Things that Drive Me Crazy

[lawump]

RANT WARNING

There are two things that drive me crazy: coaches and parents who think they know (1) the rules and/or (2) umpire mechanics better than me.

This weekend I umpired semi-competitive high-school aged travel ball games.  (I use "semi-competitive" because the parents take it a lot more serious than the players do.)  We (umpire association) view these games as a good opportunity to either have umpires officiate games at this level (high school) for the first time, or to teach some of our members how to work the 3-man mechanics.

Situation #1:  R1 only, 2 outs.  3-man mechanics.  I'm the plate umpire.  Clean hit to right center field.  There is a play at third base.  We rotate.  I bang the runner out on the play at third.  Did I get any argument about the call itself?  Nope.  Just an argument from the third base coach wanting to know why I, "was making that call when there are two base umpires."  After a brief explanation, he kept arguing, and I finally told him, "that's enough!  You don't want to argue umpire mechanics with me because you'll lose and you'll be in the parking lot."  He returned to his dugout.  Of course, I then had to listen to the fans yell and complain (and make sarcastic comments) for an inning about me "doing the base umpire's job".  For example, in the next half-inning when the leadoff batter grounded out on a routine grounder, they all started hollering at me behind the plate, "why didn't you make that call (at first), blue?"  What a bunch of F-----g idiots.

Situation #2:  Using OBR.  Pitcher throws "Ball 1".  DHC calls "time" and makes a mound visit.  He leaves the pitcher in the game.  F1 throws "Ball 2".  DHC calls "time" and starts toward the mound.  I'm the base umpire.  The plate umpire granted the "time" and was letting the DHC start toward the mound.  As the DHC was about to cross the foul line, I stopped him dead in his tracks.  I informed him that he could not make a second visit to the mound with the same batter still at-bat.  He proceeded to argue.  He said, "(the plate umpire) said I could come out here."  I told him that if he went out to the mound he would be ejected, his pitcher would stay in the game to finish facing this batter and then would be removed from the game.  I told him that everything that I just said was straight out of the rulebook.  He said I was "making stuff up," but he went back to his dugout.  He then removed his pitcher...after he gave up a single to the batter.  Which, of course, meant I had to listen to that team's fans for the remainder of the game tell me how I was "making stuff up" and "need to go back to T-ball".  (BTW, I got the "need to go back to T-ball" after situation #1 in the prior game, too.)

I wanted so bad yell at the fans and give them an education.  BUT, I DID NOT.  I remembered that nothing good can ever come when speaking to fans.

Okay, my venting and ranting is over.  Please continue with your lives.

RANT OVER

Edited November 16, 2015 by lawump

[lawump]

In all seriousness, after this weekend I am convinced that in some ways umpiring youth travel ball is harder and worse than Division 1 NCAA, American Legion or high school varsity.

[ricka56]

In all seriousness, after this weekend I am convinced that in some ways umpiring youth travel ball is harder and worse than Division 1 NCAA, American Legion or high school varsity.

Tournament ball is a good training ground for handling irate coaches and developing one's EJ mechanics. 

A few years ago in tournament ball game, DHC goes and talks to my PU partner about something of which I know nothing about. Then apparently my partner told DHC that it'd be ok if he went to talk to me (BU) about the batter hitting the pitch with a foot outside the BB...Me: "huh ? what  ? no, I don't have an illegally batted ball". With no other discussion, his face 6 inches from my face, Skoal breath screams at me to, DO YOUR JOB ! ...All the umpires on the other fields couldn't help but here him, and looked in time to see me demonstrating my best EJ mechanic.

Dumb-ass daddy coaches and parents will wear you out but so too will dumb-ass partners. 

[JonnyCat]

In all seriousness, after this weekend I am convinced that in some ways umpiring youth travel ball is harder and worse than Division 1 NCAA, American Legion or high school varsity.

Most of the travelball in my area is pretty good with regards to coaches and parents, but I mostly stay away from small diamond games, but sometimes.............................

Each year our HS association covers a Pony tournament over Memorial day weekend. The site is about 45 minutes away from my house, so I usually don't work this tournament. But this year our HS assignor was in a jam and asked me to work a couple of games on Saturday and Sunday, which I was happy to help out. Unfortunately, the Saturday games were 10u. Ugh! Parents and coaches were just idiots, but I just had to laugh (to myself of course) at how clueless some coaches are. I'm PU for the second game and somewhere around the 4th inning or so, HT batting, runners on first and second, less than 2 outs, we have a D3K. Normal stuff, BR starts to run, I call the batter out, defense knows enough not to throw the ball to 1B, no big deal. Head coach comes out and wonders why his batter doesn't get to advance. I calmly respond that 1B was occupied with less than 2 outs, BR is out. He gives me that deer in the headlights look, and then walks back to the dugout muttering something to himself. I'm trying hard to contain both my laughter and sarcasm at the same time. (I did)

Later on, HT on defense, 2 outs, bases loaded, whadaya know, another D3K. HT catcher doesn't step on home and airmails the throw to first. 3 runs score. Same head coach comes out and wonders why now the BR gets to advance. I said, "it's 2 outs coach." I thought, "You are too stupid to live." I get that same deer in the headlights look, and he again turns away muttering something. Perhaps he ought to consult a rulebook.

Next days games were 14u, great games, great partner, so I guess it just balances out.

[Richvee]

Parents of 13 year olds arguing 3 man mechanics with a D1 umpire. Absolutely classic. All you can do is laugh on the inside. 

[kylehutson]

The site is about 45 minutes away from my house, so I usually don't work this tournament.

Heh. Where I live, we call those games "local".

[Jimurray]

Most of the travelball in my area is pretty good with regards to coaches and parents, but I mostly stay away from small diamond games, but sometimes.............................

Each year our HS association covers a Pony tournament over Memorial day weekend. The site is about 45 minutes away from my house, so I usually don't work this tournament. But this year our HS assignor was in a jam and asked me to work a couple of games on Saturday and Sunday, which I was happy to help out. Unfortunately, the Saturday games were 10u. Ugh! Parents and coaches were just idiots, but I just had to laugh (to myself of course) at how clueless some coaches are. I'm PU for the second game and somewhere around the 4th inning or so, HT batting, runners on first and second, less than 2 outs, we have a D3K. Normal stuff, BR starts to run, I call the batter out, defense knows enough not to throw the ball to 1B, no big deal. Head coach comes out and wonders why his batter doesn't get to advance. I calmly respond that 1B was occupied with less than 2 outs, BR is out. He gives me that deer in the headlights look, and then walks back to the dugout muttering something to himself. I'm trying hard to contain both my laughter and sarcasm at the same time. (I did)

Later on, HT on defense, 2 outs, bases loaded, whadaya know, another D3K. HT catcher doesn't step on home and airmails the throw to first. 3 runs score. Same head coach comes out and wonders why now the BR gets to advance. I said, "it's 2 outs coach." I thought, "You are too stupid to live." I get that same deer in the headlights look, and he again turns away muttering something. Perhaps he ought to consult a rulebook.

Next days games were 14u, great games, great partner, so I guess it just balances out.

I agree the coach should get a rulebook but it rarely happens. They learn the rules as called in the games they play. It's  very possible thatHis regular season games had untrained "umpire".Thus the mutter as they walk away.

[JaxRolo]

Heh. Where I live, we call those games "local".

Same here!

[ScubaUmp]

 

This past weekend 9U, you know that team. Pretty sure that the short stop was committed to Boston College on a full ride and at least two other players were being courted by Florida University.

 

Defensive coach goes to my partner they talk; partner comes to and says “He thinks they are leaving before pitch, I told him we would keep an eye on it.” Next inning R3 and R1 the BC commit, who plays up leaves on the release, no swing, pass ball, runners advance I wait until play action stops, Time, Runner left early, you back to 3rd you back to first base. Offensive coach flips S**T.  I explain he doesn’t like but goes back to 3^rd base coaches’ box.

 

Fan’s what you mean, your terrible and all the classics. Next pitch…. You guessed it deja vu all over again.

 

Love the 60’ Gladiator pit

 

 

 

 

Edited November 17, 2015 by ScubaUmp

[ricka56]

This past weekend 9U, you know that team. Pretty sure that the short stop was committed to Boston College in a full ride and at least two other players were being courted by Florida University.

This beautiful new facility opens up and I'm walking around the place during a break I got. There is a U10 going on and a mom came up to me asking if I was the UIC (guess my "mature" appearance gives me the look of someone in charge). "No  ma'am, I'm just an umpire", I said. She said,"I need to find out who's in charge. That umpire is jeopardizing my son's college scholarship." I thought she was retelling that old umpire joke, so I laughed out loud. She stared daggers at me.  "Oh? you're serious ? HAHAHAHA"...as I moved on.

[lawump]

This weekend's:  R2, R1.  I'm the plate umpire.  Clean hit to the outfield.  R2 collides with F5 about two feet in front of the third base bag.  I yell, "that's obstruction!"  R2 regains his balance and runs for home.  Throw comes in from F8 and sails all the way to the backstop allowing R2 to score anyways, R1 to go to third and the B/R to go to second.  Defensive daddy (I mean DHC) wants to know why the ball wasn't "dead" when I called obstruction.  He wanted the bases loaded with no runs scored!

[Mudisfun]

This weekend's:  R2, R1.  I'm the plate umpire.  Clean hit to the outfield.  R2 collides with F5 about two feet in front of the third base bag.  I yell, "that's obstruction!"  R2 regains his balance and runs for home.  Throw comes in from F8 and sails all the way to the backstop allowing R2 to score anyways, R1 to go to third and the B/R to go to second.  Defensive daddy (I mean DHC) wants to know why the ball wasn't "dead" when I called obstruction.  He wanted the bases loaded with no runs scored!

Well why not?  That outcome seems perfectly fair to me!

 

[grayhawk]

This weekend's:  R2, R1.  I'm the plate umpire.  Clean hit to the outfield.  R2 collides with F5 about two feet in front of the third base bag.  I yell, "that's obstruction!"  R2 regains his balance and runs for home.  Throw comes in from F8 and sails all the way to the backstop allowing R2 to score anyways, R1 to go to third and the B/R to go to second.  Defensive daddy (I mean DHC) wants to know why the ball wasn't "dead" when I called obstruction.  He wanted the bases loaded with no runs scored!

Maybe his son was the next batter and he wanted a chance at a grand slam?

[Richvee]

This weekend's:  R2, R1.  I'm the plate umpire.  Clean hit to the outfield.  R2 collides with F5 about two feet in front of the third base bag.  I yell, "that's obstruction!"  R2 regains his balance and runs for home.  Throw comes in from F8 and sails all the way to the backstop allowing R2 to score anyways, R1 to go to third and the B/R to go to second.  Defensive daddy (I mean DHC) wants to know why the ball wasn't "dead" when I called obstruction.  He wanted the bases loaded with no runs scored!

It's the end of November and you're on the field calling games. Stop your bitchin'. 

[Mike Walsh]

Maybe his son was the next batter and he wanted a chance at a grand slam?

Defensive HC, grayhawk.

Mike

[Replacematt]

I'm now convinced of my calling. If I get to the point where I can't be on the field anymore, I'm going to attend random youth games and tell parents and coaches how stupid they are.

[Larry in TN]

Defensive daddy (I mean DHC) wants to know why the ball wasn't "dead" when I called obstruction.  He wanted the bases loaded with no runs scored!

See, this makes perfect sense once you realise that he, like most other rec-ball coaches, has his OBS and INT backwards.  He wanted an INT call against the runner!  LOL

 

[MObetterBlue]

Really, who doesn't love a good rant! 

I have a different twist on one from a Monster Bash tournament in October.  14U AA ball with R1 and 1 out.  He's stealing as the batter swings and misses.  Batter is off balance and is CLEARLY in front of the plate between the batters boxes.  Catcher does a nice job of coming up and making contact with the batter as he throws to 2B.  It was so blatent, my BU even sees it.  I call interference immediately, batters out, runner back to 1B.  Parents start chirping...  CHIRP, CHIRP, CHIRP...  OHC calls time and asks what I had.  I told him the situation.  We're standing near home plate and to my utter shock, the coach says, "Hey catch, great job there".  He gives the catcher a fist bump and walks back to the 1B coaches box.  Frankly, I'm impressed.  Well done coach.  Parents on the other hand won't let it go...  CHIRP, CHIRP, CHIRP...  I ignore them.

An inning later the team with the coach I now respect a little, has lost.  They're clearing the field and the parents are still chirping.  Crazy.  That same coach walks up to the stands and says, "You need to stop.  This is embarrassing!"  and heads to his dugout.  My partner and I were walking off the field when that happened and it stopped me in my tracks.  I turned around, jogged over near the coach and just say "Hey coach, thank you."  He nods and we both go about our day.  So I guess only 99% of coaches are truly rats.  .

[Mudisfun]

It's the end of November and you're on the field calling games. Stop your bitchin'. 

End of November and both my games this weekend were in the mid 80's.

Horrible.

[grayhawk]

End of November and both my games this weekend were in the mid 80's.

Horrible.

I know, right?  Had a 7 inning game Saturday and two 9 inning games Sunday and was sweating up a storm!  But I don't have anything else on my schedule until December 19th.

[lawump]

The level of baseball I worked these past two weekends can be described as entry-level high school.  What I mean by that is that these kids were jayvee and freshman team level players.  Some were moving up to a 90-foot diamond (from 80-foot) for the first time this fall. 

I am not trying to "big-league" anyone with this post...I truly mean this in all seriousness...but I found this level exceptionally difficult to officiate.  On the plate, I was getting "chirping" from the dugout when I would call a "ball" on a breaking ball that landed in the dirt behind the point of the plate (or when the catcher caught the pitch with his glove slapping the ground).  It was almost as if they were so impressed that the pitcher threw a breaking ball that was over the plate, that they felt it had to be a strike no matter if it was low (or high, for that matter).  [ASIDE:  At one point a head coach made a pitching change.  During the change, the head coach told me that his, "pitcher has a nasty breaking ball so (I needed) to hang in there with the pitch."  I told him that, "I would work on that," and then laughed under my breath.] 

On top of that, the catching was awful (compared to what I'm used to).  I quickly learned that I could not read the catcher's glove at that level...and I really, really struggled with that.  A "fastball" (I use that term loosely) would come in at the top of the knees, but the catcher would catch it and slap the ground with his glove.  Then, I'd catch holy hell from the coaches and parents when I "balled" it.  I finally decided to just ignore the catchers and things got quieter.  All I can say is that these pitchers are in for a rude awakening when they move up to varsity in 3-4 years (unless they have a good head coach who clues them in...and we DO have quality head coaches in this area). 

Umpiring the bases was also difficult.  The players (both defenders and runners) made so many bone-headed decisions that it caused me to have to dance all over the working area behind the mound.  I literally had obstruction, interference, dropped infield flies (that resulted in circuses every time), tag attempts using the glove while the ball was in the hand, steals with runners going in standing up, etc.  And every ground ball to short or third base was an adventure because these kids just don't have strong enough arms to throw it to first base with speed and accuracy.  It was very difficult when one is used to seeing much better athletes (who can run and throw with speed) performing.

In a sense, I thought of these games as being a minor league-like training ground for future varsity high school and even college umpires.  I can see that by the time one gets to those (FED/NCAA), one might have seen everything in these daddy-ball leagues.  I have a new found level of respect for the umpires who primarily work this level of baseball.  It is quite difficult to officiate between the bone-headed plays, the whining daddies and the crazy fans. 

Give me an NCAA game with maybe one jerk head coach over a group of nutty parents any day!

[JaxRolo]

I feel your pain!

[grayhawk]

I think parents might be a little more relaxed out here as a general rule.  I was working a freshman game on Saturday and made an obstruction call at the plate.  The ball took F2 up the line and directly into the path of the runner trying to score.  He clearly hindered the runner before he gained possession of the ball.  After the play was over and I called time, F2 asked me what he did and I gave him a brief explanation.  The coach came out and simply asked what the call was and I told him it was obstruction because the fielder hindered the progress of the runner before he had possession of the ball - he accepted the explanation and returned to his dugout.  There were no comments from the parents in the stands (and they are right behind a short backstop on this field).  Between innings, a parent calmly asked if he could ask a question and that he wasn't arguing the call.  It was a relaxed atmosphere so I said sure.  He just asked what the rule was and I explained it briefly and that was that.  It's fall ball and most of the coaches and parents get it.

 

[Mudisfun]

Had basically the same thing happen on Sunday for a freshman level game but without the obstruction. No fence and the batter crushes it and goes for all 4. Catcher is setup for the throw inside the 3rd base foul line leaving access to the plate. As B/R is coming in F2 snags the ball and quickly spins toward the runner causing them both to connect. This is more of a sideswipe collision versus a train wreck; no bodies flying or catcher getting plowed. At point of contact the ball pops out and B/R touches home and I have nothing but baseball. Out comes the coach who is the HS freshman coach. Blue he has to slide.... No there was no force blah blah blah. At the end coach went back after a short explanation and I never heard a word from the which leads me to agree with Grayhawks statement about parents at least for fall being a little more relaxed. Maybe it also was the 86 degree pounding we were all taking and everyone wanting to go home. Who knows. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[HokieUmp]

I know, right?  Had a 7 inning game Saturday and two 9 inning games Sunday and was sweating up a storm!  But I don't have anything else on my schedule until December 19th.

The struggle is real.