More rules I have learned from coaches.

[DeputyUICHousto]

second all the while yelling and screaming at me (Oh, this is boys "adult" t-ball aka slowpitch) that I'm supposed to pick up the bat. When I inform him that the discarded bat is not my responsibility he proceeds to tell me that the playing conditions of the field are my responsibility. I agreed with him and advised him that the playing field was in great condition. While sitting in the dugout fuming he yells at me that he wants an address where he can send a letter. I told him to look online.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by DeputyUICHousto

second all the while yelling and screaming at me (Oh, this is boys "adult" t-ball aka slowpitch) that I'm supposed to pick up the bat. When I inform him that the discarded bat is not my responsibility he proceeds to tell me that the playing conditions of the field are my responsibility. I agreed with him and advised him that the playing field was in great condition. While sitting in the dugout fuming he yells at me that he wants an address where he can send a letter. I told him to look online.

Should have asked him if he needed someone to write if for him.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by DeputyUICHousto

While sitting in the dugout fuming he yells at me that he wants an address where he can send a letter. I told him to look online.

Did he specify what the letter was to be about? If not, I'd have been tempted to direct him to "Dear Abby" for his troubles.

Skaht, boy this coach sure does some traveling!

[BretMan]

I've run across one guy (he's in his second or third year) in my area in a few different tournaments and leagues who seems to think that getting the bat is the umpire's number one priority, no matter what else is happening on the field.

A runner singles with nobody else on, he's hustling out to pick up the bat. A batter walks and he's grabbing the bat she dropped. Plays being made on the bases (not at home plate) and he's busy either picking up the bat or kicking it out of the way.

You can only hope the guy gets some good training somewhere along the line or, better yet, an evaluation. Maybe we'll get assigned a game together sometime and I can drop a hint...

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by BretMan

I've run across one guy (he's in his second or third year) in my area in a few different tournaments and leagues who seems to think that getting the bat is the umpire's number one priority, no matter what else is happening on the field.

A runner singles with nobody else on, he's hustling out to pick up the bat. A batter walks and he's grabbing the bat she dropped. Plays being made on the bases (not at home plate) and he's busy either picking up the bat or kicking it out of the way.

You can only hope the guy gets some good training somewhere along the line or, better yet, an evaluation. Maybe we'll get assigned a game together sometime and I can drop a hint...

Someone needs to take one of those bats and smack him with it.

Wait until some superstitious monster screams at him to moving the bat and jinxing his routine. Don't laugh, I've seen it happen.

[CajunNewBlue]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Someone needs to take one of those bats and smack him with it.

Wait until some superstitious monster screams at him to moving the bat and jinxing his routine. Don't laugh, I've seen it happen.

lol... that reminds me of the movie major league...sacrificing a bucket of chicken to his bats.

[BretMan]

Before that happens, he's probably going to have a bigger problem with missing something out on the field because his attention is focused on his "bat boy" duties.

I ran across this guy again in a fall league a few weeks ago. He was working a game solo. Every play where the batter discarded a bat, he's going after it- I mean, really hustling out there with gusto- apparently oblivious to runner's advancing, throws being made, where the ball was...

If we ever work together I'll probably say something, but I'm not one to offer unsolicited advice to another umpire while he's in the middle of a game that I have no involvment with.

[DeputyUICHousto]

he will have picked the bat up and has to hustle down the 3rd to make a call and yells "SAFE!!!!" and when he makes the prescribed hand signal the ball will go flying and hit the base coach.