behind the pitcher?

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by justmom

Have you ever called from behind the pitcher? I've never seen this (even in the youngest age groups), until last week. It was a fastpitch ASA rec league game between area small towns - 18U. The games are more relaxed than regular high school season, but they are generally competitive. I was really surprised to see the only umpire working behind the pitcher. Most of the spectators had never even heard of such a thing.

I have done it. The only time that I have done it, I was waiting for my partner who was the PU. This was at a tournament, and the umpires' room was about a half a mile from the fields(so it seemed), and the UIC wanted to keep games on time. My partner and I were having to work four back to back games on this morning, so we only changed once. I worked a total of one inning that way and hated it.

On the other hand, there was a local league around these parts where that was once a fairly common occurance, however. I would show up to work one man, with all of my gear on, and would take my position behind the plate. The other umpires looked at me as though I was from Mars!