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First HS game last night, little sore this morning, little rusty last night, but it felt good to get back on the field.
Here is a situation that I would like comment on: R1 on first, no outs. Batter hits sinking line drive to F4. I, as PU, thought I saw F4 pick up the ball on the short hop and started to signal a no-catch. Just as I started, my partner, in B position about three steps to the left of F4, comes up with a strong catch and out signal. I defered to his call because he had the better angle, looking at the play from the side. Technically, the catch/no-catch is the PU's call. Fortuneately, I had not gotten too far into my big no-catch signal, so we avoided any problems on this play. Two questions for comments: What is the best way to handle this play? How do we resolve the situation if one umpire is signaling a catch and out, and one umpire is signaling a no-catch? |
Andy,
That is a tough one. However, did BU have to go out on the play. From your post, probably not. However, all fly balls are the PU call. Since you had R1, BU in B postiion, I realize he was right at the play, but was fielder in front of him. If player was in front of him you had the best view. I still would think it would be PU call, unless he made an effort to out to ball. JMHO |
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It is possible, depending on the location of the ball to the fielder, that the BU did get a good angle. Luckily, Andy wasn't in so much of a hurry he saw his partner and had time to back-off to avoid would have definitely become a serious "discussion". |
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IMHO, SamC |
I don't do school ball, & not sure if ASA National would like this. When I work with someone else and I am the PU, I usually tell the BU during pregame chat that he has all trap calls in the outfield (I verbalize the clear catches)& I will call all the traps/catches in the infield. In this case I would had called trap. Not sure what to say if I was wrong & my BU wanted to over-rule me being right next to the play. That could be a whole other subject.
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No, I'm not worried about that. I have to work until 4:30 to 5 or so, so that is why any school ball is out of the question. Once I retire in about 15 years or so, then maybe I can do school ball since the money is around 65.00 or so instead of 30.00
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I agree with Chuck Chopper. If that's covered in the pre-game and the BU still does it, we need to have another discussion as soon as possible. Luckily, nothing bad came from this. If so, as was stated, fix the problem, then talk to your partner, and play ball.
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Dual Participation:
Up here in the great state of Maine we are all ASA softball umpires. The Maine Principal Association (MPA) contracts the ASA umpires to due their Federation high school softball games. We all wear ASA uniforms while doing Federation games. Acutally turns out to be a good deal for the umpires as we only need to register for ASA and get to do Federation ball. |
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SamC |
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Then there is always the issue of rules differences! |
Sam, In the case you describe I would let the first call (BU)'s out call stand, and leave the runner on 1st. Since the PU's call came 2nd & would cause you to put runners at each bag that would seem to be the wrong thing to do as it gives the offense an advantage the umpires created. I am saying this for survival reasons.
However I have also heard that if with a runner at first only, we call infield fly, and the fielders let it fall then throw the ball back to the pithcer.. we should place runners at 1st & 2nd. Correcting the wrong call..even if it gives advantage to the offense might be technically the way National want's us to do it. Sometimes we can dig our own hole. |
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I do not know the history on how this all came about but it has been this way as long as I can remember. I have umpired for 12 years and been involved in the game another 10 and ASA umps have always done HS games. I know the state HS's have contracted the ASA to do their games. How exactly that works or came about I do not know. As far as insurance goes, I am covered or at least I have been told that by state officials. I only know of one official that was involve in an accident and utilized the ASA insurance but he was on his way to a sanctioned ASA game at the time. I'd be interested to know if any other state out there has the same set up as we do.
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Since ASA or NFHS insurance won't cover ASA umpires working NFHS games, those guys might want to consider NASO membership for their insurance, since theirs will cover any athletic event.
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Insurance Highlights |
There is another option:
Enroll in the Sports Officials Insurance Plan for ASA Umpires. Bollinger Insurance started this in 2003. For $15 per year, per umpire, they can obtain this insurance plan. With this plan, an ASA umpire will also have coverage for High School, Junior College and College Softball. Plus, if all you do is ASA softball, this plan will give you game fee reimbursement coverage. This plan is only offered to ASA Umpires Associations (can't be purchased individually). IMHO, great deal for all ASA umpires. And cheaper than NASO (I think). |
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Actually, I do believe there is a minimum (10 umpires or a $150 purchase) needed to reach the $15 fee. You can get the insurance with a group with a fewer number, but the rate will rise per individual. Somewhat, but not totally contrary to what Dakota posted, it is a package for ASA Insurance Program administered by Bollinger. |
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Yes, you are correct about the minimum. Still think it's a great deal, especially if you are in a state that contracts ASA umpires for their NFHS games. |
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Don't get me wrong. I'm a firm believer that NFHS should stick with the administration of HS sports, but get out of the rules business and allow the governing bodies to coordinate that effort, along with registration. I know Roger and I have touched on this before, but NFHS and the players could save $$ by allowing ASA take control of their softball games and I believe it is an e.....nevermind. |
Insurance
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In Connecticut, the association you belong to purchases insurance from a private company to cover the NFHS games. It used to be that if you belonged to NFOA for any sport, for example soccer, the NFHS would cover you for softball. That all changed last year. |
I buy the insuranced through the Gagliardi brothers. It is offered each year when you register PONY. It covers all sanctions softball, plus any other sport you officiate/participate in that involves a ball of any kind ie volleyball, basketball, football etc. I think it was $15.00 this year and covers liability, medical, all of it. Thankfully, I've never needed to find out if it is a good policy or not, but the policy reads good.
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