Rabbit Ears and Violent Dissaproval

[tibear]

Had a junior game(19-21 year olds) the other night, batter up with a count of 2-2, next pitch is about an inch inside and I ball the pitch. Catcher was already standing ready to throw to third when I made the call. Pitcher gave me a look but didn't say anything.

Next pitch is up in the strike zone that the batter hits for a HR. As I'm standing on the third base side waiting for the runner to round the bases, the pitcher takes a few steps my way and says, "Nice home run you gave them!"

Firstly, I had to bite my tongue because I thought it was awfully funny how he thought I somehow threw that juicy pitch. Instead of snapping back at the player I walked over to the catcher and told him that if he wanted his pitcher to stay in the game that he should go out and talk to him and remind him who threw the homerun pitch.

Never heard another word all night.

[lawump]

High School.

Called a batter out on strikes. He argued as he was walking back to his dugout. I yelled at him, "that's enough."

He didn't say anything further....until...as the very first pitch to the next batter was on its way (it had left the pitcher's hand, but had not been caught) he yelled out from the dugout, "that's brutal!"

I called the pitch (very quickly...not good timing) "ball", ripped off my mask and tossed the little prick. His head coach didn't even say anything.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by tibear

Had a junior game(19-21 year olds) the other night, batter up with a count of 2-2, next pitch is about an inch inside and I ball the pitch. Catcher was already standing ready to throw to third when I made the call. Pitcher gave me a look but didn't say anything.

Next pitch is up in the strike zone that the batter hits for a HR. As I'm standing on the third base side waiting for the runner to round the bases, the pitcher takes a few steps my way and says, "Nice home run you gave them!"

Firstly, I had to bite my tongue because I thought it was awfully funny how he thought I somehow threw that juicy pitch. Instead of snapping back at the player I walked over to the catcher and told him that if he wanted his pitcher to stay in the game that he should go out and talk to him and remind him who threw the homerun pitch.

Never heard another word all night.

If the pitch was "an inch inside," I'd be ringing the batter up.

[rpumpire]

Originally Posted by tibear

Next pitch is up in the strike zone that the batter hits for a HR. As I'm standing on the third base side waiting for the runner to round the bases, the pitcher takes a few steps my way and says, "Nice home run you gave them!"

If a pitcher said that to me, I would eject him.

[insatty]

Originally Posted by tibear

Had a junior game(19-21 year olds) the other night, batter up with a count of 2-2, next pitch is about an inch inside and I ball the pitch. Catcher was already standing ready to throw to third when I made the call. Pitcher gave me a look but didn't say anything.

A pitch one "inch inside" is a ball? The pitcher had a legitimate gripe. Some times, it pays for the umpire to listen to the griping. After you hear it, then shut it down and consider making an adjustment to your timing and/or judgment.

[jkumpire]

"A pitch one "inch inside" is a ball? The pitcher had a legitimate gripe. Some times, it pays for the umpire to listen to the griping. After you hear it, then shut it down and consider making an adjustment to your timing and/or judgment."

Sorry, I disagree. My zone is my zone, and if the pitch is inside off the plate before the moaning, it's the same after the moaning. A good partner might tell you after your game it's too tight, but I'm not going to have any dugout change my zone...