Umpire Van Winkle

[TPBD Blue]

tl;dr - umpired from 1980-2001, retired, returned in 2023 and man, some of the changes that have occurred...

how it started (circa late 80s): note the light blue shirt and outside chest protector

when I retired (2000s):

and how it's going:

I'm starting this thread to share some observations I've made now that I'm back after 20+ years. I'm very interested in your opinions

One thing I've noticed - being on a first name basis with coaches and (sometimes) players

Back in the day, it was 'coach', 'blue' and whatever the player was doing e.g. 'catch' (for catcher), 'bats' (for batter) etc. Though I'm ok with introducing myself by name and coaches doing the same, I prefer 'blue' as no coach has ever said to me, "Pete, you had a really consistent strike zone today". Rather, I got the coach who hit me with, "Pete, you totally missed that call at 2nd because you called it too soon and you didn't give take time to analyze that he couldn't be out" despite the fact that I was working solo, called the pitch, then called the steal. For me, if the throw beats the runner and the tag is good (hand/foot, arm/leg, shoulder/head - less likely if on the body further away from the base). Anyway, I prefer civil & respectful, maybe even friendly but we're not on a first name basis

[The Man in Blue]

Old light blue + new stance = new light blue and stance!  😋

 

Thank you for the anecdotal support on the name thing!  

[TPBD Blue]

thanks, @The Man in Blue - actually broke out the outside protector and had to take a knee at a Middle School game I worked tonight as some players were so short that my sight line was at their letters when on one knee. I still can pop up pretty quick but the knee was for a few players - I worked from the slot & squat for most of the game

What's your experience with first names? Is it a thing downstate?

[love to ump]

I too came back to the Umpire fold in 2022 after a 20 plus year gap from coaching/umpiring.

The name thing, I think is good....respect the coach who makes the effort to get it and use it.

Story from just last week...did way too many games over a 4 day period for an tourney ...U15 & U18

Gold medal team in U15....the coach got my name and used it.....and here's a first  for me..the starting pitcher and

catcher combo, introduced themselves pre-game as I handed them the game ball.

[TPBD Blue]

glad to see another ump return after an extended time away, @love to ump - what changes have caught your attention?

though I'm good with coaches & players introducing themselves, I prefer to keep it formal throughout the game - just simpler for me

I hear ya about too many games done - I did a triple-header in July (1st & 3rd game behind the plate) and I was aching for a few days after. Much tougher after age 60

[love to ump]

Changes...oh yeah

Skill level down in younger ages....blame it on Covid.

Police checks and anti-bullying training....good things, but new to me.

Pitch counts...when I coached, I had 2 pitchers to trust (one my son, of course)...so they

pitched till there arm fell off!

Too many games!!!....not sure if this is bragging or admitting insanity...tourney had 90 minute games, in 2 hour windows..I did 6 games a day in a row on Wed/Thurs and Saturday.....thank Jesus for rain on Friday...and yes I am sixty plus...and yes I still ache......but shows what an umpire shortage there is when you have a weekday tourney.

[TPBD Blue]

hey, @love to ump;

- good explanation on the skill level down on the younger ages...they also seem a bit smaller at the middle school level

- background checks and hate speech/harassment instruction here in Illinois too (though back in the day, we called it sportsmanship) - still have the patch from twenty years ago:

We also have concussion recognition education

- I've got mixed feelings about pitch limits: glad that young arms are protected but have had games turn to shambles when relievers have been brought in (although some have surprised)

- don't know how you guys do it as I limit myself to no more than three games in a week with a day off in between. Gratefully, had a game canceled on Thurs - temps predicted near 100F (38) with humidity making it feel like 115F 😬

[StatsUmp]

7 hours ago, TPBD Blue said:

good explanation on the skill level down on the younger ages...they also seem a bit smaller at the middle school level

The same thing is happening in my area. Last year, a long-time middle school coach was telling me how his city's summer program that once had four baseball teams was down to two and that the skill level of the players trying out for the school team was also down because many of the good players would rather play travel ball than for the middle school and city league.

 

7 hours ago, TPBD Blue said:

- I've got mixed feelings about pitch limits: glad that young arms are protected but have had games turn to shambles when relievers have been brought in (although some have surprised)

I've also experienced this. I had a team that was up by nine runs put in a reliever due to pitch counts only to have him struggle so badly the team trailed by one once they finally recorded the third out.

The pitch counts also make it clear which teams lack pitching depth. I  had a JV Tuesday/Thursday series where one team didn't have a good pitcher available on Tuesday and got mercied in three innings. On Thursday, both teams had their top pitchers available and we had an exciting and fun to umpire 4-2 game.

Anyways, welcome back @TPBD Blue. Despite the shortage of umpires, know your limits and don't burn yourself out.

[love to ump]

the shortage of Umpires is also a change.

Do not remember have any teen umpires back in the "old days".

Our district is doing a pretty good job recruiting them....because without them the shortage would

be dire...lacking adult umpires....becomes issue during some crazy tourney schedules.

[BLWizzRanger]

Knowing what we now know, no one is going to mention the white van in the background?

Hopefully all of the kids made it safely home that night...

Sent from my SM-F721U1 using Tapatalk

[TPBD Blue]

back in the day (1980s) @BLWizzRanger, vans were how players were transported to the games in lieu of gas-guzzling school buses

[love to ump]

think I saw it on different topic post about equipment checks.... then versus now....I do remember an umpire who wanted to do a cup check with a bat...very few if girls played back then....but still....I sure hope he wasn't driving the white van!

[TPBD Blue]

hey, @love to ump - was surprised to learn at a middle school game that I umped yesterday that bat checks was in force (after working HS where "legally and properly equipped" was sufficient). That said, I do remember a few incidents this season where a player was struck near the cup area and went down like he wasn't wearing one 😬

[TPBD Blue]

today's topic - so many colors

had a first for the season - reached out to my ump partner for today's game to ask what color shirt he wanted to wear and he said that all he had was navy blue. Thinking about breaking out my +POS shirt for old time's sake

back in the day (1980s), light blue buttoned short-sleeved was the only choice. The navy blue pullover arrived as I was ending my career in the late 90s. Not sure when black came into favor

My preference is the light blue with the black collar during the summer (cooler and no ring-around-the-collar, an issue with the all-light blue shirts), navy during the spring (though rarely in Metro Chicago as jackets are worn most games), and black when working Varsity games

Variety may be the spice of life but it can also add up - I have one of each color both with the IHSA embroidery and plain (for non-HS games). Definitely not picking up MLB replica shirts nor the other colors (pink, grey, creme)

[834k3r]

Oh, man. It's a good thing @MadMax is laying low, or he'd let you know navy blue shirts are his favorite.

[TPBD Blue]

thanks, @834k3r - light blues are top of list only because of the warmer weather (just feel cooler to me). Don't know how guys can wear the navy (let alone blacks) when temps are in the 90s. Luckily, temps in Metro Chicago are in the 70s today, so rest assured @MadMax, I'll be wearing navy today