Important lessons learned....and more questions asked

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Fitty, I allow questions during the plate conference. What, do you try to be a bada$$ and not let them ask questions? There is nothing wrong with asking "any questions?" I want them to be crystal clear on what I will and will not put up with.

Pregame:

Introduction
Exchange line-ups
Ground rules
Have a good game.

[fitump56]

Originally Posted by fitump56
Never, ever say "any questions". You have made the rules, move on. If they want a clarification, let them come forward.

Originally Posted by mattmets

I would bring it up pre-game....get everything done early and get it over with. There is no worse time to bring up a quirky rule or a stupid coach comment then in the heat of a close game. Discuss it pre-game, establish whatever it is you need to establish, and let them adjust accordingly.

Agreed. But don't end the conversation asking for more conversation. If you ask for questions, you can get a thousand of them. If you have been clear and consise in this sitch to wit:

"Coaches, we do not have foul lines our calls stands with no tolerance for questioning. (insert the remainder of your pre-game)."

"(wrapping up)" ....Coaches, are you ready to play? (here they have a full opportunity to ask whatever they want).....pause... "Let's play, best of luck to both of you!"

Keep it simple.

[fitump56]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Fitty, I allow questions during the plate conference.

So do I.

What, do you try to be a bada$$ and not let them ask questions?

I have no idea what you are blathering on about.

There is nothing wrong with asking "any questions?" I want them to be crystal clear on what I will and will not put up with.

If you have told them, which is in this case fair/fouls with no lines, and your answer is no tolerance, what is it you want them to ask about?

[fitump56]

I called a summer (30+ games) as a one man HS ball, one field. Because of a precise pre-game (for the Visiting Coach mainly), I had only two problems, same Coach twice. Both times it was R1/R3, R1 steal and throw.

"Blue, he missed the tag!!"
Coach, I don't doubt he did."
What are you gong to do then"
"Nothing, what part of the pre-game did you not understand regarding tolerance?"
But that was easy to see."

(Ignore)
"Blue, that was easy to see!"

(Time) "F2, go tell your Coach that will be his last comment for the game but go to F1 first and tell him why you are going over to Coach"

F1 does, Coach calls Time, "Blue, that was an easy call.......

"Game suspended."

Going over to HC, "we will replay when HC is ready to accept a one man ump. Game clock is live." Off to the parking lot, clock ticks.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by GarthB

Pregame:

Introduction
Exchange line-ups
Ground rules
Have a good game.

Yeah, that's great when you have two or more umpires, and have baselines drawn on the ground. You know, all the games you work.

I could even do without the "have a good game" when working a "normal" baseball game. Your plate conference sounds about right.

But I have found that when working alone (through much trial and error), if you don't establish the "no arguing plays 128' 3-3/8" away" before the game, that the coaches think they can just unload on you free-reign on every single steal of 2nd base.

Here in the summer, the high school Varsity and JV come together and play a little baseball called "Coaches Summer League." It is loosey-goosey, swing-the-bat, in-and-out baseball, usually with a time limit for the first of a twin-bill. More often than not, there are no foul lines whatsoever. Not even a trace of lime to be found. It is important to point out to these guys not to utter one syllable about fair or foul during the entire game. If you don't, they will be sure to want it called completely accurately as if there were lines.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Yeah, that's great when you have two or more umpires, and have baselines drawn on the ground. You know, all the games you work.

I could even do without the "have a good game" when working a "normal" baseball game. Your plate conference sounds about right.

But I have found that when working alone (through much trial and error), if you don't establish the "no arguing plays 128' 3-3/8" away" before the game, that the coaches think they can just unload on you free-reign on every single steal of 2nd base.

Here in the summer, the high school Varsity and JV come together and play a little baseball called "Coaches Summer League." It is loosey-goosey, swing-the-bat, in-and-out baseball, usually with a time limit for the first of a twin-bill. More often than not, there are no foul lines whatsoever. Not even a trace of lime to be found. It is important to point out to these guys not to utter one syllable about fair or foul during the entire game. If you don't, they will be sure to want it called completely accurately as if there were lines.

I have a perfect record of having coaches who are not blind and can see whether or not foul lines are drawn. Most often, the home coach comments on that as he "takes us around."

I never start a game with negatives, threats or warnings. I have found that often and unnecessarily creates a problem of its own.

If something comes up, I handle it.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by GarthB

I have a perfect record of having coaches who are not blind and can see whether or not foul lines are drawn. Most often, the home coach comments on that as he "takes us around."

"Takes us around."

Exactly.

How many solo games do you average per season?

Working solo is a whole different game. You are on an island encircled by sharks without a Gilligan to be your little buddy.

And BTW, working an occasional game solo because a partner didn't show doesn't count.

I'm not saying that every single time you need to give the same kind of speech, but there are some grown up, shaving age coaches who will argue fair/foul calls on their own fields that they did not bother to line. And they usually neglect to mention that there are no lines at the plate conference, not go out of their way to bring it up.

These same coaches, and again, I'm not saying all, but I know which ones are which, will argue close steal plays at 2nd base, knowing full well that you are trying to keep from looking up 3 sets of butts at a play that is over 120 feet away. If these folks want this play called accurately, they should spring for an extra umpire to stand nearby to call it that way.

JMO, YMMV, LSMFT-sold American.

[bob jenkins]

FWIW, I agree with Garth on the pre-game -- do not indicate that there might be problems. Just have the same meeting you'd otherwise have and get on with the game. We don't have the "there are only two umpires, not 3 or 4 or 6 so we might miss something" speech, so why have it when there's one umpire?

I disagree with FitUmp's decision to forfeit the game because of a bump.

I think MattMets did reasonably well in the original play.

[aceholleran]

Originally Posted by GarthB

Pregame:

Introduction
Exchange line-ups
Ground rules
Have a good game.

Amen. Here's what I hate from an ump during pregame: "Well, there's a gap in the fence down the line where the gate stands; if the ball goes through, we'll play book rule."

My usual pregame: "Nine in the field, one at bat. Let's go."


Ace

[PeteBooth]

[QUOTE]

Originally Posted by mattmets

Saturday I had a Sr. Babe Ruth (16-18) game, working by myself. So the game is suspended, continued tonight, once again I have it alone (don't ask why).

Here's your answer as to why you were working alone

He goes off that I can't run him if he doesn't curse....anyway, he's arguing, and while he's arguing he bumps me- not sure if it's intentional, but doesn't matter.

People for the most part do not change behaviors. Other umpires were probably sick of this guy.

This game is played on a field with no lines drawn past first base (this will be important)

The best you can do is have a "land mark' for yourself ie a tree, fence etc. You do the best you can

Next batter lofts a fly ball down the right field line. So in my head, here's what I'm keeping track of- Fair/foul, catch/no catch, proper tags, runners touching bases, potential time play, not getting hit with a throw, and keeping my *** out of trouble.

When working solo here's the order

1. Call the Pitch
2. Fair / Foul
3. catch / No catch
4. Get into the "working area"

Do not worry about runners touching bases because it's virtually impossible when working solo. Some things have to "give' and that's one of the areas.

I tell his assistants he was ejected for making contact with me, not for arguing. Stupidly, I ask who's now in charge and if he wants to discuss it.

You do not need to explain yourself to the assistant. Also, no need to explain your call to the assistant unless when he "takes over" he asks you. Do not "volunteer" anything.

Did you write up a report and send the report to the President of this league and your assignor about the bumping incident? IMO this should not be taken lightly.

Side Note: Be careful about accepting Rec league assignments where there is virtually no control and the Presidents or Boards are "soft". That's probably why you were working this game SOLO in the first place.

Pete Booth

[UmpLarryJohnson]

if there are NO foul lines passed the bases i see no prob making sure the rats note that and that theres gonna be no crap taken on fair--foulcalls down the lines..if the RATS think thatsa issue then call the feild unfit for play and go home!

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by UmpLarryJohnson

if there are NO foul lines passed the bases i see no prob making sure the rats note that and that theres gonna be no crap taken on fair--foulcalls down the lines..if the RATS think thatsa issue then call the feild unfit for play and go home!

Amen. My sentiments exactly.

Imagine having no foul lines whatsoever. You are having to guess by lining up where the ball is in relation to the edge of the base. Real accurate. It happens during off-season games, yet they still b*tch and complain about close calls near where the line should have been.

In a perfect world, under ideal circumstances, nothing needs to be said during a plate conference. But there are times where you dang sure better say something, or you will be in for a long day.

[Publius]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

But I have found that when working alone (through much trial and error), if you don't establish the "no arguing plays 128' 3-3/8" away" before the game, that the coaches think they can just unload on you free-reign on every single steal of 2nd base.
.

Have the home team reposition 2nd base properly before the next game.

Originally Posted by aceholleran

Here's what I hate from an ump during pregame: "Well, there's a gap in the fence down the line where the gate stands; if the ball goes through, we'll play book rule."

I use the part after the semicolon frequently. It's a response to the coach who, when "taking us around", starts to point out all eleven holes in the fence. After he points out number two, I interrupt, "Anything leaving the field, we'll...."

[ozzy6900]

Addendum to my normal rant about plate meetings.

The lack of proper field lines needs to be addressed. This is handled by you and your partner taking a stroll to the field before the game and getting a bead on things. My partner & I will determine an object to line up with the outside edge of 1st & 3rd base. This will take care of us calling the fair & foul.

Now when the plate meeting rolls around, I simply let the managers know how we are lining up everything. This lets them realize that we are aware there are no lines but have made a plan to compensate. I then tell them, "Gentlemen, due to the lack of proper field preparation, my partner and I will be as accurate as we possibly can. Please assist us by allowing us and only us to make the call." Total additional time = 15 seconds bringing the total plate meeting to about 1 minute even.

I work many fields that are not properly marked in the early Spring and during the Fall seasons. I rarely have any problem because we are honest with the managers. Also by showing them that we have objects that we use to help with our decisions, it shows them that we are trying to do a proper job.

Regards

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Publius

Have the home team reposition 2nd base properly before the next game.

Well, I'm at least a foot behind the plate when making the call.

I guess I put my "foot" in it again.