New Umpire School...O.U.T.S.

[Bob Bainter]

Originally Posted by UmpTTS43

I attended a clinic this past year where we worked games, three man mechnics. We would rotate and have up to 3 guys doing the plate for one game. Since I had been there before, I gave up my plate innings to a younger ump who was looking to break into college ball. While he was gearing up, I worked 1/2 an inning. There happened to be a DI assignor for 4 or 5 conferences up in the box observing. "My time to show what I have," I thought. First pitch, can of corn to center. Second pitch, line drive to SS. Third pitch, foul ball to back stop. Fourth pitch, ground out to F4. Yippee me, a four pitch inning. That's just the way it is sometimes. Another umpire, while working just 1/2 inning in the same game, had every rotation for a three man game. 1/2 inning took 35 min. Just the way it is sometimes. All I could say is, "great game management, huh." Just thought I would share.

FOUR PITCH INNING! I LOVE THOSE! LOL...is there truly anything better? I remember, and this is off subject, when I was behind the plate for Bronson Arroyo's 9 inning perfect game, I called the first EIGHT pitches strikes...he threw eight straight sliders on the outside part of the plate, and the boys from Buffalo just stood there and looked at them...finally, he threw a ball, then the guy grounded to first...still, EIGHT straight called strikes??? Still, the strangest inning I ever worked.

Bob