Like some cult religion that barely survives, there has always been at least one but rarely more than five or six devotees throwing the knuckleball in the big leagues . . . Not only can't pitchers control it, hitters can't hit it, catchers can't catch it, coaches can't coach it and most pitchers can't learn it. The perfect pitch.

Ron Luciano

Categorized in : Perfect League Knuckleballs

Umpiring is best described as the profession of standing between two seven-year olds with one ice cream cone.

ice-cream two years

No one ever grew up intending to be an umpire, except perhaps my friend Bill Haller. His brother Tom wanted to be a catcher, so an affinity for masks must run in that family.

umpires brother running

The practical joke is the psychiatry of baseball. by Ron Luciano

The practical joke is the psychiatry of baseball.

psychiatry practicals baseball

Throwing people out of a game is like learning to ride a bicycle--once you get the hang of it, it can be a lot of fun.

games fun people

One reason I never called balks is that I never understood the ru... by Ron Luciano

One reason I never called balks is that I never understood the rule.

understood reason

Being an umpire is like being a king. It prepares you for nothing... by Ron Luciano

Being an umpire is like being a king. It prepares you for nothing.

Lou Piniella only argues on days ending with the letter 'y'. by Ron Luciano

Lou Piniella only argues on days ending with the letter 'y'.

arguing letters

Umpire's heaven is a place where he works third base every game.... by Ron Luciano

Umpire's heaven is a place where he works third base every game. Home is where the heartache is.

games home heart

Any umpire who claims he has never missed a play is . . . well, a... by Ron Luciano

Any umpire who claims he has never missed a play is . . . well, an umpire.

umpires claims play

If it's true you learn from your mistakes, Jim Frey will be the b... by Ron Luciano

If it's true you learn from your mistakes, Jim Frey will be the best manager ever

true-you being-the-best mistake

I never called a balk in my life. I didn't understand the rule. by Ron Luciano

I never called a balk in my life. I didn't understand the rule.