A Blue's Blog

Softball tourny

noreply@blogger.com (cwtstraydog(c) (TM)) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:37:00 +0000

Fucking 4am to drive 120 mi. To umpire girls softball? yeah that's me. 04:50 AM July 18, 2008 from txt
I get a late e-mail and a call. Will i and my son son drive out friday morn to umpire out of town. the shoel tourny is shit and the tournement director is in trouble.
Yeah sure this could be fun,. Yes lots of games to make it worth your time and they have a hotel room for you

No sir every bit of that ball was fair. 11:03 AM July 18, 2008 from txt
First game out fresh chalk and wet grass. Low inside pitch batter ripps it up the third base line. (batter side is third side so defense coach is on first side). ball sails no more than two feet off the ground. touches centered on the chalk ten feet past third. and rolls to the out field fence (275 feet). defense coach wants a do over so he comes out on me "how can that ball be fair?" because iot wa son the line coach and you KNOW the line is fair. there is no way that ball was fair. coach you argue fair-foul one more sentence and you will not be here to watch the rest of the game. it was not fair. you are now confined to the dugout. oh don't do me any favors. no sir i am doing me a favor because now you have to sit quitely for the rest of [looking at watch] 62 minutes.
He did too not a peep not a chirp.

Coach: how can you call it a strike? Me: like this (standard strike mechanics) 03:45 PM July 18, 2008 from txt
This was game 4 just above the knees a full ball on the plate with a 2 an oh count. coach from third scream how can you call that a strike? I say like this and i call "strike" and hold up my fist. that was not a strike. sir you cna not stay there and argue balls and strikes with me today. can i do it from the dug out? the stands start laughing, no you can do it from the parking lot. now go. you are out of here (Real big like)

Son: hey dad I had a coach tell me I was too young to umpire his game. Me: Did you take his money? Son: yes. Me: there you go! 08:08 PM July 18, 2008 from txt
yes they think that because he is young he can not call a game. i told him that when a coach pulls that at the plate meeting that is the money you take. you make it a point to take that coaches money. it is about being a bully and that is what the coaches want to do.

Parent: good game Me:thanks Parent:must be hard. Me:about as hard as it gets 08:09 PM July 18, 2008 from txt
this was a tie game from innning 1 and it was about 110º and the guy that was to be my partner did not have plate gear and i was not going to share my mask with him as that is something very personal to me so i doubled down. home pulled a run on a squeeze play at the very end of the game. funny thing was as i figured that was the coaches signal but the other team did not and the whole thing was unbeiveabley tight and well excecuted

Here I go again...... 06:51 AM July 19, 2008 from txt
saturday and i really wanted to stay in bed another 1 or 5 hours. i had the 12:30 game and the room they had staying in was a motel 6 that had gone section 8 assisted living and there was a very large contingnet of riff raff so i choose to stay at another hotel. i got there about 2 showered and crashed and got up and headed out for th 8:00am game.

Hey blue that was a terrible call. yeah? I bet everything looks good in the shade 03:59 PM July 19, 2008 from txt
you know these parents sit in the shade on the comfortable shairs and think they can see the game better than me. they see balls and strikes better than me. they see the foul tips better than me. they think that bangers are always in there favor like the gods have told them that all close calls belong to you because you are you. do not tell me you saw the play batter than me from 60 feet through a fence, a fielder, a runner, an umpire, and from a sitting position. you dumb mouth breathing sinner shut the fuck up and watch your kid play some fucking ball.

11 games X 30=330-120 room-60 gas-30 proper hydration-30 new shirt=90 for two days of the best umpiring I have ever done. I gave those bastards ... ... 11:11 AM July 20, 2008 from txt

The best officiating they could have ever got. 11:11 AM July 20, 2008 from txt
the TD double booked games in the bracket which game the impression of more games so they promised more games and then find out they made a mistake and they canceled most of my games. they hired soem of the lousest umpires i have ever witnessed. some of these guys had no uniforms at all. some of these guys did not really know a strike from a ball a safe from an out. it was pure bedlam. this makes my job harder because the teams come from a field with that crap and they expect it from me and they are already hating me before i get started. i made sure my game was tight. i missed a total of 9 pitches in 10 games. and i missed 6 in my last game. i felt like an umpire, knew i looked like an umpire, and aside from some minor grousing i had an event free tournement

Back to reality and assholes hahahaha 06:53 AM July 21, 2008 from txt
Back to the real job

take no shit!

noreply@blogger.com (cwtstraydog(c) (TM)) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 18:37:00 +0000

This weekend I umpired a state tournament. No this was not a World Series but the winner received a berth to a world series and no again, it would not be a world series that would be on ESPN.
I started the weekend by doing 9s. Aaaahh nine year olds so focused so attentive so unable to stop the ball before it hits the umpire. Dads in the back with radar guns and talking about curves and sliders and changeups.
If I have, one more dad tell me to hang with the curve I swear I will eat him with red beans and rice and wash the entire meal down with the blood of a badger.
Therefore, I have done this tourney a few times in the past few years and I know this is life and death, the winner of every game gets to decide the gas prices, someone's grandmother is held captive by ninjas and her life and the life of 500 virgins hang on the balance of this game. However, I also know that the shit has to be stopped before it gets out of hand.
I decide to approach it differently then in the past. In the past, I wait until I can no longer take the insults the jabs the drive bys and I warn a coach and then I never ever get to eject him because I keep re-drawing the line. Therefore, this year I am drawing the line at the top and hold it fast.
First chirp gets a "we are not going there today. We are not going there do I make myself clear?" I start the plate meeting with a personable pleasant attitude and humor but when they chirp I jerk the lease tight and hard. This seemed to be very effective.
My son said that he was embarrassed at one point because I came out too fast on one dad but when I asked my son if he thought the game was more enjoyable after the dad was told to keep quite. He admitted that I was right.
I did 18 games in three days I will not talk about all 18 as many went with no issue.

Game one 9s
Red vs. white
I on bases and newbie [not my son] on plate.
No one on
Screamer up third base line
I pivot but I peek at the ball as it passes third (it is foul but I hear no indication)
[I now that if I do not hear foul I am going to have a shit storm on my hands]
I watch the runner cross first and go to second I hear the shit storm thunder "what's the call blue?.....you have to make a call blue!" now there is no way to convey the anger and rage that is in this voice but trust me when I turned I expected to see this coach holding my 16 year old partner by the throat.
Runner stops I turn to handle the shit storm and there is my partner doe eyed and in full panic mode. The coach is screaming and he is not telling the coach a thing. I call time and the coach starts to come out to me. I hold the umpire hand out to him and tell him to stay there he keeps coming "No coach you will go to the dug out right now!" he stops. I offer the umpire a chance to come talk to me.
"What’s the call?"
I do not know
It is either fair or foul
What do you think?
First, I was not supposed to look, I should not make that call from first base line. You had the angle it was your ball.
Yeah I know but I do not know what to call it.
Well in this case ... what is the count?
Two Two
OK if you call it foul everybody gets to go back and the batters count does not change.
I peeked at the drive and I can say that it was foul but do not plan on that rather help all the time be ready to make a call.
OK I will call it foul.
He calls it foul and not a soul complains not one chirp.
Later in the same, there is contact and although I did not see it as I watched my play, I know it was malicious. The world is screaming at the kid the pitcher is 8 feet from the plate and the runner is trotting back to the dug out. I call time the coach again wants to yell at me I hold him at bay and I talk to my partner.
The runner is out
No pitcher dropped the ball
No the runner is out for contact
You have to decide was the contact malicious.
No, it was not
Are you sure, because my back was turned on another potential play.
Yes, it was not malicious.
Turn around and call the runner out for contact he did not exercise one of his four options.
He turns, calls the runner, the coach comes out to me you cannot turn his call over.
No, I cannot
However, you just did
No, I did not
He changed his call
However, you told him to
no I did not we discussed the rule and clearly your player failed to slide, your player failed to stop, your player failed to go around, and he clearly failed to go back, so the only discussion we had was to eject him and you or just call him out.
Is he ejected?
Are you still in this game talking to me?
He turns and goes back to the dug out.
I explain the conditions to the other coach. He wants malicious contact I tell him I cannot give him that because I did not see the play.
Why not?
Because you might have wanted that out at second too.
We did not get one at second but you might have and I would have missed it if I were watching the play at home.
OK you are right.
Thanks coach.

Game 3 nine
Me on bases
Newbie [not my son] on plate (you have to do it at some point)
He gets a fucked up convoluted play at the plate and I would have made the same call as him but the coach wants to yell and intimidate the young man. He yells, "That is horrible that is terrible that is totally UN acceptable"
I call time and I make the coach walk all the way to me at first base. I tell him that his attitude is horrible that it is a terrible example and that it is unacceptable and if he is to lose his cool one more time, I do not care the reason and how much time is left on the clock I will send him to the parking lot and then my report will ensure that he is out for the rest of the tournament.
He says that I am right and that he is sorry
I tell him that he needs to apologize to the players not me.

Game 13
White vs. blue nine
98ºF 88%H
High shoulder pitch for the third ball in a row at the top of the first half (third pitch of the game) white moans and says something.
I turn and say We Will Not Go There Today. No, we will not. Am I clear?
Five heads nod yes
An out later runner steals third catcher throws and beats the runner but the fielder is too slow to swipe a proper tag my son calls the runner safe.
A coach screams BULLSHIT!
I did not hear it
My son did and he turned and in three steps crossed from third to first base line and says to the white team "there will be no profanity on the fields at any time". The five coaches all look like whip lash victims. Here is a 16-year-old telling 30-year-old gansta/MS13 looking men to stop swearing and he does so with all the authority of a grown man. I tell you I was never so proud at that moment.
Not a word fro the rest of the inning.
At the half-blue coach comes down to warm the pitcher. “I am going to call you the no nonsense umpires"
It is too hot to deal with anything other than just baseball.
He agrees.
My son arrives at the plate
I say to him "a warning for profanity?" man that coach owes you a steak dinner." he has no idea that he should be in his car right now.
My son says he did not know which coach said it.
I said if you had tossed the manger, he would have ponies the man up right quick
Yeah you are right
Wow, he is lucky I did not hear the profanity.
The white coach walks up, apologizes, and says that he has the situation under control.
My son says I hope so because it will not be tolerated around these young men.
You are right blue I am sorry
((You know what? My son fucking rocks!))(At 16 he gets it, he has the maturity to do the things it takes to be a man. I did not I was still trying to live and stay alive)

Game 16
Green vs. Blue 13s
me at the dish
3 minutes left of playtime losing team at the plate
Coach complains about a narrow escape at home.
I hear something from his side about picking sides
In addition, he has just said, "you have to call that pitch for both sides blue"
I stop the game.
"Coach, I know that there is 3 minutes left to play and I do not care if there is 30 seconds left to play if I hear one more remark that questions my integrity of my sportsmanship I will toss you to the parking lot and then call ball game.
Do not ever question my honesty I am not here to pick a winner I am here to make the decisions the two coaches cannot.
Yes blue I am sorry.

Game 18
Championship 12s
Yellow vs. white
This game was a tightly played well-pitched game that resembled two boxers in the ring trading punches. Honest to god the first two innings had no more than 13 pitches thrown.
No runner advanced past third base, we played for 3 hours something like 8 innings, and the game ended 7-0.
How you might asked.
White’s #12 was on the mound and the coach told me he was going to sub him in this half as he only had one out left in his allowable count for the tournament, but he was going to let him pitch while his number 2 boys was warming up.
Are you?
Yes.
Yellow coach says hey coach you now he has only one out right.
Yeah I am going to leave him in for it. Thanks for reminding me.
No problem.
I start the game. The pitcher clearly walks the first batter to burn sometime.
I look to white coach to see if he wants time.
I let the yellow batter in the box and he sees three balls and then the pitcher lets one drop into the zone just enough and the batter hits it to third. Third scoops and throws to second. OUT! In addition, the second turns and throws to first for a banger. OUT!
The play could have gone the other excessively. The white coach drops to his knees. The yellow coach is calmly walking up to me. The players and the parents have no clue what just happened except a double play was made and on a bang bang. The umpire on the field has no idea either because he is going back to his position.
Yellow coach goes to me and says the pitcher has pitched too many outs. Yes, I think you may be right, get the tourney director.
The white coach is now explaining to his side what just happened. My partner hears and he just smiles.
The tourney director confirms that the double was too many outs and the white has to forfeit the game.
I told my partner that this is the first time in history that a defensive coach is pissed that an umpire called a double play.

Ejection report

noreply@blogger.com (cwtstraydog(c) (TM)) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 16:02:00 +0000

Ejection report

So this week-end was a real humdinger.

A pushed tournament schedule.
Rain and power pushed Friday’s games to Saturday and that pushed Saturday down.

Saturday
Red vs. blue (me at the plate)
Red coach refuses to come to the plate while we wait for him to write out his line up. He could have done that while he waited the 30 mins (damn should have thought of that at the time).
Then during the plate meeting he refuses to listen and would not even face the other coach or my self or my partner. I covered 2 of the 6 things in plate before I said "we will flip and you (blue) were here first so you get to call it.
My partner said really is that all?
Yes that is the important things and we will cover the rest when they come up.
Blue loses the flip
My partner said this is going to be a rough game
Red wants to know why
I said rough crowd rough game
My partner said we are on the clock
Red get your boys on the field and get them to work
They need to warm up
No they have got to warm up get them on the field
No we need to warm up you are running 30 mins late that is your fault
No it is not my fault and you will get them on the field
No we need to warm up
You are burning his clock too now get to work]
Red says the other coach "we will get on the field in 3 or five minutes"
No will get on the field now you have had 10 mins already
No we have not
I pull out my watch and look at it yes you have now get on the field
Some dad gets on the field for something and yells "let’s not worry about little arms lets just stay on schedule"
I say to the red coach “you are responsible for your spectators this is your one and only warning"
He gets his boys on the field.
Three pitches in and off the plate by two balls red coach says "WHAT?"
I take off my mask "and say very nicely "We are not going to go there today am I clear?"
No nod, no acknowledgement, but I know he knows
I have a thing that was taught to me in all my clinics about game management "do not let the batters stand and time the pitches while the pitcher is warming up. They are to be in the dirt circle. If you do they could get beaned by the pitcher in the box and if I let them time then I better not say a word about the intentional pitch." So I do not let them do so.
At one point the red coach asks me "why not let them cross?"
I reply "because I said so."
He wants to know "is it a rule?"
Yes it is
At what level?
USSSA to high school to college to major leagues
Really?
Yes it states that the umpire behind the plate is in charge and because I say they can't, they can't.
Oh
And now every half it are trying to get on the other side.
About the fifth inning in reds batter bunts and is in fair territory I call batter out and send everyone back
He wants to know why
I said he was in fair territory when he struck the ball it is a dead ball play no one advances
He says he knows that
Then why did you ask
I wanted to know why the batter was out
And I told you that the batter was in fair territory when he struck the ball and it is a dead play no one advances what is the problem?
No problem.
Then after the half he wants to know where his player was
I told him he was in fair territory (with out moving from my position on the side)
I know but exactly where was his foot
Ok sure I will do you a favor and I step just out side of where the box would be and in font of the plate
Ok
then he goes to the back stop where all the fucking whinny dads are and they begin to have a conversation about "he can't see balls and strikes how can he see where the foot is?" today I am fresh and full of Job and patience I let it go in retrospect or the next day I should have popped the dad on the spot.
The coach bitches and whines like a school girl about how he is never coming here for another tournament (but the babies all say the same thing but guess who you see later next month?)
Game finishes and that is Saturday

Sunday is a bitch it was 100ºF 87% humidity and every field is running late and I have commitments that evening
Blue vs. white (different blue) (me on bases [I hate the bases more work than the plate and I am not in charge])
Blue is whining about some of the pitches but too bad nothing serious and that is my partner’s problem, not mine.
A couple of pick off move that were not even close and you can hear the thunder on the horizon. I have a hungry near sighted coach. Ah Hah! Something is going to happen.
A play at second from the catcher to short not even freaking close!
Blue jumps up and screams "Jesus make a call!"
I call time and motion for the coach to come out to me (I make it a long walk too).
Coach I will not tolerate another out burst like that this is your one and only warning. Am I clear?
He nods
I am sorry I have a deaf ear I did not hear your answer
Yes
Ok then let’s finish the game.
Yes I know I am a fucker at times but you can not sit there in the fucking shade on a fucking bucket over 80' and watch me make a safe call and tell me that I am not making calls. I am making fucking calls all over the place I made calls at first and I made calls at second and I made calls at third. Safe is a call. When I am in B and C position I make calls in the out field too "catch" "no-catch"
Make a call indeed! Harumpff bastard coach whose breath smells of ass!

Red vs. green (different red) (me at the plate)
Plate is nice and crisp but I smell shit in the air.
Greens second batter is rung up on an outside pitch clearly a strike be he just fucking froze. He bangs the plate and yells "that was not a strike!"
I call time and I approach the coach "that player is now on warning for sportsmanship conduct another out burst and I will eject him"
Yes sir that was not tolerable and we will fix it ASAP
Thank you
Top of two the pitcher throws 3 balls off the plate (as far off the plate as three balls) the catcher is signaling they are strikes. On the fourth that was a high pitch at the damn freaking shoulder the parents become a choir.
On the second walk they break into a rendition "oh my god" "that is terrible" "he is horrible pick" "a damn strike zone" it is an eruption of wailing to their pagan baseball gods.
I call time I approach red's coach
Sir you are responsible for your spectators this is your warning and you will not get another do you understand.
No I do not
Well let me explain it to you then
You are responsible for your players your coaches and your spectators. Your spectators are not behaving in a sportsman like manner that is expected from the stands as well in the dug out.
But they are fans I have no control
Then you better because I will eject you for them
You can not do that
You are now just arguing with me, go to the parking lot!
What you can not do that

Which ones
I turn and with out really looking that one and that one
Why them
Because I was asked to pick and they were closest to the parking lot
I can not do that
Ok let me make it easier for you then. You and a player. you want to pick or no let me, you number one....
I will go
I turn go back to the plate I hold the game until I saw him walk past the backstop.
the tournament director came up shortly and asked what is happening
I explain the the stands were arguing balls and strikes I gave the coach a warning he began to argue with me I sent him to the parking lot and he argues soem more so I began to pick players to be ejected.
did you eject a player
No not yet but if it keeps up I will
At this point some old stinky man walked up and began to yell at me. I went back to my game.
The reds catcher began rolling his eyes on every ball call and on every play that was safe he would yell "of course they are not going to call that". (You know here I thought I was being nice)I finally bent down and told the catcher that he better not say any more like that because he can be replaced. (I could have talked to the coach and just gave him his warning right then but I was meaning to give the catcher two this one and then the one to the coach if it continued) But this was clearly a mistake on my part. I should have just replaced the catcher from the top of remarks and been done with it.
Red loses and I am baked. I am fucking down. I lost my 3:30 game because of all the games running late (they gave the game to someone else)
I am at my car getting undressed and the red team is passing through the parking lot and stinky comes shuffling through
"That was the worst game ever"
Thank you. Have a nice day sir
He begins to walk towards telling about how terrible I was.
Sir does not come any closer
Do not step any closer
I reached for my phone
I am going to call the police if you come any closer
He stopped when I put the phone to my ear
You said you were going to eject the catcher to get into his head he said.
No that is not what was said.
Trailing cries of anguish as I explain to dispatch that I no longer was in need of a police officer.
Yes ma'am I am ok there is no danger. I am an umpire and I thought I was going to have trouble with a fan but he has decided to depart. Sorry to have bothered you. Yes I am sure.
They called back. LOL no ma'am everything is all right.

You know if they would just enforce day care for the parents and mandate coaching classes for the managers my life would be easier and I would probably get paid less. Oh well
Happy day it is Monday and I am still alive.

Ejection Report

noreply@blogger.com (cwtstraydog(c) (TM)) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:36:00 +0000

Coach pitch 7:30 game
Red vs White
Game start was 7:39
partner on plate
Top of 4th 1 out runner on second
Vistors 9
Home 3
Ball was hit hard down 3rd base line
partner calls foul coaches run the players regardless
Runner on second crosses home and partner is still calling foul.
Red coach comes running down first base line yelling and waving his arms "Who called foul?" "Who called foul?" (Coach had been hostile and challenging through out the game).
partner indicates she called foul and he yelled some more and began to get into partner’s face.
I stepped up and the coach yelled at me "How can she call foul?"
I replied “Because the ball was fielded in foul territory”
He yelled and I told him to calm down
He yelled and I told him to stop yelling at me
He yelled and I told him this was his last warning
He yelled and I told him that he was to leave the game and that he was done.
He yelled some more and then he tried to stay in the dugout and yell some more.
I told him that he was to go to the parking lot.

baseball this saturday

noreply@blogger.com (cwtstraydog(c) (TM)) — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 00:11:00 +0000

Blue vs Yellow
Close tag play at second
Partner calls him out
The yellow coach charges the field "how can you call him out?"
My partner looks to him "first of all coach there is a live ball on the field and you need to call time, now go back and ask for time."
He goes back to the foul line calls time my partner grants the coach just yells at him about his call
partner: "now coach that will be enough there is no need to act this way.
Coach: blah blah more yelling
partner: No coach that will be enough
coach: i am not trying to argue with you but blah blah more yelling
Partner: that is enough you need to stop
Me: coach coach COACH!
Coach (now turns on me): he can not make that call he was out of...
Me: my partner said that will be enough you are not listening that will he enough
coach: He can not
Me: no that is enough
coach: i am not arguing
Me: no that is enough
coach: But
Me: No coach you are down to stopping this now or the parking lot
coach: No listen he not in position he can not
Me: No coach you are done that is enough you are to go to the parking lot
Me: no coach to the parking lot
he leaves we finish the game
i talk to the tourney director
he talks to the team
he comes back and asks did you give him a warning?
yes several
They said you did not
Well they are wrong
Yeah they usually are
The director talks to the UIC
the UIC says that a warning must contain the word warning
Crap shit fuck damn shit fucking damn fuckers.

I fucked a rule and I missed another ejection on a player yellow batter runner collided with first baseman in a malicious manner but I missed it enough to not call it and then in mental replay I should have thrown the player out.
The rule. When the pitcher steps off and wild throws it is two bases not one shit damn shit damn

You can not do what i do

noreply@blogger.com (cwtstraydog(c) (TM)) — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 19:56:00 +0000

I am calling this post;
If you can not do what I do, do not try to tell me how to do it.

My life is a dead corpse and I am exposed naked flesh of my mothers sins and father transgressions.
My torture is the ropes of my past pressed into my throat and my genitals are stuffed into my mouth.
My tears are acid on my cheeks cutting through the dirt of my failures.
My screams are the thunderous laughter of a sitcom laugh track being played over the actions of my enemies stabbing me in the back.
My world is lit with demon fire spot lighting my fears.
My failures are graffiti on the walls for the world to see.

Other notes of my past week
Baseball everyday last week except one day of softball. I can not remember a single incident to mention.
This week end I did 13 games
Friday no issues
Saturday two in the morn with my son
I double plated for him as he felt under the weather.
When we were done he commented on how well I ran the games and that my zone was rock solid
Then I had two 14's
Good games. But I was a prick and did not mean to be. (For once can you believe it?)
I had a banger at first from "C" I rang the boy up for the third out.
The coach came to me and asked if he could appeal that call
Without meaning to I chuckled and said "absolutely not I saw that play all the way in and it was my call"
He turns and shoots a drive by I felt the foot was pulled hats all.
I think about what I said and how I sounded and asked my partner "was I just a prick?"
Well you sounded cocky
Shit that was not what I meant at all
Should I go talk to the coach about it?
naw it is too late he can just stew on it but this is how you should have approached it. And he instructed me on the proper conversation
Then I close the day with 2 more games with my son
Again I had a banger at 1st from "C" but this time I was out of angle but the ball got there first punched the ticket
1st base coach called time I looked and him he asked the right way " hey blue can you get some help on that because the foot was off the bag and your partner may have seen it better from his angle."
I turn and there is the other coach trying to chew on my partner.
Coach get to your box now. it is my call But but
No, coach go back to your place
He began to argue and I started to turn I was going to drop the whole thing right there.
He left to his box
I ask my partner was the foot off or on?
it was off
shit shit shit this is going to suck!
yeah I know
are you sure?
yes I am sure it is going to suck
I smile
Ok then here comes the shit storm
I turn "runner is safe get the team back on the field.
Screams and yells and crying and yelling
The defensive coach starts to yell at my partner
I step up
Coach that is my call talk to me
How can you let him over turn that
That is not the way to do that
No coach he did not over turn anything
Yes he did
No I was asked the correct way if I could get some help since I was angled out and may have missed the pulled foot.
I asked for another angle I got some input and I changed my call
Now get your team on the field
he starts "you know I have played pro ball for eight years and umpired too and you guys always seem to screw this up"
This conversation is over get your team on the field and get in the dugout I turn
The team piles back on and the coach asks for a warm up for his pitcher
No he does not need one.
What why not
Because I said so
After a run scores they get the third out.
I walk up to my partner as the coach is chewing on my partner
I start to explain again and gets quippy with my tone gets loud (bad thing)
Why are you yelling at me
I am not yelling I talking louder because you are not listening
Yes I am
No you are not. Because I said this conversation is over and you are still trying to talk about this
I am talking to your partner about the play
While I am here to talk to him and you are looking at me as you talk that means you are talking to me about something I told you was over. See you do not listen
I stand there looking at him not saying a word he finally walks away.
My partner said you know you interrupted me as I was bout to eject him
Oh man I am sorry shit your first ejection I took it away from you I am so sorry really I feel real bad
That’s ok let me handle my game my way.
Yes you are right I am sorry
I stayed out after that.
Then I was on the plate for the last game of the day and I had contact at the plate I deemed non-malicious but he was out
The defense wanted an ejection
I told it was not malicious and that the boy was attempting to slid. he was going down head first with his hands out looking at the ground, his hands never
Made contact with the catcher but they did collide
Coach yelled at me about how a slide works I just look at him blankly
Then I saw coach I know what a feet first slide is and what it looks like but I do not know why you are screaming at me about something I have already ruled on.
Now go back to the dug out and never approach me like this again.
I turned and went back to the plate.
Sunday
14s
I got many compliments about my zone from both sides.
My partners all said I could have gotten a little wider but in all I was rock solid.
My last 14yo game
Green was losing by a huge number and it was down to the last 12 minutes
Dribbler to short
Short scoops and throws late (he double pumped) but it gets there in time and the runner throws his shoulder into the first basemen knocking him down
I point that is malicious and the runner is ejected just as my partner is doing the same
The coach comes to me
Are you really ejecting my player?
Yes
\ This late in the game
Yes I do not want to see him on the field or in your dugout.
But that was not malicious the fielder was covering the bag
No coach your player had an avenue to the bag that did not require throwing his shoulder into the basemen and you know it
So he is ejected?
Yes coach he is ejected.
We finish the game and green loses.
I close the day on an 11AAA consolation game with a team that ate my lunch last year
And the only thing they could chirp about was a third strike that may have been dropped
I was obstructed and I looked at my partner for indication I got none so let them start the throw to first
My partner calls the batter out that the strike was caught and A fucker dad yells well he was not saying anything
I turn with a big smile on my face to him (He was outside but I talked to him anyways) your catcher blocked my view so that made the call my partners call and I do not have to make that call if the catcher blocks my view.
Everyone laughed at the dad and the frankness of the whole exchange like yeah you know that!
Not another peep from fucker
the game came down to 9 to 0 at the top of 4 visitor still can not score so now at bottom of 4 we get a walk and he steals second a bad throw puts him on his way to third and a pass ball puts the ball into the dugout fence it rattles about by the fence and touches a non player standing out side of the dug out.
Dead ball runner goes home ball game
The coaches all knew that was the right call and they just said "line up"
That was my horribly slow and boring weekend
I know I am late with another review but I was working till 10:30 every night last week and this week too.

9A

noreply@blogger.com (cwtstraydog(c) (TM)) — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 20:51:00 +0000

Two games one by my self. i should have thought about it and left the plate shoes at the car and just worn the field shoes they are much lighter.
I had someone passing by at the end of the first game and jump on to help me out. Thanks!
9A what can i say the pitches were either right there or they were not.
At one point i had R3 and a ball four walk. batter-runner trots up to first and then breaks to second.
the defensive coach calls time. I grant. he asks "thought that was a ball four walk"
it was
then i am kind of wondering why the runner is standing on second base.
Because he stole second
oh, can he do that?
If he could not i would have sent him back.
Oh Ok then
we play and the game finishes no-one is hurt and no-one is too made.
i am again asked about the second base steal i explain it to him and that is is
second game had not a thing to note and i was sharp and my timing was awesome!

8AA Coach Pitch

noreply@blogger.com (cwtstraydog(c) (TM)) — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 15:39:00 +0000

1 game
I was sloppy i did not like my game at all.
Coach pitching is a pitcher not a coach but i let him act the part of a coach.
my outs were good and my safes were crap.
I lost the count once and may have kicked a call at 2nd base. it was a banger and i called safe. thinking back i should have called out because the little hop off the bag may not have been off the bag at all.
These are the little things that just eat my lunch for days afterwards.
especially when it looks like the coach was managing me fuck fuck fuck.
The pitcher coach came to me calling interference as i was watching the ball in the outfield. then said do not call it is ok.
then began to complain about the boy on the bag blocking the bag. i told the coach that i was working hard for him and that if there was obstruction i would see it.
the coach from the other team came to me and asked about the conversation i told him the coach was saying that there was interference at third but i was making sure the ball was a catch/no catch. and before i could finish the statement the coach asked for time to talk to his baseman. i said yes i gave 30 seconds and then told him we were ready to play he made a drive by comment about rushing him off the field.
I told him he asked for time i gave him plenty of time and to get off the field.
I should have told the coach complaining about interference to keep mum and that he was just a pitcher.
These things just tear me up.

Saturday 6 baseball

noreply@blogger.com (cwtstraydog(c) (TM)) — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 16:53:00 +0000

14a
a couple things to note. need some zone resharpening and work on my damn timing.
had a player look at me on a good third strike call and say "are you serious? that was i the dirt!"
told the coach i was not going to put up with that from any of the players

bases good.

10a
coach was a jerk. first he refused to show at the plate meeting then he came late and interrupted with everything that was already covered. I told his assistant that he was still the one to talk to me if there was a question.
great game got pegged alot.
called a batters interference and the batter cried. coach wanted a warning and i told him not at this level.
second game nothing to note slow and quite.

10a
had a pass ball on a third base lead third baseman grabbed the runner as the runner tried to advance. wished i could have awarded first.
out of play over throw awarded home from second (runner had achieved second and was on way to third) coached wanted a ruling explained that one base on dugout two on out of play. coach then said he knew that he just wanted to test me.
I told the coach that i had all the testing to get certified and that i would not have to take any more test.
he looked at me and knew what i meant.

Rec league

noreply@blogger.com (cwtstraydog(c) (TM)) — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 16:50:00 +0000

Thursday
Softball
Two games 10U and 18U. nothing to really note. i was sloppy on bases and lost the number of walks on the plate (two walks then coach assist).

noreply@blogger.com (cwtstraydog(c) (TM)) — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 22:41:00 +0000

varsity girls softball
good money good ball
had some soft strikes that i missed
and some balls that i probably could have pulled into the strike zone.
I am getting pressure to join the high school officials organization but i do not want to as they are rife with politics and bickering

I did some JV baseball
was nice and clean on the bases but got a little screwy behind the plate.
at one point i got caught watching a baseball game instead of umpiring. thank god my partner was fast and made the call at third.
sorry dude!

Did some league softball
this was nice because i could work on my strike zone and and my field positioning.

baseball starts next month

noreply@blogger.com (cwtstraydog(c) (TM)) — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 14:11:00 +0000

Baseball season starts next week.
so does Softball.
This year i am signed up for tournaments for both sports and for both leagues.
Looks like i will be doing softball two nights a week and baseball two nights and starting this weekend i will be doing tournaments every weekend.
Good because i was feeling low on hatred and anger.
Time to filler up.
Coaches! we are on the clock!

"do not argue with an idiot. people watching will not be able to tell the difference"

5 games this weekend

noreply@blogger.com (cwtstraydog(c) (TM)) — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 20:54:00 +0000

2 12 year old games
Plate was good no arguments and no real close calls

3 coach pitch games
a couple coaches chirping about calling time too soon.
A couple got upset when i stopped them from defensive coaching on the fence. one had the nerve to bring his cell phone with the rules to me and put it in my face. i told him that if that was not put away right now he was going to have to leave.
I stated the rules are no coaching from the fence and that is that.
Some whinnying and that was that.
Nothing else to say either i was that good or they were that relaxed.

8 games round robin

noreply@blogger.com (cwtstraydog(c) (TM)) — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 14:15:00 +0000

All games are 55 minutes
Game 1
plate 55 minutes 12u fast pitch
Lost the bottom half of the zone for 3 pitches. reminded me that timing was utmost in calling balls and strikes one never wants to lose a strike.

Game 2
plate 55 minutes 12u fast pitch
tipped ball down with 2 strikes
I watched ball with all clarity and full vision
ball hits dirt and into glove
i call "foul"
coach calls time
says that the ball was caught
No coach i watched that ball all the way to the dirt and into the glove
can you ask for help on that?
No coach i saw the play clearly and there was no obstruction to my view i saw dirt fly and then leather.
coach is pissed.
pitcher pitches ball 3 now full count
Pitcher pitches dribbler to short and batter oput before getting to the 2/3rd mark on the baseline
After the game my partner says he thought the ball was caught. I know what i saw and i can not for the life of me figure these things out when a partner says that there was something different.

Game 3
Bases
Timing good a couple bangers but i sell them with the timing it is amazing what timing will do for an umpire.

Game 4
Bases
same as game 3

Game 5
plate
Nothing to say
Lost 1 strike high outside. if i had waited another second i would have called that a strike

game 6
Plate lost 2 strikes at the bottom of the zone again. but i also lost 3 balls so i was ahead by 1 strike yeah me. timing timing timing gad damn it john slow the fuck down what is your hurry.
At some point i pissed off the third base coach. i do not know exactly what the deal was because it was sort of random but the coach came half way down from the third base line and yelled at me to clean the plate. I could see the corners and the front edge and the dirt was minimal.
I called time and called the coach over to me.
Coach we have a problem.
whats that?
You were just out of line
i was ?
yes?
So here is the deal i am giving you.
what?
no listen to me carefully.
ok
I will clean that plate off and you will go all the way out to the parking lot.
or we will leave the plate the way it is and you will be quiet and never yell at me or tell me to do anything for the rest of the game.
Really?
yes coach
alright you are right the plate is fine.

Game 7
bases
Partner appeared to have lost the entire zone for an entire 1/2 inning. so much so that the coaches all started to complain and my partner had a private conference with the manager and every was quite. but the zone was not fixed.
Now that is to say from where i was it looked like that but he was there and closer he knows what he saw. if he had asked my i would have told him that too.

Game 8
bases
obstruction at first base real bad. protected to second.
batter Interference at the plate partner called runner out. coach came unglued. i let coach chew fro about 30 seconds and when he started to repeat him self i stepped up and told the coach hat that was enough and to go back to his third base box. he started to bitch at me about the play. i told him that it was interference and that the runner was out. he started to complain some more i motioned for the coach to come to me. i explained that i was doing him a favor by letting him stop now and go to the box.
he asked a "doing me a favor"
Yes coach because any more conversation about this play at all will result in an ejection.
Me?
Hey i just said i was doing you a favor
so what is is going to be.

New year new Games

noreply@blogger.com (cwtstraydog(c) (TM)) — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 18:49:00 +0000

The season is around the corner the clinics are all done and i am gonna have my first games of the season this weekend.
Yep softball 8 games in one day.
10-14 should be fun and fast.
at the plate on the barrel head yippee.
I have been working out for the past couple months to build my speed stamina and concentration.
Looking to give it the Chevy zone. after the certification for ASA i found that my zone although text book was part of my grief. every one wants a zone looking like the Chevy logo. WTF oh well lets go

Charity Events and assholes

noreply@blogger.com (cwtstraydog(c) (TM)) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 14:59:00 +0000

So I do charity events damn near all weekend. (Umpire for free)
Friday a fundraiser for the high school fun and nothing really to mention
Saturday was pay at the plate and that was nice 110 for 5hours
Sunday was a toy for tots drive. The teams all bring toys and they get to playa tourney.

Saturday 14 girls fast pitch. I was awesome.
I covered third and my partner was slow to get to home almost blew it.
I pooched a first base safe call and knew it. First was bobbling the ball as the runner crossed the bag. I came up to fast with the call and I knew it.
They asked for the appeal and I gave it to them my partner knew I needed the bail. I changed my call
I lost count once and I missed 3 pitches total for the whole game.

Sunday
I do 10s behind the mound. The strike zone is weird from back there. And when the sun is in your eyes it is worse.
At the start I was told that a kid has to fall off the mound to get a balk.
This is a good time for the coaches to pitch the other boys.
So there was some balks but I did not call them ( I was told they have to drop the ball of fall off the mound to get a balk).
My last game was 12s behind the mound. They thanked me for my time and they thanked me for wearing the Santa hat and they thought that was a nice touch.
White vs. blue.
The sun was in the batters eyes so I tightened the zone a bit.
Whites pitcher was throwing inside 2 balls wide and I would call a ball. then the pitcher would mutter under his breath "come on blue".
The bitching started and a dad yells “that was a curve ball blue haven’t you seen a curve ball before.”
I yell “the ball still has to cross the plate to work.”
More retarded comments form both sides and then the half.
I stand on the offensive side and curve ball dad says "you got to hang with the curve" meaning that he felt I was giving up on the pitch too soon.
“No sir I am here as a volunteer and if you think you are better then maybe you should get out here in my stead.”
“I would love to.”
“Then you should not be so rude and disrespectful.”
He does not move and then says “you got to help the pitcher out some.
You got to hang with the curve ball.”
“No I have had enough of your mouth you sir are done no more you are rude and disrespectful”
“But I was....”
I turn to a coach from his team and tell the coach,
“I have had enough of his rude mouth. any more at all you and him will be in the parking lot charity or not and there is still an hour 10 minutes left to play. “
“do we understand?”
“yes “
Now I was loud enough for everyone to here and everyone knew I had enough
Blue coach said we are just joking with you, you know for fun, keeps you on your toes.
No sir that is not right. I get paid for the abuse and I am not getting paid today.
The white coach later apologizes and says he realizes that I am volunteering and he is sorry for the dad.
“No that is fine the issue is behind us now and the warning stands.”
The score is now blue 8 white 1 bottom of five with 6 minutes left to go.
Two outs and Flair to left gets a boy from blue on base.
Boy steals to second then to third.
Pitcher is trying to hold the boy on but the boy is too quick back to the bag.
The pitch steps to set and starts his motion and I see his foot 13 inches off the rubber.
“That’s a balk“
I balked the winning run into home to finish the game 3 minutes early.

noreply@blogger.com (cwtstraydog(c) (TM)) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 17:00:00 +0000

Got plunked on sunday.
My fault.
I thought balls was called and i thought all the balls had come in and i started down the line to my A position and "tunk" right in the temple.
No arguing well none really to complain about.
coach pitch team wanted to discuss the baseline. i explained that the runner was not avoiding a tag and was avoiding a collision.
He whined and began to yell to his team about running out of the baseline
I told him that was enough he started again and i said that was enough and he said he was just... i cut him off and i said i know what you are doing and this is your last warning.
That was the whole day.
The day before i found that if my timing is slower i get less complaints from everybody.

Fucking cry babies

noreply@blogger.com (cwtstraydog(c) (TM)) — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 17:31:00 +0000

FUCK YOU COACHES FUCK YOU PARENTS ANSD FUCK YOU ASSHOLES!!!
WHAT THEY FCK IS YOUR FUCKING PROBLEM
sHE CAN NOT PUT THE FUCKING BALL OBVE RTHE PLATE I CAN NOT CALL IT A STTIKE IF IT DOES NOT CROSS THE PALATE!!!!
dO NOT COME UP TO ME AND TELL ME I SUCK AND THAT MY STRIKE ZONE SUCKLS ADMIT THAT YORUPITCHER SUCKS AND TIYOYU SUCK AS AFUCKING COACH/DAD
yES YOU SUCK AS A DAD
YOUTEACH THESE KIDS THAT IT IS OK TO FUCKING DFAIL AS LONG AS YOU HAVE SOMEONE ELSE TO BLAME.
I DO NOT CARE ABOUT YOUR FUCKING PROBLEMS AND YOUR FUICKING IN ABILITY TO PLAYA A FUCKING GAME
I CALL THE CORNERS ALL FUCKING DAY LNG AND IF HE BALL DOES NTO CROSS THE PLATE THEN I CAN NOT DALL IT A ASTRIKE
YOU WOULD CRY IF I ACALLED THE SANME PITCHES ON YOUR GIRLS ABTTING.
FUCK U[OFF WITICHATAW. FUCK IOFF TEXAS ADN FUCK YOU FLORIDA. WHAT KIND OF SHITTY FUCKING BABNLL DO YOU ALL PALY AT HOME???
FUCK YOU ALL YOU ALL FUCKING SUCK AND CRY WAY TO FUCJKING MUCH!!!
FIUCK!!!FUCK FUCKL FUCK FUCK JFUCKL 90KLFJKOUCUKUL FLCUKLJFNKOJUHCFNKUIKNKFIABOI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1KLF[PSLIDEHJKWSJKKJKAFNHKLASHFKzaA'
ZLKCDNHLCVHIZBHJCFKZA]
ZALOFIHNZAC
AFILHNAOIEFNAFJKLJKLKLA[P

]

[FUCK
FUCK!!!!

Dad: You Suck as a Umpire
Me: Really? you suck as a woman
Dad: I am not a woman
Me: Really Then you just suck!

Baseball for the weekend

noreply@blogger.com (cwtstraydog(c) (TM)) — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 14:26:00 +0000

2 games Saturday nothing to really mention.
A pick off to second low and in front of the bag short drops to catch the ball and the base runner is tagged out. Coach wants an obstruction. No coach he is allowed to catch the ball he has to catch the ball.
Sunday three games
First (plate) was not too much, some Wow’s, and some he is calling high, and why not the outside corner blue?
Then the field white vs. blue
Banger on first safe and white coach comes unglued yelling and screaming onto the field
Whoa coach no one gave you time!
Your partner did.
I did not and you want to talk to me.
Can I have time then?
No it was my call and I will not discuss my call with you.
Just talk to me
No and that will be enough
Just admit you blew the call
I did not and we are not going there today and that is your warning
You blew the call
No coach that will be enough and that is the last warning.
The he begins to talk to a fenced parent. I am deaf and I can not hear but I know that it is not a compliment on how good my shoes look today. And they did look good. Armor all extra shine is the shit!
Later in the game high throw to first blue is out by 3 steps but because the throw was high 1st baseman had to stand tall to reach the throw which put him in the middle of the bag
Third base coach goes fucking crazy jumping up a down and screaming that the baseman has to provide an avenue to the bag.
No coach he has to catch the ball.
Time
No coach we do not have time to discuss the call and I will not grant you time
More yelling about avenue.
Coach that will be enough
You are gonna make a weak call like that
Coach THAT will be enough
You are weak!
You are gone
You suck oh my god! This is about the kids (still jumping up and down)
You suck you suck you suck! Oh my god
He leaves to the dugout I turn and go back to the game we play later I see he is in the dugout and not gone.
Eh what the hell he is quiet and that is what I wanted.
My partner asks later didn't you toss him eh I put him in the dugout and he is quiet.
You should have enforced it
White coach comes up and asks about the coach I tell the site coach it is not his concern.
He walks away.
Game finishes white wins blue cries and I leave.
As my partner and I leave some parents say good game young man but not you old man.
I am deaf so I miss it.
Oh well.
In the locker room we mention the ejection in front of the UIC.
We have a 1.5 hour wait for the next game.
I am in the commons area on the phone waiting and a blue player is on the way to the rest room and sees me and starts to cry some more.
Just before we head out UIC comes in and says "what the hell happened on your game!"
I tell him I ejected a coach but let him stay in the dug out.
He asks the story
I tell him the story
So you threw out S.R.
Eh yeah I guess who is S.R.
Pitcher for the (A MLB Team)
Sorry still do not know him
Pitcher for the (A MLB Team) for 10 years.
Another umpire in the room "man he usually is very quiet"
No he was out of control jumping up and down and I sucked.
UIC says nothing more we leave
On the way out Tournament director asks "which one of you ejected S.R."
I pony up
Man what happened
I say he lost control and made it personal.
Half way to the field another umpire asks who threw out S.R.
I look at my partner man am I in trouble?
No do not worry about it.
Championship game. (White vs. Red)
What happened to the zone?
Did the blue loose the zone?
Call it for him too then!
First 4 innings score less and completed in 1 hour less than 8 pitches total per inning.
Then a walk that scored and then in the sixth 6 more runs and the game ends white over red

Two games last night

noreply@blogger.com (cwtstraydog(c) (TM)) — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 12:23:00 +0000

You know when I umpire I looked like an asshole. I do not mean to look like an asshole. But there you go I am an asshole on the field that is just because if look like the nice guy I am the coaches all get outta hand real quick.
In my plate meeting I finish with;
"If there is a play on the field and you want to talk about the play, let the play finish wait for the call, ask for time, wait for time to be granted, approach the official that made the call and we can have a positive discussion. I expect sportsmanship from both sides. Any questions"
We started with some jokes about some other umpires being bad and that they maybe friends of mine and I said since I becomes an umpire I have no friends. Do not feel bad for me though this is good. I save allot of money on alcohol and food when I have people over for a party.
I told them I was alone on the field and that I would be making all the calls tonight. They said that was ok.
I said well because we all have no choice in the matter (I am an asshole).
Game is good second batter up makes a close double into a close triple causing me to run the field.
I look good I am in position at all times.
Boy tryst to steal second, good idea with on umpire, the catcher gets the ball there first and the runner slides into the tag. The glove with the ball is under the knees of the runner.
I call "show me the ball" the short stop pulls the glove out and the ball flees outta his mitt. "Safe"
The usual chirping about the balls and strikes actually the balls the strikes were quite.
At the bottom of the 4th the batter chips the ball into the ground in front of the plate.
It is now like a bunt and barely rolls up the third base side with a loose runner on third.
The ball spins on the line -ON THE LINE- a 2 and half inch ball is spinning like a top on a 2 inch line. Catcher and pitcher hover. Ball stops and they look at me. My right arm shoots out pitcher picks the ball up looks back and throws to the base but the batter is on base by 3 steps. Runner on third comes in on the throw to first and scores.
Coach calls time.
I expect a talk about the line.
He says "the ball came off the batters toe when he was in the box"
"No it did not"
"Uh YES it did" like duh big red truck tone.
"No it did not"
"Yes it did"
"No coach the call is mine not yours the ball did not touch the batter"
"Yes it did"
"I did not see contact therefore contact did not occur"
"Yes it did”
"You know what this conversation is over"
"You said we would have a positive conversation"
"And the conversation was positive until you said I was wrong"
"I never raised my voice"
"Neither have I yet"
"Now again this conversation is over and this is your warning."
"My warning there was contact and ..."
"Now coach I have stated that this conversation is over AND I have given you your warning
This is your second and last."
He walks away and mutters.
What should have occurred was "coach what the hell you want me to do? Appeal? Come on I 1 umpire doing 1 man mechanics and you want to try and bust my balls on a bullshit call like that fuck you! And tell that loud mouth fucking mom to shut the hell up. She can not see the fucking plate from there so can not tell little Donny that the pitch was a strike. Fuck off and here let me help you to the dugout with a swift kick to the ass."

I remember a time when I liked the game of baseball
The smell of wet grass, the throwing the ball with my son, the "anything can happen" feeling, the thought of how happy and proud my son is when he completes a well played game. Man the great life lessons he is learning.
I was probably the only parent that rooted for the team until the umpire called ball game.
I remember coaching and I remember the umpires and I never argued with the umpires. I knew they were not there to get me but to get the game right. Today coaches watch the sports highlights and think that the umpires are there to abuse. The kids learn that the umpires are blind, stupid, they suck and they are worthless. They could not make a call to save their lives, and the team must not only beat the other team but they must beat the umpires too.
Man these fucking parents and coaches are way the fuck outta control.
FUCK YOU!
The second game was good until a coach asked for time and then asked about my strike zone. I told him that the strike zone is not up for discussion, but are they outside?
You know what coach I will give you a free one. They are outside just as I have motioned through out the game.
But...
No coach a free one does not mean that you can ask another question.
He moves his catcher and wow strike. the kid already has a smoking fast ball and the other team is basically a rec team he could finish the game with 9 pitch innings and we could go home early but know you and that loudmouth bitchy mom gotta play like it is the world fucking series.
BLA BLA BLA BLA
FUCK YOU
FUCK YOU FUCK YOU!

09-18-2007

noreply@blogger.com (cwtstraydog(c) (TM)) — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 18:35:00 +0000

My freaking games on Tuesday.
10AA
I have the field.
My partner has the plate. He asks me to handle the plate meeting.
I state unlimited runs and the run rules are 15,10,8 3, 4, 5
0and the rest of the stuff
No questions we play a slow game of baseball
Next game...
My plate my speech
Coach red asks about balk warnings.
I say sure it is fall if you both want them then I will give 2 per pitcher.
I am also lenient in league a little shoulder no call allot of shoulder then yeah I will.
Flinch because he is nervous warning; flinch because he trying to trick I will flat-out call. This is fall we want to be instructing.
All say great let us get started.
Blue pitcher balks as red steals third. I stop I send the runner back to second and explain the balk to the pitcher.
Dad in dugout starts to chirp. This chirping continues through out the whole game did he go did not go ball strike safe blab the kids get started also now I have a problem he is teaching the kids to be disrespectful.
The red coach wants to know why I sent his runner back to second.
I explain "You wanted warnings I will send the runner back"
But he was stealing how can you send him back?
Because he was not at the base when I called time and I had to call time to give the warning and instruction.
Man you know he was pissed because it was his request for warnings.
Blue on defense Infield blooper behind the pitchers mound short comes in to catch and does. Did he trap or not??? I can not see or say my partner has the call he says yes and throws runner on first out.
Red manager wants to call time says he wants to appeal. I smile nicely san say no he can not. That was a judgment call and not an appeasable play.
He says what?
I say that was not a rules call it was judgment call. You can appeal judgment calls.
And I continue the game
At the half the red manager wants to get clarification on the appeal process. Sure.
I explain that had there been rules incrustation he can ask the umpire that made the call why he made the call, then say that you feel the rule says this and then ask him to get some help on it. then we two umpires will talk get the rule right because that is what we want to do and then my partner will make the correct changes if needed.
But that was a judge net call. You have to ask the umpire that made the call if he could ask me what I saw. He will either ask or not it is his choice. If he asks I will meet with him discuss what I saw and then he will change the call if needed. But I will not talk to him about a judgment call unless he asks for it.
Red plays a very aggressive stand on your neck baseball through the entire game. They lead the entire game they like to stomp on the players.
Close play at first partner calls blue safe. Foot off the bag. Red manager asks my partner for time. My partner says no I will not discuss it with you. Red manager looks at me I shrug, "I said if he chooses it is his chose."
Dad starts off he did not drop the ball how can you let him make that call?
I turn "sir I have had enough of you commentary. He did not say he roped the ball he said the foot was off the bag. We are not going to have anymore from you tonight.
What did I say?
That will be enough. This is now your last warning.
We get to the last inning and home (blue) is behind by 5 runs. Blue shuts red down on 1 run.
Red takes the field
Blue starts to get some hits and now is 2 from tying with one out. Red manager calls time.
Hey blue aren't we doing the 5 run limit?
No sir at the plate I stated unlimited run rule in effect 15,10,8 3, 4, 5.
You did?
Yes I did ... that’s right you chose not to be at the plate meeting that is why you did not know.
But last game we played 5 run...
Was I the umpire at that game?
No
Well then I can not speak about that game.
Was that part of the plate meeting at that game?
Yes
Well then you all agreed to that then.
Today we are playing by the rules with no league modifications as I was told at the beginning of the season.
Now I have to finish the game.
I continue.
Blue gets an out and then a run.
Red manager calls time again.
Yes sir?
Now let me get this straight.
Coach I want to go home as much as you do. It is late the boys have homework I have homework. Let us just finish the game. I explained this to you before. I was told no moods so there are no moods.
If you agreed to something the other day that is the other day
So you umpires can come onto the field with what ever rules you...
Sir we are done with this conversation.
He walks off mutter about something and he tells the stands that umpire gets to makeup the rules.
I stop the game.
Coach. I have stated that this is over. That this conversation is complete. I have heard you and I am telling you that that is enough. I do not care how close to the end of the game we are I have no problem changing your perspective of the game.
We finish the game blue wins by the 1 run needed.
I check the website and yes there is a 5 run rule.
I e-mail my UIC the story and say that I was under the impression that USSSA rules are in effect and that I was sorry.
He informs me I was right the website was old and that any AA game is unlimited. That the coach was already e-mailing that his boys were devastated.
Him and the president looked at my game card and noted that if the red manager thought the game was 5 limits he would have tried to finish the game 1 inning back and 25 minutes short.
They told him that I was right and to just learn from it.

Umpire class last weekend was a blast

noreply@blogger.com (cwtstraydog(c) (TM)) — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 13:01:00 +0000

Went to umpire camp. While doing field work I told the instructor that the field was my weakest. He began to discuss why and i never hardly got time to do any drills. I did get a lot of advice. and i was right about my problem. I just need to jump faster on the ball. I tend feel that that would be cheating the ball but I need to get there before the play with the angle and be set.
I just have to or this will be my biggest coach problem.
The we spent time in the cage My tracking was great. They said they could not believe that I was only one season. My stance was perfect and voice was loud. My timing was crap and they spent much time on that. They did not like my ring-up. but said I could get away with it. I did not tell them I was trying to meld softball into baseball so that all of the motions looked natural.
Needless to saw I ditched the dice throw and went to a forward punch. This also means I ditched the side strike indicator also since softball does not allow and baseball seems to be moving away from the point too.
Watched the LLBWS regional. What the fuck?!!?!?!? Some of those boys need fucking haircuts before getting on the field.
I thought the plate umpire was pretty good. Did not seem to be locked in as much as I thought I would like to be but over all look comfortable and in charge.
Will try to catch more this week.

Got screwed by a brother.

noreply@blogger.com (cwtstraydog(c) (TM)) — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 18:10:00 +0000

I can not say much about this softball tournament other than I learned a great deal about the culture of the softball umpires. There is a lot of elitist attitude. The parents and coaches are allowed to be more abusive (that will change next season).
A slap bunter has different knees because they are moving.
The girls are more likely to ask you what was wrong with a pitch.
and some partners will sell you out and leave you to hang just for fun.
I had a call on a steal to third. The ball got there in time but I was straight lined with the runner between me and the tag. the motions all indicated a tag before the base but... after the call I felt the position of the players led to a possible missed tag. In order to get the right call I called time and conferred with my partner.
"Did you see the play?
If you are asking me because it is your call she was safe?
Did you see a tag as the tag occurred on u=your side of the runner?
I felt she got to the bag before the tag
no did you see contact on the tag?
I felt she was safe
alright then.
I changed my call
I think back now and I think there was something that was missing.
he never answered my question.
there was some diversity ratios that that may have played into the situation that I thought were not weighing in but now I feel I was screwed.
the coach bitched fro the rest of the game and questioned very call for the next three games I had with those teams.
I will never ever ever change a call now unless I made the wrong mechanical call by accident.
This is crap and I feel he fucked me more than any parent or coach. I will never trust his shit ever again.

Saturday Last Minute call

noreply@blogger.com (cwtstraydog(c) (TM)) — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 13:44:00 +0000

Games=3
GFPSB= 16/18
Ejections=lol Scrimmage but pay at the plate
Should haves=lol again
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
UIC invited me to come out and get some more time in under my belt
I asked is I can bring a partner so he can get more time.
My partner and I would split the money at the plate.
Three teams three games 90 mins each
Three man mechanics
I start on third, my partner on first and UIC at the plate.
some mix up on the first play but worked it out.
I received input at every half but my partner did not
nothing controversial.
second game I am behind the plate.
Nothing really special yeah I was a little low on maybe two pitches but that is baseball.
There was some inside pitches I would not call that some coaches thought I should
as well as some outside. They did not look like they were in the zone I did not call them
Then there was one that was funny and I made the coach mad when I laughed at her.
The catcher setup for an inside pitch and the pitcher threw an outside strike.
now you have to have seen this pitch 9/10ths of the ball was over the plate at mid thigh
This would have been a right field home run if the batter had seen it for what it was.
I called a strike.
Coach yells "if the catcher has to reach and drag the ball across her body then it is not a strike."
I looked at her and smiled big.
then I laughed and said to the catcher "but when the ball is over the plate and in the strike zone it
is still a strike."
The catcher smiled at me and we played ball.
The batter struck out looking at a belt high middle of the plate pitch.
She went back to the coach and told the coach what I said because they both looked at me
and I smiled again.
I will probably never get to work at one of her tourneys but there are many others to work.
my partner behind the plate was funny
He had this deleyed

ITB For 3 hours

noreply@blogger.com (cwtstraydog(c) (TM)) — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 16:01:00 +0000

---------------------------
Games=5
Ejections=0
Should haves=0 (Very Nice Crowd)
---------------------------
Game time 6:30p
I am on the bases
Softball tourney. Friendly. 12U (White) Playing up against 14U (Blue). 70 min game time.
Last inning white down by three, time expired (7:40), White is home. in a series of errors by blue white ties the game.
ITB Runner placed on second. inning played out team still tied. No progressive. blue scores three runs, White up now and two outs to move runner to third and put one on second.
Infield grounder to short, shorts errors the ball into the air, recovers and throws to first. Close but still obvious runner safe. I call it safe. runner on third scores. a series of errors and two more are scored. then the third out score tied (8:30).
Neither score (9:00) lightning delay (wimps) 30 mins.
(9:30) resume each score a run
10:00 rain like a mother call delay until tomarrow
8:30am resume play blue scores none white score none
9:15am blue score one and rains 20 mins later tourney canceled. I go home.
I missed out on three games due to ITB 75 dollars out the window. damn the rain!