Important lessons learned....and more questions asked

[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.