First HS Games Today

[RWPatten]

I took a HS Varsity/JV Doubleheader today on short notice. This was my first school ball experience. I had a blast. I was FU for the Varsity and PU for the JV. My mechanics suck right now, but I'll know I will get better with experience.

Home team won 11-10 on a bases loaded walk. Had a bang-bang play at 2nd in the 7th inning. Fans didn't like the safe call, but they couldn't see that the SS never tagged the runner. Then the visiting pitcher walked everyone else.

The only thing is I wish I got paid for how many runners were left on base. It was crazy.

I can hardly wait for the next games.

[Umpire in Chief]

Mechanics will come. Make sure you always work on your timing. You'll be suprised how much the game slows down mentally as your timing gets better. Keep us updated on how your season goes.

[widac]

I was FU for the Varsity

You were FU? Immediate ejection!:kissass:

[RWPatten]

:kissass: I know. I think I like being behind the dish as of right now.

[Stan W.]

ouch!! this might be semantics but you are never the FU.....you are the BU.....or you are HPU or UIC....but dont call yourself the FU......

Edited March 17, 2009 by Stan W.
spelling/context

[Jeff C.]

I know this thread is a month old, but MY first HS game is on 4/14/09 and I'M NERVOUS AS HELL!! Which I know is a good thing. My biggest fear is being out of position on some type of rotation. I've been reading the rule book, doing some on field practice and working out. I've read the J/R manual through once and still reference it, I've read the FED rule book at least twice and still read it and I've looked at the case book from FED as well. I also read every bit of good and wise advice I can find on here as well as a couple of other forums. Does everyone get butterflies before games?

[mstaylor]

Sure, but just remember it's just another game. It is just like whatever level you have been working except maybe a little faster. Remember to breath deep and don't suck. :confused:

[Jeff C.]

Thanks Michael I'll try to remember the breathing part! I may hyperventilate on the way to the game, but I'll have about 40 minutes to get there. Probably plenty of time to recover:)

[mstaylor]

I had a guy yrs ago that was doing his first HS game and was so nervous that he played with his indicator the whole way to the game. (20 miles) Somehow between arriving at the site and getting ready he lost his indicator, had to lend him one. I thought I was going to have to O2 for him. He worked one year and decided to coach cross country. now he is the lifting coach and AD at his school. He is my son's lifting coach.

[Bailey8]

8 games into my first season of hs umping, the only question I keep asking myself is " why did I wait so long to start"!

5 as BU and 3 as PU, Already I prefer the dish! First night behind the dish got hit twice, forgot to call foul on 2 hits over the fence, and a had close call at the plate. I couldn't stop smiling for an hour! I called my mentor immediately after the game and talked for an hour about the game!

[LMSANS]

8 games into my first season of hs umping, the only question I keep asking myself is " why did I wait so long to start"!

5 as BU and 3 as PU, Already I prefer the dish! First night behind the dish got hit twice, forgot to call foul on 2 hits over the fence, and a had close call at the plate. I couldn't stop smiling for an hour! I called my mentor immediately after the game and talked for an hour about the game!

Was there somebody that was unsure that they were foul when they cleared the fence? You don't need to verbalize the obvious. If F1 throws one over the backstop, do you yell out "ball"?

I'm glad you are enjoying it. That is the same way I felt six years ago. And I haven't lost the feeling yet.:clap:

[Stan W.]

I know this thread is a month old, but MY first HS game is on 4/14/09 and I'M NERVOUS AS HELL!! Which I know is a good thing. My biggest fear is being out of position on some type of rotation. I've been reading the rule book, doing some on field practice and working out. I've read the J/R manual through once and still reference it, I've read the FED rule book at least twice and still read it and I've looked at the case book from FED as well. I also read every bit of good and wise advice I can find on here as well as a couple of other forums. Does everyone get butterflies before games?

Every time I went to a higher level, I had the butterflies because i felt that the umpires at that level must be better than I was.....yes, the game got faster but you will be surprised to see that you will adjust just fine....

its good to be a bit nervous, it shows that you care if you do a good job or not..

best of luck...

[Jeff C.]

That's great Bailey! Good for you. Thanks for the support men. My wife just asked me, with a smile, "How many times you going to read that rule book, man?!"

I replied "As many times as it takes!" And then some more. Unfortunately the weather forecast is rain and cold tomorrow:( I hope not.

[Umpire in Chief]

I tell you this is addicting.

[Jeff C.]

FINALLY, after two rainouts my first game. I SHOULD HAVE DONE THIS 10 YEARS AGO:HD: I enjoyed the hell out of it. I thought I did ok. My partner felt I did ok too. I know there were a couple of times I got caught watching the ball on flyballs to the outfield and I was quick a couple of times on my base calls. But since I recognized this I know I will improve. My only pre-game beef was my partner arrived @ 4:10 for a 4:30 game. I was getting a little nervous that this might be a one man show, which I certainly didn't want to happen, especially my first game. The game was a real barn burner 13-12 with about 8 errors per team. I was concentrating on the game so much that I didn't even recognize that the scoreboard was on until the 3rd inning. Can't wait for the next one.

[Umpire in Chief]

Sometimes those crazy high scoring games can be good because they throw a lot of different situations out at us and challenge us. But I'd still prefer the 1-0 1:15 game everyday if I could.

Also, recognizing your faults is the first step to correcting them. Monitor which mistakes you are making most frequently as you go and spend a little more time on those. Be open to feedback from others and keep learning every time you're out there.