is it endless?
 

Things I am tired of hearing/reading:
- Questions about pitcher taking signals
- Coaches trying to tell me the OBS rule
- Hands are part of the bat
(ok, only once this year and only if the batter is slapping)
- Must slide
- The jewelry rule
- Excuses about no lines
- Bat inspections
- Excuses based on not knowing the rules
- Coaches who talk as if I need their clinic

Yes, I know that after my many years, I should expect and ignore it, but like another topic, have to vent sometimes. :rolleyes:

I'm tired of hearing, "The umpire last week allowed (or didn't allow) that." and "What, we don't get a warning?"

I guess it's inevitable that coaches, players, parents will continue to ask the same questions. That's largely because the experience base from these demographics changes every year.

For every 20-year HS head coach there's probably a new middle school, freshman, or JV coach working their first season.

The same applies to umpires. Our NH apprentice class had about 30 members this year. They are a mix of "umpire in other associations" to "never officiated anything before". Some of these will likely fall out. (I was told in a clinic that the average time new ASA umpires stayed on was just over 2 years.) So some of the "only the strong survive" concept applies.

From an umpire perspective, I work w/ 30 year veterans, some of which make up their own rules. (EG: Pitcher in an ASA tournament for 10U hit 3 batters. Our umpire had her removed from the pitcher's position for the remainder of the game. Another tried to invoke the tie breaker in an intramural modified game.) I also work w/ newbies, as most everyone does.

I'm beginning my 9th year umpiring and see plenty of cringe-worthy moments from many participants, parents, umpires, etc. It's those people that allow us to all have a chuckle in forums like this. How boring it would be without them all. "Send in the clowns!" :D

Bang-bang play on the bases: "Blue, can you ask for help on that one?"

Over all I agree with you here.
Yet at the same time I have seen way to many umpires making the call before the play (usually calling the out) and the play does not go the way they called it and everyone knows it but the umpire who called it.

Not as bad if they at least ask the calling umpire, not always the PU. :eek:

And that has become endless in MLB. :eek: :(

Somehow I left out those who believe the strike zone is the catcher's mitt. :rolleyes:

Thank you, Instant Replay Review...

Coach: "Blue, can you ask for help on that one?"
Umpire: "Already did. God told me I got it right."

Especially when you are right on top of the play and your partner(s) are 50-60 feet away.

I always love the "can you check with your partner" with no real question to ask as to a pulled foot etc. Ok coach, so I have an out, if my partner says safe do we flip a coin to break the tie?

The problem is, we have too many colleagues in the trade that will acquiesce to a coach's request to go to a partner for help, so it's expected as the norm. They need to get a pair (no disrespect to the lady umpires) and tell the coach, "Don't need help, coach. I'm right on top of the play."

Or simply ask the coach "Did you see something that I might have missed?"

My response is a bit different; in my mind, your question has a likely answer the coach will consider cute ("Yes, the play (or call)") that I don't want to set up on the tee.

I ask "What specificially would you like me to ask my partner?" Depending on that reply, my next line is "Here is what I can ask: 1) Did she pull or not pull her foot? 2) Did she bobble or not bobble the ball? 3) Did your angle show a clearly missed tag, or did you see (or hear) an obvious tag I didn't. Unless I have already indicated I know I was blocked or had the wrong position or angle for how this play developed (or NCAA required 'help' at first or third on a pickoff), I cannot ask if my partner has a different judgment as to if the runner beat the throw (or tag) or vice versa; nor can my partner make me unsee what I saw, because the rulebook and manual are clear that this is my call, and judgment calls cannot be overturned by another umpire. So, with those guidelines, what do you want me to ask my partner?"

Naah, too wordy. :p

Did that Saturday, after telling him I could see the hand in that probably was blocked by the body from his dugout. After the game, the coach thanked me for talking about it.

My question back to the coach is "Why are you asking me to go for help?"

If the response is along the lines of, "I think my player beat the throw" or anything else that is basically disagreeing with my call, I respond with a shortened version of Steve's post...

Coach, just becuase you don't like the call is not a valid reason for me to consult with my partner(s). Let's play ball.

First request - brief statement of fact.

Second request - "Coach, what FACT do you think my partner witnessed that I did not, or are you questioning my judgment, if the latter, then the rules dictate the next course of action."

I have been guilty of this. I've gone for help too quickly when I was only 98% sure I'd made the right call, rather than 100%.

I've gotten better. Now I say NO if I'm in position, had a good angle, and am reasonable certain of what I've seen. And to parrot Andy, I make the coach tell me why they want the help and what they saw. If it's judgment only, nice talking to you but let's play ball.

I have no problem going to a partner if the coach has a specific question about something I possibly missed, and I know they may have had a better view than I did. I will not hesitate to give a coach 1 "ask" in a game with little substance, but if they want more than 1, they better have a specific reason.

I also tend to go to my partner more than many umpires anyway because I really feel we need to make sure we get all calls right. If there is any question in my mind, I will make a call, then when play ends, go to my partner. 99.9% of the time I saw things the same way. On occasion he/she will have additional information which will result in a changed call, but it is rare.