So, first year ump. At this point I’ve done 40 or so games. 90% are solo, and only a couple have I had someone there to evaluate or comment. So I’m definitely missing the feedback and chatter with other umps. Thought it would be nice just to share questions, weird plays, whatever.
A couple just from today:
14u, USA, solo, COVID rules have me behind pitcher. Tapper up 1st baseline fielded by F3...I have ZERO angle on tag attempt, so call her safe. Almost sure I kicked it, but no partner to ask. Coach came out to argue, and just told her I didn’t see a tag (which I didn’t - I couldn’t).
Same game, R1 steals second, “safe” by 2 seconds...but this field has so much fluffy dirt that there’s a full 2 inches of built up dirt between her cleat and the bag...fortunately for me F6 never tags her. I would have hated to call that out.
Last today, 10u, USA, PU...2 outs, bottom of last inning, an overmatched 9yo who has already been nailed by a pitch earlier in the game, swings crazily at a hummer that hits her in the chest. She’s crying, writhing in pain, grandpa yelling “take your base!”...and I have to call “dead ball, strike.” She ends up striking out to end the game. Not exactly a high to end the day.
Anyway, feel free to add your stories, things you wish you could chat with someone about. even if no one replies, I’ll keep using this as a place just to document all the weird stuff umps see (and feel).
A couple just from today:
14u, USA, solo, COVID rules have me behind pitcher. Tapper up 1st baseline fielded by F3...I have ZERO angle on tag attempt, so call her safe. Almost sure I kicked it, but no partner to ask. Coach came out to argue, and just told her I didn’t see a tag (which I didn’t - I couldn’t).
Same game, R1 steals second, “safe” by 2 seconds...but this field has so much fluffy dirt that there’s a full 2 inches of built up dirt between her cleat and the bag...fortunately for me F6 never tags her. I would have hated to call that out.
Last today, 10u, USA, PU...2 outs, bottom of last inning, an overmatched 9yo who has already been nailed by a pitch earlier in the game, swings crazily at a hummer that hits her in the chest. She’s crying, writhing in pain, grandpa yelling “take your base!”...and I have to call “dead ball, strike.” She ends up striking out to end the game. Not exactly a high to end the day.
Anyway, feel free to add your stories, things you wish you could chat with someone about. even if no one replies, I’ll keep using this as a place just to document all the weird stuff umps see (and feel).