The Pandemic - your area

[Tru_in_Blu]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

Backstop, and then the pitcher has to go get the ball. Pitcher may keep a bagful of balls by hir feet and collect them when the supply is exhausted.

This sounds like it was put together by the same committee that designed the camel.

Ground ball to the pitcher who drops the ball... Just pick up closest ball on the ground to throw to first.

In the fast pitch game, know any umps that will call balls/strikes without a catcher? Sometimes it's already a bad situation but at least SOME of the pitches might hit F2 instead of PU.

[ChampaignBlue]

I left the States 16 years ago and currently live in the DR Congo. I still have dreams of being in the States occasionally where I show up at a park and the umpire can't make it so I step in. I guess calling a couple of thousand games ASA, USSA and even a few Big10, does that to you. So I stop by here now and then just to keep up on the rules.

Needless to say not a lot of opportunities to call a game here.

On the plus side, there have been no cases of Covid-19 where I am. We've had a lot of experience on how to deal with nasty viruses. The city I live in has had four Ebola outbreaks within a 150 miles over the last 10 years. So back in January we went into Ebola mode of no handshakes, lots of hand washing and staying home when sick. By March when it first reared it's head in the capital city all travel other than cargo and essential medical people in or out of the capital city halted. They meant it too. If a truck carrying cargo showed up at the state border with passengers they'd get an armed military escort back where they came from. In the capital they follow up contacts of all positives and put them under quarantine and the people are very cooperative about it, again, living with Ebola does that too you.

In Canada they say keep your stick on the ice, my blessing to you is that may you never make an OUT/NO SAFE call.

[ChampaignBlue]

Originally Posted by Tru_in_Blu

In the fast pitch game, know any umps that will call balls/strikes without a catcher? Sometimes it's already a bad situation but at least SOME of the pitches might hit F2 instead of PU.

I was doing a college game and had a foul tip ripped my throat guard right off and sent it flying. Sounded just like a wooden bat hitting a ball. Judging from the sounds in the stands they were waiting for me to keel over dead.

I'm sure a few were disappointed that I didn't.

So no, definitely not behind the plate and I don't think I'd care to be behind the pitcher either without a glove to protect myself from hit backs.

[Tru_in_Blu]

https://www.cbssports.com/college-fo...d-19-pandemic/

[Tru_in_Blu]

Another domino falls...

https://www.cbssports.com/college-fo...ing-in-spring/

[Tru_in_Blu]

Hard to believe that MLB can continue to play or NFL will be playing this year.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-fo...n-spring-2021/

https://www.cbssports.com/college-fo...n-spring-2021/

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by Tru_in_Blu

Hard to believe that MLB can continue to play or NFL will be playing this year.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-fo...n-spring-2021/

https://www.cbssports.com/college-fo...n-spring-2021/

I would like to see MLB players more cautious about distancing and especially masks, but the physical contact is a lot less than football. I'm surprised soccer is working out.

Locally, both States have cancelled school athletics for the first semester. Softball is being played in abbreviated SP seasons and in FP youth tournaments.

[Crabby_Bob]

I know a number of dual sport officials. Softball, if it even happens, is going to get massive short shrift.

[chapmaja]

Originally Posted by Crabby_Bob

I know a number of dual sport officials. Softball, if it even happens, is going to get massive short shrift.

Michigan just announced HS football is moving to the Spring. They are trying to work something so it doesn't interfere too much with Spring sports because the MHSAA does push for multiple sport athletes. Given the number of multi-sport officials, and our shortage already, I think we are certainly looking at a shortage if we have overlap between Fall and Spring sports. When you consider the number of multi-level officials it could be even worse.

[Skahtboi]

Texas shut down all sports in the spring, and as of last week autumn sports were allowed to begin, with strict social distancing/mask rules in effect. (Essentially their thought is "if you can't wear a mask for whatever reason, then you don't need to be there.") However, I am already seeing issues with fans not willing to comply, and would not be surprised to see the UIL close down sports again.