OK Fellas, it's time to open the floodgates

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

I never knew that the signal for obstruction was the same as for blocking in basketball. How did that escape me all these years?

That is what I was taught when I first started umpiring Little League about 10 years ago. I am still not sure where they ever got that mechanic from.

[Rich]

I thought he was actually pretty well spoken until he explained that a runner is called out for batter's interference. Unreal that someone who propagates myths like this is allowed on television. BTW, I only watched that one clip.

[bobbybanaduck]

oh, so you missed:

“There’s no steal on that, you gotta go back,”
“I don’t care what he was doing… it was a perfect pitch…it doesn’t matter”
“It hit him in the right arm about three inches above the elbow,”
“That runner’s out, that runner’s out, that’s a fair ball, time, batter comes to first.”
“I KNOW EVERYTHING.”

[Rich]

Originally Posted by bobbybanaduck

oh, so you missed:

“There’s no steal on that, you gotta go back,”
“I don’t care what he was doing… it was a perfect pitch…it doesn’t matter”
“It hit him in the right arm about three inches above the elbow,”
“That runner’s out, that runner’s out, that’s a fair ball, time, batter comes to first.”
“I KNOW EVERYTHING.”

Oh, and his comments in the forum on the detached player equipment (mask) thrown at a bunt rolling down the line are priceless, too. If that ball has a chance of becoming fair, I'm certainly not going to just call it a foul ball.

I'm working the plate in our District LL championship tonight, I'll have to remember some of these. 6-man on the small diamond.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

I'm working the plate in our District LL championship tonight, I'll have to remember some of these. 6-man on the small diamond.

Well, at least you will have 5 other umpires there to keep the little shavers from body-slamming you when they don't like your calls!

[Rich]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Well, at least you will have 5 other umpires there to keep the little shavers from body-slamming you when they don't like your calls!

I worked one of the semifinal games last night. Hadn't worked on the small diamond in 3 years, actually, but I've done 2 plates in the tourney. Having a pitcher throw from 40-some feet at 60+ MPH is an interesting perspective.

[kylejt]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

I worked one of the semifinal games last night. Hadn't worked on the small diamond in 3 years, actually, but I've done 2 plates in the tourney. Having a pitcher throw from 40-some feet at 60+ MPH is an interesting perspective.

Try 80mph from 46', plus no control. We had one kid doing that a few years ago. I saw him take one umpire out with a busted hand, and break anothers mask. He dropped me when I got nailed just above the shinguard. It didn't help that they were on their third catcher either.

[BigTex]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

I worked one of the semifinal games last night. Hadn't worked on the small diamond in 3 years, actually, but I've done 2 plates in the tourney. Having a pitcher throw from 40-some feet at 60+ MPH is an interesting perspective.

Rich,

This is not a shot at you. How did you get a semifinal game at a level that you have not worked in 3 years? Shouldn't the guys who have been working that level get those kind of games? I know your credentials, and I know you are overqualified for small ball, where are the guys who work that level all summer?

ps. have fun tonight.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Welpe

That is what I was taught when I first started umpiring Little League about 10 years ago. I am still not sure where they ever got that mechanic from.

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the proper mechanic for obstruction type B to simply point and say, "that's obstruction?"

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the proper mechanic for obstruction type B to simply point and say, "that's obstruction?"

Yes...but not according to my former LL.