Well, I've never heard before that saying "hustle in and out" was bush league. It's the first I've ever heard about it. I guess I never got the memo. Most top level umpires I have worked with, including former MiLB guys, even use it as the teams are switching sides. Some say, "bounce out" or "who's walkin'?" or "nobody walks but the mailman" or some variation, but they do say something when necessary.

At higher levels (varsity +) it is usually unnecessary to say anything, because the big boys hustle out as a general rule. It is at the lower levels that it helps move the game along. There are a lot of primadonnas out here who just don't show any kind of interest in playing baseball.

I don't care what they do between innings in the dugout, but once they hit the field, I want them running out to the outfield, not dragging their feet, hanging their heads, and acting like they don't want to be there. I resent their lack of hustle mostly because I show up on time, dressed neat as a pin, and hustle my a$$ off while I'm there, and I expect them to do the same.

No, it's not my job to tell them to hustle, but I sure don't want to listen to them whine that they didn't get to warm up properly either. It cuts into my game time when they take longer than one minute between half innings.

I agreee SDS...teams get furious when an umpire is 5 minutes late for a game (I agree, 5 mins late for gametime is totally unacceptable) but let me go with this...but I consistently show up 30 even 45 mins to an hour early sometimes and nothing annoys me more than when we end up starting the game 10 minutes late (no game before, no waiting on grounds crew)...what do you guys do/say to make sure the game starts on time without giving the impression that you're on a power trip?? What do you tell the visiting teams who show up too late and then whine about not getting an infield...I would refer this question to adult league games...typically my FED/American Legion games are on time...

As indicated in my post, the game starts at time X, I show up for plate meeting at X- 5 minutes. End of infield, outfields, etc. Time for lineup exchange and plate meeting. If they cry about not having infields etc, I tell them to show up earlier next time. It works like a charm.

so they run out to take infield and pretend not to hear you...do you play tough guy here? hasn't happened to me yet...but I could imagine that it could...

If I'm standing three feet infront of him saying, "Coach, infield is over. Time for the lineups." He's going to hear me.

Yep, he hears you...big deal...now what?

We start the game. What's so hard about this?

Your kidding me right? You're going to let a coach ignore you when your standing three feet in front of him and telling him to get his players off the field.

We can get into the what if's till the cows come home.... but if it did happen, I suppose my reaction would be, "Coach we really don't want to start the game this way do we? I'll give you one minute to get your players off the field and you or your replacement to meet me back here with the lineup. Up to you. Thanks"

nothing...but realistically speaking...they keep taking infield and simply pretend not to hear you...is it worth it? or do you wait another 5 minutes and not have to be the tough guy? I get it fellas, and I understand...just looking for a realistic answer here...

I did a tournament game last night - 7 pm start. I'm at the field at 6:40 discussing any special tournament rules, etc. At 6:50, I'm getting baseballs. At 6:52 I'm at the field 100' away and tell the coach, 'you got 3 minutes'. He says why do I only get 3, they had 7'. I said, 'I'm just the umpire ready to start the game'. 6:58 pregame is over, team takes field. 7:00 sharp, First pitch. If I don't say a word, game starts between 7:05 and 7:10. They pay me to start a game on time. So far every game I've done this year has started on time. Telling them to hustle out once in a while keeps the game moving. If that's bush to some, I'll take it any time.

okay...thank you...that's all I'm looking for...yes, I have no problem taking control of the game...but finally, I got some advice...thank you

If you can't stand up to them before the game how much respect do you think their going to give you during the game??

it's not an issue of that...I have no problem managing a game...it's determining what battles to fight...umpiring is a hobby for me, not a job...I wouldn't do it for free, but I don't care to come in to a field wearing a badge either...because that's not fun for me...

Then let both teams do whatever they want. Enjoy your 2 plus hour games.

And, BTW, I know what your response is going to be: "My longest game this year has only been 1 hour and (insert minutes here)", though your previous posts would not corroborate that.

JMO