My balloon protector is going with me tomorrow

[whiskers_ump]

Originally Posted by Rita C

I've gone as far as 8 ft back to call. Stay down long enough to know where the pitch is, then get the hell out.

Rita

I don't see a smiley, but I know your joking.

[7in60]

Originally Posted by whiskers_ump

I don't see a smiley, but I hope you're joking.

Fixed.

[Steve M]

2 years ago, I went far enough that I told the catcher's coach, in the 3rd inning, that if I was hit by another untouched pitch, I was going to eject F2 for unsportsmanlike conduct. When the coach started to argue, I told her that I was not there to discuss - only to give her the courtesy of informing her. This was after several untouched pitches got me.
As a result of that catcher, I went & got the Mcavid hex pad shorts. And I have worn those at every game at every level ever since.
If I still had a balloon, I'd have probably delayed that game while I walked to the car and got it - AND had the clock continue to run.

[azbigdawg]

It amazes me that people would leave the game or force the coach to put in another catcher..... maybe when that game is over..you should officiate another sport....

[Stu Clary]

I'd love to pull out the old balloon, just to see the looks from people. Maybe even for slow pitch!

[Stu Clary]

Oh, Wade, out of curiosity, where was the tourney?

[wadeintothem]

Originally Posted by Stu Clary

Oh, Wade, out of curiosity, where was the tourney?

Stockton

[wadeintothem]

I didnt pull out the balloon... I wore my west vest. Has her straight out of the gate at 8 am and she did fine. Then a few games another umpire went to the coach about her.

Its just reality she should not be catching.

I would not agree with any umpire who thinks its an umpires job to be a personal back stop for a crappy catcher. I think we all expect to take our dings.. this is beyond that. If you want to sit there and get hit over and over with a 50 mph softball, golf clap for ya tough guy.

[mick]

Originally Posted by azbigdawg

It amazes me that people would leave the game or force the coach to put in another catcher..... maybe when that game is over..you should officiate another sport....

Someone left a game ?

[wadeintothem]

Originally Posted by mick

Someone left a game ?

I know I didnt, i got the bruises to prove it.

[tcblue13]

My first JV game was like that. Pitcher lacked control and catcher lacked the ability to catch the ball. The only good thing is that you never have a play at the plate since the ball is on the ground. I have dreaded JV's ever since and some of them are really good.

[Rita C]

Originally Posted by whiskers_ump

I don't see a smiley, but I know your joking.

Joking about what?

I wasn't kidding. It's better than calling from the mound. If you are back (Maybe I was exaggerating some) you can call it from a more normal position and still have time to react when the catcher misses it.

It's better than losing your focus because you fear getting hit.

Rita

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Rita C

Joking about what?

I wasn't kidding. It's better than calling from the mound.

Rita

Well, see, there's your problem!!!

If there was a mound, you were on the wrong field

[Stu Clary]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Well, see, there's your problem!!!

If there was a mound, you were on the wrong field

Plus, the other umpire would be doing all kinds of weird signaling/hand gestures. Some of 'em look like they're trying to land a plane on an aircraft carrier.

Disclaimer: Slowpitch guy here. Went to our local clinic a week ago, and the UIC showed a few clips from YouTube and some other u-post-it-here websites, of calls and actions from mostly fastpitch games. One was a fastpitch game, where the catcher deliberately pulled down her glove while the pitcher threw a riser that hit the umpire square in the chest. After the blue caught his breath, he called time and ejected the catcher and pitcher both, and in the ensuring chaos, tossed the coach as well, and started to walk off the field and apparently forfeited the game. This was well justified (and don't ask me where you can find this one because the deputy UIC did all the fun work).

Speaking of walking off the field or telling the coach he/she needs to replace the catcher, some of that may be justified, but most isn't. You may think what the hell gives me any authority to speak as a slowpitch umpire, you haven't worked enough wreck ball to take a few off the shin because the catcher can't catch worth crap. I actually have told a few of those catchers they may want to start catching, or I'm moving back a few feet and can't guarantee their pitcher getting the call they should be because of a poor angle. Some will wise up and actually catch the godforsaken ball, and we have no problems. I've also gone to the point of saying the heck with the slot and lined up directly behind the catcher (and in slowpitch, that doesn't do the trick much of the time either!).

Just venting, but at the same, feeling for you folks doing fastpitch because that ball's coming in a heck of a lot faster and harder. I don't envy you. Good luck the rest of the season!