Wanted to see what some of you veterans felt about a play that happened last night. My first year as UIC, and I was "given" an official who absolutely had no clue. This is an adult that coaches in other local leagues, and actually one I nearly ejected from a PeeWee football game, although I didn't know it was him until he showed up to work last night - not really in uniform (knit light blue non-reg shirt and a Navy ballcap with a logo on it).

In pregame, I showed him A, B, and C, and told him I'd call the infield flies. His "What's an infield fly" let me know it would be a long night.

Anyway... here's the situation.

Pitcher throws an inside pitch, batter fouls it off, and I mistakenly call foul ball. About half a second later, I realize on my own that she hit the catcher's glove on the way through. By the time I start to change my call, coaches are already yelling "Catcher's Interference!!!"

Not wanting to make it appear that I was changing my call BECAUSE of the coaches, but knowing it needed to be changed, I jog out to my BU (sitting at position C and a half, and who stepped in maybe 2 steps to greet me instead of jogging in also), put my arm around him and tell him to just nod his head "Yes". He does so, and I direct the batter to first base. (Another reminder that this guy was lost is that he never asked me why I did that later ... If a PU had done that to me when I was new, I'd have played along, but SURELY asked what he was doing, if for no other reason than to learn).

Now --- other than suggestions to get rid of this guy until he can read the rulebook and visit a few clinics, what do you think of handling the catcher's interference this way?

mcrowder,
I'll play charades to help a partner, but for my own screwups, though I have done it your way, I'll generally say, "Yes, catcher's interference! My fault!", and take the little, well-deserved heat that may come my way.
mick
<HR>
A new, weak partner is still a partner.

Yes, but there are new, weak partners that want to learn, and there are new, weak partners that don't care. This was the latter.

I see your point, and perhaps it would have been better to just take the heat myself.

I have to admit though, that when I was jogging back to home, settling in, I was wondering if BU would come ask me about it later. Kind of hoping he would to show me some glimmer of hope.

mcrowder,
Communication is important.
Most of the time, it doesn't matter *who goes first*.
You obviously were given an opportunity to teach, but perhaps you were pre-disposed to dislike the guy.
That happens.
But then we ask, "Is that partner a better, smarter ump for having worked with me tonight?"
mick

Unfortunatley some umpires are nothing more then warm bodies with a blue shirt. No matter how much time you want to spend with them to make them better, you can't make them care.
I have the same thing going with our small group of 30. Half of them want nothing more then little girls slow pitch, wear the complete uniform occasionally, and never attend a clinic.

You say he coaches in local leagues. So, hopefully we can assume he wants to help out. Maybe somebody should talk to him about how important it is to know the rules, and look official on the field. Brian

I am man enough to admit that I was predisposed to dislike the guy. After all, he was nothing but trouble as a coach when I was reffing his peewee football games (for 2 years now).

I will even admit that when I saw him walking toward the field (I had a game before his), wearing the light blue, my first thought was, "Oh, No."

But once that game was over, and pregame started, I really gave it an effort to try to see if I could get him ready. I asked a couple of questions beforehand and realized I was working from zero (this despite the claim that he'd been umping for 4 years in a nearby area - and area that changed 3 times in different conversations, no less). I showed him A, B, and C, and explained not just where to go and when, but WHY to go there when you go there. This was greeted with alternating blank stares and in-depth examinations of right field. I tried to explain the infield fly rule (not just the rule, but the reason), but was interrupted enough that even after his head-nodding, I didn't think he got it, or cared to get it.

I really didn't this to become a "Slam-the-new-ump" thread. I was really more interested in feedback on the overruling myself. But I appreciate the comments regarding the newbie. This is my first year as UIC, so that kind of feedback is welcome as well.

mcrowder,
You answered the question.
Given his new knowledge, he was, then, a better ump for having worked with you. ;)
mick

Given his apparent lack of knowledge and mechanics - I might have been predisposed to having him call safes and outs at 1st and 2nd only. Let him work up to complete coverage.

-Kono

Mick,

I certainly hope that you wouldn't say such a thing. It's obstruction.

I'm smarter than I was.
 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by IRISHMAFIA

Quote:

Originally posted by mick I'll generally say, "Yes, catcher's interference! My fault!", and take the little, well-deserved heat that may come my way. mick Mick, I certainly hope that you wouldn't say such a thing. It's obstruction.

Dang it!
On the bigger diamond it's catcher's interference.
I'll fix that.
Thanks, Mike.

mick

Re: I'm smarter than I was.
 

Well...no...technically it is obstruction there as well. :D

Re: Re: I'm smarter than I was. OH, Man!!!!
 

Geez!!!?!?
Is that a change?
I just looked up J/R, and it said "interference".
Heck, I'm no better than a fan. :rolleyes:
mick
<HR>
Mask for sale ... cheap.

Often people refer to to catcher's obstruction as CI, especially in the baseball world. I think that is because in OBR rule 6:8:C says "...the catcher or any fielder interferes with him (the batter)..."

However, OBR defines obstruction in much the same way as ASA or anyone else, which is the act of a fielder impeding a batter, BR, or runner.

I'm a jack off four sports, master of none.
mick