Tips for Working One-Man

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

It can be .. at least ya get to strike em out! thats always fun.

Slow pitch is easy money though man, I dont knock you guys any more.. no gear.. shorts.. thats the life... same pay.. guys are much less whiney than mens FP players by about a factor of a million.

I like it. I apologize for all the times I teased you slow pitch umpires. I started this year and I'll be working much more of them. I almost feel guilty getting paid for it... but I'll have to learn to live with it.

Somebody ought to slap you uplong side the head. SP players whine more than the French press about Lance Armstrong. Also, in my area, SP is never the same pay, quite a bit less actually.

And I don't know a SP umprie that doesn't ring up a SP player. I usually have a dozen called 3rd strikes a year and I don't work that many games.

If you are bored working SP, my impression would be that you are not doing your job as an umpire.

[wadeintothem]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Somebody ought to slap you uplong side the head. SP players whine more than the French press about Lance Armstrong. Also, in my area, SP is never the same pay, quite a bit less actually. Lets see.. no bunting.. no stealing.. try not to hit a homer most at bats..

Thats not ball.. but its fun in its own way.

And I don't know a SP umprie that doesn't ring up a SP player. I usually have a dozen called 3rd strikes a year and I don't work that many games.

If you are bored working SP, my impression would be that you are not doing your job as an umpire.

I've only worked 3 sp games so I'm no expert mike, I'm waiting on that strike out. Having noticed whining yet! Admit it, its boring ball... its fun for the comraderie (sic) .. thats about it. I like it, the ball is just not that good. Many aspects of "the game" are not there. I do wish we had stealing though, that would add something to it.


I almost had one strike out though mike, even though only 3 games.. I bet I get one soon... unfortunately, it wasnt a strike out..

I forgot that a foul ball on Strike 2 is an out .. and didnt notice the fat straggly beer breath guy at the plate with a bat wasnt the same fat straggly beer breath guy before him.. so when he watched his first pitch go by .. I said strike 3 youre out..

Oops..

We all had a good laugh at that.. thats funny i dont care who ya are.

[Justme]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

I've only worked 3 sp games so I'm no expert mike, I'm waiting on that strike out. Having noticed whining yet! Admit it, its boring ball... its fun for the comraderie (sic) .. thats about it. I like it, the ball is just not that good. Many aspects of "the game" are not there. I do wish we had stealing though, that would add something to it.


I almost had one strike out though mike, even though only 3 games.. I bet I get one soon... unfortunately, it wasnt a strike out..

I forgot that a foul ball on Strike 2 is an out .. and didnt notice the fat straggly beer breath guy at the plate with a bat wasnt the same fat straggly beer breath guy before him.. so when he watched his first pitch go by .. I said strike 3 youre out..

Oops..

We all had a good laugh at that.. thats funny i dont care who ya are.

I've got very little softball experience. Just finished my first year of HS softball (part-time to help out), I've worked 4 or 5 men's FP (lots of crying in that league ) Lately I've been working Men's & Co-ed SP one night per week (solo).

Maybe I'm doing something wrong..... because most of the time I'm working hard to get into position because almost everyone hits the ball. I find that I'm running up the miles getting out from behind (or from the side of) the dish to get a better look at things...I'm rarely ever bored....am I doing something wrong?

Also, as I continue to grow older (and slower) I need to find a league like you work, you know, the one where the fat drunk players are...these in shape, fast footed players around here make me hustle too much.

All this fun and $18 per :55 game....does life get any better?

[wadeintothem]

Originally Posted by Justme

I've got very little softball experience. Just finished my first year of HS softball (part-time to help out), I've worked 4 or 5 men's FP (lots of crying in that league ) Lately I've been working Men's & Co-ed SP one night per week (solo).

Maybe I'm doing something wrong..... because most of the time I'm working hard to get into position because almost everyone hits the ball. I find that I'm running up the miles getting out from behind (or from the side of) the dish to get a better look at things...I'm rarely ever bored....am I doing something wrong?

Also, as I continue to grow older (and slower) I need to find a league like you work, you know, the one where the fat drunk players are...these in shape, fast footed players around here make me hustle too much.

maybe youre too old.. hustling and running is easy for me

Gimme a few years though and I'll probably think simply running out for a play at a base is work like you and Mike do

I'm faster than most players.. just not a big deal.

ESPECIALLY slow pitch, im not even wearing all that crap.

All this fun and $18 per :55 game....does life get any better?

yep, i get 25 a game.

30 for mens FP.

50 for baseball 17U american legion.. but games take 2.8 years.

[wadeintothem]

delete.. double post

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

delete.. double post

OK, go ahead.

[gsf23]

I think a lot of it depends on what level of slow-pitch you are working as well. For me, I think the most exciting is about the Class C and D level.

The classes above that are pretty much all power games and basically just sitting back and watching the guys hit bombs and whine about the zone. They are supposedly the better players around so you want to be on your game as well, but for me anyway, it's a much more boring game to umpire.

Below that and the players and pitching aren't very good which makes it a difficult game to umpire. You never know where they are going to throw the ball which makes if more difficult if you are working solo. It's a struggle to get any strikes called so you have a lot of hitters that stand there looking for a walk, which really irks me.

That C and D level, in this area anyway, seems to have the best balance for me. Decent pitching, not a bunch of power so there are more calls on the bases which get me into the game much more. They are generally experienced so you can do a bit of anticipation as to where the ball is going to go, which is a great help working solo. The pitchers are usually around the plate so there aren't many walks and you do get the occasional strike-out which is always fun.

The worst I ever had was a Women's Class F league. We are talking girls that have pretty much never thrown a ball before. One hour time-limits and I think I had only one game all year NOT called for the time-limit. But the scenery was very nice which made it a bit more bearable.

[Justme]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

maybe youre too old..

I knew that you had the answer....but I think you missed the point of the question.... I don't think that you bother the hustle at all..... you're too good calling the plays from where you are...am I right?


Are you sure that you enjoy umpiring? Doesn't sound like it from here.

A few weeks ago I worked an Adult League BB game with a guy that didn't like umpiring very much, he did it for the money..... (now that's funny)!

Before the game started he said "I hate working these former wannabes, they all cry too much but I need the $70." I could tell that this would be a lively game. He only pi$$ed off 2 players enough to get them to eject themselves but man what a game.... I won't work with him again.....

Does this story sound familiar? It wasn't you was it?





Wait, don't get angry..... I'm just messing with you.....having a little fun...peace

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

I've only worked 3 sp games so I'm no expert mike, I'm waiting on that strike out. Having noticed whining yet! Admit it, its boring ball... its fun for the comraderie (sic) .. thats about it. I like it, the ball is just not that good. Many aspects of "the game" are not there. I do wish we had stealing though, that would add something to it.

I've did baseball for 22 years, softball for 19. Some HS, womens and JO FP and a bundle of SP. There is no doubt in my mind that the SP game has too many variables and action to be boring. The whining is there in many areas. Maybe your in one of the rare locations that it just doesn't happen and that is a good thing.

I almost had one strike out though mike, even though only 3 games.. I bet I get one soon... unfortunately, it wasnt a strike out..

I forgot that a foul ball on Strike 2 is an out .. and didnt notice the fat straggly beer breath guy at the plate with a bat wasnt the same fat straggly beer breath guy before him.. so when he watched his first pitch go by .. I said strike 3 youre out..

Oops..

We all had a good laugh at that.. thats funny i dont care who ya are.

But I'll bet it was a damn good strike one. Honestly, though, I don't know why you are doing SP. You obviously don't care for the game and my guess is that you think it is nothing more than one big keg game.

Oh, well, at lease someone is covering the games.

[wadeintothem]

Originally Posted by Justme's

blather blather

Wasnt me.. never worked adult bb.

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

I've did baseball for 22 years, softball for 19. Some HS, womens and JO FP and a bundle of SP. There is no doubt in my mind that the SP game has too many variables and action to be boring. The whining is there in many areas. Maybe your in one of the rare locations that it just doesn't happen and that is a good thing.

But I'll bet it was a damn good strike one. Honestly, though, I don't know why you are doing SP. You obviously don't care for the game and my guess is that you think it is nothing more than one big keg game.

Oh, well, at lease someone is covering the games.

Maybe they whine, I just havent seen it.. dunno. Havent worked a lot of games and seems more of a friendly league.

Now mens fp tournies, oh boy do they boo hoo..

Im working SP games to give it a try.. we'll see if I keep it up. I like to play SP... umpiring it may not be my cup of tea - dont know yet.

I dont see this majestic beauty of SP that you do though, as of yet.

I think you just dont want to admit its easy money compared to real umpiring..

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

I dont see this majestic beauty of SP that you do though, as of yet.

Here is what I see in the SP game.

The batter has more control over where the ball is hit.

The ball is put into play by almost every batter on the high-side percentage of the time.

Almost every time the ball is put into play, there is a multitude of possible plays, offensive and defensive.

The pitcher's job is to put it near the plate. The idea is to get the ball put into play to give your defense a chance to retire the player, not to strike out the batter.

Though the outfield is much larger with an additional defender, there are still plenty of gaps and lines to hit.

Defense must make some great plays due to the speed of the ball and the increased athleticism of the players.

I've worked SP games at 65', 70' and 80' diamonds and these apply to all. The perks as opposed to FP is the SP game is always moving, variety on the much increased offensive play, the umpire must always be alert for anything, hustle isn't an option.

There are some FP teams that have their players partake in the SP game to help hone their defensive skills in the field and see the ball at the plate. Yes, it is slower, but it forces the batter to follow the ball.

[CecilOne]

I can't figure out which is most interesting about slow pitch:
- watching home runs and uncaught fly balls
- endless illegal pitches
- batters who never take a strike
- pitchers who never pitch a ball
- runners who are never out on DMR
- offense players in the dugout who always think it hit the plate
- defense players who never think it hit the plate
- settling BOO without a lineup or shirt numbers
- running 3/4 of the way to 2nd to cover a throw closer to me than the fielder
- teams that are never all there at game time
- seven sets of league rules
- getting home at midnight
- might makes right attitudes
- intoxicated players
- bad field conditions

I'm sure I can think of some more exciting things later, but back to work.

[gsf23]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

I can't figure out which is most interesting about slow pitch:
- watching home runs and uncaught fly balls
- endless illegal pitches
- batters who never take a strike
- pitchers who never pitch a ball
- runners who are never out on DMR
- offense players in the dugout who always think it hit the plate
- defense players who never think it hit the plate
- settling BOO without a lineup or shirt numbers
- running 3/4 of the way to 2nd to cover a throw closer to me than the fielder
- teams that are never all there at game time
- seven sets of league rules
- getting home at midnight
- might makes right attitudes
- intoxicated players
- bad field conditions

I'm sure I can think of some more exciting things later, but back to work.

Maybe it is just me but what is DMR?

[Justme]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

I can't figure out which is most interesting about slow pitch:
- watching home runs and uncaught fly balls
- endless illegal pitches
- batters who never take a strike
- pitchers who never pitch a ball
- runners who are never out on DMR
- offense players in the dugout who always think it hit the plate
- defense players who never think it hit the plate
- settling BOO without a lineup or shirt numbers
- running 3/4 of the way to 2nd to cover a throw closer to me than the fielder
- teams that are never all there at game time
- seven sets of league rules
- getting home at midnight
- might makes right attitudes
- intoxicated players
- bad field conditions

I'm sure I can think of some more exciting things later, but back to work.

Obviously you have experienced a different level of SP than I have..... too bad for you.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

The ball is put into play by almost every batter on the high-side percentage of the time.

Also true for "T" ball!