Around here, the vast, vast majority of our fastpitch games are single umpire, even men's fastpitch. We'll get the occasional tournament championship that uses 2, and we are just starting to see some tournaments advertising 2 umpire crews as a benefit for their tournament. Point being, this is a decision made by the leagues, local clubs and associations to save money. It has nothing to do with umpire shortages. While not all coaches are involved in this decision, some (or even most) probably are. Even so, I never bring this up at the plate meeting (what's the point?), but I will if I start to catch grief about a missed call at 2B, etc.

Single Man
 

I've found over the years that working a single umpire in any game is unfair to the teams playing the game. One umpire can't possibly cover enough. Its bad enough when you have two umpires. Unfortunately, most leagues "can't afford" two umpires.

Having said that, when I'm forced to work as a single umpire I try as much as possible to get into the middle of the diamond without being in the way. With bases loaded and a ball hit to the outfield the likelyhood of a play at the plate is minimal. You're more likely going to have a play at 2nd or 3rd. I would suggest moving out in front of the plate somewhere near the pitching rubber offline of where the throw to the plate...if there is one.

I had a situation come up in a single umpire game where an outfielder went to make a shoe string catch with a runner on 3rd tagging up. Just as the ball got to the outfielder the pitcher crossed in front of me. I had no choice but to call "no catch". When the pitcher heard my call he immediately turned to me to object. He also the realized what had happened. He said "I got in your way didn't I"...Yep!

Sucks having to call one man.

Here is a shocker. Our local complex runs all games with one man (or woman) except for when training newbies. Last night I am working and so I always go out to where the action is, by 2nd or 3rd or wherever you know. One of the pitchers actually asked me how many times I planned on doing that. :confused: I told him I was sure he wanted me to see the plays........typically it is the other way around with them complaining about the umps NOT moving out from behind the plate.

Just can't win. lol

Hey DepUIC... email me at mike at imstoday dot com - curious which part of Houston you're in.

I think that at the younger ages / abilities, 1 umpire can easily call the game if they move around. Any 8U, and all but the very best 10U generally just need 1 - an adult umpire is generally much faster than any of the baserunners and the ball doesn't move very fast either. Above that including adult slowpitch, you really need 2 or you're simply going to miss stuff.

true but our local league just doesn't "budget" for it.......and most of the newbies only get one or two nights of flying with a veteran before they are turned loose on their own.........it is sometimes very ugly

Well, then that league is just setting umpires up to fail. Training is crucial, and to subject a rookie to that kind of situation without the proper training and guidance is just absurd.

I agree, and it is a sad thing to watch. This is my first year certified and in uniform. I have umpired for years on a volunteer basis. It amazes me how much some of these new "young" umpires think that they know. I'm not saying that "young" umpires can't know their stuff, I'm saying that experience is a big plus and you really only get that through time.

Speaking as an umpire who started at the age of 15, yeah, I know exactly what you mean.

Took me a LONG time to "get it."

I mean no insult to any of you young fellers on the board by any means. lol ;)

Besides, the "oldies" sure have some good stories they've gathered over the years to tell. haha

There is no way I would mention any of this at a pre-game meeting. I'm not giving a clinic. For one reason is that it is common sense and applies even if you have six umpires on the field.

Not to mention that it sounds like you are making excuses for being alone before the teams are even on the field

Well... many self-respecting umpires wouldn't be caught dead working a league where they are set up to fail. So not only do you get just 1, you get 1 that can't or won't find work elsewhere. Not to say this means that all of your umpires are bad ... just means you're going to attract bad ones (or there will be no one there to make the bad ones better, at the very least).

A league that devalues the role of umpire this much is simply going to get what it pays for, I guess.

Apparently there's new slang here that I'm going to attempt to use correctly for the first time...

1+

"Common sense?" :confused:

:D

Hey Mike, you blew it. I believe the correct term is...

+1 :p