Matchmaking behind the plate

[The Man in Blue]

I've been sharing this one locally for two weeks, figured I should share it here since I'm back.

12u weekend travel tournament.  VT catcher comes out to start the bottom of the first and is chatty ... unusually chatty. Big kid, really nice.  Blonde curly hair.  "Hey blue!  How are you today?  How long have you been umpiring?  Did you coach before?  What do you do for a living?"  I answer all of these as we proceed through the first inning.  I start thinking this is the kid from Bad Santa ... looks like him, acts like him ...

In the 2nd inning he continues.  Asks where I'm from, a little bit about baseball, tells me some stories.  At one point we have to stop the game briefly when he starts crying on a play because the batter inadvertently yelled in his ear as he was standing up between plays.  "I have sensitive hearing!" he cried.  Coach finally calmed him down and we move on.  Bad Santa.

3rd inning ... Catcher: "Hey Blue.  My mom came to my game today."

Me: "Well, that's good!  Does she not usually come?"

Catcher: "No not usually. My stepdad usually comes.  I don't like my stepdad very much."  (I start thinking: I am NOT your therapist kid.)  Two batters later: "You know, you should meet my mom.  I think she'd really like you."

🤨

Fortunately they were run-ruled right after that.  I'm not sure if the mercy rule kicked in for them or me.

[Catch18]

I've been sharing this one locally for two weeks, figured I should share it here since I'm back.
12u weekend travel tournament.  VT catcher comes out to start the bottom of the first and is chatty ... unusually chatty. Big kid, really nice.  Blonde curly hair.  "Hey blue!  How are you today?  How long have you been umpiring?  Did you coach before?  What do you do for a living?"  I answer all of these as we proceed through the first inning.  I start thinking this is the kid from Bad Santa ... looks like him, acts like him ...
In the 2nd inning he continues.  Asks where I'm from, a little bit about baseball, tells me some stories.  At one point we have to stop the game briefly when he starts crying on a play because the batter inadvertently yelled in his ear as he was standing up between plays.  "I have sensitive hearing!" he cried.  Coach finally calmed him down and we move on.  Bad Santa.
3rd inning ... Catcher: "Hey Blue.  My mom came to my game today."
Me: "Well, that's good!  Does she not usually come?"
Catcher: "No not usually. My stepdad usually comes.  I don't like my stepdad very much."  (I start thinking: I am NOT your therapist kid.)  Two batters later: "You know, you should meet my mom.  I think she'd really like you."

Fortunately they were run-ruled right after that.  I'm not sure if the mercy rule kicked in for them or me.

Well, did you show him the universal signal for “hot mom, 7 o’clock, 3rd row, visitor’s bleacher?”


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[The Man in Blue]

I haven't been taught that one ... but I will say I have enjoyed umpiring in the South.  

[SeeingEyeDog]

From the "Nobody Asked Me" file...

Um...we need to start having an annual awards show and this thread should absolutely go in the hopper for Thread Of The Year...priceless.

~Dawg