[ozzy6900]

Yesterday, I worked with a very nice, middle aged man who was supposed to be experienced. He worked ASA and Professional softball and some Babe Ruth. I offered to do the first plate (2 eighteen year old travel teams) and we discussed the coverage and working the "V". I then had to talk him into removing his ball bag! He explained that he would have no where to put balls given to him by the coaches to which I told him, "Just have them send the balls to the catcher, I'll take them from there.". We got to the field and I helped him carry his 2nd cooler (he was struggling so I thought I'd give him a hand) when I heard a beeping coming from the one that I was carrying. I asked him if this thing was going to go off in my hand and he told me that that cooler has his 3 cell phones in a plastic bag. I didn't question any further.

I settled into "my groove" and then I noticed that every time I gave the count, he was flashing it back. When the count went full, he was standing showing me 2 clenched fists and screaming "Full Count" to both dugouts! I just ignored it as best I could. At the end of the first inning, he took out his brush (he hid it, I swear) and brushed off the pitcher's mound and proceeded to each base and clean them off, too.

It was very hot and humid and my partner by the fourth inning was becoming very concerned for my well being. He kept trying to give me ice cold water constantly (which I finally accepted in the sixth inning). Not that I minded this, he was just trying to be nice, but he kept shouting to me from the sidelines at the top of his lungs. I just politely waved him off.

In the seventh inning with a runner on 1st, the ball was hit to deep left. I called to my partner that I was heading to 3rd and then informed him that I was there as the ball and runner converged. The runner dove in and the high tag was never close and as I was raising my arms to make the safe call, I hear my partner screaming "OUT, OUT ON THE TAG AT THIRD!". I just lowered my arms, turned and headed back to the plate. Of course, I have the 3rd base coach politely questioning me to which I referred him to my partner, who then points to me and asks "What do you have?" I looked straight at him, took out 2 balls from my right ball bag, and 1 from my left ball bag and said, "I have 3 baseballs left! We should be okay for the rest of the inning!" The 3rd base coach didn't say anything more.

As we were walking back to our cars, my partner informed me that I missed 3 close pitches and should have insisted that the relief pitcher roll down his sleeves. I thanked him for the information and got ready for game 2 on the bases.

Game 2 was fourteen year olds - seven innings done in 5 and 1/2 hours!

On Saturday, I worked with Smitty!