Welcome back to umpiring.
 

I started my season last night, after a medical leave that has kept me out for the first half of the season.

I sure hope that my first game back was not indicative of how my 2011 season is going to be. (or...at least what is left of it.)

It was one of those "games for the ages." (That is said somewhat tongue in cheek.) But it does have the dubious distinction of being the longest 7 inning or less game I have ever umpired at the high school level.

The game lasted 6, count em, 6 innings.

The official game start was 5:15. Game end, 9:16. That's right, four hours to complete 6 innings. (Thankfully, the home team managed to get a run ahead rule situation, or I might still be there.)

Final score? I know that you are all champing at the bit for this one. 38-25. That's right. 63 runs scored last night. 63!!!!!! :rolleyes:

Many a HS basketball team would be happy to score that many. Dave

Please tell me that was a SP score... :eek:

You win. I thought my freshman game the other night was bad. 2 hours 20 minutes, called on account of darkness, 2 1/2 innings, score 18-15. I think about the only outs recorded the whole night were interference, running lane violation, leaving early and lookback violations.

Must have been your fault Scotty. "That plate ain't round, Blue! If you'd give her some corners, she wouldn't have to tee it up for them!" ;)

Seriously, I'm about to head out for my first plate game since 2008. Two 1A teams, and we may have a problem finding strikes and outs, so I shouldn't laugh. :cool:

I stopped reading at this point, I'm just shocked to see somebody else use the correct word! :D

Seriously, glad you're back but ouch...I'm surprised there wasn't a "rolling blackout" at around 8:00.

Of course, it would help if this wasn't his strike zone


http://forum.officiating.com/data:im...nt71c5bvCv/9k=

Last night's game was so much better. (Yes, there is sarcasm in that statement.)

It only took half the time of the previous night's game, which oddly, made it seem like it was just zipping by.

Score of last night's game was 22-0. At least we only had to work 5 innings.

Hey Mike! I am just calling the strike zone that you taught me. Are you now telling me that it isn't the correct zone??? :D

Actually, though, the marathon 63 run game found me in the field. It was humorous, because with each batter, it seemed, I could see my partner slowly enlarging his zone. His final zone required the pitch to cross somewhere between heaven and hell and Florida and California. (Only a slight exaggeration on my part.) :rolleyes:

We were trying to find a way. Trust me!!!!! ;)

Mine was similar. Don't know the final score ("something north of 25" to 0). Of course the home team had the zero, so we had to go five full innings. Home coach actually asked us before the game if we have the 15-after-3 run rule yet. She was hoping.

Same with us! Isn't that the way it always is??? :rolleyes:

Monday is my first - a JV scrimmage - if the snow melts....

What will make this a literal JOY, is that NYS finally decided to join the rest of the softball world, and is making their kids throw from 43'...so...a bunch of kids throwing from 43' for the first time in a game situation........:eek:

One saving grace is that here, scrimmages cannot last more than two hours....also, no lineups exchanged...they must play at LEAST one double inning...run situations, etc, etc....so it actually may be a little fun. If only the home coach was not such a female dog..... ;)


And the preliminary weather forecast - sunny....but high of about 45....maybe :eek:

You want to know the strike zone I teach?

Ever see the movie "Dave" when Kevin Kline was playing with the robotic arms? Well, my strike zone is about as wide as that fish he was talking about. :rolleyes:

My New Rule
 

Instead of a 10 or 15 run rule I would like to have an umpire mandated 10 error rule. As soon as the tenth error happens my partner and I get to walk off the field.

Think about this. 85 total runs scored in 11 total innings. That has to be some kind of a record. :eek:

If I had had that on Monday, I would have been leaving during the top half of the first inning. Sadly, that isn't a joke, either!

all in favor of this...as long as I get to determine what constitutes an error!

You probably want to count starting a poor pitcher. ;) :D

I havn't had a four hour game yet, but I did have had one last three. I believe there were around 45 runs scored.

I had my 1st HS game of the year. Only took 1:15 and that included a discussion with a coach about re-entering his catcher who had been run for the previous 1/2 inning. My bad, I forgot about the CR rule in HS.:o

I'd be happy right now to be on the field for 3-4 hours but with 3 feet of snow still on the ground, that's not happening anytime soon. :eek:

I've gotten four HS games in so far. One 1:45 and the other three at 1:15. The weather was great last week, but this week I have had five games cancelled and one next week because it conflicted with a conference make-up that was scheduled due to the bad weather this week.

I felt like I was getting into a good feel and rhythm and then get a week off. :(

I do think that there is less tendency to play in poor weather lately. It plays havoc with the scheduling but is much more sensible. I also think that economics comes into play with decisions having to be made sooner to avoid charges for bus service and the cost of field prep.