Fun and Educational Day -- Long Post

[ElkOil]

Yesterday I had three games and would love to share with you some things I learned and read your anecdotes for fun and education, or course. The first game I had to do solo and the other two each with a partner I've never worked with before. One partner was brand new, like myself, and the other a veteran of umpiring (I don't know how many years).

 

The first game was HS JV and I've worked a few games with the home team during scrimmages and the regular season, so the coach, catcher and I are all familiar with each other have have a good rapport established. The coach is one of these kind, gentle types who doesn't bark at his kids, but takes what I consider to be a “strength-based†approach to coaching by being encouraging and understanding the learning opportunities that HS baseball presents. The visiting coach seemed very nice, as well, and it was my first game working with him. Both coaches understood their players' capabilities as during our plate meeting when going over the ground rules, the home coach pointed out an equipment shed in deep left field and said, “If a ball hits the overhang, it's a home run. But my kids won't hit it that far.â€

 

And the visiting coach said, “Mine won't hit it out of the infield.†To further illustrate the realities of his team, when I introduced myself to him while his players were warming up, he looked sadly out at them and said, “Geez, they can't even stay in their groups. Soldiers they will never be.â€

 

The game was time-limited to two hours and we began promptly. And the disparity was obvious immediately. The visiting team was, truthfully, talentless and the home team, while not great by any stretch, looked like superstars in comparison. The top of the first went by quickly – maybe 10 minutes. Then the home half took over an hour. By the end of the first, the score was 18-0. The home coach had started early on by explaining to his players how to work the remainder of the game, so they didn't bunt, didn't steal and didn't advance on wild pitches and passed balls. They only took one base on all hits – even the gap shots. I expanded the strike zone considerably, but I can't call a pitch a strike if it's thrown behind the batter, over the leaping reach of the catcher or bounces five feet in front of the plate, so without joking, my options were limited. The home coach was hollering at each of his batters, “Swing! Just swing at it. I don't care where it is!â€

 

On a banger at first, I called the runner safe and the visiting coach called time. “Can't you give me those close ones?â€

 

I have no issue getting accommodating with the strike zone, but calling a player out on a base hit that he earned, well, I didn't want to cross that line. But the coach was just so dejected. “I'm doing what I can at the plate,†I said as sympathetically as I could.

 

“I know you are and you've been giving us some help. But if you could help out with those close ones...â€

 

Well, the top of the second came and went... and then the dreaded home half of the inning. It seemed that the bases were always loaded, and I'll admit that I got lazy and assumed they were when with one out and runners only on second and third, the batter popped one up to the infield. I called an infield fly and realized my error when the ball hit and bounced out of the pitcher's glove who was trying to make the catch. Before I could offer to make it right, the home coach is yelling to the batter-runner, “Come on! Hustle off!†And I didn't say anything.

 

The catcher stepped up to bat right after and said to me, “I thought an infield fly --â€

 

I nodded and said, “You're right. I made a mistake and thought there was a runner on first.â€

 

“I guess it doesn't really matter,†he said. The score was 26-0 at that point.

 

“I think it's for the best.†Then I told him, “It's a pretty big strike zone right now.â€

 

He nodded and said, “I'll swing at whatever I can.†The first pitch sailed behind him. “I want to swing,†he said to me.

 

The next pitch buzzed his face so closely, were it a razor, the kid would have gotten a nice close shave. Good enough for me. I called a strike. The batter turned to me and said, “Thank you.â€

 

“Thanks for understanding,†I said. Then we hit the two-hour mark, so the third out would mercifully end the game.

 

The bases were once again loaded and two were out. The batter hit a dribbler that made it maybe five feet from the plate. Not one offensive player moved. The poor catcher fell over trying to get the ball as his coached yelled, “Step on the plate!†Eventually, he picked up the ball and ended the pain. 30-0.

 

And I wondered how many runs would have been scored if the home team played their best. Without exaggerating, it's fair to say they could have scored another 50 runs. As I was handing the home coach his baseballs, he lamented how he hates telling his players not to try their best, but I commended him on how he played that particular game. It was already embarrassing – maybe even humiliating – for the other team. But he played with compassion and every one of his players understood and bought into his plan. And for my part, well, I did what I could, too.

 

Then I left there to drive 45 minutes north for some select ball games.

 

My first partner was a new guy and I got there at the tail end of his first game while he was PU. I liked his mechanics and he looked comfortable. And as our game began I took the plate, I realized he was more comfortable behind the plate than in the field. Except for the routine safe/out calls at first and second, he didn't make any other call. No fair/foul down the right field line, no catch/no catch in the infield or outfield... heck, he didn't even make an out call when a runner stealing third was gunned down. He told me after that play that he wasn't sure about it and thought I'd make the call because I had a better angle on it. * Headsmack!! * So I told him, “It's your call, so make it. If a coach questions it and you're unsure, we can talk about it. But make the call.â€

 

And then he came to visit me to chat between every half inning. Every. Half. Inning.

 

For the last game, my partner was pretty good and I stayed at the plate. I enjoyed that game because there were some close plays that the coaches asked us to get together on. We upheld two of them and changed a ruling on another, and the coaches were accepting, regardless. They seemed like their only interest was that we get the call right.

 

I had some egg on my face as I was punching out a batter, while realizing half way through my strike-three call that it was only the second strike. Everyone got a kick out of it – even the parents chuckled.

 

I blew one call, though. On a deep fly to right field, the fielder was hustling to the line and overran the ball. So the fielder ended up in foul territory by about a foot, then reached back over into fair territory to get his glove on the ball. The ball – which would have come down in fair territory – hit his glove, rolled down his arm and landed in foul ground. I called it foul. The moment it happened I realized my error, but nobody was complaining. I didn't even hear any chatter from the parents. I just sucked that one up and moved on.

 

So there were my baseball adventures for the day. Due to the rain and cold, more than a week had gone by since my last game. I've had 12 games canceled so far and weep when I see how much unrealized pay I've missed out on. But there's loads of baseball during the year here in central Texas, and I know I'll get more than my share. Yesterday was a great day for me to learn and see different levels of ball... and get in the good graces of my assigner who sent me an email thanking me for taking the two select ball games at the last minute.

[KenBAZ]

Elk:

Thanks for sharing, we can all improve without having to repeat mistakes you've made. In order to have better partners be a great partner. Encourage them to the point you get the best they are capable of being no matter what level that is. Work, learn enjoy.

[johnnyg08]

Keep working hard and learning. Hopefully you learned from the awareness issue regarding the IFF. Thanks for sharing.

[ElkOil]

Elk:

Thanks for sharing, we can all improve without having to repeat mistakes you've made. In order to have better partners be a great partner. Encourage them to the point you get the best they are capable of being no matter what level that is. Work, learn enjoy.

 

I'm surprised at how much I've already learned from others' experience and willingness to share.  I've had terrific instructors, have seen lots of good info and videos online and, of course, everyone here has a perspective that is valuable.  Days like yesterday are great ways for me to learn what I still have to learn.  And each mistake I make is the best learning tool of all.

[WIUMP]

I coach in the inner city where baseball is struggling so I'm often on one end or another of those very lopsided games. I appreciate, and my players do as well, those umpires who, like you, can take it in stride and try to make it as pleasant a situation as possible. Unfortunately, some umpires are not as understanding of the situation which doesn't help the plight of inner city baseball. I applaud you and umpires like you.

[ricka56]

On a banger at first, I called the runner safe and the visiting coach called time. “Can't you give me those close ones?â€

 

I have no issue getting accommodating with the strike zone, but calling a player out on a base hit that he earned, well, I didn't want to cross that line. But the coach was just so dejected. “I'm doing what I can at the plate,†I said as sympathetically as I could.

Not my proudest work, years ago, on a cold/wet/windy miserable day, the home frosh HS team was drumming the visitors. We couldn't get out of the home halfes to save our lives. R1, Two outs, ground ball booted around by F6, he picks the ball up,  runs it to F4 standing with what would be R2 on 2B. He didn't even give the ball to F4, just touched the ball on F4's glove. I bang the out to end the inning...not a peep from any of the helicopter parents, coaches or players. Some of the parents even thanked me on their way home.

 

I doubt the baseball gods would punish you harshly if you for got the out on the banger in your game. If that's the closest they can get to getting an out, give them a thrill and give them the out. Reputation-wise, I think it will look more like demonstrating good judgement, rather than damaging your integrity...YMMV

[ricka56]

 

[ElkOil]

 

On a banger at first, I called the runner safe and the visiting coach called time. “Can't you give me those close ones?â€

 

I have no issue getting accommodating with the strike zone, but calling a player out on a base hit that he earned, well, I didn't want to cross that line. But the coach was just so dejected. “I'm doing what I can at the plate,†I said as sympathetically as I could.

Not my proudest work, years ago, on a cold/wet/windy miserable day, the home frosh HS team was drumming the visitors. We couldn't get out of the home halfes to save our lives. R1, Two outs, ground ball booted around by F6, he picks the ball up,  runs it to F4 standing with what would be R2 on 2B. He didn't even give the ball to F4, just touched the ball on F4's glove. I bang the out to end the inning...not a peep from any of the helicopter parents, coaches or players. Some of the parents even thanked me on their way home.

 

I doubt the baseball gods would punish you harshly if you for got the out on the banger in your game. If that's the closest they can get to getting an out, give them a thrill and give them the out. Reputation-wise, I think it will look more like demonstrating good judgement, rather than damaging your integrity...YMMV

 

 

I think you're right.  One thing I forgot to mention in my OP that kind of relates to what you said, one of the home team batters was up, bases loaded (of course), with one ball.  The next pitch grazed him.  "Stay right there," I told him.  He took the next two wild pitches for a walk anyway.  It wasn't for a lack of trying...

[Jimurray]

"For the last game, my partner was pretty good and I stayed at the plate. I enjoyed that game because there were some close plays that the coaches asked us to get together on. We upheld two of them and changed a ruling on another, and the coaches were accepting, regardless. They seemed like their only interest was that we get the call right."

There is no "we" in calling a play. The calling umpire uses his partners info and decides whether to change his call or not based on the info his partner provides and the info the calling umpire feels he lacked. Should not happen three times in a game. Belay that, in those crazy games your calling, maybe the kids do some weird stuff that your excellent positioning does not work and you have to get together three times in a game. I've been there.