What Was Your Worst Call...?

[MNBlue]

My first 3-man game, with me at 1st. 18U National Qualifier with a team from California and a team from Illinois. Many moons ago. I was in way over my head. Runners at second and third, I'm in the B position. Hot grounder to short. She fields it cleanly and throws to first. I turn to first to make the call. But wait! Where's the ball? She didn't throw the ball to first, but faked me into looking for a call at first. Meanwhile, she also caught the runner at second doing pretty much the same thing as me and threw back to second, catching her off base. I, however, didn't have the privilege of seeing this great play. Fortunately for me, the BU at third realized I was in the twilight zone and came up really strong with an out call. Didn't hear a word from anyone until after the game, when it was my turn to buy the beer.

Lessons learned:

You learn lessons much better when you screw something up. Hopefully, no one gets unduly penalized.
Watch the ball!!!!
Work with good partners. When you can't, be aware of what your partners may be missing.
Watch the ball some more!!!!
Good players do what they should do, better players will do things the opponent isn't expecting.
Watch the ball!!!!

[JFA67]

First year transitioning from baseball to FP. I was in B position. R1 on first. hit to right field. I hustle into the diamond and pick-up R1 going into second. Ball is nowhere to be seen. I suddenly realize F9 threw to first. Luckily for me my partner (the guy that talked me into moving away from the darkside) saw my mistake and called B2 out at first. That has been many years ago, but when we work together he makes it a point to mention it in the pregame.

[SF]

The one that sticks with me was the third game I had ever umpired... my first two games had been easy rec affairs with the little kids. The next night, though, someone didn't show up and I had to go over to umpire a game played between 12U A teams. Needless to say, I was not ready for it. In the first inning, the batter hits a ground ball and is thrown out at first... so I thought. I called the out and then watched as the fielder dropped the ball. That experience had me a little off balance, but it got worse. Later a runner tries to steal third, and I head over to make the call. The throw came in well before the runner, the fielder put down her glove and I had a big OUT. Only when the coaches started screaming did I realize the fielder, for some unknown reason, had taken the ball out of her glove and held it in her hand while tagging with her glove. That game happened years ago, but I still remember those two calls clearly... at least I learned my lessons early. During training they explained having proper timing on calls and following the ball - somehow it just doesn't sink in until you screw it up for yourself.

[Al]

Originally Posted by SF

The one that sticks with me was the third game I had ever umpired... my first two games had been easy rec affairs with the little kids. The next night, though, someone didn't show up and I had to go over to umpire a game played between 12U A teams. Needless to say, I was not ready for it. In the first inning, the batter hits a ground ball and is thrown out at first... so I thought. I called the out and then watched as the fielder dropped the ball. That experience had me a little off balance, but it got worse. Later a runner tries to steal third, and I head over to make the call. The throw came in well before the runner, the fielder put down her glove and I had a big OUT. Only when the coaches started screaming did I realize the fielder, for some unknown reason, had taken the ball out of her glove and held it in her hand while tagging with her glove. That game happened years ago, but I still remember those two calls clearly... at least I learned my lessons early. During training they explained having proper timing on calls and following the ball - somehow it just doesn't sink in until you screw it up for yourself.

Thanks SF,

In my very first game as an umpire I had a girl (who happened to be my next door neighbor) running between 2nd and 3rd base when she was caught up with and tagged. I called her out. It was the third out so the defending team started off the field, and vice-versa. Within a few seconds the girls mother (a good neighbor) called me over to third base area to talk to me. She said the girl tagged her with the glove, but had taken the ball out of her glove before the tag. Well, I did notice that the fielder had the ball in her ungloved hand, but I thought she tagged her first and then removed the ball from her glove. I told her that, but she said no she removed the ball before the tag. I was not100% sure, and she kept telling me she saw it very clearly and I made a bad call. Instead of saying the call stands I said okay I'll correct the call. So I called the team back into the field and put my neighbors daughter on third base. First game, first mistake! The coach came over to me and said: "Ump, I don't care if you think you may have made a bad call in my favor, or the other teams favor, I do care that you stick with your call". To top it off I found out later from the offensive coach who was pitching (coach pitch) that he saw the play from a perfect angle and just wanted to inform me that the girl pulled the ball out after tagging his player. So, just as I thought I had made the correct call. I have never changed a judgment call since, and never will, unless I make an out call too soon and see the ball fall out of a glove, like you, and probably everyone else has. I am working on that cause it has biten me a time or two also. In 8 and under the kids don't hold the ball very well at times. But if I am working with a partner I am one that would probably always allow an appeal to him/her if a coach asks for one. ...and I've learned to watch all tags very closely, and keep my eyes on the ball like a hawk ever since that first game! ..Al

[SF]

I think those lessons are only really learned when you screw up on the field... Obviously we, as umpires, want to get every call right. But missing those calls in that game have stuck with me much longer than all the correct ones I have made. Lesson learned. I guess at least I learned them early!

[Mountaineer]

Mine was horrible! First time ever on the field. In WV because of the sheer numbers, first year umpires are eligible to work HS varsity games - potential problem! I had runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs. Routine grounder to SS throws to third to retire the lead runner - no brainer, right? WRONG! I had no brains! Since I didn't see a tag, I not only called her safe - I SOLD the freakin' call - bigtime!! The coach was furious (rightly so) and called time and came out and was gonna let me have it. Fortunately for me, I had about 8 years of HS basketball under my belt so I knew how to handle a coaches confrontation. I was wrong - knew it - but he was soooo mad and made such a spectacle I decided to not eat the call. I let him talk for a few minutes, say his peace and then I told him the conversation was over. I told him (visitor) his choice was to go back to the bench or head to the bus and started back to the C position - PRAYING he would be on the way to the dugout! Instead of 1 out with 2 runners, we've got bases loaded with 0 outs! What a goof!!

Anyway, no one scored so no one got hurt and I learned a very, very valuable lesson in taking my time to make the call!

[WooPigSooie]

My first year doing high school. 22 years old, wet behind the ears. I have been studying the rules left and right to make sure I had all these ambiguous rules engrained in my mind. There is a huge shortage of high school umpires in my area, so to have two umpires at a game is just a flat out bonus.

I am by myself working a three-way. In a highly competitive game, the pitcher throws a ball over the head of the batter. The batter ducks. Leaves the bat in the air. I hear the ping and, BIG MISTAKE, immediately say foul ball. Unfortunately for me, the ball had it the barrel square and rolled fair. The catcher picks up the ball and tags the batter. I call the B/R out. The offensive coach goes nuts and nukes me. I keep my call the same. I completely froze. I knew in the back of my mind that I should have kept it a foul ball. Either way, I was going to get hammered.

I lost about 3 nights of sleep over that one and still cant look that coach in the eye. Oh well...you live and learn. Because of that, I make certain that a ball is foul before I ever say anything.