[jwwashburn]

Originally Posted by [B

kylejt;607223] I'll tell you what Joe, it really isn't that hard to do. I'm guessing you've never umpired a game from behind the dish before. That's okay, but please understand we've got a heck of a view from back there. [/B]

I'll tell ya what, Kyle. You, of course, have guessed way wrong. I have umpired more games than i care to remember behind the plate in baseball. I watch the ball so that I can call balls and strikes. If a runner left WAY early, I would probably notice. I have also umpired many hundreds of Fastpitch Softball games behind the plate and guess what? I watch the pitcher, there as well.

Originally Posted by [B

kylejt;607223]Plus, 9 year olds aren't really dealing too hard. So seeing the base runners is quite easy. My criteria for leaving early(LL) is even harder than yours, so the umpire in your game had it easy.

Well, he should have had it easy because it was not even his call. He had a "partner" in the field(of course that guy was even than him.)

Originally Posted by [B

kylejt;607223]One tip: don't ever use the "Mr. Umpire" for addressing us, as you'll sound like one of your tot players. Use our first name, and get it at the plate meeting. We're much more responsive to first names, as opposed to "Blue". Although I've become quite fond of "Your Honor".

I had to instigate the pre-game meeting or it never would have happened. I did not catch his name even though I introduced myself to him, I figured Mr. Umpire was a good substitute. I have never once on a field been offended by being called Mr. Umpire.

Furthermore, my runner did not leave early. From my vantage point in coaching first base, I actually can see the ball and the runner. The kid right before the one that he called actually did leave early by a hair.

Joe in Missouri