First game tommorrow
 

Have my first game on the bases. Any points of reference I should be aware of from the experts? What to look for the most?? Please don't says balks, I'm praying I don't have to call any.lol

Pregame.

Tomorrow? Sheesh. There still snow here - our season doesn't start for a month.

I've been dreaming about calling pitches. Anybody want to invite me somewhere warm to work some weekend? I'll be in LA in march...

Had my first game on Tuesday. Great game too, plus got to meet an assistant coach by the name of Craig Biggio (nice guy by the way). Worked the plate and wore a HSM for the first time, cant complain.

~Heavy Sigh~
 

"Any points of reference I should be aware of from the experts? What to look for the most??"

Be ready for "The Skunk in the Outfield Play."

Seriously, have you had any training?

Regards,

rngrck,

Is this your first game ever, or your first game this season?

When working the bases (2-man), my primary "reference points" are the bases, the pitcher's plate, and the 1B line.

Although you don't want to do this to the point of "target fixation", I would "mostly" look for the ball - not the only thing you need to be aware of, but that is where most "stuff" happens. Also, watch out for those icy patches on the field.

Good luck.

JM

In order to answer properly

Is your first game a HS game?
College Game?
Rec league Game?

Etc

Pete Booth

I would say just call it like any other game. Use your knowledge of rules, game management, positioning, mechanics, etc. as you would in any other game and enjoy the dawning of a new season. As for balks, remember that what you call or don't call sets the standards for the entire season.

First HS ball for me. Have done softball in the past and just coming off 1st year in basketball officiating. I'm fully trained but like any other rookie, a little bit nervous. I just wanted to focus on a few things at a time. Most of my anxiety will be recognizng balks if any.

Three words to live by. Pause, read, react. Don't worry so much about balks. You will get more grief calling them than if you don't. In other words, don't call it unless you're sure.

In most cases, the pitcher will do something stupid and they are easy for all to see.

Odds are you'll be working with a more senior umpire. Let him call the balks if you aren't sure. Focus on the basics - safes and outs, balls and strikes. Think timing, timing, timing. Let the plays happen and let the plays convince you of their outcome. Give your brain time to process what you just saw. Then you'll make your calls with confidence.
Oh, and have fun!

JJ

-Remember your training and rulebook
-Be crisp and loud on your calls
-Be sharp on your mechancs- be where you are supposed to be
-Walk on that field like you own it. Don't be timid (yet, don't be cocky or a harda$$). Act like you belong.
-Be confident in what you know. If you see a balk, and you know it's a balk, don't hesitate- call it!
-Sell your calls when appropriate
-Learn from that game
-GOOD LUCK!

I assume you are speaking for all of Canada and not where baseball is really played.:D

[QUOTE]HS plays by FED rules (in most states) .

Since this is your first HS game my suggestion would be to FORGET about OBR rules and concentrate on FED rules. Trying to Co-mingle them can get you into trouble.

As another poster mentioned unless your are CERTAIN that F1 committed a balk do not call it. Again this is one big area that differes from OBR so until you get "comfortable" do not worry about it.

Hopefully your first HS game is not at the varsity level. Normally most HS associations would assign you to a modified game (made up of 7th/8th/9th graders) during your first season UNLESS you are a veteran umpire who has experience and moved into a new area.

If possible have someone whom you trust go watch the game at least 1/2 the game so you can get an honest critique. Do not get "bent out of shape" over CONSTRUCTIVE critisim from an individual you trust. They are just trying to make you a better umpire.

IMO, there is nothing like getting a post game critique from someone who is knowledgeable and trustworthy. That's how I learned.

Do not get too nervous and try to have fun out there. The rest will come if you are dedicated and truly want to learn and improove.

Pete Booth

Sharp safe/out mechanic?
 

Know the situation before the ball is hit on the ground to the infield.
Know the situation before the ball is hit into the outfield.
Move quickly into the "working" area. Keep out of the throwing lanes.
Watch the ball in play and the throw, then watch the runner near the base.
Position for the play, pause, read, and reflect, then make your call.
1) Proper use of the eyes; 2) use of the ears; and 3) use common sense.

Don't miss an uncaught 3rd strike w/< 2 outs, or IFF situation w/< 2 outs.
Don't miss timing plays {x-IFFR} with 2 outs and uncaught 3rd strike with 2 outs.

I hope your first game was better than the third, fourth and fifth game of the partner to which I was assigned last Saturday. I can only imagine how his first and second were. I will share no details as the memories will haunt me for years to come.

Thanks and have great season.

Thanks all for your comments and support. My game went really well on the bases for me. Made a bunch of calls and no one complained so I guess thats a good sign. I did however get hung up on fly balls as far as where I was suppose to go in the B & C postions. Wasn't sure in going out or holding my postions in the infield. Oh well its early.

Easy fix. Never go out of the infield from the B or C positions. If you have a call to make in the V go no farther than edge of the infield grass to get a view.

They're all nice until something doesn't go their way. That's why we carry cheese in our pockets:D Hey Rook you'll figure it out.

Biggio is a class act in every respect, always has been. Went to HS down the road from me. Never a chirp about a pitch or anything else.

Wrong advice here. If in the B or C (assuming 2 man) how are you going to see the catch, the tag and get in position for a play at a base if you're on the edge of the grass? You have to get in the working area (behind the mound) from there you can see the catch, the tag remember bases juiced or 1st and 2nd you have the tag at 1st and 2nd and all plays in the infield. Edge of the grass no way this can be done.

Hey Rook you're only friend is your partner. This is the first lesson you need to learn.

By moving the head and the body and not anchoring the feet to the grass. Not that hard. Been to a Single A MiLB game lately?


[/QUOTE]You have to get in the working area (behind the mound)...[/QUOTE]

The PBUC evaluators instructed the new umpires last year to consider the working area as a place to go for the second call and to get close to the first call they need to make.

I believe I can get in position (and have done so many times) to see a catch in the V and the tag at 2B, and move my feet to get in position for the next play. If the ball is deep,. and that would be a very good reason to get on edge of the grass, I have plenty of time to move my feet for the next play. On a deep ball I can get on the edge of the grass in the 2B cutout and there is no way I would miss a tag at 2B. If shallow there is not likely to be a play. If bases are juiced, my partner has tag at 3rd, and I have 2nd. Neither of us has 1B, remember it's 2 man, and you can't do everything in 2 man. If runners on 1st and 2nd I have the catch and the tag at 2B. And, if there is to be a tag with runners on 1st and 2nd that means there are less than 2 outs and my partner will be coming up to 3B to take the runner from 2B into 3B, should he go, so I can stay at 2B for a play on R2 returning or R1 advancing. We covered this situation in pregame.

You have to get in the working area (behind the mound)...[/QUOTE]

The PBUC evaluators instructed the new umpires last year to consider the working area as a place to go for the second call and to get close to the first call they need to make.[/QUOTE]

This isn't pro ball. Average HS Umpire my opinion behind the mound is the place to be. Best place to head is to get behind the mound. From there I can get the angle for catch no catch tag at second and I'm in perfect postion for the second play be it at second or third and even first. Equal distance (approximately) to all bases. Works for me.

No one has the touch and tag at first? Tag at first doesn't happen often but you got to get this call. What are you going to do if there's an overthrow and R1 is standing on second and they appeal first. What's the call? Both teams saw him leave early your crew didn't. It's the U1 job to get the tag and touch at first. You'll have paper work when you get home. Like I said bad advice.

Ok, bases loaded, deep fly to F8 caught. I'm U2 in C pos. Where am I looking first? Does U1 have 3rd and me 2nd for the tags ups?
How about 1st and 2nd? U2 has 2nd, U1 has 1st?

UIC Plate Umpire
U1 Field umpire

As U1 First Responsibility Catch No Catch. R2 SHOULD be tagging. If he does be sure he doesn't go early and be ready for the play at third. R1 SHOULD be halfway. You still have to know if R1 tagged or not should he advance. Behind the Pichers Mound you can see the catch and the tag. If no play at third be sure R1 tags up (UIC has touches at third) locate the ball and let it take you to the next play. If there's play on R2 at third you have to get it. UIC at this point has nothing (R3 has already scored) to do and can help on the tag up of R1 at first. Can easily do this without leaving the plate.

Pretty easy if the players do what there supposed to do. However, never assume anything and be ready for anything. You can have the Keystone Cops on the bases. If that happens you do the best you can do. That's why I like to be behind the Pitchers Mound. It's the shortest distance where I have to be when things fall apart.

Rngrck:

These are fundamental 2 man mechanics and I suggest you locate a clinic in your area and attend. You really can't learn on a forum like this, IMHO. The only real way to learn is to practice it and be observed and recieve some constructive feedback.

But, to answer your questions. First, PU has all touches and tags at 3rd base and home. On the deep fly to F8, your first responsibility is the catch, so you do need to move toward the edge of the infield grass, while still keeping in mind you have to watch the tag-ups at 2nd AND 1st. You can do this at the edge of the outfield grass. Catch made, signal the out and verbalize, "that's a catch" so your partner can hear you. As the catch is made, begin to move toward the working area, shading toward 3rd, anticipating a play there, either R2 tagging up and advancing to 3rd, or R2 advancing to 3rd on the throw home if R3 is tagging and going. Also remember you have any secondary plays at all the other bases, so this is where the working area is usefull.

R1 and R2, with a deep fly to F8, your approach to the fly ball is the same, however ( you need to cover this in pre-game with your partner) PU will take R2 advancing to 3rd after the tag. You then will have all the other secondary tags and plays at 2nd and 1st. PU never has tags at any base other than 3rd.

Hope this helps.

If you are in the working area, there are many fly balls that will be routine catches where you can position yourself to see 1B, 2B and the timing on the catch.

"Three words to live by. Pause, read, react"

Great Advice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Who told you that in a 2 man system you had responsibility for a catch in the V, a tag at 2B, and a tag at 1B? Where you gonna stand to see a catch in LC, a tag at 2B and a tag at 1B?

If you are in the working area, there are many fly balls that will be routine catches where you can position yourself to see 1B, 2B and the timing on the catch.

No one told me but no one told me thatpissing in the wind isnt a smart thing to do. I was answering to the poster who said it was impossible to see all three but of course you didn't include that in your rabid Mupppet styled criticism, did you?

Here's a clue, lookup "peripheral vision".

Strangely enough...
 

That's exactly what the manual I'm working with says.

http://www.baseball.ca/files/manual2.pdf
Situation 2M-27.

I don't have any other manuals at hand to go by... how do you cover this?

Andrew

To clear things up
 

Based on PBUC mechanics:

-On a trouble flyball, base umpire goes to the edge of the infield grass in the direction the ball was hit.
-On a routine flyball, base umpire goes into the working area a bit behind the mound. No need to make a catch signal on routine catches.

Base ump has no fair/foul with any runners on.

Generally, this is the mechaninc the problem is that too many umpires (American):

1) have no clue to this mechanic
2) Work on small ballfields where the mechanic is straight out silly
3) Can't tell a borerline troubled ball from a routine ball (highly dependent level of play)
4) Too lazy to move

Ad up all of the above, you have the majority of American umpires which are wll crossectioned on this Forum. :D

Agree with most but if you have a trouble fly ball to center field side with F9, for one of any instances, the BU has tag and catch? We don't play it like that. BU will call off PU, roll out and PU has tag and advance. YMMV

The title of this thread is "First game tomorrow." We got a foot of snow last night, and more due today. I'm glad we're getting THAT out of our system -- maybe we'll be able to avoid last year's April snow week.

Whoa there.

I work with a young snort, excellent umpire, runs like a scirocco. He will call me PU off a LF foul ball (trouble) from the C with R3 in a scirocco beat. :o

Get off the sciroco thing, the car sucked. I know who you are talking about Danny did this to me without warning, it's a smart move he learned it at Wendlestedt? I think.