More Questions To Rack Your Brain

[akalsey]

When a player is hit by the ball, is it an immediate dead ball and runners go back to their bases?

Depends on which player you're talking about, where they're at, and why the ball hit them.

If a offensive player is hit with a batted ball in fair territory, he's out and the ball is dead. Unless he was immediately behind an infielder. If a batter is hit with a pitched ball, the ball is dead.

In each case, the runners return to their time of pitch base. In the first instance, the batter is awarded first, so runners may advance as far as they are forced to do so by this award.

If a defensive player is hit by a batted, thrown, or pitched ball, it is a live ball. If a offensive player is hit by a thrown ball, it is a live ball.

[SAump]

A great learning opportunity.

Perhaps you may decide that this coach is providing his players and fans an incentive for disrupting "your" ballgame. This coach is obviously some bit actor as he is trying to draw your attention to a play. When he crosses the line, what actions will you take?

You will have to learn to ignore coaches, players and fans who react differently to certain situations. Do not communicate with coaches during a live ball situation. He is baiting you. Never respond. Keep you head in the game. These type of coaches go ballistic after a bad call goes against them and after a good call goes against them. See the pattern and do your best. Once you ignore these coaches, you earn their respect and they stop acting a bit different.

How are you going to handle it? You'll see this behavior everywhere. It will not go away. There is no "perfect" button. You have to learn not to let this bother you. This becomes your chance to GROW as an umpire as it tests your mettle and ability to stay rationally in control of the game.

Oh, it gets better with time as you gain confidence and experience.

Good luck,
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[RPatrino]

Believe it or not, coach's will try to play with you and mess with your mind. If they think their antics can influence a future call in their favor they will do it.

You can't let a coach or player chirp at you constantly during the game about your strike zone. An occasional reaction is normal, but a constant barrage of verbal criticism must be stopped. And never mention your "zone" before a game, if they ask just say, "what does the rule book say, coach?".

As for the time between innings, you control that, not the players. If you are ready to go, then go. Don't wait. If the pitcher is just standing there, waiting for his catcher, then go to the bench and hustle up the catcher. The pitcher is NOT entitled to a single warm-up pitch if a minute has elapsed.
If you are waiting for a batter, just call play and call the pitches. The problem with the leagues lackadaisical attitude is the umpires fault. Teams will take every minute you give them, and want more.