This isn’t really a joke but I hope you find it interesting. : ) Something great about an ump and something I have never seen before.
My DD had a 14U tourney last weekend in NY State and there were two unusual things that happened over the span of 6 games.
The plate ump did a terrific job and I told him so after the game. He had a reasonable strike zone and he was very consistent. I was sitting maybe 8 feet away keeping score and helping the catcher call pitches (trying to help her exploit swing faults). Our pitcher threw a lot of pitches over the plate, but just below the strike zone. She threw 60% strikes but that’s where she missed the most. Even though so many pitches were close, he did not waver. What was a ball in the 1st inning was a ball in the 7th inning. It was a really good job. This may not be so unusual, but it was impressive none the less. I don’t think I could have been that consistent with so many balls tightly clustered at the bottom edge of a strike zone.
In another game (the tourney finals) the base ump got royally pissed off at the plate ump and twice got in his face. Once was during the game and he screamed at him in the parking lot after the game.
First incident: Base ump makes a close call at second base in a tie game. It went against us and our parents were yapping at him. The plate ump goes over to the fence and tries to explain to our parents why our runner was out. Let's say, our parents were unconvinced. After our half inning was over, the base ump stormed over to the plate ump and menacingly/loudly told him “Don’t you ever try to explain MY calls. That is MY call and if there needs to be an explanation, I’ll be the one to give it!” The spittle drenched plate ump shrugged and trundled back to continue his duties.
Second Incident: Base ump calls their runner out at first base. Our first baseman made a long stretch for the ball. I thought she kept contact with the bag when she caught the ball and then pulled off the bag. The other coach asked for a second opinion and the plate ump asked the plate ump. The plate ump ruled the first baseman came off the bag and the player was safe. The base ump was torched. He was later overheard screaming at the plate ump in the parking lot, “Don’t you ever overrule me!”
Now that is something I have never seen before.
My DD had a 14U tourney last weekend in NY State and there were two unusual things that happened over the span of 6 games.
The plate ump did a terrific job and I told him so after the game. He had a reasonable strike zone and he was very consistent. I was sitting maybe 8 feet away keeping score and helping the catcher call pitches (trying to help her exploit swing faults). Our pitcher threw a lot of pitches over the plate, but just below the strike zone. She threw 60% strikes but that’s where she missed the most. Even though so many pitches were close, he did not waver. What was a ball in the 1st inning was a ball in the 7th inning. It was a really good job. This may not be so unusual, but it was impressive none the less. I don’t think I could have been that consistent with so many balls tightly clustered at the bottom edge of a strike zone.
In another game (the tourney finals) the base ump got royally pissed off at the plate ump and twice got in his face. Once was during the game and he screamed at him in the parking lot after the game.
First incident: Base ump makes a close call at second base in a tie game. It went against us and our parents were yapping at him. The plate ump goes over to the fence and tries to explain to our parents why our runner was out. Let's say, our parents were unconvinced. After our half inning was over, the base ump stormed over to the plate ump and menacingly/loudly told him “Don’t you ever try to explain MY calls. That is MY call and if there needs to be an explanation, I’ll be the one to give it!” The spittle drenched plate ump shrugged and trundled back to continue his duties.
Second Incident: Base ump calls their runner out at first base. Our first baseman made a long stretch for the ball. I thought she kept contact with the bag when she caught the ball and then pulled off the bag. The other coach asked for a second opinion and the plate ump asked the plate ump. The plate ump ruled the first baseman came off the bag and the player was safe. The base ump was torched. He was later overheard screaming at the plate ump in the parking lot, “Don’t you ever overrule me!”
Now that is something I have never seen before.