Charity Events and assholes

So I do charity events damn near all weekend. (Umpire for free)
Friday a fundraiser for the high school fun and nothing really to mention
Saturday was pay at the plate and that was nice 110 for 5hours
Sunday was a toy for tots drive. The teams all bring toys and they get to playa tourney.

Saturday 14 girls fast pitch. I was awesome.
I covered third and my partner was slow to get to home almost blew it.
I pooched a first base safe call and knew it. First was bobbling the ball as the runner crossed the bag. I came up to fast with the call and I knew it.
They asked for the appeal and I gave it to them my partner knew I needed the bail. I changed my call
I lost count once and I missed 3 pitches total for the whole game.

Sunday
I do 10s behind the mound. The strike zone is weird from back there. And when the sun is in your eyes it is worse.
At the start I was told that a kid has to fall off the mound to get a balk.
This is a good time for the coaches to pitch the other boys.
So there was some balks but I did not call them ( I was told they have to drop the ball of fall off the mound to get a balk).
My last game was 12s behind the mound. They thanked me for my time and they thanked me for wearing the Santa hat and they thought that was a nice touch.
White vs. blue.
The sun was in the batters eyes so I tightened the zone a bit.
Whites pitcher was throwing inside 2 balls wide and I would call a ball. then the pitcher would mutter under his breath "come on blue".
The bitching started and a dad yells “that was a curve ball blue haven’t you seen a curve ball before.”
I yell “the ball still has to cross the plate to work.”
More retarded comments form both sides and then the half.
I stand on the offensive side and curve ball dad says "you got to hang with the curve" meaning that he felt I was giving up on the pitch too soon.
“No sir I am here as a volunteer and if you think you are better then maybe you should get out here in my stead.”
“I would love to.”
“Then you should not be so rude and disrespectful.”
He does not move and then says “you got to help the pitcher out some.
You got to hang with the curve ball.”
“No I have had enough of your mouth you sir are done no more you are rude and disrespectful”
“But I was....”
I turn to a coach from his team and tell the coach,
“I have had enough of his rude mouth. any more at all you and him will be in the parking lot charity or not and there is still an hour 10 minutes left to play. “
“do we understand?”
“yes “
Now I was loud enough for everyone to here and everyone knew I had enough
Blue coach said we are just joking with you, you know for fun, keeps you on your toes.
No sir that is not right. I get paid for the abuse and I am not getting paid today.
The white coach later apologizes and says he realizes that I am volunteering and he is sorry for the dad.
“No that is fine the issue is behind us now and the warning stands.”
The score is now blue 8 white 1 bottom of five with 6 minutes left to go.
Two outs and Flair to left gets a boy from blue on base.
Boy steals to second then to third.
Pitcher is trying to hold the boy on but the boy is too quick back to the bag.
The pitch steps to set and starts his motion and I see his foot 13 inches off the rubber.
“That’s a balk“
I balked the winning run into home to finish the game 3 minutes early.

Got plunked on sunday.
My fault.
I thought balls was called and i thought all the balls had come in and i started down the line to my A position and "tunk" right in the temple.
No arguing well none really to complain about.
coach pitch team wanted to discuss the baseline. i explained that the runner was not avoiding a tag and was avoiding a collision.
He whined and began to yell to his team about running out of the baseline
I told him that was enough he started again and i said that was enough and he said he was just... i cut him off and i said i know what you are doing and this is your last warning.
That was the whole day.
The day before i found that if my timing is slower i get less complaints from everybody.

Fucking cry babies

FUCK YOU COACHES FUCK YOU PARENTS ANSD FUCK YOU ASSHOLES!!!
WHAT THEY FCK IS YOUR FUCKING PROBLEM
sHE CAN NOT PUT THE FUCKING BALL OBVE RTHE PLATE I CAN NOT CALL IT A STTIKE IF IT DOES NOT CROSS THE PALATE!!!!
dO NOT COME UP TO ME AND TELL ME I SUCK AND THAT MY STRIKE ZONE SUCKLS ADMIT THAT YORUPITCHER SUCKS AND TIYOYU SUCK AS AFUCKING COACH/DAD
yES YOU SUCK AS A DAD
YOUTEACH THESE KIDS THAT IT IS OK TO FUCKING DFAIL AS LONG AS YOU HAVE SOMEONE ELSE TO BLAME.
I DO NOT CARE ABOUT YOUR FUCKING PROBLEMS AND YOUR FUICKING IN ABILITY TO PLAYA A FUCKING GAME
I CALL THE CORNERS ALL FUCKING DAY LNG AND IF HE BALL DOES NTO CROSS THE PLATE THEN I CAN NOT DALL IT A ASTRIKE
YOU WOULD CRY IF I ACALLED THE SANME PITCHES ON YOUR GIRLS ABTTING.
FUCK U[OFF WITICHATAW. FUCK IOFF TEXAS ADN FUCK YOU FLORIDA. WHAT KIND OF SHITTY FUCKING BABNLL DO YOU ALL PALY AT HOME???
FUCK YOU ALL YOU ALL FUCKING SUCK AND CRY WAY TO FUCJKING MUCH!!!
FIUCK!!!FUCK FUCKL FUCK FUCK JFUCKL 90KLFJKOUCUKUL FLCUKLJFNKOJUHCFNKUIKNKFIABOI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1KLF[PSLIDEHJKWSJKKJKAFNHKLASHFKzaA'
ZLKCDNHLCVHIZBHJCFKZA]
ZALOFIHNZAC
AFILHNAOIEFNAFJKLJKLKLA[P

]


[FUCK
FUCK!!!!

Dad: You Suck as a Umpire
Me: Really? you suck as a woman
Dad: I am not a woman
Me: Really Then you just suck!

Baseball for the weekend

2 games Saturday nothing to really mention.
A pick off to second low and in front of the bag short drops to catch the ball and the base runner is tagged out. Coach wants an obstruction. No coach he is allowed to catch the ball he has to catch the ball.
Sunday three games
First (plate) was not too much, some Wow’s, and some he is calling high, and why not the outside corner blue?
Then the field white vs. blue
Banger on first safe and white coach comes unglued yelling and screaming onto the field
Whoa coach no one gave you time!
Your partner did.
I did not and you want to talk to me.
Can I have time then?
No it was my call and I will not discuss my call with you.
Just talk to me
No and that will be enough
Just admit you blew the call
I did not and we are not going there today and that is your warning
You blew the call
No coach that will be enough and that is the last warning.
The he begins to talk to a fenced parent. I am deaf and I can not hear but I know that it is not a compliment on how good my shoes look today. And they did look good. Armor all extra shine is the shit!
Later in the game high throw to first blue is out by 3 steps but because the throw was high 1st baseman had to stand tall to reach the throw which put him in the middle of the bag
Third base coach goes fucking crazy jumping up a down and screaming that the baseman has to provide an avenue to the bag.
No coach he has to catch the ball.
Time
No coach we do not have time to discuss the call and I will not grant you time
More yelling about avenue.
Coach that will be enough
You are gonna make a weak call like that
Coach THAT will be enough
You are weak!
You are gone
You suck oh my god! This is about the kids (still jumping up and down)
You suck you suck you suck! Oh my god
He leaves to the dugout I turn and go back to the game we play later I see he is in the dugout and not gone.
Eh what the hell he is quiet and that is what I wanted.
My partner asks later didn't you toss him eh I put him in the dugout and he is quiet.
You should have enforced it
White coach comes up and asks about the coach I tell the site coach it is not his concern.
He walks away.
Game finishes white wins blue cries and I leave.
As my partner and I leave some parents say good game young man but not you old man.
I am deaf so I miss it.
Oh well.
In the locker room we mention the ejection in front of the UIC.
We have a 1.5 hour wait for the next game.
I am in the commons area on the phone waiting and a blue player is on the way to the rest room and sees me and starts to cry some more.
Just before we head out UIC comes in and says "what the hell happened on your game!"
I tell him I ejected a coach but let him stay in the dug out.
He asks the story
I tell him the story
So you threw out S.R.
Eh yeah I guess who is S.R.
Pitcher for the (A MLB Team)
Sorry still do not know him
Pitcher for the (A MLB Team) for 10 years.
Another umpire in the room "man he usually is very quiet"
No he was out of control jumping up and down and I sucked.
UIC says nothing more we leave
On the way out Tournament director asks "which one of you ejected S.R."
I pony up
Man what happened
I say he lost control and made it personal.
Half way to the field another umpire asks who threw out S.R.
I look at my partner man am I in trouble?
No do not worry about it.
Championship game. (White vs. Red)
What happened to the zone?
Did the blue loose the zone?
Call it for him too then!
First 4 innings score less and completed in 1 hour less than 8 pitches total per inning.
Then a walk that scored and then in the sixth 6 more runs and the game ends white over red

Two games last night

You know when I umpire I looked like an asshole. I do not mean to look like an asshole. But there you go I am an asshole on the field that is just because if look like the nice guy I am the coaches all get outta hand real quick.
In my plate meeting I finish with;
"If there is a play on the field and you want to talk about the play, let the play finish wait for the call, ask for time, wait for time to be granted, approach the official that made the call and we can have a positive discussion. I expect sportsmanship from both sides. Any questions"
We started with some jokes about some other umpires being bad and that they maybe friends of mine and I said since I becomes an umpire I have no friends. Do not feel bad for me though this is good. I save allot of money on alcohol and food when I have people over for a party.
I told them I was alone on the field and that I would be making all the calls tonight. They said that was ok.
I said well because we all have no choice in the matter (I am an asshole).
Game is good second batter up makes a close double into a close triple causing me to run the field.
I look good I am in position at all times.
Boy tryst to steal second, good idea with on umpire, the catcher gets the ball there first and the runner slides into the tag. The glove with the ball is under the knees of the runner.
I call "show me the ball" the short stop pulls the glove out and the ball flees outta his mitt. "Safe"
The usual chirping about the balls and strikes actually the balls the strikes were quite.
At the bottom of the 4th the batter chips the ball into the ground in front of the plate.
It is now like a bunt and barely rolls up the third base side with a loose runner on third.
The ball spins on the line -ON THE LINE- a 2 and half inch ball is spinning like a top on a 2 inch line. Catcher and pitcher hover. Ball stops and they look at me. My right arm shoots out pitcher picks the ball up looks back and throws to the base but the batter is on base by 3 steps. Runner on third comes in on the throw to first and scores.
Coach calls time.
I expect a talk about the line.
He says "the ball came off the batters toe when he was in the box"
"No it did not"
"Uh YES it did" like duh big red truck tone.
"No it did not"
"Yes it did"
"No coach the call is mine not yours the ball did not touch the batter"
"Yes it did"
"I did not see contact therefore contact did not occur"
"Yes it did”
"You know what this conversation is over"
"You said we would have a positive conversation"
"And the conversation was positive until you said I was wrong"
"I never raised my voice"
"Neither have I yet"
"Now again this conversation is over and this is your warning."
"My warning there was contact and ..."
"Now coach I have stated that this conversation is over AND I have given you your warning
This is your second and last."
He walks away and mutters.
What should have occurred was "coach what the hell you want me to do? Appeal? Come on I 1 umpire doing 1 man mechanics and you want to try and bust my balls on a bullshit call like that fuck you! And tell that loud mouth fucking mom to shut the hell up. She can not see the fucking plate from there so can not tell little Donny that the pitch was a strike. Fuck off and here let me help you to the dugout with a swift kick to the ass."

I remember a time when I liked the game of baseball
The smell of wet grass, the throwing the ball with my son, the "anything can happen" feeling, the thought of how happy and proud my son is when he completes a well played game. Man the great life lessons he is learning.
I was probably the only parent that rooted for the team until the umpire called ball game.
I remember coaching and I remember the umpires and I never argued with the umpires. I knew they were not there to get me but to get the game right. Today coaches watch the sports highlights and think that the umpires are there to abuse. The kids learn that the umpires are blind, stupid, they suck and they are worthless. They could not make a call to save their lives, and the team must not only beat the other team but they must beat the umpires too.
Man these fucking parents and coaches are way the fuck outta control.
FUCK YOU!
The second game was good until a coach asked for time and then asked about my strike zone. I told him that the strike zone is not up for discussion, but are they outside?
You know what coach I will give you a free one. They are outside just as I have motioned through out the game.
But...
No coach a free one does not mean that you can ask another question.
He moves his catcher and wow strike. the kid already has a smoking fast ball and the other team is basically a rec team he could finish the game with 9 pitch innings and we could go home early but know you and that loudmouth bitchy mom gotta play like it is the world fucking series.
BLA BLA BLA BLA
FUCK YOU
FUCK YOU FUCK YOU!

09-18-2007

My freaking games on Tuesday.
10AA
I have the field.
My partner has the plate. He asks me to handle the plate meeting.
I state unlimited runs and the run rules are 15,10,8 3, 4, 5
0and the rest of the stuff
No questions we play a slow game of baseball
Next game...
My plate my speech
Coach red asks about balk warnings.
I say sure it is fall if you both want them then I will give 2 per pitcher.
I am also lenient in league a little shoulder no call allot of shoulder then yeah I will.
Flinch because he is nervous warning; flinch because he trying to trick I will flat-out call. This is fall we want to be instructing.
All say great let us get started.
Blue pitcher balks as red steals third. I stop I send the runner back to second and explain the balk to the pitcher.
Dad in dugout starts to chirp. This chirping continues through out the whole game did he go did not go ball strike safe blab the kids get started also now I have a problem he is teaching the kids to be disrespectful.
The red coach wants to know why I sent his runner back to second.
I explain "You wanted warnings I will send the runner back"
But he was stealing how can you send him back?
Because he was not at the base when I called time and I had to call time to give the warning and instruction.
Man you know he was pissed because it was his request for warnings.
Blue on defense Infield blooper behind the pitchers mound short comes in to catch and does. Did he trap or not??? I can not see or say my partner has the call he says yes and throws runner on first out.
Red manager wants to call time says he wants to appeal. I smile nicely san say no he can not. That was a judgment call and not an appeasable play.
He says what?
I say that was not a rules call it was judgment call. You can appeal judgment calls.
And I continue the game
At the half the red manager wants to get clarification on the appeal process. Sure.
I explain that had there been rules incrustation he can ask the umpire that made the call why he made the call, then say that you feel the rule says this and then ask him to get some help on it. then we two umpires will talk get the rule right because that is what we want to do and then my partner will make the correct changes if needed.
But that was a judge net call. You have to ask the umpire that made the call if he could ask me what I saw. He will either ask or not it is his choice. If he asks I will meet with him discuss what I saw and then he will change the call if needed. But I will not talk to him about a judgment call unless he asks for it.
Red plays a very aggressive stand on your neck baseball through the entire game. They lead the entire game they like to stomp on the players.
Close play at first partner calls blue safe. Foot off the bag. Red manager asks my partner for time. My partner says no I will not discuss it with you. Red manager looks at me I shrug, "I said if he chooses it is his chose."
Dad starts off he did not drop the ball how can you let him make that call?
I turn "sir I have had enough of you commentary. He did not say he roped the ball he said the foot was off the bag. We are not going to have anymore from you tonight.
What did I say?
That will be enough. This is now your last warning.
We get to the last inning and home (blue) is behind by 5 runs. Blue shuts red down on 1 run.
Red takes the field
Blue starts to get some hits and now is 2 from tying with one out. Red manager calls time.
Hey blue aren't we doing the 5 run limit?
No sir at the plate I stated unlimited run rule in effect 15,10,8 3, 4, 5.
You did?
Yes I did ... that’s right you chose not to be at the plate meeting that is why you did not know.
But last game we played 5 run...
Was I the umpire at that game?
No
Well then I can not speak about that game.
Was that part of the plate meeting at that game?
Yes
Well then you all agreed to that then.
Today we are playing by the rules with no league modifications as I was told at the beginning of the season.
Now I have to finish the game.
I continue.
Blue gets an out and then a run.
Red manager calls time again.
Yes sir?
Now let me get this straight.
Coach I want to go home as much as you do. It is late the boys have homework I have homework. Let us just finish the game. I explained this to you before. I was told no moods so there are no moods.
If you agreed to something the other day that is the other day
So you umpires can come onto the field with what ever rules you...
Sir we are done with this conversation.
He walks off mutter about something and he tells the stands that umpire gets to makeup the rules.
I stop the game.
Coach. I have stated that this is over. That this conversation is complete. I have heard you and I am telling you that that is enough. I do not care how close to the end of the game we are I have no problem changing your perspective of the game.
We finish the game blue wins by the 1 run needed.
I check the website and yes there is a 5 run rule.
I e-mail my UIC the story and say that I was under the impression that USSSA rules are in effect and that I was sorry.
He informs me I was right the website was old and that any AA game is unlimited. That the coach was already e-mailing that his boys were devastated.
Him and the president looked at my game card and noted that if the red manager thought the game was 5 limits he would have tried to finish the game 1 inning back and 25 minutes short.
They told him that I was right and to just learn from it.

Umpire class last weekend was a blast

Went to umpire camp. While doing field work I told the instructor that the field was my weakest. He began to discuss why and i never hardly got time to do any drills. I did get a lot of advice. and i was right about my problem. I just need to jump faster on the ball. I tend feel that that would be cheating the ball but I need to get there before the play with the angle and be set.
I just have to or this will be my biggest coach problem.
The we spent time in the cage My tracking was great. They said they could not believe that I was only one season. My stance was perfect and voice was loud. My timing was crap and they spent much time on that. They did not like my ring-up. but said I could get away with it. I did not tell them I was trying to meld softball into baseball so that all of the motions looked natural.
Needless to saw I ditched the dice throw and went to a forward punch. This also means I ditched the side strike indicator also since softball does not allow and baseball seems to be moving away from the point too.
Watched the LLBWS regional. What the fuck?!!?!?!? Some of those boys need fucking haircuts before getting on the field.
I thought the plate umpire was pretty good. Did not seem to be locked in as much as I thought I would like to be but over all look comfortable and in charge.
Will try to catch more this week.

Got screwed by a brother.

I can not say much about this softball tournament other than I learned a great deal about the culture of the softball umpires. There is a lot of elitist attitude. The parents and coaches are allowed to be more abusive (that will change next season).
A slap bunter has different knees because they are moving.
The girls are more likely to ask you what was wrong with a pitch.
and some partners will sell you out and leave you to hang just for fun.
I had a call on a steal to third. The ball got there in time but I was straight lined with the runner between me and the tag. the motions all indicated a tag before the base but... after the call I felt the position of the players led to a possible missed tag. In order to get the right call I called time and conferred with my partner.
"Did you see the play?
If you are asking me because it is your call she was safe?
Did you see a tag as the tag occurred on u=your side of the runner?
I felt she got to the bag before the tag
no did you see contact on the tag?
I felt she was safe
alright then.
I changed my call
I think back now and I think there was something that was missing.
he never answered my question.
there was some diversity ratios that that may have played into the situation that I thought were not weighing in but now I feel I was screwed.
the coach bitched fro the rest of the game and questioned very call for the next three games I had with those teams.
I will never ever ever change a call now unless I made the wrong mechanical call by accident.
This is crap and I feel he fucked me more than any parent or coach. I will never trust his shit ever again.

Saturday Last Minute call

Games=3
GFPSB= 16/18
Ejections=lol Scrimmage but pay at the plate
Should haves=lol again
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
UIC invited me to come out and get some more time in under my belt
I asked is I can bring a partner so he can get more time.
My partner and I would split the money at the plate.
Three teams three games 90 mins each
Three man mechanics
I start on third, my partner on first and UIC at the plate.
some mix up on the first play but worked it out.
I received input at every half but my partner did not
nothing controversial.
second game I am behind the plate.
Nothing really special yeah I was a little low on maybe two pitches but that is baseball.
There was some inside pitches I would not call that some coaches thought I should
as well as some outside. They did not look like they were in the zone I did not call them
Then there was one that was funny and I made the coach mad when I laughed at her.
The catcher setup for an inside pitch and the pitcher threw an outside strike.
now you have to have seen this pitch 9/10ths of the ball was over the plate at mid thigh
This would have been a right field home run if the batter had seen it for what it was.
I called a strike.
Coach yells "if the catcher has to reach and drag the ball across her body then it is not a strike."
I looked at her and smiled big.
then I laughed and said to the catcher "but when the ball is over the plate and in the strike zone it
is still a strike."
The catcher smiled at me and we played ball.
The batter struck out looking at a belt high middle of the plate pitch.
She went back to the coach and told the coach what I said because they both looked at me
and I smiled again.
I will probably never get to work at one of her tourneys but there are many others to work.
my partner behind the plate was funny
He had this deleyed

ITB For 3 hours

---------------------------
Games=5
Ejections=0
Should haves=0 (Very Nice Crowd)
---------------------------
Game time 6:30p
I am on the bases
Softball tourney. Friendly. 12U (White) Playing up against 14U (Blue). 70 min game time.
Last inning white down by three, time expired (7:40), White is home. in a series of errors by blue white ties the game.
ITB Runner placed on second. inning played out team still tied. No progressive. blue scores three runs, White up now and two outs to move runner to third and put one on second.
Infield grounder to short, shorts errors the ball into the air, recovers and throws to first. Close but still obvious runner safe. I call it safe. runner on third scores. a series of errors and two more are scored. then the third out score tied (8:30).
Neither score (9:00) lightning delay (wimps) 30 mins.
(9:30) resume each score a run
10:00 rain like a mother call delay until tomarrow
8:30am resume play blue scores none white score none
9:15am blue score one and rains 20 mins later tourney canceled. I go home.
I missed out on three games due to ITB 75 dollars out the window. damn the rain!

Weekend of 06-29

8AA state tourney
-----------------------------------------------
Ejections=0
Should haves=0 (for me) 1 (For the partner)
-----------------------------------------------
15 8AA games Coach pitch with two man (not really challenging but an opportunity to work mechanics close to ASA style)
Rained through out most of games 3-4 part of 5. Then on Sunday rained off and on through out most except the ship (championship).
Interesting things:
Had a dead to rights tag at third. Tag occurred 2 feet from the bag and the coach wanted to claim the tag did not occur.
"Out? how is he out"
"An out occurs when the ball is in possession of a defensive player and the defensive player causes contact between the ball and an offensive player"
"he was never tagged"
"No coach the runner was tagged"
"no he was not"
"yes coach he was"
"can I appeal?”
"No coach it was my call I clearly saw contact and tag"
" but..." "No coach that will be enough"
.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,..,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.
House rules will kill you!
I was burned by house rules twice and so now in the morn I look at the house rules to be sure I have everything as right as one can with rule modifications.
'Oh Look they allow intentional walks in coach pitch'
.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.
Blue on defense and down by many runs
Reds hitter has already hit one home run and is now hitting fouls over the fence
After about eight Blue coach says "Hey can we just walk him" the statement was made as a speed up request more than anything else
"Yes coach you may"
And I put the boy on base
Games ends in a mathematical elimination.
.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.
Game 3
Red1 vs. white
I have the bases
Rundown on 2nd and 3rd.
Now my partner is my son and we have been working together for almost 80 games now. There is not much in the way of verbal anymore. Yes we still double call but these are easy calls and they are always the same call.
But rundowns are not a verbal "I got third or I got first" anymore it is just known. We fall into position and trace the play and let the right ump call the play.
Runner turns back to second
Makes a headfirst dive to the base. The ground is wet and he does not slide he sticks to the ground 6 inches from the base and he is tagged.
I call out and I call it with a "punch of his ticket" and "OH NO HE IS OUT!"
He gets up and heads to the dugout. The third base coach calls time and asks if I am sure?
I laugh and nod my head "No coach he was out"
"Because it looked like his hand may have gotten to base before the tag."
I laugh again and say "No coach he is out and you can not question safe and outs"
He says "I was being respectful at least you can do is be respectful back"
I stop the game with my hand, “Oh No Coach I am being respectful. I am telling you that the boy was out by a mile and that I was here and you were there and you can not argue safe and outs."
"But I..." and I start the game with a point to my partner and say "Play"
After the half is over the coach comes back to me and says that his first base coach said that it was good call.
I laugh and say "Well thank you. I glad to know that it took a first base coach from the same team to validate my judgment."
He looks at me.
I say "here is the deal that probably should have been covered in the plate meeting but I leave it out as I can not say it with out sounding like an overbearing dictator."
"Safe Out Fair Foul Ball Strike are judgment calls and not appeal able or arguable and questioning them is grounds for ejection House rules. Plain and simple.
Now you can ask for another angle and I will always let you provided I feel that a better angle could have been had. But that was not one of those calls. I was on top of it and I thought you were joking or I would have sent you to the parking lot. I do not like to do that and have only done it twice. Please let us not discuss that play ever again. Am I clear?"
"Yes sir"
"Man that was harsh"
"No it was stopping a train that is about to wreck"
.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.
Game 5
Close call at first coach believes that my partner may have missed it.
Asks me for help.
I tell the coach that the first and second base belong to my partner and that I was watching third and the runner crossing home.
He says that I was closer and should be watching first.
I laugh at this and ask would he like me to miss the runner not touching third or home and rule safe on an appeal.
He says "No!"
And I say "The play stands. Now please stop trying to argue judgment calls they are not up for appeal and you know it"
"I was not appealing"
"Coach when you ask for help it is to appeal or it is for a clarification of a rule.
The rule is clear and I know that you know the rule. The runner must beat the ball to first base. My partner WHO was watching the play judged that the runner clearly made it to the bag before the ball the runner is safe."
"Another word and I will rule that you are impeding the progress of the game."
"Common blue that’s...”
"No sir that will be enough" "Play"
{{I peaked at the play and the play was correct the runner was safe}}
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Game 7
No real close plays but may be one or two.
My partner was spot on an all of his calls. He was taking his time to make the call. In fact he was making a point to be slow to ensure the calls were right.
After the game the first base coach came up to us on the way out and said to my partner.
You know I have also umpired and I know how hard it is to do the job right. By you really were not in position to make many of the calls. You should......"
"Coach" I say "if you were an umpire in the past then you know how foolish you are sounding to us right now at this moment."
And we exit the field
One statement made under his breath
"That was very rude."
I turned and said "No COACH that was not rude that was some free advice from one umpire to another." and I smiled very friendly/crazy and we turned.
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Saturday Night at home before bed
Oh look you must announce an intentional walk prior to the pitch
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Game 10
Red versus blue
(red is the red from yesterday that had the player walked after 8 foul balls over the fence)
At the plate meeting
My partner is going over the rules
(Knowing I am going to get fried on this)
"....Wait for time to be granted...” My partner paused
I say "Intentional walks
Three per game
A player can not be walked more than once
You must announce prior to the first pitch.
I pause I look at both coaches and I linger on the red coach.
I hand back to my partner, who asks,
"Any questions."
"No and No"
"I want positive dialog and sportsmanship.........."
We are 30 mins into the game and blue wants to walk the home-run hitter. The walk is granted.
Next inning red states an intention to walk, the walk is granted.
Blue screams "he has announce prior to the pitch"
I state "yes that is true"
Blue says that the player has been pitched to
I look at my indicator
"Yes you are correct he has been pitched to" "player go back and face the pitcher"
Red coach calls time.
"Blue what is the deal?"
"Coach this was covered at the plate meeting"
"No yesterday they walked my player after 8 foul balls"
"No coach we are not to talk about yesterday. We are here today to play a game of baseball" "I did not grant you time to talk about yesterday"
"But...." the red coach starts "the rule...."
"States" I interrupt "that the intention must be announced prior to the first pitch and this was covered in the plate meeting."
"But....."
"Coach please goes back to the coach’s box you are holding up the game"
Some loud grousing and I heard a personal remark from the dugout.
I turn sharply on my heel and loud enough to be heard over the grousing and chirping.
"That will be enough!"
They shut up
Now at the end red is up and up by allot there is a close play at third with a running coming home. My call at third.
I call the runner out. The runner slid into the glove with the ball. I ring him up with gusto. Red coach comes out "he was safe he never touch him with the ball"
No coach you did not request time you have crossed the foul line while the ball is live. You do not get to discuss this call with me, you know he was out, He knows he was out and now you will turn around and go back to the dug as that was the third out." Yes the run does count."
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Game 11
I have bases
Close game by 1 run 2 Outs
Runner heads home short throws home
Catcher receives the ball and throws out the glove toward the runner. The catcher puts the glove on the plate the runner steps on the glove. My partner pulls out the hammer and nails the runner out.
The third base coach charges my partner.
Apparently the ball bounced up on contact a little bit and came back into the glove.
My partner calls for assistance.
The conversation is something like this:
Coach says that the catcher lost possession of the ball at the time of the tag.
I did not see that.
Well the ball did pop up little.
I did not see that.
Well.
Ok did the ball touch the ground?
No.
Do you feel that the catcher was in control of the ball at the time of the tag.
Yes.
Well what you there is an out and tell him so.
We turn he signals for the out and tells the coach "That will be enough this is no longer up for discussion"
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Championship decider
Red vs. red (TF vs. KF)
Plate meeting
I covered the rules
He had bases.
Since I was dish side I had third.
Back and forth two maybe three times on the run back to 2nd the fielder hits the runner with the ball in the back. The runner drops 3 feet short of 2nd like he was shot. And the ball rolls toward the mound. The third-base coach is screaming "get up get to the bag" and then starts to take a step I glance to him as the ball is retrieved he stops the play just rolls on the ground and my partner is standing over to ensure that no-one gets to close to him or steps on him.
The fielder with the ball touches the runner I call out and motion for the coach.
Moms are screaming I can't believe he is out he was hurt. Oh you Mr. Umpire are mean.
The coach walks up to me after the boy is up and on his way to the dugout. I ask "is he OK?"
The coach said "yes he was not hit very hard"
I said "I knew that, that was why I did not stop the play."
We smiled as we both knew the boy thought he could pimp a safe call.


Ball hit to short with a runner on first and third.
I am to watch the runner advance and pick up the runner if he advancing to third.
I peek at the play at first though.
The ball is thrown
But the first baseman's timing is off and he steps off before catching the ball and throwing to third.
My partner calls out.
There is some yelling and some chewing on my partner and then some more chewing on my partner about the pulled foot. He looks to me we meet eyes and he points. Damn!
Damn!
I call him safe at first pulled foot. The defensive coach is next to me and says "Good call" I turned to him and say "I was not suppose to be looking but I peaked"
He looked away to pick up his runner to second.
When he came in I told him that he should have asked for a conference and we could have played that better and saved him some face.
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White vs. Orange
Runner from 2nd running towards third baseman fields the ball on his knees as the runner approaches. fielder places the tag and the runner jumps over the fielder. I call out. The coach charges me "he was not tagged." I say "Oh no coach he was tagged and he is out for the tag." "No he is not" "OK coach he jumped over the player he is out for that too" "but" coach pleads "he was not tagged."
"yes coach he was tagged and he is out for the tag. Now get ready to pitch."

Umpire Post 1

The game: Coach Pitch 7A
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Ejections=0
Should haves=2
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Plate meeting is light. Coaches joked with each other they acted as though the liked each other they were all agreeable to the rules until I Told them to stay at their dugouts when on defense. "we always got to before" I explain that they were not suppose to and that I was not going to let them do it now.
1st inning no problems close game
3rd one team fell behind by 5 runs
After a play at first (safe out I do not recall) I turned my back to ensure the runner was crossing home properly and touched the plate.
The visitor coach then complains that the 1st base coach was obstructing the throw to home. I told the coach that I was watching the potential play at home and did not see it. I asked him if he would rather I watch something else and miss the runner not touching home and then rule the play at home safe? he made a face and bitched some. I instructed the 1st base coach to stay within the designated area. A dad on the vistor team began to complain about the obstruction, I told the dad that he was not at the plate meeting and that I could not stop to talk to him.
The game ended at 11-1 mathematical elimination. and the coached followed me off the field telling me how much the play at first cost him. bla bla bla yakity smackety.
You know they lost by a large margin why do they complain so much.

Umpires blog 2

The game: 9AA tournament For world series berth
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Ejections=0
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After many rain delays we get our game started.
No instructions from the table when we pick up our cards
We get to the plate I call for coaches.
One coach (blue) arrives right away
The other coach (red) takes his time getting to the plate

I call a second time and a third. He states in a rude tone that he is trying to get there.
He drags his feet to the plate
I tell him I have given him plenty of time and with all the rain I am getting this game started ASAP.
He states that he just finished a game. I said that is fine but 10 minutes should be enough
I ask if he needs more time for the boys to have a "bio break".
He says no and that he is sorry the last game was chicken crap and he is just upset.
I tell him I am sorry but we are here to discuss the game starting now.
9 double a right?
Yes and yes
Ok Then an hour and 40 or 6 innings which come first. We do not need a winner so a tie will be allowed
Any questions??
No and no
Have you flipped?
No and no
We flip red is home
Are your players properly equipped?
Yes and yes
If you have a question, wait for the play to finish, ask for time, wait for time to be granted, and approach the official,
I want to have a positive dialogue from the dugouts and I want to see sportsmanship also that means the league rule is no heckling the pitcher, they can root their players on and everything else but screaming at the pitcher is not going to be allowed. Do we understand? Any questions??
No and no
You two are the only ones I will recognize for time. I do not want to have five hundred people asking for time for every little thing.
If there is time need you ask for it?
Any questions?
I am not aware of any problems in the fence and I am sure that the ground is wet so let’s try to keep the balls dry have your pitcher request a new ball any time.
We will start the clock now.

Red takes the field and warms up. No problems accept the usual strike zone. How can the coaches see the strike better than me??? And they surely do not complain when they are up to bat.

Now bottom of the second there is a check swing that I call a strike.
Then there is a play at home on an infield hit that the short decides to throw home instead of first. The runner is out by 12 inches I punch his ticket for out number two. Some more grousing.
Batter settles into box a high strike (under the armpits) comes in I call strike. I come set and something flies from home side to the dirt on first base running track.
"Hey is that a hail stone?" I think
Pitch ball
"Is it melting?" I wonder
Pitch dirt ball
"No it looks like it is not melting"
Pitch belt high down the middle home run strike no swing
"No that is not melting. That means someone threw something."
TIME!
I go and pick it up. It is an American dime 10c WTF!
"Coach you are responsible for your" I am approaching home dugout where the coach is standing "spectators and players." I hand him the dime "throwing objects is not sportsman like conduct and will not be allowed."
What are you talking about blue?
Someone threw this onto the field. It came from your stands I do not know who threw it but you had better make sure it does not happen again.
No blue no one threw this.
No coach it did not fall from the sky and I saw it come from your side of the field
I turn back to the plate.
Top of the forth red coach wants to swap his pitcher that just finished warming up
No coach he has to face the batter before you can swap him.
What?
Your pitcher took the mound
He must face the first batter.
Are you serious?
Yes coach
Batter steps into the box
Pitch is thrown for a strike.
I turn to the coach
He does not call time
I signal to the pitcher to throw.
Batter hits to second and gets out at first.
I look to the coach again he does not signal
Fine.
Now at the bottom of the forth.
Red is up by 4
Red is at bat
Runner at first
Coach asks me how much time we have left
No coach I do not have the time and I signal to my partner
He (my partner) states that we have 13 minutes left
Coach asks 3?
No 13
Coach asks 2?
No coach 13
Three??
No I say and I put the ball into play
There is a pick off to first and the ball is dropped and the runner makes it to second
As the pitch comes set the red coach charges to second base
I jump up stop the pitch
I ask my partner if he granted time
He says no and looks as confused as me
I call to the coach
sir you were not granted time get off the field
My player is hurt (he is not he is standing)
No sir you must request time there was a live ball when you entered the field now get off the field
My player was hurt
No sir gets off the field
But I was just...
No sir now gets off the field.
He exits the field and starts to explain something
I say now if you want time ask for it
He says he does not want it and that he was just...
I turn from him signal to my partner and I call play
His runner make s a bad move to third is thrown out
Coach comes towards me and explains again
I tell him I am not interested and to go back to his box
Third out occurs on a backwards K
The coach approaches me and states that the time has expired.
I smile and ask my partner how much time we have left
He states that we have 8 minutes
He says no we are to be playing an hour 30 because of all the rain delays
I tell him that I was not made aware of this that start of the day, the table said nothing to me when the game card
Was picked up
So it was an hour 40 when I walked onto the field
It was an hour 40 at the plate meeting and we will play an hour 40 now
No he says it is suppose to be an hour 30
No sir you can not call a game time expired
The pitcher has warmed up and the coach is joined by the abstain coach who begins to chime in
I tell the assistant coach that he was not at the plate meeting and he has no place in this discussion
The coach tells him to be quite
The coach starts about the time again
I say coach goes to your place now as we are starting this game and I turn
The blue assistant coach approaches me as he is going to third he starts with let me tell you about........
I say no coach you were not at the plate meeting if this is important then have the head coach talk to me.
He decides that it was not important.
I call play
Blue scores 2 with no outs the red coach calls time and approaches me
He states that the game is under protest and that the last two runs do not count and that the time is expired
I state the protest is fine and that the runs are not my concern right now
I tell my partner that the game is under protest and to mark the card accordingly
The coach begins to argue some more and my partner says "play" I tell the coach to go back to the dug out
And I get behind the plate.
Blue is behind by 2 and two outs my partner signals that time have expired.
I announce time has expired and that we finish the inning
The red crowd is freaking out.
I put the ball back into play
Red makes the third out
I call ball game
Red wins by 2 runs
I exit the field
I call the UIC and ask about the time
He says yes it was to be an hour 30 but it was agreed at the plate an hour 40