sort of on topic -- at least, it's about coach/official relationship
 

At my 8 yr old son's baseball game. Not T-ball, btw. My son's team is up to bat. Little kid at the plate is very small. Pitcher has some speed. First pitch, batter steps back out of the box, just as the ball is released, ball bounces on the plate, ump calls "Strike!" Everyone looks dumbfounded. Coach ( who is standing near-by says nothing). I think, hmmm... Coach say, "Manny, stay in the box. Don't step back." I realize, it's a strike because he stepped out of the box.

Next pitch batter holds position, ump calls ball because it was way, way outside. Next pitch is way inside, batter ducks back, ump calls strike. Next pitch, same thing. 3 strikes, and the 3rd out.

Coach comes down to the plate and quietly says something to the ump while holding onto the batter's shoulder. Batter is crying. Coach says "Ump, I really think that ball was a threat." Ump says, "He stepped back before the pitcher released the ball." Coach says, "I understand, but..." Ump interrupts, "he didn't wait to see where the ball was going." Coach looks annoyed, but turns to walk away, with the kid, who I now realize is her (coach's) kid. Ump walks after them and repeats, "Coach, he stepped out before the ball was realeased." She says, "I get it okay? Sheez!" There is this tense moment, then they both turn and walk away from each other.

Dad behind me says, "That's her husband."

I'm wondering what the heck the kid is thinking!!

that's some interesting dynamics.

Yow - and I thought that umpiring my younger brothers' little league games could be tough sometimes!

Oh, my !

I am glad I am not a parent.

Glad to be done with those days? :p

Maybe situations like this are why one of my friends tells me that I need to marry a girl with "good reffing genes" like my own.

Uh, ...that would be a "Yes!" :)

My sister is a pitcher in a softball league in the county in which I reside when I'm not in school. During the summers, I drive 30 minutes to umpire in the adjoining county simply to avoid that conflict.

Oh my...what a twist. Certainly didn't see that one coming!

The kid's thinking "I shoulda played soccer".

I'm wondering where the heck the umpire slept that night. :eek:

Yeah - then his dad would be too old to ref his games!

Sort of the same type of thing...my oldest son started reffing football last fall (he's 17)...his second Saturday, he told us he had games at such-and-such times, and I said that meant he would miss his younger brother's game (7th grade team)...anyway, we show up at the field where younger son is going to play, and there is my oldest son as linesman. Uh-oh...talk to younger son's coach - he doesn't care, talk to other coach, he doesn't care...talk to the White Hat, he doesn't care - only one I forgot to talk to was my youngest son!! Second quarter, flag thrown by oldest for face-masking by youngest - interesting conversation in the living room that evening!

Huh???

:rolleyes:

Peace

One question, HITH do you manage the game without focusing on the "rules"? Is it safe to say that you officiate baseball like you do basketball, null and void of any written rules, but strictly moreless according to your own personal rulings, interpretations, opinions and judgements of said game that you are officiating?

They probably kissed and made up.

Peace

I'm wondering what the heck the kid is thinking!![/

The kid is thinking, "Wait till I get ahold of that assignor!"

Conflict Of Interest ??
 

Many,many years ago, my son played in Little League, B Division, on a team that I coached. In this league batters batted against a pitching machine. First and third base coaches were also expected to act as umpires. In one partciular game, my son tried to go from first to third on a single to the outfield. I was the third base coach/umpire. My son made a great slide into third, but the outfielder made an even better throw, and the third baseman made a great sweep tag, just barely getting my son out. I called my son out, tough call, but the right call. My son and my wife didn't speak to me for the rest of the weekend.

It's 8 year olds, get over it!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OTWjPx6PWg

Soccer, but still funny.