[wadeintothem]

It even works better cuz the umps know I'm an ump.. they are working solo in a 14U rec league (my DD's team) I'm usually at 1B box.. so they think "gosh hes got a great angle on it and is an ump" - yeah well its my DD's team. I've drawn more than a few calls this way over the years. Umps, Make your call but she safe as far as the coaches are concerned.

Another funny thing.. watching the pitcher pitch I'm like "aw man that was a strike" .. from behind me a very good HS Pitcher says "What! You dont call that a strike when I'm pitching" - I tell her well it depends on if I'm coaching or umping if thats a strike.. well had to be there I guess.

Anyway, the point is coaches are biased and interested in getting things (especially close judgement calls) in favor of their team.. not necessarily getting the call 100% correct.

At a minimum, I know hands arent part of the bat.. but I will try to get a call in my favor.