Tips for Working One-Man

[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.

[dweezil24]

So, speaking one-man SP, what's the best mechanic for a play at third if there are trailing runners? Run all the way up to get the best possible angle on the play at third, and possibly miss a play at another base? Or try to get a decent angle while still keeping the other runners in front of me and hope I see it right? Or should I beg and plead for a partner?

[gsf23]

Originally Posted by dweezil24

So, speaking one-man SP, what's the best mechanic for a play at third if there are trailing runners? Run all the way up to get the best possible angle on the play at third, and possibly miss a play at another base? Or try to get a decent angle while still keeping the other runners in front of me and hope I see it right? Or should I beg and plead for a partner?

I think you try to get the best angle you can for the play at third. I would be inside the diamond, working toward third, getting the best angle I could while staying out of the way of a possible throw from third to first. I wouldn't get too close, a couple feet from the mound area should be good. If there is a play at another base, you just need to hustle and get the best position you can.

You aren't going to see everything one-man so I think anyway that you do need to prioritize the plays and your position accordingly. The best though is when the bases are loaded and the batter hits a short fly-ball down the left field line so you have to judge fair/foul. Catch is made, throw goes home and all runners tag and move up a base. Then the defense wants to appeal the runner leaving first base early.

[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!

[wadeintothem]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

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.

Well I take it back -- They are whiners lol!



1) I gotta work on not being lulled to sleep - I missed calling a IF and trying to explain that its still and IF even if not called; well they didnt buy it.

I know I wouldnt have missed it in a game where I get into it.. I just get laxidasical because of the game. Gotta beat myself up a little about missing that call so I dont do it again, gotta stay awake no matter how hard it is.. so my bad on that.

OK mike, guru of SP.. question for you..

Do you call illegal pitch in the air.. I just would say "ball too high" or whatever after the pitch... one guy was saying I gotta hold my arm out (like ddb) .. I wasnt sure and just told them I was just going to call a ball..

Do SP umpires hold out their arm or yell IP or what do they do? To be honest it takes me the whole pitch to think if I think its 12 feet..

I gotta set something up thats 12 feet high and have someone throw the ball .. so hard for me to tell.. 12 feet! lordie. But gotta get that "strike zone" figured out if im gonna do this.

basically its a wild guess IMO.. but whats the mechanic for it recommended by the sp gurus.

[azbigdawg]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

Well I take it back -- They are whiners lol!



1) I gotta work on not being lulled to sleep - I missed calling a IF and trying to explain that its still and IF even if not called; well they didnt buy it.

I know I wouldnt have missed it in a game where I get into it.. I just get laxidasical because of the game. Gotta beat myself up a little about missing that call so I dont do it again, gotta stay awake no matter how hard it is.. so my bad on that.

OK mike, guru of SP.. question for you..

Do you call illegal pitch in the air.. I just would say "ball too high" or whatever after the pitch... one guy was saying I gotta hold my arm out (like ddb) .. I wasnt sure and just told them I was just going to call a ball..

Do SP umpires hold out their arm or yell IP or what do they do? To be honest it takes me the whole pitch to think if I think its 12 feet..

I gotta set something up thats 12 feet high and have someone throw the ball .. so hard for me to tell.. 12 feet! lordie. But gotta get that "strike zone" figured out if im gonna do this.

basically its a wild guess IMO.. but whats the mechanic for it recommended by the sp gurus.

Good God...this last post and most of this thread is driving me to tears..for illegal pitches,, ddb signal and say "illegal" loud enough for the batter and catcher to hear. Figure out as FAST as possible if its illegal and give them the signal.

SP is a harder game to work than FP...

[SC Ump]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

I gotta set something up thats 12 feet high and have someone throw the ball .. so hard for me to tell.. 12 feet! lordie. But gotta get that "strike zone" figured out if im gonna do this.

There was a guy on these boards a couple of years ago, Ed was his name I believe. He mentioned that he created a 12' pole made out of PVC pipe segments that he kept in his trunk. He would stop by the field at times just to set it up and review his judgement of 12'.

We had some fun teasing Ed about standing in an empty field staring at his 12' pole. Someone suggested it would be more fun to have a tall, blonde Swede to stare at.

I personnally thought the pole was a great idea, but I never tried it.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

Well I take it back -- They are whiners lol!



1) I gotta work on not being lulled to sleep - I missed calling a IF and trying to explain that its still and IF even if not called; well they didnt buy it.

I know I wouldnt have missed it in a game where I get into it.. I just get laxidasical because of the game. Gotta beat myself up a little about missing that call so I dont do it again, gotta stay awake no matter how hard it is.. so my bad on that.

OK mike, guru of SP.. question for you..

Do you call illegal pitch in the air.. I just would say "ball too high" or whatever after the pitch... one guy was saying I gotta hold my arm out (like ddb) .. I wasnt sure and just told them I was just going to call a ball..

Do SP umpires hold out their arm or yell IP or what do they do? To be honest it takes me the whole pitch to think if I think its 12 feet..

I gotta set something up thats 12 feet high and have someone throw the ball .. so hard for me to tell.. 12 feet! lordie. But gotta get that "strike zone" figured out if im gonna do this.

basically its a wild guess IMO.. but whats the mechanic for it recommended by the sp gurus.

Considering this post and previous demonstrations of disdain for the game, I believe you are probably a "green" and don't know if I would want you on the field for a FP/MP game, let alone one of slow pitch.

I'm done with this one.

[wadeintothem]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Considering this post and previous demonstrations of disdain for the game, I believe you are probably a "green" and don't know if I would want you on the field for a FP/MP game, let alone one of slow pitch.

I'm done with this one.

Yes Im green

aww come on dont be that way mike..

OK I take it back.. local mens league SP players have risen to the top of the athletic world and are honed atheletes, honed to a fine edge.

Oh wait! At the tourney today I spoke with some other SP umps.. believe it or not, youre not the only one... so go ahead and take your ball and go home.

[Mountaineer]

Man, I step away from the computer for ONE day and look what I miss. That will teach me to spend time with my kids!