OK Fellas, it's time to open the floodgates
 

Gents,

The following link will take you to my hometown news station's morning news segment called, "Ask The Ump." I have been in contact with the sports guy, Gene Lavanchy, to discuss all of the things you are about to see (and tear apart) to no avail. He did write back to my inquiry and asked what mistakes I saw, to which I responded with a LONG review of each segment (save for the newest one on obstruction) but none of my points were ever addressed. Oh well. Anyway, it's time I stop hoarding the fun for myself and share it with you all. Be forewarned....keep all sodas away for fear they will come out your nose; and try not to yell at the screen too much. Finally, there is a forum on aother part of that site if you feel so inclined. On the right side of the page click on "submit your questions to ask the ump" to be taken there. You have to wait for approval before your post will appear. It won't be hard to figure out, but, to save you .2 seconds of thinking, I'm on there as "ImTall." Enjoy, and watch out for the "corridor", the blocking mechanics, the raft, etc.........

http://www.myfoxboston.com/myfox/pag...Y&pageId=5.2.1

added this part, will repeat later in thread...

you have me confused for veteran umpire ed king. weird.

I think I saw veteran umpire Ed King's photo somewhere before....let me think....oh, yeah....it was in the dictionary next to the word "smitty.":p

Hey I'mTall, that was some funny stuff. I love that guy that kept insisting that corridor was in the book. What a maroon!

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

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.

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.

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?"

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. :D

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

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.

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.

obstruction looks a lot like a whacker "block" mechanic imo

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.