[wadeintothem]

I would suggest not calling an IP.

I mean this in all seriousness. If you dont know what you are calling or how to call it and havent received training on what you are looking for and why - certainly as to intent and spirit, you should not be calling it.

What is it you would be calling that you couldnt resolve in some other way?

One of the worst things an umpire can do is read a sentence in the rule book then run out that day looking for that violation so they can practice enforcing it.

If you are PU - normally in rec league they do things like step on the pitchers plate with their hands together. Just tell em.

If you are bu and they are stepping off the plate, during a lull, go up, clean the Pitchers plate, and tell her, "toe up girl, you gotta touch the plate with both feet".

If you do call it, call it early, with no runners on. Dont wait until the 5th inning with bases loaded to figure out you are going to finally call it.

Its an instructional recreational league, not a competitive travel tournament. 90% will never play a travel tournament - they just want to play.

Let them play ball.

Especially until you receive training.

There are more to IP's than throwing your arm out.

If at all possible, work it in someother way other than simply making calls. Picking boogers and looking for trouble; well you will find it.

If you do call it, call it early, with no runners on. Dont wait until the 5th inning with bases loaded to figure out you are going to finally call it.

Its an instructional recreational league, not a competitive travel tournament. 90% will never play a travel tournament - they just want to play... so let let them play ball.

Especially until you receive training.

There are more to IP's that throwing your arm out and awards balls and bases.

Dont be suprised if several umps disagree with me, on this... but at this point, unless some significant thing is happening like some walking crow hop or are gaining some other big advantage - let it go or figure out another way to deal with it. You dont have the training nor forum for a lot of IP enforcement.