What Was Your Worst Call...?

[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!