Well, I got evaluated on Sunday in an exhibition game at a players development camp. Several things went wrong, of course, one being distracted by a base ump that was not signalling any outs or safes (that's a long story in itself ... I'll spare you that one).

Bases loaded, no outs ... I signal to the base ump that the infield fly is a possibility ... base ump actually responds appropriately.

Pow! Big hit ... looks like it's going well into left field !!

Brain thinks " Hey, wait a moment, that looks like it might be an infield fly !!! No, it was hit way too hard. Yikes, the wind is holding the ball up over the shortstop !! Call it !! Call it !!! "

Vocal section fails to listen to brain. Ball drops next to SS. Play continues. Players/coaches seem oblivious.

I look to Mr. Evaluator, hoping to beg forgiveness but he is busy writing me up!!!

(And, of course, the obligatory nasty note about failing to wear those official $90 umpire pants.)

Talking to some other umps that day, several had similar stories about bad decisions on infield flies ... some funny ones about yelling out messed up versions of "Infield Fly, if fair batter is out!"

Sympathy, please.

It should be noted if you are not in the proper uniform, but anyone paying $90 for pants should be written up! :)

This scenario presents a few possibilities. Number one, the fact that it landed near the SS without being caught may be an indication that this particular batted ball could not be caught with ordinary effort by the SS.

Second, this is a correctable situation. As long as you do it before the next pitch, you can still rule that BR out. It takes a little humility, but it is the proper call. You didn't mention whether any runners were ruled out, so I will not enter the "in jeopardy" area recently discussed in another thread.

As an umpire, I don't care what order it is said as long as the words "infield fly", "if fair" and "out" are included in the call.

$90 canadian = ~$64 american ... i should have noted that ... what would "you american folks" pay for official umpire pants ????

(i do wear dark blue pants, just not official official ones)


yes, i failed to correct the call, too

yes, even with the wind, it ended up an ordinary effort fly ball

yes, the SS picked up the ball and threw the runner out at 3rd base ... again, other that me and the evaluator, no one seemed to be aware of the missed call

just blew it altogether ... shameful

$45 plus alterations and defication occurs. We all make mistakes. All we can do is learn from them.

Mike.....
I've finally got you on something--LOL, it's defecation not
defication.

Where is the spell checker
 

when you need it?

Re: Where is the spell checker
 

Next time, I'll just say ****.

Re: Re: Where is the spell checker
 

That's OK, Mike, it's just confirmation of what you said... http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung...ckepieksen.gif happens.

pants, not "official"
 

$30 at Sears, plus alteration to take in the waist.

Still don't know what makes them "official" or "base pants".

Re: pants, not
 

It's more difficult with heather gray than navy, but not impossible. Heather gray is not the usual dress pant gray color. I don't know what difference that really makes, since my "heather" gray pants are only the official color under the belt now, anyway - the sun takes care of that pretty quickly.

However, I have seen some umpires who wear off-the-rack pants that just look vastly out of place. They are obviously NOT uniform pants.

I can say there is a noticeable difference in thickness of fabric, tailoring for athletic use (i.e. seams that can "take it", lots of wide belt loops, etc.) between the Cliff Keen umpire pants and your typical K-Mart fare. The lengendary Fechheimers were even better.

Re: Re: pants, not
 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Dakota

Quote:

The lengendary Fechheimers were even better.

Were? They are still around and still my favorite. The only thing that Fechheimer quit making are the combos....unless...

Do you know something I don't know?

Sorry for being overly general - I was referring to the combos.

OK, I guess we locals just don't know as much as you nationals, or just aren't interested in our partners' pants (other than those semi-charcoal and almost royal blue things). I ordered a pair of navy from ASA once and I hate the waistband, so maybe that's when I got off the track.

Re: pants, not
 

I agree with Cecil-1-

The Sears pants are great. $30.00 regular price and
19.50 when on sale....Blue are grey normally will match
whatever your partner is wearing, unless he happends to
shop "Wally - World"

glen

I still feel that you cannot beat the "real" umpire pants for wear and tear, not to mention looks. To me it is worth the extra few bucks!

Please define "real" umpire pants !

Pants made for "real" umpires! ;)

After a few years of trying KWorld, WallyWorld and SWorld pants, I bit the bullet and started ordering all my pants, navy and the heather grey from the ASA National Office. Not only do they look better, they wear better, have reinforced seams, take a lot of washings and never look shiny!
So, do yourself a favor, if you want to look as good as possible, buy from either Keen or ASA. If your legs nor shin guards are huge, you can get by without buying the plate pants. I wore only the base pants and looked good!!

...and it DOES take more than OJT to become the best!!

The Sears Flex pants, grey or blue or still the way
to go....I have slacks over six years old, and I will
match neatness with anyone....Joel, If he is still
about will verify my statement. They hold a crease
have not faded anymore than any other makes, including
the "real Umpire" slacks....

Try'em you'll like'em.

glen

[QUOTE]Originally posted by CecilOne

Quote:

Please define "real" umpire pants !

I believe that Tom and Elaine have already done that for me! ;)

Really though, I was just referencing the pants that are manufactured soley for the purpose of umpiring, such as those made by Fechheimer, Cliff Keen, Honig...etc.

I bet you did!

" I wore only the base pants and looked good!!"

Round these parts when women wear "only the pants" they are subject to a ticket. That is if the crowd that inevitably gathers lets the cops near her. We men are such pigs.

HAHAHAHAHA!

I did not see that coming! However, I'm sure there were a few risque' moments at tournaments--especially since we dressed (and undressed) altogether, men & women.

Here's a funny---

At my 1st ASA National, I was called in 2 days prior to the start as a 'host umpire' for a 14U Slowpitch here in Metro Atlanta. I was very NERVOUS. The umpires had a construction trailer at the back of the park that was divided into 1 large room (food, drinks, sitting area), 2 medium sized rooms, 1 for dressing, 1 for UIC (Bob Savoie) and coordinator. There were 41 umpires, only 3 female.
So, I do my 1st game at 1st base, and have 1 off before I go back as PU. I'm polishing my extra pair of shoes in my T-Shirt, slacks and socks. In comes another crew hot and sweaty. One guy unzips and drops trou to floor, I thought I was going to die!! THEN I see the SPANDEX! No one had ever told me to wear spandex shorts and a sports bra--that way I could change in front of the guys and expose no more than a bathing suit would. HAHAHA After that episode, I always wore spandex shorts or the long pants that wick away sweat (and kept my double knee shin guards from rubbing my knees), and I had several sports bras.
Oh well, the life of a female umpire! Sometimes it got a little bawdy, but after that day, I enjoyed every second!

undressed) altogether
 

Hmmm

Glen,

Sears flex slacks are great. All I have ever bought. i have worn them in two nationals, and have always been graded excelent for uniform.