The little things

[bkbjones]

Just a little reminder for anyone who might wander by this board looking for an umpiring tip or whatever: ALWAYS pay attention to all the little things.

I was BU on Wednesday for a NFHS game between two neighboring schools. Girls knew each other, many play on the same travel teams. HS teams have a little disparity, with Team A faring better than Team B so far this season.

Wednesday's game was 0-0 through three innings, then Team A scored four runs in the fourth, six more in the top of the fifth. Of course Team A's coach decides it is time to put another pitcher in the game...she gets first two out, then gives up 3 hits in a row and we're staying longer than we thought.

In the top of the fifth, #15 for Team A (the only person who has not been in the game) is a courtesy runner for the pitcher (I think).

In the top of the seventh, she comes in to courtesy run for the catcher.

Team B waits until CR is announced then says, Oh no, can't do that, she ran for the pitcher in the fifth, she's illegal, blah blah blah. (Waited til after the game to have a little rules clinic...)

PU looks at his lineup card and realizes he has violated one of them there rules of umpin. He marked #15 down as a CR in the fifth, but didn't note the position for which she ran.

Cost us a good five minutes in the top of the seventh of a semi-lopsided game, then had to get the rule book out to teach the difference between an improper courtesy runner and an illegal sub.

The lesson learned: makes no difference if it's 0-0, or a slow pitch rec game, or 13-1 in the third. Pay attention to all of the details.

Of course everyone on this board does that...but just in cas we have onlookers...