4 Games Sunday

[JasonPalo]

Man, I am really looking forward to getting back onto the field this Sunday. If you don't have that feeling of excitement every time game day approaches then its time to hang it up.

[Tksjewelry]

I've had two games the last few Sundays and I have so looked forward to them after a month off. This Sunday I have two baseball then four slow pitch adult one mans.

This is my first fall ball and it's been a blast. Mostly training leagues so there's no smack from coaches or fans, which is refreshing. I've had a few odd calls that i got to explain to coaches and they took time to look things up so they could teach their kids correctly. Yesterday we did an extra inning after time was out to try all the kids switch hitting. The teams each ran the whole line-up and outs weren't counted. The kids had a blast and a few of them found out there were pretty darn good from both sides of the plate. One of the coaches even asked for the UIC's number so he could compliment me on how well I did with the kids, the rules, and my zone. Exciting for me being my first year, whether he calls or not it makes me feel pretty darn good. Seriously can't wait til next Sunday.

[Ump29]

Four games a day is too much.

[bam]

Nice red shirt.  Put a bulls-eye on it and the look will be complete.

 

4 games?  That's why I DON'T look forward to the season.  2 is my limit and I prefer 1.

[Rulekeep]

Nice red shirt.  Put a bulls-eye on it and the look will be complete.

Don't be an ass. Plenty of people are still required to wear red.

[bam]

Bullfighters, maybe.  And geishas.  Buckingham palace guards, too.  Baseball umpires, not so much. 

[Ump29]

 

 

4 games?  That's why I DON'T look forward to the season.  2 is my limit and I prefer 1.

 

My thoughts exactly.

[bam]

I've had two games the last few Sundays and I have so looked forward to them after a month off. This Sunday I have two baseball then four slow pitch adult one mans.

This is my first fall ball and it's been a blast. Mostly training leagues so there's no smack from coaches or fans, which is refreshing. I've had a few odd calls that i got to explain to coaches and they took time to look things up so they could teach their kids correctly. Yesterday we did an extra inning after time was out to try all the kids switch hitting. The teams each ran the whole line-up and outs weren't counted. The kids had a blast and a few of them found out there were pretty darn good from both sides of the plate. One of the coaches even asked for the UIC's number so he could compliment me on how well I did with the kids, the rules, and my zone. Exciting for me being my first year, whether he calls or not it makes me feel pretty darn good. Seriously can't wait til next Sunday.

 

Wait.  What?  You stuck around for another couple innings, to call balls and strikes for everyone switch-hitting?   Lordy-lordy.  I like umpiring as much as the next guy, but that's where I'd draw the line.  As matter of fact, I'd draw the line far before that. 

[Richvee]

 

I've had two games the last few Sundays and I have so looked forward to them after a month off. This Sunday I have two baseball then four slow pitch adult one mans.

This is my first fall ball and it's been a blast. Mostly training leagues so there's no smack from coaches or fans, which is refreshing. I've had a few odd calls that i got to explain to coaches and they took time to look things up so they could teach their kids correctly. Yesterday we did an extra inning after time was out to try all the kids switch hitting. The teams each ran the whole line-up and outs weren't counted. The kids had a blast and a few of them found out there were pretty darn good from both sides of the plate. One of the coaches even asked for the UIC's number so he could compliment me on how well I did with the kids, the rules, and my zone. Exciting for me being my first year, whether he calls or not it makes me feel pretty darn good. Seriously can't wait til next Sunday.

 

Wait.  What?  You stuck around for another couple innings, to call balls and strikes for everyone switch-hitting?   Lordy-lordy.  I like umpiring as much as the next guy, but that's where I'd draw the line.  As matter of fact, I'd draw the line far before that. 

 

Different strokes. Different levels of experience, and maybe a different amount of enthusiasm for the sport and willingness to help the kids learn. If you don't want to do such things, that's perfectly fine, but don't poo-poo someone else's enthusiasm and love of the game.

 

A few years ago, I had a solo 12u game. The visiting team called the home coach 10 minutes before game time and said his team couldn't make it. Needless to say, the kids were pretty disappointed. We grabbed a few of the kid's brothers and sisters, a few of the moms and dads, and they played a little sandlot baseball for a few hours. Yeah, I stayed and played umpire for them, and no, I didn't take the game fee even though the coach wanted to pay me his half and the no-show team's half. I had a blast and I'll remember it more than most of my paid games. I'm sure those kids and the families will remember it longer than most regular season baseball games as well. Sometimes it's just about the love of the game and having some fun. 

[Tksjewelry]

@bam no, I stuck around for one more inning. Part of working kids games for me is establishing in these kids a love of the game and an understanding that kids still need to see the fun in the game. Every once in a while going the extra mile for these kids is part of the joy of the job for me.

If you choose to be a curmudgeon, if that works for you, fine, I have no issue with that, but I like doing the extras with the kids. The parents and the coaches seem to appreciate it as does my UIC.

[bam]

"The kids".  Ugh. 

[Rulekeep]

"The kids".  Ugh. 

It seems to me that we are both in the same boat of "children are disgusting."

[Replacematt]

Man, I am really looking forward to getting back onto the field this Sunday. If you don't have that feeling of excitement every time game day approaches then its time to hang it up.

 

I have to disagree. There are days when I don't look forward to it. It happens. What you have to worry about is if you stop caring about what kind of job you are doing.

[Richvee]

 

Man, I am really looking forward to getting back onto the field this Sunday. If you don't have that feeling of excitement every time game day approaches then its time to hang it up.

 

I have to disagree. There are days when I don't look forward to it. It happens. What you have to worry about is if you stop caring about what kind of job you are doing.

 

Agree with Matt here. There are days I'm leaving work on my way to a game when I say to myself, "A nice thunderstorm and washout would be OK tonight." I will admit though, after a layoff, I am looking forward to my first game getting back on the field. Like this Sunday. My last summer game was August 2nd. Couldn't wait for this Sunday. Yeah, I was excited to be back out there. 

[Magic]

Man, I am really looking forward to getting back onto the field this Sunday. If you don't have that feeling of excitement every time game day approaches then its time to hang it up.

I have to disagree. There are days when I don't look forward to it. It happens. What you have to worry about is if you stop caring about what kind of job you are doing.

Agree with Matt here. There are days I'm leaving work on my way to a game when I say to myself, "A nice thunderstorm and washout would be OK tonight." I will admit though, after a layoff, I am looking forward to my first game getting back on the field. Like this Sunday. My last summer game was August 2nd. Couldn't wait for this Sunday. Yeah, I was excited to be back out there.

There are definitely days I am sure everyone wishes they had the day off. I would say that happens about once or twice a year for me. And it is usually after a bad day at work. But once I am on the field I remember why I love it so much.

[KenBAZ]

"Four games a day is too much." I've had 5, 6 as many as 8 youth games in a day when it's over 100 degrees. It can be too much. It is dangerous and not conducive to great umpiring. However, that's the way things are done here. Tons of baseball year round and not enough dependable umpires. You have to prepare well ahead of time, watch out for each other and try and maintain focus.

[Richvee]

 

 

 

Man, I am really looking forward to getting back onto the field this Sunday. If you don't have that feeling of excitement every time game day approaches then its time to hang it up.

I have to disagree. There are days when I don't look forward to it. It happens. What you have to worry about is if you stop caring about what kind of job you are doing.

 

Agree with Matt here. There are days I'm leaving work on my way to a game when I say to myself, "A nice thunderstorm and washout would be OK tonight." I will admit though, after a layoff, I am looking forward to my first game getting back on the field. Like this Sunday. My last summer game was August 2nd. Couldn't wait for this Sunday. Yeah, I was excited to be back out there.

 

There are definitely days I am sure everyone wishes they had the day off. I would say that happens about once or twice a year for me. And it is usually after a bad day at work. But once I am on the field I remember why I love it so much.

 

When I get in the car heading to a game after a bad day of work, that is usually the times the thoughts of "i really don't want to do this game" pop in. Like you said, once the game starts, I remember getting to do a game after a bad day of work is actually the BEST time to have a game. Let's me leave all crap behind for a few hours. 

[PonyUmpire]

"The kids".  Ugh. 

 

I know!  Where do people get this notion that youth baseball is about this kids? 

[JasonPalo]

WOW, when I wrote this topic, I didn't think the grumpies would show up, And for my red jersey I love it and id wear it all season just to piss you off, and four games can be too much, obviously some can't do it, I love umpiring and can.

[Thunderheads]

Four games a day is too much.

According to who?  You?   And, ...who made you the authority?

 

Boy, you can't do 4 games in a day during a tournament ..... you won't get much work.  Of course I don't prefer it, but it's done all summer up our way.  It's not that tough .... hydrate, get rest prior, set your mind to it, .... 2 plates, 2 fields, ...beer time.  It's not that difficult.

 

Nice red shirt.  Put a bulls-eye on it and the look will be complete.

 

4 games?  That's why I DON'T look forward to the season.  2 is my limit and I prefer 1.

@bam, knock it off.  Don't take it out on Jason because someone pissed in your cheerios.

 

Let me guess, ...you're too cool to wear anything else but black and pro-powder right?

 

Get over yourselves guys!   These two posts are the crap that starts resentment on forums and sites ..... enough.

 

Constructive is fine, ...this isn't

[JaxRolo]

 

Nice red shirt.  Put a bulls-eye on it and the look will be complete.

Don't be an ass. Plenty of people are still required to wear red.

 

Who?

[Thunderheads]

 

 

Nice red shirt.  Put a bulls-eye on it and the look will be complete.

Don't be an ass. Plenty of people are still required to wear red.

 

Who?

 

It doesn't matter .... the color of his shirt in his avatar picture has no bearing on this thread.  knock it off

[Umpire in Chief]

Back on topic...

 

For me 4 games is too much in a day. It has nothing to do with my age or physical ability.

 

This is what 4 games says to me.

1. I'll be working lower age ball. My problem isn't necessarily the age of the players and their ability; it's the parents and coaches. I've found the lower the age bracket the worse the parents and coaches are.
2. Time. At a minimum 4 games is looking like 6 hours on the field, but realistically 7+ hrs then add in the drive.
3. Because of #1 my attitude is not very pleasant by game 4.
4. Even if I were in tip top shape AND kept a good attitude; by game 4 I'm probably not be performing at a level an umpire should be. 

 

That's my opinion, you may feel differently.

 

But to the greater point.. Yes, it is a great feeling to get back on the field, especially after a long absence.

 

[JaxRolo]

4 is my max. Prefer 3.

If I have to I will do 5 or 6.

 

Luckily I mostly work older age groups and most of the games are pretty good.

 

Don't think I could do at lower levels anymore. Someone is likely to get tossed.

[Thunderheads]

Back on topic...

 

For me 4 games is too much in a day. It has nothing to do with my age or physical ability.

 

This is what 4 games says to me.

1. I'll be working lower age ball. My problem isn't necessarily the age of the players and their ability; it's the parents and coaches. I've found the lower the age bracket the worse the parents and coaches are.
2. Time. At a minimum 4 games is looking like 6 hours on the field, but realistically 7+ hrs then add in the drive.
3. Because of #1 my attitude is not very pleasant by game 4.
4. Even if I were in tip top shape AND kept a good attitude; by game 4 I'm probably not be performing at a level an umpire should be. 

 

That's my opinion, you may feel differently.

 

But to the greater point.. Yes, it is a great feeling to get back on the field, especially after a long absence.

While this may hold true in some cases ............

 

A lot of the time, .... these 4 game days are higher level travel ball, 16 through 18 year olds