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After the spring HS baseball season, I will do some summer baseball, but I switch to mens SP for 2 reasons: it gets too hot to wear the baseball plate gear vs the cooler ASA shorts/shirt, and I figure I played over 1800 SP games anyway, so maybe understand the "mentality?" of players(not that it means much).
I understand the stigma of mens SP, with 22 yr old superstar wannabees to 40 yr old beer belly crybaby types, but all in all, my games go fairly smoothly just a few problems ea season--maybe 150 games, avg 3-4 ejections. The LD includes us umpires in any suspension length conversations.
I believe the key is control and hustle( and certainly rule knowledge). I refuse to hear any trashtalking between players, will cut off extended complaints on a call, will toss(within the rules) anyone that crosses the line(my line, of course). My rep at the SP complexes is as a friendly harda$$. But it pays off as both teams of a game will thank me after, or even be glad to see me prior (trying to butter up maybe).
Occasionally (depending on the sitch) I will admit a mistake, which tends to diffuse things....Anticipating where a throw will go and moving closer, eliminates many potential complaints on a call.
Some officials just invite the grief. Not moving from behind the plate, making a close call at 2nd, watch out- here it comes...
I look forward to my SP games as being outside, getting exercise, and making good vacation $... guess I'm lucky in the team types we have here...
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