Tips for Working One-Man

[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