Actually, no. The umpire simply says, "Ball". If I point down to first, wouldn't I be coaching your player?Umpires do have a clear signal for ball 4: extend right arm & direct batter/runner to first base.
Actually, no. The umpire simply says, "Ball". If I point down to first, wouldn't I be coaching your player?Umpires do have a clear signal for ball 4: extend right arm & direct batter/runner to first base.
Bitter much.There's the tell.Actually, no. The umpire simply says, "Ball". If I point down to first, wouldn't I be coaching your player?
Curious, are you an active sports official, coach, or otherwise? "Good" sports officials becoming rare & Below average/average is norm sounds not only bias but is not a fair assessment. The general and bottom-line realization of current & negative sports officiating attrition is something that deserves more attention."Good" sports officials are becoming rare. Below average/average is the norm. There is a difference between just not being good at officiating and unacceptable behavior. I have worn many hats over the years. Supporting GOOD officials is a must from all stake holders.
A GOOD Official will be impartial, non-vindictive, interested in continuing education, and willing to "Get the Call Right". Good officiating makes for good games.
Arrogance, ego, laziness have no place. Confidence and team work does. This past season of middle school basketball was pretty bad on the officials side. Pretty sure I saw all the bad traits in one short season. From below minimum competence in skills, high bad call rate, to outright bias toward a certain team.
Bad behavior gets you noticed by SafeSport, ethics departments, injury lawyers, etc.
Good luck this spring/summer season.
?? Punch out is standard??
Imagine that... not certain have seen that be different all the time
Not my job as the official; I am not a commentator or stopping a what is still a live ball so I am not killing the play or effecting it. If the offense throws down or something, that is their fault - it up to the players to know the count. If they don't know or are unsure, I am always happy to share if asked.Interesting, didn't know that.
Just spitballing here; maybe ball four should have some added mechanic in its call. Just watched another game where the batter had a long at-bat fouling off pitches, then tried to take her base on ball three. Runner on first jogged half-way to 2nd, then sprinted the rest of the way. Maybe the mistake was intentional, maybe not. Either way a well-pronounced ball four call could help clarify those situations.
I hate the whole take a knee in softball. And I don't think there is a ruleset that let's the umpire tell a any player what position to assume.Ok, just happened today. Batter gets plugged in the hip. Ump hollers "everybody, take a knee."
My DD was on deck. Took a knee, but as the batter started down to 1st base, she stood up and was about to pick up previous batters bat and the ump says, "I said take a knee."
This is 14u ball. So everybody had to wait until he waddled over to 1st base to make sure she was ok. Pitcher was throwing 50.