I really do hope I can hold out that long!:) I'll be sure to let everyone know when it happens!

Here I go! Saturday is here...Two games at Alliant University, 11:45 and 3:15, both scheduled for 9. I'm so excited, headed for bed now to rest up! I have the plate first, just to get it out of the way. I'll let you know how it went when I get home.

Don't suck, Steve!

And get 'em early and often. :D

tried to send u a PM Steve.....You need to clear out some of your PM's

The post-game must still be going on!

Okay, I'm back.

Whoever had the 5th inning of the first game for my first ejection in the pool is a winner!

I had the plate and the pitcher threw a fastball on the inside corner, which I called strike two. The batter said, "No way, that was inside!" and proceded to draw a nice, pretty, straight line in the dirt with his bat at least a foot inside. Bye now, thanks for playing.

It wasn't until the 2nd inning that I took a shot between the collar bone and shoulder. Felt it, but it didn't hurt. Love my new All-Star CPU30! The catcher called for an outside fastball, but got an inside one instead, and didn't draw leather on it.

Oh, and the player that got run for drawing the line...that catcher. Instant Karma's gonna get you! :D

I had a relly good zone today, maybe missed three pitches total (which does not include ejection pitch, which I stone cold nailed.)

My legs felt like rubber around the 7th inning and then still sore before the 2nd game, but as soon as I ran out to position A after the ground rules, I got my legs back and had a very good game on the bases. I had a banger Safe call at 2nd on a steal and two banger out calls at 1st base. Nailed all three.

I forgot just how much adult league players and coaches whine and beg for calls, and combine that with a lack of knowledge of the basic rules. One team in the second game botched an uncaught 3rd strike with R1 and R2 and 2 outs. They thought the runner couldn't run because 1st base was occupied. The batter ran, they ignored him at first because F4 (who was also the manager) yelled to the catcher that 1st base was occupied and he didn't need to throw. The runners all ran and the catcher realized that he needed to throw the ball and overshot F3, and R2 came all the way around and scored. The manager then tried to argue that 1st base was occupied, and I said that that rule only applies with less than 2 out and with two out they needed a putout. Then the light bulb went off and he remembered that little part of the rule finally.

Anyway, I made it through the day. Both games went 3 hours plus, the second one ending in a 18-3 12-run rule final after 7 innings. Pretty brutal! Hopefully tomorrow's two at Madison High will be better games (Please!!!!):)

Glad to hear you're back on the field, Steve.

How was your strike zone in your first game back: liberal or conservative?

Knowing Steve as well as I do, I'm sure it's safe to say that his strike zone was the only liberal part of him on the field today!

Glad you're back at it, buddy!


Tim.

You're ready for the big time. The average MLB umpire misses, at the last report I saw, 5 or 6 pitches.

Their strike zone is a little smaller, which would suggest it's easier to miss a pitch?

Tim.

If a waist-high pitch a quarter inch outside is a miss, I've made many misses.

Two three hour games? I'd be on the bases holding up this sign...

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos..._1337008_n.jpg

Tim knows that I'm a big-time liberal with my strike zone. Unfotunately many of the pitches in the strike zone went flying toward the outfield fence.

I missed about 3 pitches from my established strike zone. I usually miss no more than 3 to 4 pitches a game in HS varsity, which I did on a full-time basis from 1987 to 2006. If that means I ready for the big time, I would say I'm way overdue.:rolleyes:

Yes, I needed such a sign. Today as well. Bases first game, 3:04. Plate the second game, 3:12. First game was Rookie League and went the full 9 with errors 'o plenty. Game two, a 38+ AA league, was a better played game that ran out of pitching for the team that lost 18-6 in 8 with the 12-run rule.

The length of these games average anywhere from 2:40 to the 3:15 time limit to start a new inning. They much more closely resemble a typical American League slugfest than a National League pitcher's dual. I can't wait to get a really good game.

Welcome back Steve.

The real question is has this cured the itch (to umpire that is) or made it worse?

Every time I even begin to wonder if I should really be out there, I picture being home all weekend instead, and the doubt shoots out of my mind like it's rocket-propelled.