OK Fellas, it's time to open the floodgates

[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.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by BigTex

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.

Oh, I'm working the state tournament starting Saturday, too. I don't see it as over-qualified, BTW. I see it as "they will get the best umpiring available" for their game tonight.

I've been in Europe the last three summers during the Majors tournaments. I've worked a Regional at the Senior level and States at all the levels we have (11, 12, 13-14, 15-16) with the exception of the 12s. We hosted last year (six districts rotate, so we don't host again until 2013) and I was in the Netherlands that week. Next week I'll stay in a hotel and take a few vacation days and work about 12 games or so.

I'm not involved at the local league level anymore. The local leagues use teenagers for most of their games. They would get eaten alive during the All-Star tournaments and, frankly, aren't really qualified to do the games during the tournament. All-Stars is a whole different experience than the local league games. We take it seriously -- this isn't where we load up the fields with Smittys and have a good chuckle.

Once the kids stick with it a few years and show commitment and demonstrate ability, they are invited to join the District umpire staff. One of those kids went on to be a PBUC Honor graduate and was offered a contract in the Northwest League right out of school (during the strike year), but had to turn it down due to a medical condition and the fact that the short A leagues didn't win insurance during their strike. Now he works HS and college ball and still works LL.

[BigTex]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

Oh, I'm working the state tournament starting Saturday, too. I don't see it as over-qualified, BTW. I see it as "they will get the best umpiring available" for their game tonight.

I've been in Europe the last three summers during the Majors tournaments. I've worked a Regional at the Senior level and States at all the levels we have (11, 12, 13-14, 15-16) with the exception of the 12s. We hosted last year (six districts rotate, so we don't host again until 2013) and I was in the Netherlands that week. Next week I'll stay in a hotel and take a few vacation days and work about 12 games or so.

I'm not involved at the local league level anymore. The local leagues use teenagers for most of their games. They would get eaten alive during the All-Star tournaments and, frankly, aren't really qualified to do the games during the tournament. All-Stars is a whole different experience than the local league games. We take it seriously -- this isn't where we load up the fields with Smittys and have a good chuckle.

Once the kids stick with it a few years and show commitment and demonstrate ability, they are invited to join the District umpire staff. One of those kids went on to be a PBUC Honor graduate and was offered a contract in the Northwest League right out of school (during the strike year), but had to turn it down due to a medical condition and the fact that the short A leagues didn't win insurance during their strike. Now he works HS and college ball and still works LL.

I was by no means questioning wether or not you were able to work those games. I now understand that the guys working all summer are not qualified, and that is a fair answer. I hope they are at the games watching and learning. Congrats on the State tourn. I am sure they are going to miss you in the Netherlands this summer, nice gesture on giving up miles so someone else can go.