[harmbu]

The other night during a Junior Varsity game, the opposing team had runners on first and second. They took off early on a steal and my pitcher properly stepped toward third and threw. The play ws very close and could have gone either way. I waited and waited and there was no call made. I asked for time and said, "Could I get a call, please?" The home plate umpire ripped off his mask and shouted, "Coach, a pitcher can throw to an unoccupied base in order to retire an advancing runner." I said, "I know, I just want a call." He said, "What kind of call would you like?" I said, "a safe or out call at third. That play was really close." He said, "Oh, sorry" and turned to his rookie partner and said, "what was the call?" He signaled safe and said, "Sorry Coach." After the inning, the plate umpire appologized for getting worked up. We all had a laugh over his mistake.