[gsf23]

I carry my book in my bag also. One time I was glad I had it. Big batter, guy's about 6'9, pitcher throws a ball about 7 feet high, crosses the plate just below the batters pecs and the catcher catches the ball before it hit the ground. I call a strike, the batter looks back at me and says "you ain't been umping long have you?" to which I replied, "longer than you have, now play ball." Next pitch comes in at the same spot and batter pops up to short. After catch he truns and jumps all over me about the strike call. He tells me that there is a "drop zone" behind the plate and if the ball doesn't hit there, it's not a strike. I walk over to my bag, pull out my book. I hand it to him and tell him "go sit on the bench over there and when you can find "drop zone" in this book, you can come back in and play, but for now you are done."

After the game, he gave me back my book and said "well, you're the first guy we've had that actually calls it the way it says." I just said thanks, took my book and left.