Events from AFA 18U Natioinals

[whiskers_ump]

It was a pretty good week. Called in 29 games during the 9 day event.

During the tournament three [3 that's correct] umpires went out due to
fractured collar bones. Not wearing chest protectors.

Four went down to heat exhaustion/dehydration. All but one recovered
enough to continue calling the next day.

One went out on this play.

Team A F2 batting, two outs, trying run on 3rd. 3-2 count. The
pitcher has finished preliminaries about to deliver pitch when batter
wants time. PU does not grant time since pitch has started, however,
the batter stepped out. The pitch is a called strike three. The
batter and her coach are hot and chewing on PU for several minutes.
Play is resumed. On the first pitch, fastball right down the middle
the catcher bails out leaving blue all alone. Takes pitch on wrist and back
of hand fracturing it. When BU & PU approach defensive coach, his first
words were, "Now if you think we were intentionally throwing at you,
you are wrong". Neither umpire had said a word before he
made this statement. Player and coach ejected, but allowed to stay in the
tournament for their next game. Pitcher was not ejected since the pitch
was in strike zone and no one was 100% sure she was involved. Right.

During the Pre-nationals, I was working with an umpire from Calif. that made
this call. 2-0 on the batter, next pitch is close, but PU calls "ball".
Defensive coach gets somewhat upset and voices his opinion rather loudly.
Count 3-0. Next pitch comes in and PU calls "Strike". Defensive
coach hollars, "that ball was in the exact same place as the previous
pitch." PU pulls his mask off and loudly asks, "Are you sure?" "Yes", replies coach.
"Ok, ball four batter, take your base. She did, and not another
word was heard.



glen