Blew 3 calls in 2 innings!!

[josephrt1]

I do 3 or 4 games a week at multiple levels and I think I'm pretty decent. Last week I had a late afternoon DH. First game went pretty well. The loosing team challenged me on a couple of things were 1) I absolutely saw girl on 3rd tag up and 2) complained that I called obstruction on the SS (on a passed ball) but still called the runner out at the plate. No sweat.

Next game, the team that won the first game was loosing big and now they were unhappy with almost every call. On a caught stealing at 2nd, 3B coach came and said there was no tag; 1st base coach said there was a tag but runner's foot already on bag. This was a one man game so it is hard to make the calls at 2nd. Both catchers had weak arms lot of stealing. And I only call the out if I am sure. I was dead sure on this one and the coaches couldn't agree on what they saw.

Key is having confidence in your game, staying focused and playing through the chirping. I may have blown a close play at 1st early in the 2nd game but worked hard to put it out of my mind and focus on next pitch, next play.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by josephrt1

I only call the out if I am sure.

I wish we could all say that , some can't.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by josephrt1

I do 3 or 4 games a week at multiple levels and I think I'm pretty decent. Last week I had a late afternoon DH. First game went pretty well. The loosing team challenged me on a couple of things were 1) I absolutely saw girl on 3rd tag up and 2) complained that I called obstruction on the SS (on a passed ball) but still called the runner out at the plate. No sweat.

Next game, the team that won the first game was loosing big and now they were unhappy with almost every call. On a caught stealing at 2nd, 3B coach came and said there was no tag; 1st base coach said there was a tag but runner's foot already on bag. This was a one man game so it is hard to make the calls at 2nd. Both catchers had weak arms lot of stealing. And I only call the out if I am sure. I was dead sure on this one and the coaches couldn't agree on what they saw.

Key is having confidence in your game, staying focused and playing through the chirping. I may have blown a close play at 1st early in the 2nd game but worked hard to put it out of my mind and focus on next pitch, next play.

In a one ump game, no calls are missed and all plays at 2nd are safe.

[teebob21]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

In a one ump game, no calls are missed and all plays at 2nd are safe.

In this situation, I will go to my partner. Turns out he usually has no information for me to change the call.

[josephrt1]

Good advice. I'll remember these thoughts!

[jmkupka]

whenever it seems like they're all against me, I think of the guys doing MLB games. They have 40,000 there who hate their guts... I can deal with a dozen.

This weekend, I come in from "A" position, throw from F5 gets past F3, rolls to the fence (which goes just a little beyond 1B), rolls past the fence and out of play.
"dead ball... runner, take 2B please."

DC: "No way Blue! Get some help on that!

Me: "No problem. Hey partner, does she get 2nd or 3rd? 2nd? Thanks. Let's play ball."

[Billyball]

I played for over 25 years..played on a team that won a Class B World. When I starting umping I took the same attitude I had when I played. Be prepared, hustle and just try my best to get it right.

What bothered me the most about what happened is that the pitcher who was all over me is the type of player I have zero respect for as a player. The guy was around 6-3 260 who thought he was way better than he was. The guy was all mouth.. could not run, field and was a below average hitter with zero power for his size. The guys was bitching at his teammates when they made an error.

All the mistakes I made were in the first two innings and the game was tied 3-4 in the 4th. Loud mouths team ended up losing 18-7...but it was still all my fault.

Now the next game is starting and while I am talking to the managers/players at home plate he is behind the backstop chirping "Good luck guys...your ump is horrible!" So right away I feel like they already have prejudged me. Then he proceeds to stand behind the backstop for the first inning chirping about every ball or strike I call.

I wanted to stop the game and go berate him about how shitty a player he was!! I was so pissed off.

[jmkupka]

That's a simple one.

1) Make sure you have received your fee first.

2) Let both current teams know that you consider anyone present to be guests/fans/whatever of their teams, and if this clown is not removed immediately, you will leave this game and not return.

They will escort him from the field.

[chapmaja]

Originally Posted by Billyball

I played for over 25 years..played on a team that won a Class B World. When I starting umping I took the same attitude I had when I played. Be prepared, hustle and just try my best to get it right.

What bothered me the most about what happened is that the pitcher who was all over me is the type of player I have zero respect for as a player. The guy was around 6-3 260 who thought he was way better than he was. The guy was all mouth.. could not run, field and was a below average hitter with zero power for his size. The guys was bitching at his teammates when they made an error.

All the mistakes I made were in the first two innings and the game was tied 3-4 in the 4th. Loud mouths team ended up losing 18-7...but it was still all my fault.

Now the next game is starting and while I am talking to the managers/players at home plate he is behind the backstop chirping "Good luck guys...your ump is horrible!" So right away I feel like they already have prejudged me. Then he proceeds to stand behind the backstop for the first inning chirping about every ball or strike I call.

I wanted to stop the game and go berate him about how shitty a player he was!! I was so pissed off.

If this individual is being such a distraction that it is interfering with the game, you need to go to the TD, site supervisor, or whatever the person in charge is titled and ask that he be removed. If there is no such person available, you should have someone available to call. I have found just reaching for my cell phone is often enough to get the person to leave. The worst situation I had required me to call my area supervisor. When I had my conversation with him, I repeated everything he said so the batter and catcher heard what was said, as did the AH who was causing the problems. It was basically along the lines of "You said you want me to call the police if he causes any more problems." He packed his stuff up and left the area of the field, but was still sitting in the parking lot at games end. As I was going to my car I did have my phone in hand ready to make a call if anything was said. Nothing was said and I went on my way.