I think, helped clear some things up for many over there....at least I hope so.  

 

After that, I was curious to read some of the other threads in "Ask the Umpire", and again, so enjoyed the discussions that ensued in them.....making me feel that this will be a very valuable place for me, even though I'm now coming from a different job description than most of you here.

 

So that said, thanks for your time, efforts, and incredible knowledge....and even though I don't see myself participating in a lot of the discussions, I do know that just being "a fly on the wall" here will help me immensely in making me a better coach in the long run.

 

 

All the best, and I hope I'm not "tossed" for being what I'm sure some would consider "the opposition"....LOL,

mud -

[JaxRolo]

Welcome! Feel free to ask away!

[BRUMP]

And thanks to you for realizing (unlike some of the coaches out there) that it's not an us vs. you scenario and were in this together. Welcome and feel free to post whenever.

[Richvee]

Welcome. As you are already finding out, there's a wealth of information here. 

[The Umpire Junkie]

Welcome Mud, just be sure to give us your perspectives from the coaching side of things.  It's always nice to hear things from a different angle!!

[Jocko]

Welcome. As you are already finding out, there's a wealth of information here.

especially when Jocko's around :rock

[kstrunk]

Welcome! Some of us still play both roles, coach and umpire. To be honest, even as long as I've been involved with the game, I've learned much about both on this site! It will most certainly make you a better coach! Enjoy!

[plateumpire]

Welcome

[tjwoelfel13]

Welcome

[grayhawk]

Welcome to the site and I commend you on your commitment to learn the rules.  Most of us don't consider coaches to be the opposition.  I much prefer to have a good working relationship with the coaches of the games I am working.  As long as we both know that we are not there to agree with each other on every close play, I find that these relationships can make the game more enjoyable.  After all, I am there to have fun because I love the game.

 

You will find that @Rich Ives is one of the most knowledgeable coaches on this site, and is a frequent contributor.  Maybe the two of you rats can share some cheese sometime.  

 

Glad to have you here.

[Stan W.]

welcome to the site!

[KenBAZ]

Welcome, after coaching for many years I'm back to umpiring and believe understanding a coach's perspective makes for a better umpire. Feel free to provide us with yours.

[mudvnine]

Wow, well thank you all for the warm welcome, certainly a nice introduction to all of you.  Just to touch on a couple thoughts shared.... 

 

Yes, I definitely don't ever feel the "us vs. you scenario" when coaching (I was only joking on "the opposition" thing  ).  I see us all doing the same thing (at least at the level I coach), and that is to make the game fun, safe, enjoyable, and hopefully a learning environment to all of the players and fans at the field on any given day.....none of which would happen without both of us in a attendance (us = coaches and umpires).

 

It's good to hear that there are those here that still do both however, or that have coached, and are now umpiring.....because honestly, for the past couple of years, I've actually considered changing hats, and positions on the field.  

 

While I absolutely love coaching, I also have others interests (or I guess I should say my wife has other interests for me  ), so the 5-6 day a week schedule from Dec. to June is getting just a bit too restrictive for what I she we need at the moment, now that I'm retired (FD, 29 years).  

 

So going back to umpiring will let me stay on the field, but also not be as restrictive with my our schedule off of it....and I'll probably pick some of your brains to get me pointed in the right direction if I do decide to make a change in course.

 

 

Thanks again for the warm welcome, I look forward to sharing a coach's POV (at least for now....LOL),

mud -

[UMP45]

Welcome, after coaching for many years I'm back to umpiring and believe understanding a coach's perspective makes for a better umpire. Feel free to provide us with yours.

I don't.

[Magic]

Welcome aboard

[Ump29]

Welcome. And I also used to coach and umpire at the same time. Now just umpire and assign.