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  #1 (permalink)  
Old Fri Sep 09, 2011, 07:19am
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officially not a virgin :)

WOW, had my first games last night (3 in a row, yes, I'm sore), worked the bases all three, next week I get to be behind the plate. The UIC said I did very well, he said I rushed a bit. You all were spot on..SLOW DOWN. Had alot of bangers at first and second without any grumbles although me and the second baseman collided twice. I want to thank everyone on this forum for all the help and advice. Any advice for working behind the plate? (mens slow pitch)
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Old Fri Sep 09, 2011, 08:20am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by adams3868 View Post
WOW, had my first games last night (3 in a row, yes, I'm sore), worked the bases all three, next week I get to be behind the plate. The UIC said I did very well, he said I rushed a bit. You all were spot on..SLOW DOWN. Had alot of bangers at first and second without any grumbles although me and the second baseman collided twice. I want to thank everyone on this forum for all the help and advice. Any advice for working behind the plate? (mens slow pitch)
Did she buy you dinner first?

As always, one bit of advice: Slow down!

A lot of new umpires want to make the call of ball/strike, fair/foul, out/no catch as SOON as they think it happens.

Slow. Down.

On balls/strikes, wait one full second after it first strikes the ground or catcher, then make the call. Keep a good rhythm. If you call it too quickly, you'll look like you're guessing.

On fair/foul, wait until it actually IS foul before you call it. Don't call it in the air. If it's on the ground between first and third, wait until it's touched, is settled, or passes first or third. You'll look like a fool if you call it foul in the air, only to have the outfielder make a great diving catch.

On fly balls, always assume that they WILL drop it. The same thing as I said in your previous thread. If you assume they'll drop it, you won't look like an idiot calling "out!" when the ball slips out of their glove before they've secured it.

Good luck! You'll do just fine.
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I haven't decided if I should call it from the dugout or the outfield. Apparently, both have really great views!

Screw green, it ain't easy being blue!

I won't be coming here that much anymore. I might check in now and again.
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  #3 (permalink)  
Old Fri Sep 09, 2011, 09:33am
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I only work FP, can't imagine the rhythm behind the plate is different. When the pitcher releases the ball, I hold my breath. When F2 has is I let the air go and make up my mind. Then breath in and make the call, verbally. Get up and give the signal.
A good rhythm, BANG in the glove - one - two - call. My breath is only a helpfull medium.

How come you and F4 collided twice? Let the fielder lead you towards to your movements. This will be even more important behind the plate; let F2 with passed balls and foul pop-ups lead you.

Have fun, show that you're having fun and the teams will follow by example. Same for your hustling...
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Old Fri Sep 09, 2011, 10:09am
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regarding the collisions at 2B, how did those occur? If the play is inside the bases, stay outside - no exceptions (at least in 2 man). If the ball goes outside the infield, move to the inside... there should be no chance of collision on a normal play.

(That said ... I had a collision that affected the game just last year - so it happen - just wondering how yours happened so you can try to prevent it.

Mine, I was in C, bases loaded, 1 out. Short squibber in front of 3B, I'm anticipating either a play at home or at first, so I move in toward the holding area (I know ... what did I just say - if the ball stays in, I stay out! Oops). Somehow she CATCHES it. As R2 scrambles back, there I am! We had just enough collision that the ball beat her back to the bag. 3rd out, last inning. Oops.)
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Old Fri Sep 09, 2011, 12:01pm
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Originally Posted by mbcrowder View Post
regarding the collisions at 2B, how did those occur? If the play is inside the bases, stay outside - no exceptions (at least in 2 man). If the ball goes outside the infield, move to the inside... there should be no chance of collision on a normal play.

(That said ... I had a collision that affected the game just last year - so it happen - just wondering how yours happened so you can try to prevent it.

Mine, I was in C, bases loaded, 1 out. Short squibber in front of 3B, I'm anticipating either a play at home or at first, so I move in toward the holding area (I know ... what did I just say - if the ball stays in, I stay out! Oops). Somehow she CATCHES it. As R2 scrambles back, there I am! We had just enough collision that the ball beat her back to the bag. 3rd out, last inning. Oops.)

First of all I am assuming this is fast pitch since you were in the C position. If that is the case you are supposed to move inside for a call at first. What holding zone are you talking about? Never heard of a holding zone on this play. I'm moving into the area between the pitchers plate and 2nd. Well, as close as I can get before having to get set for the call at first. This is assuming a play at first base. I very rarely get to that area because I have to clear the runner and make sure I'm not in the way of the fielder or her throwing lane. There is a lot of traffic over in the C position, which is why getting that far inside is rare. Also, I'm going to read the play because I could have a play at third as well. Which in that case it would be my call to make as the first throw on the infield is mine to every base but home. If that is the case I will stay outside.
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  #6 (permalink)  
Old Sat Sep 10, 2011, 02:29pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rwest View Post
First of all I am assuming this is fast pitch since you were in the C position. If that is the case you are supposed to move inside for a call at first. What holding zone are you talking about? Never heard of a holding zone on this play. I'm moving into the area between the pitchers plate and 2nd.
Yup, that would be the holding area I referred to.

Quote:
This is assuming a play at first base. I very rarely get to that area because I have to clear the runner and make sure I'm not in the way of the fielder or her throwing lane. There is a lot of traffic over in the C position, which is why getting that far inside is rare. Also, I'm going to read the play because I could have a play at third as well. Which in that case it would be my call to make as the first throw on the infield is mine to every base but home. If that is the case I will stay outside.
Kind of exactly how this happened. I waited for R2 to get by, but not really long enough. There was no play at third, F5 was the one going after the ball. The problem came because while I read - play at first, and was heading to where I should be for that play... I did not anticipate ANY chance at a catch, but the catch happened anyway. When I saw catch, I was a step behind R2 in both directions - she stopped, my momentum took me forward another step, RIGHT in her way.

If I'd waited just a hair more before trying to get to the area between P and 2B (whatever you prefer to call it), I would not have gotten in her way.

The other consideration was that assuming (as I did) that there was no catch, the most likely play was at home - so the holding area (after a play at home with runners on all 3 bases), was probably not my ideal spot if the ball went home. Call it a learning moment - we all have them.
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Old Fri Sep 09, 2011, 11:35am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dutch Alex View Post
How come you and F4 collided twice? Let the fielder lead you towards to your movements. This will be even more important behind the plate; let F2 with passed balls and foul pop-ups lead you.
These collisions usually occur when the BU is too close to F4, who is usually already halfway to the fence. SP infielders play MUCH farther back than they do in FP.

If you're finding that you're getting in F4's way, set up about 6 feet behind F4 and off their left shoulder. If there's ever a runner on 2nd base, change it to their right shoulder.

As Alex said, let F4 dictate your movements on the bases. Staying off to one side instead of being directly behind F4 reduces your chances of a collision.
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Dave

I haven't decided if I should call it from the dugout or the outfield. Apparently, both have really great views!

Screw green, it ain't easy being blue!

I won't be coming here that much anymore. I might check in now and again.
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  #8 (permalink)  
Old Fri Sep 09, 2011, 11:56am
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Originally Posted by NCASAUmp View Post
If there's ever a runner on 2nd base, change it to their right shoulder.
Um .... what?
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I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said, 'I drank what?'”

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  #9 (permalink)  
Old Fri Sep 09, 2011, 11:58am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mbcrowder View Post
Um .... what?
He's talking slow pitch mechanics.
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  #10 (permalink)  
Old Thu Sep 22, 2011, 07:11pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by adams3868 View Post
WOW, had my first games last night (3 in a row, yes, I'm sore), worked the bases all three, next week I get to be behind the plate. The UIC said I did very well, he said I rushed a bit. You all were spot on..SLOW DOWN. Had alot of bangers at first and second without any grumbles although me and the second baseman collided twice. I want to thank everyone on this forum for all the help and advice. Any advice for working behind the plate? (mens slow pitch)
Congratulations on making it through your first games! Remember to study the rules and mechanics, also be patient and have a good time.
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  #11 (permalink)  
Old Thu Dec 08, 2011, 06:31pm
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reported. someone's /8 needs to be canned.
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Old Thu Dec 08, 2011, 07:02pm
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Originally Posted by Crabby_Bob View Post
reported. someone's /8 needs to be canned.
Looks like someone's really bad browser history.
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Dave

I haven't decided if I should call it from the dugout or the outfield. Apparently, both have really great views!

Screw green, it ain't easy being blue!

I won't be coming here that much anymore. I might check in now and again.
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  #13 (permalink)  
Old Thu Dec 08, 2011, 08:43pm
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Originally Posted by NCASAUmp View Post
Looks like someone's really bad browser history.
(Yes, it was funny. Thanks.)

Last edited by Crabby_Bob; Fri Dec 09, 2011 at 12:05am.
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Old Thu Dec 08, 2011, 08:51pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Crabby_Bob View Post
C'mon, that was funny...
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Dave

I haven't decided if I should call it from the dugout or the outfield. Apparently, both have really great views!

Screw green, it ain't easy being blue!

I won't be coming here that much anymore. I might check in now and again.
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Old Fri Dec 09, 2011, 12:49am
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I'm surprised it took the spammers this long to latch onto this thread.
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