- May 29, 2015
- 4,070
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What did he do to make you think he was guessing?
Got a few right.
What did he do to make you think he was guessing?
My 17 year old daughter umped her first 2 games yesterday (10u softball). We’ll see how it goes. Maybe she has 50 years in her.First, I would start by finding out where to register to become an umpire.
Next, after registering, recruit others.
The shortage of umpires is keeping guys and gals around who probably should hang it up. I worked with two guys this week who were both past 75 and weren't moving so well. I saw a recent news story on a baseball umpire who is 85 and has been calling the game for 50 years. It's a heartwarming story, but it didn't look so good.
Talking to the TD or UIC after the game was the best move.
We have a local like that, too. He’s 84(ish?), not sure how long he’s been calling games, but when I moved here 25 or so yrs ago, most of us thought he should have been retired back then. To the best of my knowledge, he’s also still playing in the local fastpitch league with his 60-something baby boy! I’m hoping I can still turn the channel at that age!First, I would start by finding out where to register to become an umpire.
Next, after registering, recruit others.
The shortage of umpires is keeping guys and gals around who probably should hang it up. I worked with two guys this week who were both past 75 and weren't moving so well. I saw a recent news story on a baseball umpire who is 85 and has been calling the game for 50 years. It's a heartwarming story, but it didn't look so good.
Talking to the TD or UIC after the game was the best move.
As a plate umpire in this situation, you really can't overrule the base umpire, no matter how obvious it is. After the inning is over, I'd talk to him about his calls, that's he's missing obvious ones. If they continued, then I think I'd have to get together with him after the call and straighten it out. And it's tough for the coaches too, because you cannot argue judgement calls, only if you think the runner foot was off the bag or the ball was juggled, etc. Then again the coach can come out with that concern and give the plate umpire a chance to get together with the base umpire and get the call right.
This reminds me of a varsity high school game I attended last year in another sport. The athletic director (who was the "athletic director of the year" for our region the year before) actually made an announcement during the game that "The officials tonight are very bad, but they are bad for both sides. We're just going to have to deal with it." This was loud enough to be heard on the field. I was shocked. I happen to know that the officials in question work major national tournaments at the highest level. They were not bad at all. After the game I told the athletic director that his comments were completely inappropriate and his response was that "I said they were bad for both sides." I was dumbfounded.
This is essentially how I started umpiring. Played and coached for years. Time to give back (and take it from the coaches and players too). I was in my 40’s when I started. I’m in my 50’s now and and still one of the younger ones out there around here.First, I would start by finding out where to register to become an umpire.
Next, after registering, recruit others.
The shortage of umpires is keeping guys and gals around who probably should hang it up. I worked with two guys this week who were both past 75 and weren't moving so well. I saw a recent news story on a baseball umpire who is 85 and has been calling the game for 50 years. It's a heartwarming story, but it didn't look so good.
Talking to the TD or UIC after the game was the best move.
I'll be in my mid 40s when all of my kids are out of high school and I keep threatening to start umping at that point. I told my wife I can either go ump and get paid to get yelled at or stay home and get yelled at for free.This is essentially how I started umpiring. Played and coached for years. Time to give back (and take it from the coaches and players too). I was in my 40’s when I started. I’m in my 50’s now and and still one of the younger ones out there around here.
I’m married 28 years and also a volunteer fire police officer so getting yelled at for free is pretty much my norm.I'll be in my mid 40s when all of my kids are out of high school and I keep threatening to start umping at that point. I told my wife I can either go ump and get paid to get yelled at or stay home and get yelled at for free.