Game 3

Today I was behind the plate again, for the second time in three games called. I was a little nervous, the anxiety was kicking in a little, mainly because I was calling the game at Asheville Christian Academy (ACA) again. If you read about my first game you will understand why.

Although I think I did well in that first game, I thought for sure that ACA’s coach would have thought otherwise. Imagine my surprise when he told my partner for today’s game that he thought I did a great job. I was really surprised when he even remembered my name. But, then again, he did give me my check, so that is probably how he remembered it.

I was really hoping for a good, low scoring game today. Unfortunately it was just the opposite. ACA was playing against Macon. The first inning was pretty good. ACA held Macon scoreless and ended up scoring a run in the bottom of the first. But then, Macon unloaded for NINE runs in the top of the second. ACA’s pitcher was just hit-able today, plus there were multiple fielding and throwing errors that contributed to the outburst of runs.

The game ended after five innings, thanks to the mercy rule, with Macon winning 14-1.

I must say, even though this game was a drubbing, there really wasn’t anything interesting that happened. Unlike my first two games, all the calls were quite easy and uncontroversial. That is, of course, unless you want to consider some of my ball and strike calls controversial (but that’s something you can’t do, you can’t argue balls and strikes with the “Blue”. It will get you tossed).

Anyways…today I was partnered with a member of the review committee for the association that I work through. I guess you could say that knowing I was paired with him kind off added to my anxiety for the game. I mean, this guy has the ability to recommend that I continue only working middle school games, or that I am ready to move up to JV games. All I could think about, before the game, was what if I totally screwed up?

Throughout the game, and after the game when we were talking, my partner continuously said that I was doing really well. He said that my mechanics were good, and as long as I continue working the plate like I did today that I would be a pretty good umpire.

The only things that he really had to critique on me was that I tend to move my body and head with the pitch. Of course this is something that I already know. But even he said that with time I will learn to keep my head and body still and follow the ball with just my eyes. He also said that he noticed that I tend to crouch down too low. That I need to work on keeping my back straight and keep my chin just above the catchers head.

As I told him, I try to take something from every game as a learning experience. Since I am new to calling games, I know that I am going to make minor mistakes. As long as I notice the mistakes I make, and work to eliminate those mistakes, I know that I could become one heck of an umpire. Just like  ball players, at any level of play, I am just working to get better every day.

As of this posting, I have no clue when, or where, my next assignment will be. There are a couple games tomorrow that do not have two committed umpires assigned. I could either be assigned to one of them, or I might not be assigned to another game until next week.

Until then…go out, catch a game or two, and remember, be nice to the “blues”. After all, they are human, they can only call ‘em how they see ‘em.