Poll: BU calling illegal pitch

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer

Realizing that I might start a fire-storm with this - I personally don't have a problem with that - to a point. It's called preventive officiating. I don't have a problem telling my catcher to go out and "remind" the pitcher to bring her hands together, or to keep both feet within the 24", etc. It doesn't hurt anyone and allows the game to go smoothly without coaches getting all pi$$y.

I agree. The only problem are the coaches mentioned at the end. Too many are starting to get to the point where they do not want an umpire to talk to their pitcher or catcher.

If you cannot talk to them, you cannot offer a heads up. Problem is these coaches have an ego the size of the outfield and cannot (or will not try to) understand what you are doing.

But you start calling IPs and see how much they like playing by the strict rule.

[DTQ_Blue]

I worked my first tourney this past Saturday. I had a partner at BU who had worked a state semifinal HS game, and several NSA world series. In one of my games, a pitcher knelt down in the circle like Mark Fidrych used to do (but didn't talk to the dirt) and literally pulverized the dirt with the ball. I had to call IP and my partner didn't seem to have a problem with that.

In a later game with the same partner I had a girl start her pitch with her left foot toe touching about 6 inches behind the plate. I called IP (NSA rules). Coach came out, I told him about the rule, he was clueless and thanked me and told his F1to do it the right way. Between innings, partner told me that I should let him make those calls. Pitcher was legal for another inning or so, then reverted to the IPs and partner said nothing.

It was raining by the end of the game so we couldn't talk, but I guess the practice is to let some things go in lower level travel ball.

I say lower level because these were 12U kids who were not exactly elite level players.

I'm sure the next "senior" partner I get will want me to call everything by the book.

I'm getting the opinion that calling IPs is very "indivualistic" from one umpire to another.

Interestingly enough, we had a lights out pitcher here at a No. Va high school 2 years ago who only lost once all year, in the state championship game. My association buddies, said that she pitched illegal all year and that nobody would call it.

[Mountaineer]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

I agree. The only problem are the coaches mentioned at the end. Too many are starting to get to the point where they do not want an umpire to talk to their pitcher or catcher.

If you cannot talk to them, you cannot offer a heads up. Problem is these coaches have an ego the size of the outfield and cannot (or will not try to) understand what you are doing.

But you start calling IPs and see how much they like playing by the strict rule.

100% Agreement. I had a coach tell me once not to talk to his players when I was trying to tell the catcher to go correct something. Next pitch - IP . . . he came out mad and his catcher stepped in front of me and said "that's what he was trying to tell me to fix before you yelled at him!" He muttered something and went back to the dugout. She looked at me, smiled and said "Isn't part of my job to protect you? Besides, he's a jerk!"

Luckily, most coaches here don't mind you talking to their players. There are only about 30 softball only umps in my area and the top 10-15 are very well liked and respected by coaches, players and parents . . . and we have good relationships with them all. I was at a restaurant tonight with my kids and a player and her mom from a HS team came and sat down at our table and started giving me a good-natured hard time . . . very enjoyable. I'm glad we don't have a lot of coaches that are like you described, Mike.

[bkbjones]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer

100% Agreement. I had a coach tell me once not to talk to his players when I was trying to tell the catcher to go correct something. Next pitch - IP . . . he came out mad and his catcher stepped in front of me and said "that's what he was trying to tell me to fix before you yelled at him!" He muttered something and went back to the dugout. She looked at me, smiled and said "Isn't part of my job to protect you? Besides, he's a jerk!"

Luckily, most coaches here don't mind you talking to their players. There are only about 30 softball only umps in my area and the top 10-15 are very well liked and respected by coaches, players and parents . . . and we have good relationships with them all. I was at a restaurant tonight with my kids and a player and her mom from a HS team came and sat down at our table and started giving me a good-natured hard time . . . very enjoyable. I'm glad we don't have a lot of coaches that are like you described, Mike.

Same thing here, my friend. Last year I was on vacation with my wife and 9 year old niece. We were in a restaurant in the middle of Montana when 5 or 6 girls from a 14U team over there, along with a couple of their moms, came into the restaurant and sat at a table just across from us.

A couple of the girls kept staring at me...which made my wife uncomfortable. I told her they were probably softball players trying to figure out where they knew me...and sure enough, they were. They finally figured it out, came over and chatted for a while. One of the moms and my wife hit it off really well...so well we ended up with a great supper at their house one night, along with one of their coaches and her husband.

I know that it's not all kittens and rainbows, BUT there are some good folks out there from "the other side."

Yes, I know what some or maybe all of you are thinking. I've been criticized MANY times for being waaaay too close to some folks from that other side. I was asked last year whether I was doing something I was doing for the good of the ASA JO Commissioner or for the good of SMSUA (our umpires' association). Long story...and three days later was bypass day, so it wasn't a very big deal after all.

However, I work very hard to let everyone know there is the relationship I might have with someone away from the ball park, but out on the field I am the umpire and they are the coach/player/whatever. I have had spirited discussions/arguments with some of these folks...but I am NOT their enemy.

I am NOT their adversary when I umpire. I hope fewer umpires look at their roles as something of an adversary...but I also know too many who believe just that.