What made you start umpiring?
 

Just curious to know what got everyone into umpiring. Anyone care to share their hazy memories?

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It was my own big mouth. I was 15, and the director of the league I used to play in was chatting with my parents. I, being the smart a$$ I usually am, asked if he needed umpires. My dad just shook his head, as he was already one of the other umpires in the league. I didn't think he'd take me seriously, but... here I am.

Me and my big mouth!

Too lazy to retype my answer, so you can read mine and others' responses here.

I dunno, but I know several coaches who, if they ever find the SOB responsible, will kick his a$$.

My dad (I was 13)

What made you start umpiring?
 

:rolleyes: I had coached for 23 years, ages 7 - +18's, and when I retired from coaching, I realized how much I missed being on the field & being around kids. Just being around them keeps me energized. Then it came to me, go over to "The Dark Side". After passing out grief for 23 years, now I am receiving the grief. Be careful what you dish out.
Anyway, here I am and I am loving it. The next best thing to coaching. Another way to give something back to the game. :D

What got me started: Playing rec men's SP ASA softball, I discovered the paucity of umpires who: 1.) knew the rules 2.) hustled to get into position to make to get the best angle/view on plays/calls. Most local leagues' blues are older men, who do not move from behind the plate at all. The desire to have improved umpiring motivated me to do it.

What got me out of it: The increasing attitude that players have that it is their right to berate, question, swear at, and verbally abuse umpires anytime they feel like it. It became too much, and ejections did nothing to curtail this behavior. It was no longer fun, and it was not worth the aggrivation.

Same thing as everyone else stupidity!!

No I started because of my kids. Coaching my son in LL they required all the coaches to umpire (a good / bad idea) made you see the other side of the coin, but VERY few knew the rules. I got a book and read it...imagine that huh? Didn't find much direction in umpiring from our area in LL

A couple of years later started coaching my daughter in softball league, they used ASA rules, found clinics there and got an idea of how to umpire (debateable from those who have worked with me)....so I started doing rec league there then started doing more for ASA, state ....talking to a guy that used to teach with my dad he convinced me to get my high school license so I started umpiring high school games too! Started off with Softball, Volleyball and Wrestling....I have given up wrestling, it is not worth it to me.....

I actually started in baseball at 17.
I was at a Little League game giving the ump a hard time.
Problem was, the ump was my high school dean and a good friend of my Dad's.

When I got home, my dad was waiting for me.
I had to hand over my keys to my car and wasn't allowed to drive until I had done a full month's worth of games with that particular ump.

He didn't give me a rule book (he said if I was smart a$$ enough to know how to mouth off, I must know the rules already) and let me tell you, it was a very long month.

I had my a$$ handed to me almost every day by some coach or other umpire.
I did enjoy it and stayed with it from then on.

I got into softball for the money - plain and simple. I was either going to do this or baseball . . . shorter games for the same pay convinced me. Now I love the game and am excited everytime I get to walk on the field. While I got in for the wrong reason - I stay for the right one.

Money. The common denominator.

was playing in an adult league and acting like a child. I berated an umpire who knew my dad....(who is also an umpire)..dad calls that night and tells me that If I know so much, I should start umpiring.....

I quickly found out how little I knew....:eek:

Thanks for typing my answer, although I never considered baseball.

Isn't that redundant? ;)

I am new to this website (first post, rookie), but have been officiating for 4 years now.

I spent a lot of time in LL coaching my daughters, then coached my youngest daughter thru club ball until our "styles" started clashing. I was still "hooked" on fastpitch softball, so I signed up for ASA in 2003, Federation in 2004 and USSSA in 2005. I don't do much ASA now (they are in the lower part of the state), but wish I did because their rule set is much better than USSSA.

NM FP Ump

In what way do you feel this is true? I am curious.

Welcome to the board, NM! http://www.clicksmilies.com/s1106/ak...smiley-069.gif

As to the ASA rule book being better than the U-trip book, I agree. The ASA book is tightly written, nicely edited, has no confusingly written rules, is free from contradiction, and has no gramatical errors. http://www.jivemagazine.com/images/s...super/liar.gif

Speaking of.....

Easily offended, beware, it is a joke!!!

St. Peter is watching the Pearly Gates of Heaven when Jesus walks by. St. Peter asks Jesus to watch the gate for him while he attends to a personal matter. Jesus responds, "Peter, I'm not sure if I'm qualified." Peter says, "Jesus, who other than the Son of God is more qualifed to determine who enters his kingdom".

So, Jesus agrees and stands by the gate for a while when a older gentleman approaches him.

Old Man: Is this Heaven?
Jesus: Yes, it is. Can you tell me about your life on earth.
Old Man: Well, I had a satisfying life especially that which I spent with my son.
Jesus: You had a son?
Old Man: Yes, I did. We worked closely together. I was a carpenter, you know.
Jesus: Really? Tell me about your son.
Old Man: He was a good kid. He had holes in his hands and feet, but always seemed content.
Jesus: FATHER???
Old Man: PINOCHIO?

Scott,

Here are a couple of excerpts from the USSSA 6th Edition:

Sec. 32. A. A fly ball is a batted ball that rises to an appreciable height above the ground.
B. A line drive is a batted ball which travels parallel or nearly so with the ground through most of its flight.
C. A ground ball is one that is neither a fly nor a line drive.

Most of the other sections define one item (ie., Sec. 34. A throw out is a putout caused by a throw to first base to retire a batterrunner, or to any other base to which a runner is forced or is required to retouch.

Section 32 is three definitions rolled into one section. Kind of odd, I don't have any ASA books with me to compare ASA citations with USSSA citations.

Here is another example:

Under Rule 6. PLAYERS AND SUBSTITUTES, Section 5 E and F:

E. Re-entry, any player may be withdrawn from the game and re-entered once, provided such player occupies the same batting position whenever in the line-up. A violation results in an illegal substitution. A substitute who is withdrawn may re-enter.

F. Improper re-entry, an improper re-entry is handled as protest by the offended team. Improper re-entry is a violation after a pitch is made. Examples of improper re-entry are as follows:
1. Starter and/or substitute who re-enters in an incorrect batting position.
2. Starter and/or substitute who re-enters a second time.

E. Re-entry, any player may be.... Not grammatically correct, as Tom has pointed out.

Don't get me wrong, USSSA is a very good organization, and I have nothing but respect for my fellow "Red" (or in NM we wear "Cream"-light colors are great when it's 100 degrees on the field) and the UIC's. I just wish the rules blended with Federation and ASA.

______________________________
NM FP Ump

50 years ago I started umpiring men's intramural softball games in college for "soda pop" money. Over the years, I continued with softball and baseball (high school, college, and recreational) for extra money to supplement my school teacher's pay while raising a family. I am down to
only high school softball here mostly for fun, but use the money for travel
in retirement with my wife.