President's Message by Mary Hughes
The Washington County Umpire's Association, while only formally organized in 1995, is actually an extension from a hub of officials who had serviced baseball and softball in this area for over twenty years. For example, my own experience includes having umpired in the first Little League Girls' Fast Pitch Softball program, which opened during the 1974 season.
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Interview with a Coach by Mary Hughes
Coaches: while they're not the only barometer for measuring our success as officials, the ability to understand what coaches want from us is a stepping stone in making the ascent from mere rule book reader to field leader. So exactly what qualities do coaches seek in umpires?
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Mary Hughes
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Everybody knows... by Robin Noury
No matter what level of baseball you do, you always seem to run across someone who questions your calls because "Everybody knows..." and there is no way you can convince them otherwise. Whether you're in your third decade of officiating, working towards the next rung of your career ladder or taking the Little League minor field for your first adventure in umpiring, you'll hear at least one of these before the season is over.
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Everybody knows (Part II) by Robin Noury
Foul ball, foul fly, foul tip they’re all the same. Right?
Runners on first and third, one out, full count. From their body language, you know at least one runner will be in motion at the crack of the bat. Here comes the pitch…young Johnny takes a might rip. Ping!! The bat strikes the ball which goes sharply and directly into the catcher’s mitt where it is held. While keeping your eye on the runners for the possible steal of second and delayed steal of home on the catcher’s throw, you start your foul tip motion for strike three (and the second out). Then it happens a deep voice from the stands (or worse, a coach) yells, "FOUL!".
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Better than any Win by Jim Porter
It is not often we get to see true sportsmanship displayed on the baseball diamond today. It seems more and more our fields are being invaded by a terribly mean-spirited adversarial attitude toward officials. Hostile and cruel, the umpiring world can be a bitter disappointment. But every once in a while something happens on the baseball field that keeps us going - something heart-warming and wonderful, something redeeming and positive. And it is these truly wonderful moments that make all the hard work worthwhile.
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The Infamous Little League 'Must Slide' Rule by Jim Porter
Let me begin this article by stating that the Little League "must slide" rule is a complete and utter myth. I don't think there's a rule in Little League that's misunderstood more often than this one. No other part of the Little League Playing Rules has created so much controversy, arguments or protests and I hope to dispel the myth and set the record straight once and for all.
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Batting Orders and Youth Leagues by Jim Porter
All too often in youth league baseball and softball, rules are disregarded. Every league seems to have it’s own way of doing things. But in all my years as a youth league umpire, I have never seen a rule so blatantly disregarded by almost EVERY league as OBR rule 4.01 (a-d). Here it is as it appears in the Little League Rulebook.
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Things to Watch For... by Jim Porter
I have noticed through the years that certain things seem to crop up consistently. In the course of performing your duties as a Little League umpire, watch for these rules infractions and safety issues.
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Getting Over Your Fear by Jim Porter
Someone once asked me, "What is the most common mistake you see rookie plate umpires make?" I didn’t hesitate in the least. Without question, too many are afraid of the ball.
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To Catchers from Me by Jim Porter
My inspiration for this little column came from the 1999 season. As I stood behind catcher after catcher all season long, I found myself wishing I could have a conversation about the things I’ve listed below. In my opinion, these ideas would be beneficial for a catcher to know.
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Jim Porter
Ronald Santa
Pre game conference by Ron Santa
Your big day has arrived - you are doing your first game behind the plate. Of course you are nervous and you are thinking out the hundreds of things that can go wrong and praying that none of them will happen during your game. What will be your biggest mistake?
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Hustle by Ron Santa
Are you an umpire who believes that the word "hustle" only applies to the players, such as when you are telling them to hustle onto the field between innings? When you are the plate umpire, do you stake out an area around home plate where you stay from the first pitch to the last? If you are such an umpire, you are doing a disservice to your profession and are collecting money under false pretexts (that you are a qualified umpire).
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The Spirit of the Game by Erick Barkhuis
Like almost every umpire's career, mine has had its share of highlights. And of course, one tries to cherish these memories. However, some thoughts have bothered me over the years. One of them is, that managers and players have considered me one of the umpires who have less feeling for "the spirit of the game". Most of the time, this remark was made when I called a rules infraction on a technicality. Let's have a look at some examples:
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Between Innings Revisited by Erick Barkhuis
Some umpires stress the importance of staying alert when the teams are changing sides. I wholeheartedly agree with this excellent advice! Here are some good reasons for doing this;
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Baseball And Officiating In The Netherlands by Erick Barkhuis During my visits at officiating newsgroups and discussion boards, fellow umpires have asked me about baseball and officiating in Holland. As a result, I would like to offer you an impression of the organization of baseball in general, as well as specific officiating topics.
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Erick Barkhuis