Arguing balls and strikes

[Tim C]

I have not gone to the mound to break up a conference in 10 years or more.

Regards,

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Tim C

I have not gone to the mound to break up a conference in 10 years or more.

And this signifies......? No manager has intentionally stalled on the mound in the last ten years, or that you just don't care how long the manager delays the game?

[Tim C]

Fair question:

I am the member of a listserve of umpires. When I posted this same thing they were amazed.

In my area it has been made clear that the "mound conference" is part of the teaching of the game. We allow that to happen.

SDS, I would ask, how long should you wait? 20 seconds, 30 . . . you get my drift I am sure.

So to make you happy with your question . . . I don't care . . .

Now let me explain, if you'll allow that, why it is this way in my area:

Under the last two Oregon State University Head Coaches D-1 college umpires were told: "if you come out here and break up my conference you'll NEVER work here again."

Pretty simple.

Those umpires brought back to our group the philosophy that we should work with coaches and the conference. It is pretty simple.

Steve, I don't expect you to agree . . . but I see no reason to go out and break up the conversation . . . 90% of the time the guy really is "teaching" and the other 10% I am not going to fall for.

You always try to force us to accept the "San Diego Way" and some of us have our own ways.

BTW, I would not allow any coach to use the mound conference for a vehicle to argue balls and strikes . . . I would "Bill Miller" him immediately.

In the last 10 years I have not gone to the mound during a conference and it has worked fine for me.

Regards,

[Justme]

Originally Posted by Tim C

Now let me explain, if you'll allow that, why it is this way in my area:

Under the last two Oregon State University Head Coaches D-1 college umpires were told: "if you come out here and break up my conference you'll NEVER work here again."

And if they don't like your strike zone, or a close call that goes against them or ?????

Maybe the umpires should refuse to work OSU games..... If I were working D-1 ball in your area they could ki$$ my..........backside

[Tim C]

And, sadly, you would not be missed.

There are many, many umpres that would step over your dead body to work the games of the NCAA National Champion.

Things are what they are my friend . . . much like when I umpire I am just reporting what I see.

Regards,

[Chris_Hickman]

I guess that I have heard it all. Our job on the "stick" is to keep the game flowing. The coach can get his point across to his pitcher within 15-20 seconds once he hits the dirt of the mound. What are you going to do Tim, let the skipper pull up a lawn chair and pow-pow with the guys for an hour?
I have never heard of coaches "red-lining" guys for " breaking up their little meetin'. Give me a break. Some of the stuff I hear on this board is a bunch of crap sometimes. Guys...listen..and trust me......WE BREAK UP TRIPS TO THE MOUND IF THE COACH IS OUT THERE TOO LONG!! And being out there too long is 15-20 Mississippi's......... Chris

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by Chris_Hickman

I guess that I have heard it all. Our job on the "stick" is to keep the game flowing. The coach can get his point across to his pitcher within 15-20 seconds once he hits the dirt of the mound. What are you going to do Tim, let the skipper pull up a lawn chair and pow-pow with the guys for an hour?
I have never heard of coaches "red-lining" guys for " breaking up their little meetin'. Give me a break. Some of the stuff I hear on this board is a bunch of crap sometimes. Guys...listen..and trust me......WE BREAK UP TRIPS TO THE MOUND IF THE COACH IS OUT THERE TOO LONG!! And being out there too long is 15-20 Mississippi's......... Chris

I amazed by the notion that people have that because Tee says he hasn't broken up a conference in ten years it immediately must follow that coaches hold picnics on the mound.

Anyone even consider that the possibility that the conferences remain reasonable in duration? Why on earth must you jump to the conclusion that because A equals B, B must equal C.

Amazing.

I've seen Tee work. I've seen conferences in his games. I have not seen lawn chairs or even minute long conversations.

[SAump]

Originally Posted by GarthB

I amazed by the notion that people have that because Tee says he hasn't broken up a conference in ten years it immediately must follow that coaches hold picnics on the mound.

Anyone even consider that the possibility that the conferences remain reasonable in duration? Why on earth must you jump to the conclusion that because A equals B, B must equal C.

Amazing.

I've seen Tee work. I've seen conferences in his games. I have not seen lawn chairs or even minute long conversations.

Well I never seen Tee work, but I do know that he often brags about his game management skills. I know he keeps a record of every game and that he is often done in less than 2 hours. So why would he need to speed things up a bit? OOO, I think not.

[mbyron]

I expect that Tee works in an area where there is a mutual understanding among coaches and umpires: coaches don't take too long, and umpire don't break up conferences.

Elsewhere, that understanding does not exist. Coaches stall, try to talk to umpires, or otherwise prolong conferences. Then it's our duty to move the game along.

For the record, my routine is a lot like Dave Hensley's. I might take a few seconds longer putting my plate brush away...

[TussAgee11]

Proper length isn't a set time, T. You challenge me in PM and say I'm on the clock for getting back to you, call me a name because you don't know what to do when challenged but degrade, and then turn off your PM so I can't answer you.

Dont' want to waste bandwith on me? Then don't PM me

As for the subject at hand (sorry to ya'll, if somebody PMs me and gets on me and I can't respond via PM, and I'm challenged profanely, I need to respond here)
At around 30 seconds I'm at the mound causally and the manager says, "Ok Johnny, here we go! strikes. Thanks Blue." We go our seperate ways and get back to playing ball.

[Chris_Hickman]

Liar is such a strong word. I cannot answer why D-1 guys in ur area wont go to the mound. Do you currently work D-1 ball Tim? If you dont, them dont worry about the D-1 coaches. Since you are the only person that I have ever heard of who dont go to the mound, it makes me wonder a little. Chris

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Tim C

Fair question:

I am the member of a listserve of umpires. When I posted this same thing they were amazed.

In my area it has been made clear that the "mound conference" is part of the teaching of the game. We allow that to happen.

SDS, I would ask, how long should you wait? 20 seconds, 30 . . . you get my drift I am sure.

So to make you happy with your question . . . I don't care . . .

Now let me explain, if you'll allow that, why it is this way in my area:

Under the last two Oregon State University Head Coaches D-1 college umpires were told: "if you come out here and break up my conference you'll NEVER work here again."

Pretty simple.

Those umpires brought back to our group the philosophy that we should work with coaches and the conference. It is pretty simple.

Steve, I don't expect you to agree . . . but I see no reason to go out and break up the conversation . . . 90% of the time the guy really is "teaching" and the other 10% I am not going to fall for.

You always try to force us to accept the "San Diego Way" and some of us have our own ways.

BTW, I would not allow any coach to use the mound conference for a vehicle to argue balls and strikes . . . I would "Bill Miller" him immediately.

In the last 10 years I have not gone to the mound during a conference and it has worked fine for me.

And Tuss, you are just a waste of jizz and I see no reason to waste bandwidth on you.

Regards,

Hmmmmm.....

I was trying to force you to accept the San Diego way????

WTF is the "San Diego Way?"

No, no, no.....I wouldn't force my way of doing things on anybody.

I was thinking along the lines of, ummmm, let's see......the professional way. In nearly every MLB game I've ever witnessed, the PU has to come out to break up the mound visit, especially when the manager is just stalling so his reliever can get loose.

See, I give them plenty (in my estimation) of time to chat, then I purposefully dust the plate thoroughly, then if they are still gabbing on and on after all this time has elapsed, I stride (purposefully, again) to the mound area and then, usually one of the conversants will tip off the coach to my approach and the conversation usually comes to a halt. If not, I say "let's go to work," and they go to work.

I'm really sorry that you must kiss Oregon State's booty in order to work their games. I say F**k That. Guess that's why I never made it to D-1. My nose is white, not brown.

[Tim C]

Do you think I don't understand the MLB way . . . come on. I worked a lot of years and broke up a lot of conferences.

I am trying to tell you the way it is in my area.

That's all . . .

SO when skippy goes out . . . I s l o w l y take out my line up card . . . I write down anything I can . . . I s l o w l y fill my ball supply . . . and I s l o w l y clean the dish . . . I then walk up either the first base or third base line . . . as soon as I hear a fan chirp "gees, blue how long do they get" I then make sure I go and talk with the on deck hitter about something really important . . . a conference has never lasted this long.

Steve, we may never agee as to how umpiring should be done . . . but htat OK cuz it is just style and nuttin' else.

Regards,

[David B]

Originally Posted by Tim C

Do you think I don't understand the MLB way . . . come on. I worked a lot of years and broke up a lot of conferences.

I am trying to tell you the way it is in my area.

That's all . . .

SO when skippy goes out . . . I s l o w l y take out my line up card . . . I write down anything I can . . . I s l o w l y fill my ball supply . . . and I s l o w l y clean the dish . . . I then walk up either the first base or third base line . . . as soon as I hear a fan chirp "gees, blue how long do they get" I then make sure I go and talk with the on deck hitter about something really important . . . a conference has never lasted this long.

Steve, we may never agee as to how umpiring should be done . . . but htat OK cuz it is just style and nuttin' else.

Regards,

Makes a good point. Having thought about it, I can't remember the last time I had to break up a conference.

If a coach does want to complain he would have to come to me or visit me at the on-deck circle etc.,

Maybe its just good coaches, but usually after 30 or so seconds they will always break it up on their own.

If they want to take longer, who cares ... if it will help F1 throw strikes, who am I to complain ???

Thanks
David

[pdxblue]

Originally Posted by Tim C

I am trying to tell you the way it is in my area.

That's all . . .

Sorry Tim, but I work just as high, and ever higher levels games in "this area" as you do. This is NOT the "way it is done in our area". It may be the way YOU do it, but is NOT the way that is being taught by the association, or the college associations.

I have been to my share of camps conducted by NCAA umpires, some of the PAC 10 umpires who have NEVER shared anything like what you are saying about Oregon State, or any other school in the Pac 10. I know all the guys doing non-conference games too, and none of them have EVERY shared anything like what you are saying.

I hope you don't plan to share that kind of rubbish again this coming season IF you are allowed to work in the training aspect in our association. Some of your ideas are WAY out of line with the rest of the umpiring community!