I saw it out of the corener of my eye.

[SanDiegoSteve]

San Diego Steve sez:

If I'm working alone, and that call is my responsibiliy, the runner would have to leave mighty early, like 3 or 4 steps, before I would consider calling that. Why would the umpire be looking at anything but the pitcher. I was always taught to let the ball take your eyes where they need to be, so I'm focused on the baseball, and what Shifty McCheat is doing with that ball on the mound. If I see the runner take off with my peripheral vision, then great. Otherwise, I ain't lookin' for it.

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

If I'm working alone, and that call is my responsibility, the runner would have to leave mighty early, like 3 or 4 steps, before I would consider calling that.

I agree with Steve from San Diego. It's got to be a gross infraction before I'm calling it. "Coach, you want that call? - pay for a second umpire."

[jwwashburn]

I forgot to mention that there was a guy out in the field during the game that was not on our team and did not appear to be on the other team either. He was older than nine and players are not supposed to use cell phones on the field, are they? Maybe he was the base umpire?

[kylejt]

I called it twice last week in a game I did solo. Once at first and once at second. It's not that hard to do.

[jwwashburn]

Originally Posted by kylejt

I called it twice last week in a game I did solo. Once at first and once at second. It's not that hard to do.

Especially when you do not bother yourself with watching the pitch.

How in the world can you watch the pitcher and the runner on first base at the same time from your position behind home plate?

Unless the infraction was remarkably early, there is no way you can see it.

Joe

[kylejt]

Originally Posted by jwwashburn

Especially when you do not bother yourself with watching the pitch.

How in the world can you watch the pitcher and the runner on first base at the same time from your position behind home plate?

Unless the infraction was remarkably early, there is no way you can see it.

Joe

I'll tell you what Joe, it really isn't that hard to do. I'm guessing you've never umpired a game from behind the dish before. That's okay, but please understand we've got a heck of a view from back there.

Plus, 9 year olds aren't really dealing too hard. So seeing the base runners is quite easy. My criteria for leaving early(LL) is even harder than yours, so the umpire in your game had it easy.

One tip: don't ever use the "Mr. Umpire" for addressing us, as you'll sound like one of your tot players. Use our first name, and get it at the plate meeting. We're much more responsive to first names, as opposed to "Blue". Although I've become quite fond of "Your Honor".

[bob jenkins]

I don't see that it would be that difficult to check (pay attention to your peripheral vision) the runner when F1 is about 1/2 way through the wind-up and still get back to see the pitch from a 9-year old. I agree that the benefit of the doubt goes to the runner.

[jwwashburn]

Originally Posted by [B

kylejt;607223] I'll tell you what Joe, it really isn't that hard to do. I'm guessing you've never umpired a game from behind the dish before. That's okay, but please understand we've got a heck of a view from back there. [/B]

I'll tell ya what, Kyle. You, of course, have guessed way wrong. I have umpired more games than i care to remember behind the plate in baseball. I watch the ball so that I can call balls and strikes. If a runner left WAY early, I would probably notice. I have also umpired many hundreds of Fastpitch Softball games behind the plate and guess what? I watch the pitcher, there as well.

Originally Posted by [B

kylejt;607223]Plus, 9 year olds aren't really dealing too hard. So seeing the base runners is quite easy. My criteria for leaving early(LL) is even harder than yours, so the umpire in your game had it easy.

Well, he should have had it easy because it was not even his call. He had a "partner" in the field(of course that guy was even than him.)

Originally Posted by [B

kylejt;607223]One tip: don't ever use the "Mr. Umpire" for addressing us, as you'll sound like one of your tot players. Use our first name, and get it at the plate meeting. We're much more responsive to first names, as opposed to "Blue". Although I've become quite fond of "Your Honor".

I had to instigate the pre-game meeting or it never would have happened. I did not catch his name even though I introduced myself to him, I figured Mr. Umpire was a good substitute. I have never once on a field been offended by being called Mr. Umpire.

Furthermore, my runner did not leave early. From my vantage point in coaching first base, I actually can see the ball and the runner. The kid right before the one that he called actually did leave early by a hair.

Joe in Missouri