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Watching an 18U game last week while I was in Omaha under NFHS rules and this field umpire was driving me nuts.  As little as I know I was about ready to send him home and umpire the game by myself.  He was terrible and for some reason his partner didn't want to do anything to correct him.  Of course he didn't bring his clicker (neither did the field ump) so they were constantly screwing up the count.

1.  During play the field ump was in the first base box talking with the coach.  If there was ever a check swing he was clueless.

2.  When he was in B or C position he was too far away from the middle.  He would literally be between the SS and 3B or 1B and 2B on the inside of the diamond.  Picture a perfectly pulled ball between SS and 3B for a single - well he's now having to dodge the ball because he's in that spot.

3.  He did get hit with a batted ball in this position but if I'm not mistaken since no fielder has had a chance to field the ball it's a dead ball and the batter gets first.  Nobody killed the ball and play continued.

4.  Between every inning he's running over to one dugout or the other for whatever reason.  But we had to wait on him to get back to the coaches box in order to resume play.  Not once did he go to short right field and chill out like you're supposed to.

5.  Anytime there was a conference with coach and plate ump he came sprinting in to be part of it even if it had nothing to do with him or if he could even provide any input.  Then we had to wait for him to get back to the coaches box.

6.  For some reason he was keeping up with the lineup cards.  When there would be a pitching change he would record it while the new pitcher was warming up.......while sitting down on the field next to the mound.

Now here's the part that almost pushed me over the edge.

7.  So he's starting in the coaching box and on a ground ball hit to the infield for a play at first he stays there and makes the call.  If there was a bad throw he was now at least 100 feet away from second.

8.  Ball hit to the outfield - fly and ground - he wouldn't go into B position so he could see touch at first and possible play at second.

After seeing this a couple of times I finally lose my cool and on a easy fly ball the OF catches yelled out "so if he drops the ball who has the call at second if there is one"?  Plate umpire, with his mask on, slightly turns towards me and says "that's a great question".  Between innings plate umpire meets with field ump between home and first.  Couldn't really tell what was being said but it looked instructional.  So I got a little bit happy.  Play resumes and he goes back to the coaches box.  Same situation of a flyball to the OF that's caught.  But this time he stays in the coaches box and the plate ump sprints out to the mound for the play at second.  This time I yelled out "so you have to cover three bases while he only covers one" but nobody acknowledged me that time.  I got fed up and went out to the parking lot.

So are there any new mechanics being taught that I don't know about?  I have been out of coaching baseball for 4 years but I still watch it and NEVER see this type of stuff.

Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude. Thomas Jefferson

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A couple of other points:

1) As PU, there's only so much you can do during the game, and some guys are beyond help.  Get In. Get Done.  Get Out.

2) Some tournaments have the BU keep the lineup cards.  No, I don't know why.

3) Regarding him going to the dugout -- maybe he was getting pitch counts to report to a governing body or max preps after the game. 

None of that should be read as defending the BU.  As described, his body of work speaks for itself.  Any blame goes to the assigner -- but sometimes they just need a warm body.  Sometimes, we're so short of umpires I have to work by myself.  I always tell the coaches that "it's not the worst partner I've ever had."

 

Swampboy posted:

I don't bring my indicator with me when I work the bases, either.

Other than that, not much I can say. I think you know what you saw.

noumpere posted:

A couple of other points:

1) As PU, there's only so much you can do during the game, and some guys are beyond help.  Get In. Get Done.  Get Out.

2) Some tournaments have the BU keep the lineup cards.  No, I don't know why.

3) Regarding him going to the dugout -- maybe he was getting pitch counts to report to a governing body or max preps after the game. 

None of that should be read as defending the BU.  As described, his body of work speaks for itself.  Any blame goes to the assigner -- but sometimes they just need a warm body.  Sometimes, we're so short of umpires I have to work by myself.  I always tell the coaches that "it's not the worst partner I've ever had."

 

I hope you guys realize I'm not bashing umps overall just this guy.  I think my posting history shows this but really really frustrated at this guy.

Swamp when you say you don't bring your indicator to work bases do you mean to the field or to your car?  I understand why base ump wouldn't bring his to the field but neither had it in their vehicle either.  I've never umpired but it would seem like you would keep your gear together so it's easy grab and go in case it's a last minute assignment.  That's what I did with my gear playing and now even coaching.  

Noumpire 

1. Good point and it must be very frustrating when you're the good one.

2.  Did not know that but still doesn't excuse him sitting down.  I've never seen that before.  I could see squatting to use the knee as something to write on but sitting down to use your knee to write on is ridiculous.

3.  HAHAHAHAHAHA I read that thread last night.  Some people just don't get it.  No way in the world should you guys have to keep up with that.  The points you guys brought up were perfect.

Thanks guys for letting me vent some.

Coach 2709, 

I bring a complete set of gear to every game, because you never know what might come up. Partners can get caught in traffic, injured, massacred by rabid fans, so one has to be ready to cover either assignment.

I don't carry the indicator on the field when I work the bases because the count belongs to the plate umpire. I keep the count by touching my thumb tip to fingertips and by silently reciting the count, outs, and occupied bases to myself before each pitch.

When the FU goes out on a fly ball, the PU has the call at 1st.  The FU is not required to have a clicker but some do.  Bad partners happen.  Blocks for partners or schools can be made with the assigner notified or can be done with an online assignment program that many Umpire associations now have that also handle payments. Schools are required to use the program for assignments but have the option on pay.  

We all have "that guy" in our associations or chapters. Thankfully in my experience they don't last long. Pressure to improve usually finds them seeking a new home amongst their own species......

When I have found myself assigned with them, I found out in the pre-game conference. I do my best to set expectations. IN game, I am not above correcting gross behavior and mechanical errors.  

Not to wonder off topic, but Im going to...

I once saw an umpire with one of these.

https://www.tagsportsgear.com/...lescopic-handle.html

The reason he was using it....He could not move enough to bend down and brush off the plate.  Talk about being in a bad position for every call.  This was a 2 man crew, but the BU could not count on the guy behind the dish to make a call.

Last edited by joes87

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