Going Solo

[rngrck]

Working my first game solo tomm(JV). Any words of advice would much be appreciated. How about some short cuts if possible?

[bob jenkins]

Draw a line parallel to the third base line through the lead runner. Don't cross that line (unless it's R3 who will score without a play and you are moving out for other calls.)

[JJ]

Originally Posted by rngrck

How about some short cuts if possible?

Call strikes. Lots of strikes. Don't call balls. Ever. Tell 'em, "If it bounces less than twice it's got a chance."

JJ

[BretMan]

Find a copy of the ASA softball umpire manual, then study their one-man mechanics. Okay, might not be practical advice if you need it by tomorrow! But those are the mechanics and coverages I default to on the rare occasions I'm stuck doing a baseball game solo.

[johnnyg08]

one man sucks...i do about 20 one man games per year...when it's not hot out...and since you're doing JV, it won't be too bad...yes, I realize I just contradicted myself, but JV baseball is pretty low maintenance...call lots of strikes, get 'em swinging the bat early, try and hustle when you can to make the calls and don't over commit.

[bossman72]

You can't do much but HUSTLE.

If the coaches see you're hustling to make your calls and not just hovering your fat a$$ around the plate, they can't complain. Just do your best

[Tim C]

Here's my advice:

ALWAYS ask for help from your partner on checked/unchecked swing requests.

Regards,

[Steven Tyler]

Originally Posted by Tim C

Here's my advice:

ALWAYS ask for help from your partner on checked/unchecked swing requests.

Regards,

You should ALWAYS ask for help from your partner in a day game. NEVER ever ask in a night game.

Regards,

[ozzy6900]

Here's my input:

1. Don't work alone.
2. If they can afford you, they can afford your partner!
3. A fee and a half is not worth the aggravation (at least not at my age, any longer).
4. If you have to ask, you are not ready to work alone.

Hope this gets the point across.... good luck.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by Tim C

Here's my advice:

ALWAYS ask for help from your partner on checked/unchecked swing requests.

Regards,

Years back, I was assigned to work a JV game. My partner did not show. One of the head coaches was known for his constant whining.

Around the fifth inning, I called a check swing: "No, he didn't go." This buffon yelled, "You gotta get some help on that!"

I looked around the field and then back at him. He yelled again, "C'mon, you gotta get some help!"

So, since there was a runner on second at the time, I pointed to left side of the mound and yelled, "Did he go?" I then jogged out to the "C" position, turned around gave the safe sign and yelled back, "No, he didn't go."

I jogged back to the plate, staring at the doofus coach all the way. About half way back, I saw that he finally showed some sign of recognition of reality, put his head down, and slinked back under his rock.

[johnnyg08]

Nice Garth...in response to the above post about not working solo...that's great if you can be as busy as you want to be by only working 2 man+...in my area of MN...we have to take some weekend adult league solo to keep as busy as we want to be...most of the veteran players get the fact that you're working alone which makes the steal of 2nd base or any tag play at 2B w/ more than one guy on base...probably the toughest call on those days...it sometimes is tough to not have your partner either, but I've learned to sell my calls when working alone and it's helped me with my 2 and 3 man games, and I get lots of opportunities to work on my plate as well

[soundedlikeastrike]

Call em as "you" see em. You will get em all right. You'll wanna feel frusrated on those PO's and steals, don't, just remember it's not "your fault".

F1 stealing, B squared to bunt, ball in the dirt, B offers and misses; don't expect to have the best view of the tag at 2nd. I mean how far ya gonna get from the plate, 8'-10' tops.

Snap throws to 3B from F2 or PO from F1 on a returning R3 can be a bear too, again, not your fault. They want that play covered, they'll pay the cover charge.

Keep your priorities straight, F1, balk, no balk, ball, strike, go, no go, fair, foul, catch no catch, the 1st play, running lane, pulled foot, swipe tag, interference, obstruction; slap a safe or out in there, sheesh, before ya know it, there's a 1/2 inning down.

Nobody likes one man, Except those writing the checks.
It's not that bad.
Kinda nice, never any overturned check swings, no inadvertant time outs by your partner, no huddles to discuss, ya never have to worry about your partner hanging out to dry, just gotta look for that silver lining..

[johnnyg08]

very nice points...good post! appreciated

[semperfiguy]

I know i too am forced to work 1 man games and they are tough. more often thatn not the assigner wanted 2 but could not fill the game. if the coach finds this out it can be tough from the start. Around the northeast they try to put 2 at every game. i knew on only one league (babe ruth) that would not pay. It lasted about a week when coaches backed up the officials. Best of luck. lots of gatorade and hustle. balls and strikes baby!!!!

[PeteBooth]

Have in my mind what I call "givens" to be consistent.

Example: you have R1 stealing on the pitch. Since your first priority is to call the pitch, you are not going to get the best of angles on the play. You get a couple of steps to get the best view possible.

If the ball BEATS the runner and the tag is where it is supposed to be = OUT PERIOD. Same holds true for BOTH teams. Conversely if the ball is off line or the fielder has to reach back for a tag etc. the Call is SAFE.

When working SOLO the runners will have the advantage but again the advantage is equal for BOTH teams. On a pick-off attempt at first base you have to be ABSOLUTELY sure you saw a tag to call R1 out therefore, for the most part you will not see too many outs on pick-off plays.

Forget about watching EVERY runner touch the bases. It's virtaully impossible to do when working solo because if the ball is hit in the air, you are watching for the catch / no catch.

You might get a glimpse of the runner touching third base but again I would not worry about appeal plays.

Do not be INFLUENCED on changing calls even if you "kicked it" Example: you have a play at the plate see F2 tag the runner but do not SEE the ball lying on the ground.

You know the offense is going to "go nuts" but you do not have a partner to check with. If you start REVERSING calls based upon reactions of the other team get ready for a very long day.

As Bob says you get into what is known as the "working area" which is around the pitcher's mound. From there you can move in either direction to make the call.

Hustle as best you can

That is all anyone can ask. Most of the time the coaches understand but as in Garth's post every now and then you get a pain in the you know what and if that happens mirror Garth or something along those lines.

NOTE: In HS at least in my area it's not uncommon for umpires to be scheduled SOLO when working modified and even JV games so get used to it.

It works like this

1. Varsity - 2 umpires ALWAYS.
2. JV - The scheduler does try and put 2 umpires on the game but you can work SOLO
3. Modified - Most of the games umpired at this level are SOLO. In fact SOLO for the modified level is becoming the norm at least in the association I work. There is simply not enough umpires to cover all the games at each division.

Pete Booth