What do you do?

[MichaelVA2000]

What do you do?

Close Call at first.

Rattlehead,

My listed responses would be directed to the asking coach or player coach who was at the pre-game plate converense. If you're a player asking these questions I'm going to ask you to knock it off and take further action if you continue.

Batting Out of the Box.

I counted 4 players all right field hitters stepping on or infront of the plate while making contact with the ball. After seeing it the first time I asked the umpire to keep an eye on it, and his reply was "I don't have time to take my eye off the ball to check for that".

My response: In my judgment the batter was in the box. I'll continue looking for you though.

I've seen other umpires handle it this way: Next time that coaches team is on defense, the umpire calls all the pitches a ball till the coach wants to know what's wrong with the pitches. Then Blue responds "Dunno coach, but the batter's defenately is in the box!"

Leaving Early on Tag Play.

Fly ball to right with 1 out and man on third. This umpire was up the first base line(halfway) 10 foot off the line toward the pitchers plate.

I asked how is he able to verify that the runner didn't leave early with his back turned to the runner. He didn't dignify me with an answer on this question.

My response:

Coach, in my judgment the runner did not leave early.

I've seen other umpires handle it this way during a one umpire game: Coach, let me check with my partner, Partner, did either runner leave to soon? Then jog about three feet turn and face the coach and respond "No partner, they left on time!"

Close Call at first.

On a 4-3 FC Play F3 bobled ball got control of ball just as the runner got there, this could have been either way but the Umpire didn't sell it.
The call was made with a meager safe call.

I told him that if he had sold that call with a little bit of vigor, he wouldn't have gotten as much crap from the stands as he did. He said that he dosn't like to do that because some players think it's showboating by the umpire.

All in all, this guy was bad, I did let him know this after the game away from any other players, that he really needs to work on his mechanics. And that you have to take your eyes of the ball sometimes to check things like stepping on the plate, or making contact with the ball of out of the box. Sometimes you need to umpire with a bit of vigor.

My response: Yep, you're right coach...should have sold that one. I think my timing was a bit quick also...but the judgment....now that was a thing of beauty!

I've seen other umpires handle it this way: Gee coach, it was sold, see how everyone's ready to continue playing. I'll take your advice on working on my mechanics and by the way you're team would win more games if your pitchers knew where the strike zone is, and your batters couldn't hit water if they fell out of a boat, as a coach you may want to work on that. I'm glad we could share this instructional moment.