I've slipped on wet grass.

I've had to run back to my car after groundrules realizing my cup isn't in.

I've called Foul Ball on a catch (the sun was in my eyes, I could have sworn the ball hit the ground, BU corrected me immediately and the smartass coach running out to 1st base coach next half inning said "Nice Foul Ball call". I just smiled back)

But my MOST embarassing moment...

Bench has been on me all game. Change of pitchers inbetween innings that wasn't reported to me, and I didn't notice. There's an injury on the SS, manager goes out to check on him, on the way in tries to stop at the pitcher for a prolonged discussion (more than a "let's get them") I think its the old pitcher and the allotted confrences are up. I wait it out, Coach is still out there. He's been an a** all game, but nothing that I could eject for.

As he leaves the mound, I call him over and say "Coach, you gotta make a change. That's 3 confrences for that pitcher". He replies: "See, I was right, your head isn't in this game, that's a new pitcher." I turned and looked at the pitcher and realized this kid was black, the old pitcher was white. I looked at him and told him to report it next time and walked away with my tail between my legs.

[QUOTE=Tim C]I have two (you can pick which is worse):

1) I am working the plate. F2 calls for a pitch out and jumps outside . . . ball comes directly at me and I CATCH IT!QUOTE]

I had one similar to this, but I didn't catch it. It came in and hit me right in the cup!

I've had several but one that I remember from this year is:

I was working plate at a Pony game. Coach ask me what the count is. I reply back "2-3 " (I may have even signaled it). Coach says "So whys the batter still in there" ? Duh:confused:

For me, it was a HS softball game...
 

Girl at the plate, pitcher delivers the ball, batter swings and fouls the ball off her foot. I yell, "foul ball, hit her in the box"! Boy did I get a strange, but funny look from the young lady! From that point on, male or female, it's "hit by the ball in the batters box"!

I was the PU in a 3-man crew working a 16-year old tournament a few years back. I woke up that morning feeling a bit queasy and informed my partners of my condition before the game. We decided to go ahead with me on the plate.

Home team batting in the second - leadoff hitter singles. Next batter comes to the plate and lines the ball over the head of F6.

I move from behind the plate to my left, take a few steps away from the plate area, rotate, bend, and puke.

I had no idea what happened on the play. All I could hear was the fans and coaches yelling, "The umpire is getting sick!"

Needless to say, for a year or so following that game whenever I meet someone who was there they ask, "Aren't you the umpire who..." :o

My first year in college ball, DIII game. Have a known RA as visting team's head coach. I'm the BU. Visitor's R1 steals. High throw, SS goes high, gets tag down on foot. It's close so I need to sell it. I do and the RA comes sprinting out. I'm ready, so I meet him with a "what did you see?" He replies "the ball in the outfield!"
Ooops. Changed call....

:confused: Lets see would that be being hit straight in the cup area which had shifted somewhat,all while the runner on third is now stealing home and the radio station is broadcasting this game of the District finals.(announcers were five feet from the backstop and saw me take the shot then discussed it on the air)
Or would it be first year umpiring in a new league and seeing R1 breaking for second and shouting,"GOING!":eek: :o

a looong time ago.......
 

On a hot sweaty night in south Georgia, I was doing one of my first youth games (solo)....ground ball in the infield...... I was attempting to clear the catcher and was running up the first base line trying to juggle my mask, indicator and hang on to the balloon protector......

I tripped on one of the straps of the protector and down I went into a heap.....total face plant......and never saw the play........combine fine georgia clay dust and sweat meant I got up looking like someone had rolled a biscuit in flour.......

hard to live that one down......

Stan

Was the BU in "varsity" level summer ball, feeling good, focused on the game, partner and I working in sinc. 4th inning, nobody on, the home teams varsity HS coach (there just to watch his spring hs players) walks over and is talking to me (from behind the fence) about where to send the check and to ask about upcoming weekend tourney games.
I'm answering him between pitches, but looked over to him too long when I hear the PU yell "DID HE GO?". I look back in shock, signal "safe", then the fans go crazy "He wasnt watching!!, ect". Partner was smiling behind his mask, cause I pride myself on my game.....
After the game, walking to parking lot, and an old lady walks by, told the PU "good job", looks to me "you need to stay focused". I didnt say a word, she was right....

About 6 years ago, I was PU in a 13-15 BR game. My partner was having a rough night on the bases and catching a lot of grief.
In about the 4th inning, with runners on base, the pitcher sets and my partner in B screams "TIME!!!"

He proceeds to walk to the gate on the first base side, I was in a bit of shock, thinking my partner was quitting. The coach in the 3b box yells, "Where are you going?"

The answer, yelled loud enough for everyone in the park to hear........

"I gotta take a dump! Is that okay with you?"

I nearly pi$$ed my pants laughing!