Home plate umpire yesterday

[jhart05]

What did you guys think of your home plate umpire yesterday?

 

I guess if you really didn't notice that he made any bad calls, he must have done a good job.

 

I ask because he is my cousin. He's been working his way up the ranks in the minors, he's now in AAA, and has been "called up" several times in the past two months to fill in. Might be full time in the majors next year.

 

Just wondering and looking for some unbiased opinions...

 

Thanks.

Edited July 9, 2007 by jhart05

[Dick Allen]

The Sox won, therefore he is a good umpire. He had a big strikezone, especially on the outer half with either side, but it was the same with everyone. There didn't seem to be too many disagreements, just a couple of minor ones which you get every game, so I would say he did a good job.

[iamshack]

Actually, he did a good job with the exception of about three pitches I thought. He called two of the highest strikes I have ever seen called in mlb, one on Tadahito Iguchi and another on Josh Fields. He also made another call on Iguchi that I thought was a poor one, but other than that, he did a fair job. Silva made it easy on him for the most part, because all the guy does is throw strikes, but it has got to be sort of difficult umpiring for Javy, because he has such movement on his pitches.

 

All in all, the guy did a nice job...just completely missed a few pitches that were above letter high on Gooch and Fields.

[BearSox]

I thought he called a good game, and he wasn't afraid to call the high strike, which I like. Pretty consistent as well.

 

Hopefully your cousin will stay up and continue to be a good ump.

 

Just curious, how much do umpires get paid through the systems? Is it a salary that goes by seniority? I have always thought about ump'ing to be honest

[Controlled Chaos]

Not sure if it was just me, but I thought he lined up kinda funny. Like he always lined up over the inside corner of the plate instead of the center of the plate. I think that's why his outside corner calls were a bit inconsistent, but over all I thought he did a pretty good job.

 

http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=cws

Go to sights and sounds and click Vazquez strikes out 8. You can kinda see it there.

[Jimbo's Drinker]

more importantly called the game fast, it was hot out there.

[whitesoxfan101]

He was giving Javy the inside strike, which was VERY important to how he pitched well. When Javy throws the fastball inside and keeps his release point flat and over the top on the breaking stuff to allow natural movement, he's almost impossible to hit. His problems are almost always caused when he becomes afraid to keep the hitters honest with inside fastballs and hitters dive over the plate and go the other way with the heaters and ESPECIALLY when he has more of a sideward angle on the release of his breaking stuff, which tips off the hitters AND leads to more flat hangers that end up turning into a lot of pull home runs.

Edited July 9, 2007 by whitesoxfan101

[AddisonStSox]

As an IHSA umpire for four years now, I must commend him on his perseverance. It takes a special individual to make it to the major leagues.

 

Umpiring will not be my future career--for me, it is a great chance to work outdoors and participate in some baseball and a nice supplemental summer income. However, for those who chose umpiring as their line of work, advancing past the minor league ranks is a major accomplishment in and of itself.

 

Give him a pat on the back from a comrade in the trenches.

[The Ginger Kid]

The delayed strike call on Iguchi was the only hiccup I noticed.

 

Congrats to your cousin on making it to the bigs. I've met the Runge's (three generations of umps) on a few occasions - umps are pretty colorful guys with thick skin and great stories.

[jhart05]

I thought he called a good game, and he wasn't afraid to call the high strike, which I like. Pretty consistent as well.

 

Hopefully your cousin will stay up and continue to be a good ump.

 

Just curious, how much do umpires get paid through the systems? Is it a salary that goes by seniority? I have always thought about ump'ing to be honest

 

 

Yeah, I don't know how the salary thing goes. I would have to assume it's like any job, you start out a certain pay grade, then you get a raise the longer you stay around.

 

That's something I wanted to ask him the next time I talk to him.

 

 

As an IHSA umpire for four years now, I must commend him on his perseverance. It takes a special individual to make it to the major leagues.

 

Umpiring will not be my future career--for me, it is a great chance to work outdoors and participate in some baseball and a nice supplemental summer income. However, for those who chose umpiring as their line of work, advancing past the minor league ranks is a major accomplishment in and of itself.

 

Give him a pat on the back from a comrade in the trenches.

 

 

On his behalf, thank you. I'll let him know.

 

He's been doing it for quite a while now, as you can imagine. I guess they have an umpiring school or something, I know he went thru that years ago. He started way down in A ball, maybe even in the Rookie League. Worked his way up, and he thinks this is finally his "shot". He's only a few years younger than me. I think he's 32, maybe 33.

 

We're all very excited for him and proud of him.

 

 

 

The delayed strike call on Iguchi was the only hiccup I noticed.

 

Congrats to your cousin on making it to the bigs. I've met the Runge's (three generations of umps) on a few occasions - umps are pretty colorful guys with thick skin and great stories.

 

 

Again, on his behalf, thank you. And yeah he's pretty tough. His Dad was a high school football coach for many, many years.

 

You don't remember what inning that Iguchi call was do you? I TiVo'd most of the game. Actually I suppose I could look at the game log and figure it out, couldn't I.

Edited July 9, 2007 by jhart05

[Mplssoxfan]

I have spoken often with one of the supervisors, an old AL ump, Marty Springstead. Wonderful character, wonderful stories. I've spoken with a few of the guys, too. Fun times, and a good source to get "inside" the game.

 

Best of luck to your cousin -- if he works any games in Minny, I might get to meet him!

[IlliniKrush]

Not sure if it was just me, but I thought he lined up kinda funny. Like he always lined up over the inside corner of the plate instead of the center of the plate. I think that's why his outside corner calls were a bit inconsistent, but over all I thought he did a pretty good job.

 

http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=cws

Go to sights and sounds and click Vazquez strikes out 8. You can kinda see it there.

I didn't see the game yesterday, but lining up over the inside corner is known as working "the slot." You never line up on the middle of the plate, you don't want to be looking directly over the catcher. Of course with this the outside corner is harder to see than the inside corner, but that's how it goes.

[Controlled Chaos]

I didn't see the game yesterday, but lining up over the inside corner is known as working "the slot." You never line up on the middle of the plate, you don't want to be looking directly over the catcher. Of course with this the outside corner is harder to see than the inside corner, but that's how it goes.

I watched some other umps to compare and they seemed to line up over the center of the plate. The catcher moves around so the ump wasn't always rigth above him, but the times I saw when the catcher was centered, the ump was directly above him. Maybe it's like an old school vs new school thing??

 

I actually don't mind the ump setting up on the inside corner. I would rather them get that call right over the outside edge. Nothing worse then painting the inside corner and not getting it.

[AddisonStSox]

I didn't see the game yesterday, but lining up over the inside corner is known as working "the slot." You never line up on the middle of the plate, you don't want to be looking directly over the catcher. Of course with this the outside corner is harder to see than the inside corner, but that's how it goes.

 

Mr. Krush, have you umped any Williamsport games yet?

 

I gotta tell you, in the couple games I have worked so far, those kids you see on TV look like professional ballplayers in compairison. I realize these have been opening round preliminary baseball, but, the level of play is really quite poor...hopefully I'll get some talent in the later rounds.

[IlliniKrush]

Mr. Krush, have you umped any Williamsport games yet?

 

I gotta tell you, in the couple games I have worked so far, those kids you see on TV look like professional ballplayers in compairison. I realize these have been opening round preliminary baseball, but, the level of play is really quite poor...hopefully I'll get some talent in the later rounds.

Nah, I haven't. The big thing my association has is the CABA World Series, which has teams from across the nation (and a few international teams) at ages 9/11/15. I imagine as your tournament goes on the talent will get better, but I know what you mean.

[The Critic]

If he calls the high strike, I like him.

The "belt buckle to kneecaps" strike zone is ridiculous.

Of course, most hitters would have s***fits if he consistently called the strike zone as it's supposed to be called.

[The Beast]

As an IHSA umpire for four years now, I must commend him on his perseverance. It takes a special individual to make it to the major leagues.

 

Umpiring will not be my future career--for me, it is a great chance to work outdoors and participate in some baseball and a nice supplemental summer income. However, for those who chose umpiring as their line of work, advancing past the minor league ranks is a major accomplishment in and of itself.

 

Give him a pat on the back from a comrade in the trenches.

I, too am an IHSA umpire for two years as well. I know how hard it can be and I know that it takes a lot to get anywhere, especially to the major leagues.

 

Umpiring is just something I did because I quit baseball when I was a young kid. I knew the rules better than my playing ability so that is why I chose to be an umpire. It is a great game and great to be apart of something in the outdoors while still getting paid and not being taxed on income. It is an honor for anyone to get anywhere such as college, minor leagues and the major leagues.

 

Ditto, give him a pat on the back from a comrade in the trenches.

[BearSox]

I, too am an IHSA umpire for two years as well. I know how hard it can be and I know that it takes a lot to get anywhere, especially to the major leagues.

 

Umpiring is just something I did because I quit baseball when I was a young kid. I knew the rules better than my playing ability so that is why I chose to be an umpire. It is a great game and great to be apart of something in the outdoors while still getting paid and not being taxed on income. It is an honor for anyone to get anywhere such as college, minor leagues and the major leagues.

 

Ditto, give him a pat on the back from a comrade in the trenches.

Not to be disrespectful, but how much would usually make for each game?

[AddisonStSox]

Not to be disrespectful, but how much would usually make for each game?

 

Shoot, I don't know. What would you say, Russ?

 

Anywhere between $500-$1000 per game.

 

It varies...you know, little-league by little-league.

[BearSox]

Shoot, I don't know. What would you say, Russ?

 

Anywhere between $500-$1000 per game.

 

It varies...you know, little-league by little-league.

damn, that much?

 

What would be the qualification to become one? I assume you don't have to go to umpire school like for college and professional ball.

[AddisonStSox]

damn, that much?

 

What would be the qualification to become one? I assume you don't have to go to umpire school like for college and professional ball.

 

 

I think you're a sharp poster, BS; so, I hope you know I'm yanking your chain.

 

Seriously, if you have any questions, shoot me a PM and I'd be happy to help you out as best I can.

[Chisoxfn]

Bear...I know the times I did it, you would get 40-50 per game but I never took any classes so I don't know if I was a IHSA ump or not. I just knew the guy in charge of umping (teammates dad) and did games over the summer (not many) but I do know the pay was great as a kid.

[BearSox]

 

I think you're a sharp poster, BS; so, I hope you know I'm yanking your chain.

 

Seriously, if you have any questions, shoot me a PM and I'd be happy to help you out as best I can.

I knew something was fishy about that. I know in little league umps would only get 50-60. But not sure about the umps in high school.

[The Beast]

Actually in little leagues, umpires get less than 25.00. I get paid 40.00 because I have been there the longest and I am a supervisor.

 

It is usually around 45.00-50.00 for travel, and for high school it is usually around 80.00-100.00 per game. I think in college and in the minors all the way through the major leagues, they give you a salary.

[Steff]

Shoot, I don't know. What would you say, Russ?

 

Anywhere between $500-$1000 per game.

 

It varies...you know, little-league by little-league.