Good ole home town honesty

[canump]

To be honest I don't know if the diamonds were checked prior to the start of this mini tournament, but I would assume so. ( course you all know what *** u me means.) These were all Level 5 umpires, 2 of which are going to the games in China.
The outfield fence in this park are made of a material that resembles a vinyl, plastics type. They are very light and are made to be adjustable, depending on who's using the field, Ladies fastball, men's fastball or slo-pitch. They are about 10 years old and they say the sun is breaking them down. Last year during the men's ISF Worlds a pitcher actually put a ball thru one section while warming up.
As per the sit mention in the opening post, they are not sure if the batted ball just went thru a weak spot in the fence or if there was actually a hole there according to a local sports enthusist.
Some one has said that there is plans in the works to purchace a different type of fence for this complex within the next 2 years.

[wadeintothem]

Who cares if they were checked. You dont go check home run fences and have them repaired before the game unless the wind is blowing them down. A hole in a fence is a non issue.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

Who cares if they were checked. You dont go check home run fences and have them repaired before the game unless the wind is blowing them down.

You never walk the field before the game?

[wadeintothem]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

You never walk the field before the game?

Rarely. The only time Ive ever had a home run fence fixed, which consisted I think of some rope and duct tape, was because the wind kept blowing a section down. I'm not wandering around the out field. Thats lame.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

Rarely. The only time Ive ever had a home run fence fixed, which consisted I think of some rope and duct tape, was because the wind kept blowing a section down. I'm not wandering around the out field. Thats lame.

While lame, it's what I do for a big game. I can clear up most situations in advance, and it shows the coaches that I care enough about their game that I start things as prepared as possible.

For most of the league games I call, I don't really need to do that unless there's been a big downpour. The leagues around here are so gun-ho about getting games in, they sometimes overlook big safety issues. If I've got a safety issue on the field, I won't let the game continue until it's fixed.

[wadeintothem]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

While lame, it's what I do for a big game. I can clear up most situations in advance, and it shows the coaches that I care enough about their game that I start things as prepared as possible.

For most of the league games I call, I don't really need to do that unless there's been a big downpour. The leagues around here are so gun-ho about getting games in, they sometimes overlook big safety issues. If I've got a safety issue on the field, I won't let the game continue until it's fixed.

a hole in the home run fence is not a safety issue.

If I show up for a game and am doing the equipment check and my partner is wandering around the outfield having holes plugged in the home run fence, i am going to be irritated and know what kind of smitty I am working with.

Hole in a fence is a ground rule, not a repair issue.

[scottk_61]

[quote=wadeintothem]

If I show up for a game and am doing the equipment check and my partner is wandering around the outfield having holes plugged in the home run fence, i am going to be irritated and know what kind of smitty I am working with.

quote]

At least you check equipment....

What is wrong with you Wade?
You are getting more and more combative all the while knowing you are wrong and are conveying the exact opposite impression of what you say you want.
Equipment checks should be done by the crew, as should a field walk through every game at a new site.
If you have a double header, then maybe not a second walk through.
Relying on your partner to know the ground issues isn't going to help when you have to make a call in his area because he has a train wreck of some sort or God forbid he goes down.

You need to take a break from the game and go back to being a observer until you can enjoy the game and give your best effort again.

[Dakota]

This wasn't a safety issue.

If the hole was there before the game started, it might have helped for the umpire to have been aware of it, but it was not a safety issue.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by Dakota

This wasn't a safety issue.

If the hole was there before the game started, it might have helped for the umpire to have been aware of it, but it was not a safety issue.

I know it's not a safety issue, but if you spot it in advance, then you're aware of it in advance, rather than being surprised when all of a sudden, "oh, there's a gap."

It was probably a one-in-a-million shot, but well... Looks like we have a winner.

[whiskers_ump]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

Who cares if they were checked. You dont go check home run fences and have them repaired before the game unless the wind is blowing them down. A hole in a fence is a non issue.

Come on Wade, you know better than. Checking fence lines, unusual holes,
wires, poles, etc. That is part of our job.

[wadeintothem]

Originally Posted by whiskers_ump

Come on Wade, you know better than. Checking fence lines, unusual holes,
wires, poles, etc. That is part of our job.

Ground rules is a job. You can establish ground rules.. or it can be covered by simple statements like "if it goes through the fence, throw your hands up and__________________ " whatever the ground rule is.

Having fences repaired for a hole pregame is not part of your job. If it was a safety issue ONLY.

It could happen, but its simply not.

I work hundreds of games a year, no one starts directing grounds crew to fix holes.

That is pregame only.

You guys are playing holier than thou pretend to simply make an argument. If you do start fixing stuff pregame which is not safety related, then that is lame, beyond your job as an official, and a waste of everyones time.. furthermore VERY smittyish.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

Ground rules is a job. You can establish ground rules.. or it can be covered by simple statements like "if it goes through the fence, throw your hands up and__________________ " whatever the ground rule is.

Having fences repaired for a hole pregame is not part of your job. If it was a safety issue ONLY.

It could happen, but its simply not.

I work hundreds of games a year, no one starts directing grounds crew to fix holes.

That is pregame only.

You guys are playing holier than thou pretend to simply make an argument. If you do start fixing stuff pregame which is not safety related, then that is lame, beyond your job as an official, and a waste of everyones time.. furthermore VERY smittyish.

Whiskers_ump is right in that it is part of our job (explicitly stated in the book) to walk the field before games, especially on fields with which we are not familiar. Wade is correct in that it's not our job to fix fields before the game. That is the grounds crew's job. He is also correct in that obvious safety hazards should be fixed before the game, if possible.

However, I still think that it is our duty as umpires to walk the fields thoroughly and find these potential issues in advance, rather than say in the middle of a heated game, "oh, gee... I guess there's a hole there." I'm not saying we need to carry a ball around with us to test every nook and cranny. I am saying that we need to be proactive as umpires, and that finding these issues before the first pitch is one way to do that.

[IRISHMAFIA]

I think someone missed page 175 of the ASA Umpire Manual under Pre-game Responsibilities:

"Ensure the field is properly marked, that the pitcher's plate and bases are legal and at proper distances. It is important for the umpires to be together and walk the field so that any points or questions concerning the ground rules can be addressed. All obstacles which could or may create dead ball situations should be specifically noted and examined."

Sure looks like an umpire's duty to me. Then again, maybe it is too robotic a task.

[wadeintothem]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

I think someone missed page 175 of the ASA Umpire Manual under Pre-game Responsibilities:

"Ensure the field is properly marked, that the pitcher's plate and bases are legal and at proper distances. It is important for the umpires to be together and walk the field so that any points or questions concerning the ground rules can be addressed. All obstacles which could or may create dead ball situations should be specifically noted and examined."

Sure looks like an umpire's duty to me. Then again, maybe it is too robotic a task.

Really?

Dont say something just to back track later like you've done a few times already.

Point out to me where the book says or even hints "have the fence repaired".

That backs up EXACTLY what I said, ground rules is the goal of the walk through, perhaps a safety issue.. but GROUND RULES.

Dont start back tracking Irish. Support what you say.