Varsity Partner Help...

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by LMan

would someone mind detailing the Four Stages of Warning? or post a link?

1. Eject

2. Eject someone else

3. Eject a third person

4. Eject everyone and go get a beer



Seriously, PAT THE REF:

Don't worry about the number of ejections you get. Just make sure that they deserve to get run. The guys calling you a redass are probably weak officials who are afraid to ruffle anyone's feathers, and are the umpires responsible for the behavior you just experienced. A good, clean, deserved ejection can set the tone for good behavior for not only the rest of that game, but for everytime that team sees you walk up to the field.

[RPatrino]

I dont' know about other's, but if I hear "Your are the worst f*cking umpires I have ever seen! We should all just go home!”, and I suspect its coming from the bench, I'm going to take a little stroll over there.

The HC is gonna get tuned up, and told. "I don't know where that came from, but if I hear it again then part two of the statement will come true for you"... He may not have been the cause, but he will ensure it stops.

I had much the same situation in a game where I went to the "HC" to give him a warning, and his response was, " I'm not the HC". I said, 'well you were at the plate meeting and told me you were the HC". Well here comes the 'real' HC who says.."WTF is your problem"...."I said, YOU, and he got tossed. I then turned to the pretend HC and said, "you've just been promoted, now control this bench!!"

[Arnold A.]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

1. Eject

2. Eject someone else

3. Eject a third person

4. Eject six and go get a beer

My philosophy exactly !!!

[Cub42]

It sounds as if your assignor failed to give you a strong partner for your first Varsity game. The higher level of ball you do, the more important Game management is. Coaches will get away with what you allow them to. Here is some insight to what you posted:
1) First of all, if there is any interference call at second, it is yours, the PU. If your partner ruled he didn't touch the base, that is totally different than Int.
2)After the H/C asks his catcher where the pitch was the 2nd time, and he makes a comment back such as " It's right there", call time and sweep the plate. Inform the catcher 2 important directives. Tell him the next time he trys to show you up it will be the last time, and to inform the coach the same thing. Now is a good time to issue a warning for arguing balls and strikes.
3) This is HS BB and coaches are responsible for the players, Asst. coaches, and their FANS. Any profanity shouted from the stands should immediately brought to the H/C's attention, and he should be told to get them under control immediately, or they will be removed. If you know who used the F bomb, have them removed by Game Adm.
4) As for a strike called on a bunt attempt, there is no appeal if you ruled he went.
5) Finally, learn from your mistakes. Don't ever let the coaches turn the focus of the game from the players to the umpires

[budjones05]

Originally Posted by PAT THE REF

Hey Everyone,

I was very excited to be moved from a mid-level freshman game (base job) to a High-Level Varsity Game (plate job) here in NJ today. I have a few questions that I would like everyone’s opinion on the following situations. My biggest downfall is game management and I would like to become better at it, so any advice is greatly appreciated.

Sit 1) Top of the 1st, Questionable strikes at the low point of the knee and the catcher is dropping his glove. Every pitch then is scraped on the ground or dropped… I ball pitches and the coach starts getting on my case… Stuff like… Hey Billy (catcher) where was that one? Looking good? Aww. Come on. Hey Blue! Where was that one? All from the dugout.

Sit 2) My partner on the 3rd base side of the diamond with a R1, double play ball hit to shortstop… Runs over the bag – three feet prior to the runner getting there. Legal slide, no popup but the Shortstop trips over the legs of the runner. NO interference – totally legal slide and just a “trip”. Base umpire calls runner safe due to shortstop never reaching the bag. Then coach goes out to him to argue… From the bench and the stands (they are behind one another)… “that was a rule change! Four years ago! That should have been two! Your are the worst f*cking umpires I have ever seen! We should all just go home!”. Coach returns and we have R1 and R2 now…

Sit 3) Catcher still dropping pitches & missing pitches… From the dugout in the 4th inning… “Call it both ways! Come on now”… Lets Go!....

Sit 4) Catcher in the 5th Inning starts signaling his coach where pitches are and now he holds the glove for a good second on pitches that I have balled. We are talking two balls off the inside corner… Now when the coach asks his catcher… He just shrugs his shoulders…

Sit 5) Check Swing on a Bunt… Batter attempts and moves towards the pitcher – similar to a drag bunt… But at the last second swings the bat along the ground and moves 2-3 feet out of the box… I give a strong – yes he went! And all heck breaks loose… The coach now is screaming that the call was horrible and that I need to get some help… Called strike – no help is EVER given, but I honestly thought he went… Then my partner says, well you cant appeal a bunt… and throws me under the bus.

As you can see, I don’t like to have “rabbit ears”. I know Evans teaches the “four stages” of warning and such but I just don’t like looking for trouble. When it finds me – in my face, words directed at me directly then I can handle it… But about “pot shots” from the dugout… A little help?

Thanks,

Pat

1. Warn

2. Eject, No need to cuss

3. Don't pay attention

4. Don't pay attention unless the catcher and/or the coach aruges about the call every single pitch, then I'll say something to the catcher.

5. Only give a "no signal" or a out signal if your partner ask for it.

[mcrowder]

Originally Posted by budjones05

1. Warn

2. Eject, No need to cuss

3. Don't pay attention

4. Don't pay attention unless the catcher and/or the coach aruges about the call every single pitch, then I'll say something to the catcher.

5. Only give a "no signal" or a out signal if your partner ask for it.

Who the heck are you ejecting in 2 when a fan cusses? Fans? I hear no stinkin fans.

[jicecone]

I have often used the phrase that "nobody goes to watch the officials" however, that applies to contests that are played by the rules, by participants that usually understand the rules.

Now there is your game. The particpants did not understand the intent or application of several of the rules and therefore it was necessary for you and your partner to "step up to the plate."

Do you want to move up?

Well the first thing you have to learn is to take control of YOUR game, get it back into line with the rules and sit back and not be noticed. Just because the other official is doing that level of ball, don't assume he belongs there.

You were the UIC for that game and needed to put an end to questioning of your authority right from the get go. That alone, would have probably put an end to most of what went on in the game.

You can't make your partners calls for him, but save that argument for the parking lot after the game. Don't let anyone make dispairing remarks about the officiating team out on the field. protect your partner no matter how good, or bad they may be. And don't second guess your decisions. you called the strike and that was it. Again, they probably would'nt have questioned your judgement had you take care of business earlier.

As already stated, this was the experience, that will give you experience, to become more experienced. Use it wisely and grow to become the best you can.

Good Luck

[lawump]

I wasn't at your game, so I won't post in direct response to your situation.

However, I will say this:

Experience has taught me that there are games when one (the umpire) needs to look for an ejection. You know: the type of game where everyone on a specific team is whining about everything...and you (the umpire) are getting more and more agitated. No single argument or whining has been enough to warrant an EJ...but collectively, they are really pissing you off. You notice that one player's whining, just encourages another player to whine, etc.

Its in these games, experience has taught me, that an ejection can do a lot of good. Its amazing the effect that one ejection can have on a team. I've had many a game where one ejection has served notice to the team that "you're not tolerating anymore" and as a result has led to a rather peaceful rest of the afternoon.

However, I readily admit, that this does not always work. (See the thread about 6 EJs in one game) However, it often works, especially on the high school level. (And frankly, if it doesn't work...I just keep EJing until it does work...as the OP did in the 6 EJs thread).

Learning how and when to EJ is very difficult skill to master. With that said, I think that in your game, you needed to find someone, somewhere, and tossed him. Even though no profanity was used by a player/coach...the EJ could simply be for prolonged and continued arguing of balls and strikes.

Sometimes...one needs to put the hammer down.

[NewUmpinCT]

Sit 1 = I would have definitely given the coach the stare down on & if he continued.. He'd have an early exit.

Sit 2 = Bye coach... Cursing is a definite no no with me. Would have tossed him like salad at a cookout.

[archangel]

Originally Posted by NewUmpinCT

Sit 1 = I would have definitely given the coach the stare down on & if he continued.. He'd have an early exit.

Sit 2 = Bye coach... Cursing is a definite no no with me. Would have tossed him like salad at a cookout.

Re: Sit2, read the OP again, cursing came from stands and bench (OP mentioned they were near ea other)....Who do you toss? The coach when it may have been a fan?--cant call what you dont see....And though nothing coaches do surprises me anymore, the fact that it was a "high level varsity game" makes me think a coach in that position knows better, and if not actually seen who said it, would have to give the coach the benefit of the doubt----patents are another matter.....

[SAump]

Sit 1) Game management will stop that.

Sit 2) Clarify double play ball hit to shortstop… Runs over the bag – three feet prior to the runner getting there. Legal slide, no popup but the Shortstop trips over the legs of the runner. NO interference – totally legal slide and just a “trip”. Base umpire calls runner safe due to shortstop never reaching the bag. Then coach goes out to him to argue… From the bench and the stands (they are behind one another)… “that was a rule change! Four years ago! That should have been two! Your are the worst f*cking umpires I have ever seen! We should all just go home!”. Coach returns and we have R1 and R2 now…

Sit 3) Typical stuff on my ignore list

Sit 4) See 1 above

Sit 5) Clarify Check Swing on a Bunt… Batter attempts and moves towards the pitcher – similar to a drag bunt… But at the last second swings the bat along the ground and moves 2-3 feet out of the box… I give a strong – yes he went! And all heck breaks loose… The coach now is screaming that the call was horrible and that I need to get some help… Called strike – no help is EVER given, but I honestly thought he went… Then my partner says, well you cant appeal a bunt… and throws me under the bus.
As you can see, I don’t like to have “rabbit ears”. I know Evans teaches the “four stages” of warning and such but I just don’t like looking for trouble. When it finds me – in my face, words directed at me directly then I can handle it… But about “pot shots” from the dugout… A little help?

[PAT THE REF]

Thanks everyone,

I need to make a few clarifications...

1) I have been called up and was assigned about 8 varsity games this year, two plate assignments...

2) It's not that I dont want to enact the "four stages" but I went to a clinic w. Evans and they were sort of the last things covered...

3) I dont like making waves but last year I had 6 EJ (in the season I may add) and now some guys think im a Redass...

Thanks for the comments... and i dont know why my partner was in "c"
Congrats again to your son

Pat

[ToGreySt]

Originally Posted by GarthB

Why?

so I'm not the only one wondering this