He spit at me....

[7in60]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

Next step, take some time and learn officiating and the rules; you do not know them. Walking out and pretending to call balls and strikes is not enough; you are going to keep getting into trouble. IMO, They smell blood in the water because they know you dont know what you are doing and it is helping instigate trouble.

This is very blunt, almost to the point of insult. There is no evidence that he does not know the rules (any less than any rookie ump would). I think he handled the situation very well. He made his calls with conviction and pulled the trigger on ejection when it was deserved. I find the terms Interference and Obstruction very ambiguous. What finally helped me is remembering 'interference is what A-Rod did when he yelled at the Blue Jays' IF this year'. I told myself that on the field sometimes, so I knew what I would be calling.

The one suggestion that I have to the OP is not to respond to players' comments on calls. When you told him "it was _that_ close", it does nothing but prolong the exchange. It is more professional to let it go and move on, even in a friendly league. Also, you must report this incident. The pitcher is a lunatic and some time away from the game will help him to appreciate the privilege of playing on your diamond.

[azgreg]

Thanks for the responses guys. There is a ASA clinic here in January and I intend to be there. As I thought about what happened last night and read through alot of this forum (great forum by the way) untill about 5 in the morning, I decided that instead of doing the easy thing and saying this isn't worth it I am resolved to use this as a reason to push on and become a better ump. Wade, I appreciate the comments (as harsh as they may be), but I understatnd that you can't fix something if don't know it's broken. Again thanks guys.

P.S. How's that for the first 2 posts?

[wadeintothem]

Originally Posted by azgreg

Thanks for the responses guys. There is a ASA clinic here in January and I intend to be there. As I thought about what happened last night and read through alot of this forum (great forum by the way) untill about 5 in the morning, I decided that instead of doing the easy thing and saying this isn't worth it I am resolved to use this as a reason to push on and become a better ump. Wade, I appreciate the comments (as harsh as they may be), but I understatnd that you can't fix something if don't know it's broken. Again thanks guys.

P.S. How's that for the first 2 posts?

Its not screwing up that makes you a bad umpire; its when you dont learn from it! Get in that book! Imagine "why" the rule is there and learn it!

Welcome to the blue!

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by 7in60

I find the terms Interference and Obstruction very ambiguous. What finally helped me is remembering 'interference is what A-Rod did when he yelled at the Blue Jays' IF this year'. I told myself that on the field sometimes, so I knew what I would be calling.

I think every one of us that is a trainer at any level tells new umpires to start with definitions. It really doesn't matter what the dictionary meaning and similarities are between interference, obstruction, hindering, or impeding; the bottom line is that interference and obstruction are defined terms.

It should be simpler than using A-Rod. How about "Interference is the act of an offensive player or team member ..." and "Obstruction is the act of a defensive player or team member ..." ?? Maybe I'm over-simplifying it, but why is that hard to remember? Any harder than remembering which team is on offense and which is on defense??

[Steve M]

Originally Posted by azgreg

Thanks for the responses guys. There is a ASA clinic here in January and I intend to be there. As I thought about what happened last night and read through alot of this forum (great forum by the way) untill about 5 in the morning, I decided that instead of doing the easy thing and saying this isn't worth it I am resolved to use this as a reason to push on and become a better ump. Wade, I appreciate the comments (as harsh as they may be), but I understatnd that you can't fix something if don't know it's broken. Again thanks guys.

P.S. How's that for the first 2 posts?

Good couple of first posts.
I'm going to assume that AZ refers to Arizona - we've got a couple of regulars from that state that you might want to think about contacting.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

HA!

Man, most of you would be hard pressed to make the mistakes I've made umpiring. But no one beats up an umpire for making an error more than I beat myself up. It can last days and weeks!

I'm sure I can come up with quite a few doozies from my rookie years! We all make them, and wade is right: make those mistakes, but learn from them. That's the only way you'll make it.

[7in60]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

I think every one of us that is a trainer at any level tells new umpires to start with definitions. It really doesn't matter what the dictionary meaning and similarities are between interference, obstruction, hindering, or impeding; the bottom line is that interference and obstruction are defined terms.

It should be simpler than using A-Rod. How about "Interference is the act of an offensive player or team member ..." and "Obstruction is the act of a defensive player or team member ..." ?? Maybe I'm over-simplifying it, but why is that hard to remember? Any harder than remembering which team is on offense and which is on defense??

Both acts involve interference in the literal sense. Obstruction suggests a physical act but it doesn't have to involve contact. Neither does interference. Part of the problem is that in my first couple years I didn't see it enough to solidify the meaning. This year (4) I saw both several times.

[azbigdawg]

Originally Posted by Steve M

Good couple of first posts.
I'm going to assume that AZ refers to Arizona - we've got a couple of regulars from that state that you might want to think about contacting.

Someone call me?????

[archangel]

Originally Posted by azgreg

On his way back in my direction he yelled he was safe and I informed him it was that close (two fingers close together on my left hand). As he passes me he lets me and everyone in the park know about my intelegence level and something about my sexual involvement with my mother. I eject him and he comes after me.

I want to address the bold above. An official doesnt always have to have the last word. You didnt need to say "it was close", he already knew that, and maybe that egged him on some more, though my guess is he would've continued on until the ejection.
Letting a player ***** a little, without taking abuse, can be part of good game management, especially in SP.

[UmpireErnie]

I second what archangel says.. if a player wants to throw an “I was safe!” in my general direction on his way back to the dugout after I have called him out, so be it.

He is still out, and since he is heading to the dugout he is reluctantly accepting it, he is just frustrated. So fail to hear his opinion and the game will continue without incident. I am not saying you should take insults etc., but if all the player does is differ with your call, well, let him! Now if he is still yapping about it an inning later I am going to give his coach a chance to take care of business. If I still hear him, I will take care of business. At this point the player has basically thrown himself out.

Don’t take personal insults or attacks, but remember that the player simply believing they are safe when you have ruled them out is neither of these. Allow the player his opinion as long as he is leaving the field, don’t take it personally, and you will have a much better game.

[Skahtboi]

Catching up on your reading, UmpErnie???