Partner blues...

[#13]

I am new to my area and was asked to do an NCAA local game. I was told I was with a veteran who books games for another local college. Has to be good, right? I found out I ran into the same situation as a few of y'all with just wanting to get through the game.

Doubleheader, he has the plate the first game to "show me the ropes". Questionable mechanics, couldn't hear any calls, I had to cover all the bases no matter what, strikes below the knees and he was very quick to call pitches seemingly before they crossed the plate. Stressful as it was a close game. 13-12 final, away team (who was markedly weaker) won and 2 long hours.

Specific play that got him some heat and put the coach over the edge...the batter thinks the ball is going to hit her. She falls back and the ball goes off the bat. An immediate dead ball is called. The ball rests in fair territory and is thrown to first. Ouch. Coach comes directly out to me. I politely let him know that we can talk about the movies, good food, whatever he likes, but I am unsure what happened (playing stupid as I couldn't hear anything anyway all day). He laughed, understood and simply said the poor old man behind the dish shouldn't be calling high school let alone college. Then, the plate ump sees us together, shouts he "I goofed up, let's play". Oh man, foul ball called...I am learning the ropes...LOL.

We got through it. Second game I'm behind the dish. 5 inning run rule, 1:15 game and the home team wins as they should and luckily positions themselves for the playoffs.

I think the guy was good at one time, but just lost the edge as we all will someday when we hit the golden years. How I managed it, I covered everything I possibly could to make him look better, kept my mouth shut and couldn't wait until it was over.

Next time at the same place I was with someone outstanding. That was great!