I announce the local high school games as a courtesy even though my DD has moved on. Keeps me around the game and coaches, players and fans enjoy it.
Normal practice is to call the lineups then play the National Anthem before the varsity game.
I get about half way through the home lineup with my face in the paper before I notice that the PU has started the game.
I was pretty upset and thought the PU was extremely rude. Thought about just reaching over and starting the Anthem. Wonder if he would have continued.
Took me at least a full inning to get back into a smooth rhythm calling the game.
I had a few words with the coach later and she was surprised by it also. School principal told me not to say anything to the PU and that took some self control. He's an old grump who has seen better days and just hanging around for the money.

I tend to agree that the umpire should have waited, but I have to ask one thing. Did he start the game at the scheduled time or was he early?

Varsity game is scheduled for 6:00.
JV usually plays 4 innings, starting at 5:00. In 6 years, I have never seen the varsity game start right at 6:00. There's usually a 20 warmup period after the JV game.
Last night it was about 6:08 when he apparently called for the pitch. He never asked to stop the lineup call. Press box is directly above home plate with a small open window. My face and attention was in the lineups and I was still talking after he started the game.

Old Grump?, well maybe but was there any communication as to game announcements/anthem? I find it hard to think that Blue would not wait for all of that. Did coach, or other school official discuss what they wanted done, or was it assumed, "we've always done it this way, he should know"? The game starts as a rule after the meeting at home. Coach can explain anthem, etc at this meeting during ground rules discussion. The home team was obviously on the field, ready to play, so they may have been un-aware of what you wanted to do also.


Really sounds to me like mis-communication, nobody's fault, just something to correct next time.

I can appreciate what you do for the team. I think it's great. However, it seems to me that this is an issue for the AD, if it is an issue at all.

Umpires are trained to start a game on time. Just because you haven't seen it done before, doesn't necessarily mean it is wrong when they do.

However, if the umpire is familiar with your school's routine, you would think the umpire would be cognizant of the situation and have waited. This is assuming that he or his partner did not have another game to work elsewhere that evening.

Even (Especially???) if this was the case - one would think that there would have been some notification from the ump that he was going to start the game at such and such time - announcements and formalities should be finished by then.

Pregame:

Home team head coach: "Blue, we announce the batting orders and then play the National Anthem. Please wait until the Anthem is over before you start the game. Thank you".

Thanks for the inputs. I would never put what I do above the game or interfere with the flow. It would have been very easy to just shout up at the booth 12 ft away that he was starting but to have pitches thrown while lineups were being called was out of line. The coach will be more attentive to letting the umps know our procedure. I've been doing this 2 years and this was a first. I was embarassed and upset by it.

You Navy guys are all alike.

Just pulling your rope. I think it is great that you do what
you do. Hopefully in the future the coach or AD will advise
the umpires of what is to take place prior to the game. The
umpires should locate the AD as soon as reaching the field and
at this point he, the AD, should advise umpires of what they
would like to do. However, something of this nature should
take place in plenty of time for the game to begin on schedule.
Some umpires, as Mike stated, have other games they might be headed
for.

(RET. USAF)

I wonder what this umpire would have done if you started playing the national anthem right after he called for play ball. I think he should have realized when the lineups are being read, that there is some kind of a pregame. An umpire who doesn't recognize that doesn't belong at the high school level, in my opinion.

You mean "yanking your chain"? I heard that many Air Force personnel had a hard time differentiating duty time from retirement.

Mike,

I thought my retirement started the day I was sworn in.
Did have a plush job...Defense Intelligent Agency...
Only problem was all the brass that was always around.

My 4-year hitch was easy. I went to boot camp from Nov, 1970 to Feb (back when they really had a full 13-week boot camp) in Orlando. Spent the spring at school in Norfolk and was transferred to the communications center for the Commadant of the Fourth Naval District, in Philadelphia, 26 miles (door to door) from the house in which I was raised from April 1971 to Nov 1974.

Because of my TS clearance, I was part of Egress Recap which means I knew about the surrend...er, I mean END of the Vietnam War a little over 6 months before most of the world. That was tough work. Monday through Friday, 7AM to 3PM, weekends and holidays off. Stayed off the duty roster by working LL for the Naval Station MCPO during the summers.

I must admit, I skated through the Navy when most of my friends were trying to find a way to avoid military service. I will never complain about that time of my life.

Talk about an oxymoron - USAF and DIA.
I did 21 years - 14 on sea duty mostly on ships forward deployed in Yokosuka, Japan and Subic Bay, Philippines. Started on a WWII destroyer, then guided missile cruisers. Earned my sea legs early. Pushed boots in Orlando mid 70's. Sailors on permanent shore duty - isn't that just like being in the Air Force!!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by IRISHMAFIA
[B]I transfered a few AWOL Sailors & Marines from the Cape May Brig to Philly during that time. That was before I got transfered to a foreign country called "Miami Beach".

However, like your service, It beat Viet-Nam all to pieces.

Roger Greene