And I know what a scene
You were learnin’ in
Was there somethin’ that
Made you come back again?
And what could ever lead you
(What could ever lead you)
Back here where we need you?
(Back here where we need you?)
Yeah, we tease him a lot
‘Cause we got him on the spot
Welcome back
Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back
Welcome back, welcome back
The spine on a long offseason break was broken in on an unusually beautiful early April Saturday in Connecticut, with a 13u double-header, and all the old familiar feelings, rituals, smells, sights, sounds, chatter and rhythm of youth baseball sprung up like they had never been covered in four months and 40 inches of cold grey snow.
It really was great to be back on the field again, and kick off my seventh season of umpiring. It’s always a little strange coming back for the first one after such a long break, and I’m always a little wary of whether the instincts will kick in, how my zone will be, if my reactions and reads will naturally emerge as the action unfolds. The stakes were low - 13u early season travel ball with essentially nothing on the line but reps for development. But every kid wants to start well, and every parent wants the best for their child, and - as is the new reality - everything is recorded for posterity, and any and ALL screwups will end up on the internet…so, here we go.
Overall, these were pretty easy games for me and my partner. Nothing particularly controversial happened. The first game was close, and well played. And, as sometimes happens with 13 year old’s with short attention spans and limited endurance, the second game was sloppy and lopsided. There were no conversations with coaches, limited questioning of our calls, and virtually no tension throughout the 5 hours we were on the field.
So, I’ll just focus on a few of the “bigger” plays of the games.
In game 1, tied 4-4, in the bottom of the 5th, 1 out, the home team had a runner on first. I was the base umpire. On a 2-0 pitch the runner on first took off on a steal attempt. The throw from the catcher was on track to beat the runner, but was a little short. The shortstop made a nice play to short-hop the throw, but his tag was to the front of the base, while the runner slid to the outside, his foot connecting with the bag while the glove hit the base then bounced up to the runner’s leg. I was on top of the call and knew what was about to happen - this was a call that only me, the runner, and the shortstop knew the “real” outcome. From the stands, from the dugout, from the hill overlooking the field, from the fence - I know what this “looked” like. The throw beat the runner. This was a “bleacher out”. That is, from everywhere but up close, this looked like an out. And so I knew - I knew as my arms were going out to make the “safe” call - this was not going to be popular. But it was right. I was on top of the call. The boo birds weren’t too animated, but I heard a “home cooking” murmur and a “oh come on” from the dugout. No coach came out to argue, and the comments (while audible) weren’t overly aggressive. It was a consequential call - the runner ended up scoring what would be the winning run. Just a reminder, that even in a game that “means nothing” the tough calls will find you and force you to render the tough judgements.
Two other memorable plays in game 1 while I was the base umpire:
In the first inning with a runner on first, a soft fly ball fell just before the centerfielder. The runner on first’s need to wait to see the result of the catch/no-catch in center led to a force play at second. The throw was on-time, but the second baseman’s left foot was off the bag. At the last second he touched second just as the runner was an inch or two from his touch. Another reminder that in youth baseball (and softball) ANYTHING can and will happen. There is almost no such thing as a routine play.
In the third inning on a routine (wait - I just wrote there’s no such thing!) grounder to third, the third baseman’s throw took the first baseman way up the line. A great sweep tag just got the runner, and I was able to adjust my position to get the perfect view of the tag to make the call.
My time behind the plate in game 2 was, to be frank, kind of boring. I mean, I loved being back there, commanding the game, calling balls and strikes (which came back like riding a bike) - but really nothing of consequence happened. The game got out of hand relatively early, and ended in a run-rule.
What it did do though was remind me of the impact the plate umpire has on the game - the catcher, batter, pitcher asking for the count. The micro-conversations with the catcher. The kids’ personalities you get to see up close. The sounds, smells and rhythm of baseball. Even the most boring game, it’s great to be out there.
So, welcome back. Welcome back all the great things that the diamond sports provide us - the weird plays, the close plays, the personalities. The old familiar. There’s definitely something that makes us come back again. Where we’re needed a lot. On the spot.
Welcome back.