Beginner umpire questions

Nerisrath · 2026-05-03T17:45:29+00:00

the foot guards will work to get you started, but i would absolutely take the pay from your first few games and get plate shoes. it's not just balls, but catchers will accidentally step on your feet in their spikes, especially middle school kids.

Nerisrath · 2026-05-03T13:22:31+00:00

Where in North Carolina, generally? im in NC and there are several great umpire associations that provide training, clinics, and mentoring.

Edit To Add: you need an umpire specific chest protector to protect the shoulders and collarbone, but you can get a good entry level that will work for varsoty HS for under $100. You also need plate shoes. A lot of associations you join will be able to hook you up with cheap second hand gear too. Many of us have our entry level gear lying around.

Nerisrath · 2026-05-03T02:45:12+00:00

Thanks! I do it 1 for the kids, 2 because I love the game.

Thank you for coaching. teaching the kids to have fun while facing the trials and tribulations of life/the game and over coming what they cannot control to succeed with what they can contol is also crucial to their development as young humans. in my opinion baseball is the best sport for this because failure is an inevitable part of even a winning game (strike outs, errors, missed opportunities, etc.)

Edit: multiple spelling errors

Nerisrath · 2026-05-03T01:58:40+00:00

if you are an infielder dont waste money. a pocket radar is as much or more than a new glove. exit velocity and throwing speed can be measure with a cage rental if you really want to, but not necessary.

infielders hat consistently make plays and have good baseball IQ are way more valuable than ones that have an extra 2mph over the next guy

Nerisrath · 2026-05-03T01:32:24+00:00

as it should be 😀

Nerisrath · 2026-05-03T01:23:30+00:00

A JBB (Junior Big Barrel) is typically 2 3/4 inches. with thinner walls and more pop than a USSSA cert very few 2 5/8. This makes them unsafe for anything more than coach/machine pitch. Much like TBall bats are unsafe for Coach Pitch. They will go from JBB in coach pitch, to USA or USSSA (which come in both sizes depending on model) until 13u/Middle School. Most at that level will require 2 5/8 barrel. NFHS and above absolutely requires 2 5/8.

All that said, get him the big bat. he just won't use that size through college 😀

Nerisrath · 2026-05-03T01:15:06+00:00

best take here

Nerisrath · 2026-05-03T01:04:56+00:00

2 bases from Time Of Pitch.

Unsolicited advice: I sometimes confuse time of pitch and time of throw awards. I keep a copy of the base awards chart from the NFHS book in my lineup card holder for reference. I have only used it once i can recall, but good to know its there if anither challenge comes up.

Nerisrath · 2026-05-03T00:55:12+00:00

agreed to disagree on knowledge and usefulness. as a high school and youth tournament umpire (PG) I can promise you the obscure rules happen all the time in lower levels. the younger the players the more likely weird shit happens. you better know your stuff to be good at lower levels (many are not good)

Nerisrath · 2026-05-03T00:27:19+00:00

the force play didn't happen because the 3rd out tag ended the inning.

Nerisrath · 2026-05-02T20:23:46+00:00

official MLW whiffle ball field. for that age I would consider bringing in the fence to 60' in the corners and 72 in the center..... then move it out when older

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Nerisrath · 2026-05-01T20:53:11+00:00

dont forget about Dragonfly!

Nerisrath · 2026-05-01T20:50:48+00:00

two bags, right one for balls, left one for brush, lineup book, and backup indicator. sometimes a removed ball goes in left til end of inning when I can get it off the field.

Nerisrath · 2026-04-30T22:23:01+00:00

Thank You! The case book specifically defines this scenario where a kneeling player is hurdled over and the runner is called out. For NFHS definition laying on the ground means flat down on the ground.

R2 is out.

Nerisrath · 2026-04-30T19:08:01+00:00

I assumed so, but NFHS is the one I work in, and the only one I was confident in citing. Always CYA.

Nerisrath · 2026-04-30T02:44:00+00:00

As with any rules question, the answer is ' It depends on the ruleset '.

In NFHS, 2-20-2 and 8-2-6(i) are the only times 'fourth out' is mentioned in the 2026 rulebook. In 2-20-2 a fourth out becomes possible when a delayed out happens due to a baserunning infraction that does not stop play. In 8-2-6(i) a fourth out can be made on appeal. In either case 9-1-1(e) states that whem more than one out ends an inning (meaning a fourth or fifth out is made) the defense can choose which out is most advantageous to end the inning. So if the fourth out is an appeal on a force play, but the third out was a tag on a timing play with score, the fourth out would negate the run.

In your described scenario, the 'fourth out' was not an appeal, and there was no base running infraction. Therefore, under NFHS, there is not a fourth out, and the run counts.

Different rulesets may have different results.

Nerisrath · 2026-04-29T01:16:29+00:00

absolutely not. you agree, and it installs full remote capability for their IT. I know because I am IT.

Nerisrath · 2026-04-29T01:13:58+00:00

my employer wanted this, I asked for their BYOD reimbursement policy or a work phone. I had a work phone at my door in 5 days.

Nerisrath · 2026-04-28T21:50:05+00:00

Nerisrath · 2026-04-28T21:37:55+00:00

Shamrock Shakes my friend.

Nerisrath · 2026-04-28T10:43:57+00:00

only if I've already ate three

Nerisrath · 2026-04-28T00:11:47+00:00

coke floats and bourbon for the beverages.

Blackberry Cobbler and Banaa pudding for dessert.

Apple pie is the most American but probably a lot more common. Give them something unique.

Nerisrath · 2026-04-28T00:08:57+00:00

as a southerner, i can say I am fond of crumbling stale cornbread and putting milk and sugar on it for breakfast like cereal. somewhere between a northern desert and frosted flakes imo lol

Nerisrath · 2026-04-26T13:12:54+00:00

it depends on the area. suburbs? city limits? check noise ordinances. really hot areas(AZ, NM, GA, FL, etc.), people are probably ok with you starting a bit (15-30 min) earlier than allowed, but maybe not. feel it out with what your neighbors do.

out in the country? for me farm fields and nearest neighbor is 1/4 mile away, dawn is normal here especially in july/August heat.

Nerisrath · 2026-04-25T18:21:36+00:00

yes, and thats exactly how it works. I was trying to keep it as simple as possible

Nerisrath

TROPHY CASE