2009 Fall Baseball Letter #20

Hi again Fall Baseball Umpires and evaluators,

Here is something I put together a few years ago for a clinic that I was involved with.  It is called "Thing That We Say and Do!"

I think it is a very short picture of how to umpire a game.  Of course there are always more things that we say and do but this article covers most things.

I hope you gain some knowledge and enjoy the uniqueness in how I put it together.

Peace,

LG

THINGS WE SAY AND DO THAT HELP

COMMUNICATION IN 2 MAN MECHANICS

Revised on 8-16, 2009

 

 1.       Pre-game with partner

2.       Checking equipment

3.       Pre-game meeting with managers, coaches, captains – be brief.  Lineups first and then ground rules.

4.       National anthem – no talking or chewing seeds during this time.  Be respectful and stand at attention during the playing of the anthem.  Do not put your cap on until the last note has been played.

5.       Introduce yourself to your home team catcher and ask about what his pitcher throws.  Begin a dialogue about how you operate.  This is not a lengthy dialogue but a get to know the catcher dialogue.  Develop a rapport while the pitcher warms up.  Watch at least 4-6 pitches.  Stop observing after 5 or 6 and let the 1st batter know there are 2 pitches left with voice and a signal.  Make sure this is done loud enough so the catcher and pitcher here it too.

6.       Do this for the visiting team’s catcher too in the next ½ inning.

7.       Starting the game-“Play ball”

8.       No runners on base

     a.     Positioning--A

     b.     Fly balls and line drives to the outfield (pause, read, & react)- “Going out” or “I’m going out”        “I’m home, I’m home” or “I’m home, I’m home”  “No catch, no catch”  “That’s a catch,        that’s a catch”

     c.        Pause, read & react means the base umpire will hesitate momentarily (“pause”) actually take his eye off the ball, and focus his attention on the reactions of the outfielder (“read”).  The outfielder’s reactions will tell the base umpire whether or not he should go out on the ball or come in and pivot (“react”).

     d.       “Trouble ball” means a ball such as 1) fair/foul decisions down the right field line, 2) home runs,3)balls off the outfield wall, 4)diving catches by the outfielder, 5)catches at the warning track or at the wall, 6)catches made by the outfielder with his back towards the infield, 7)catches made by the outfielder below his waist on a full run, 8)three players converging on a fly ball, etc.

     e.        Base hits-pivot

     f.        Rundowns-third and home-“I’ve got this half, Bill, I’ve got this half” or “Half and half, half and half”Others-“I’ve got this end, I’ve got this end”

     g.        Fly balls to the infield-“That’s a catch!” or “No catch, no catch”

     h.       Ground balls to the infield-Getting help - “Bill, did he tag him?” or “Bill, do you have a tag?”  “Yes, he’s out on a tag” or “No, he missed him” or substitute “is he on the bag?” for a possible pulled foot.Doing the call yourself—“On the bag”  “He’s out” or “Safe, he’s off the bag, safe”  “Safe, no tag, safe” or “Safe, you missed the tag, safe”

     i.         Foul popups-pivot or “going out”

9.       Runner on first base only

     a.     Positioning-B

     b.       Fly balls and line drives to the outfield-Using the V-Working Area- “I’m on the line, Bill”  “I’ve got the ball, Bill” or“That’s my ball, Bill!” The base umpire can point to himself and say, “I’ve got the ball”

     c.        Base hits to the outfield-first-to-third responsibilities—“I’ve got third, Bill, I’ve got third”  “I’m at third, I’m at third” or “I’ve got third if he comes” and when there is a play, “I’ve got 3rd, I’ve got 3rd!” and sometimes the plate man has to say, “Going home, Bill, Going home”

     d.       Fly balls and line drives to the infield—“I’m on the line”

     e.        Ground balls to the infield with a runner on 1st base only —“I’ve got third” or sometimes “I’m on the line”

     f.        Steals of second—Plate man on possible interference says either “That’s interference” and wait for the results of the throw or kill the play with “Time” “Batter is out on the interference” or he might say, “That’s nothing” with a safe sign.

     g.        Pick-offs at first base; rundowns—Footwork by the base umpire and plate ump saying, “I’ve got this end” in a run down.

10.    Runner on second base only

     a.       Positioning—C

     b.       Fly balls and line drives to the outfield-Using the V-Working Area-“I’m on the line, Bill” or “I’ve got the ball, Bill” or “That’s my ball, Bill”

     c.        Base hits to the outfield—“Staying home, Bill”

     d.       Fly balls and line drives to the infield

     e.        Ground balls to the infield—base umpire must be able to “bounce back”

     f.        Steal at third base—listen for “Going” for base umpire.  Plate umpire on possible interference-“That’s nothing” or “That’s interference” watch the remainder of the play and then call “Time” and make awards of bases or outs.

     g.       Pickoffs at second base, rundowns—“I’ve got this end”

     h.       Time plays—“Staying home, Bill,” or I’m home, Bill!”  If the run scores, “That run scores, that run scores” while pointing at the plate so the official scorer can see you.  Alternative terminology would be “Score that run” or “The run scores, the run scores, score the run!”  If the run does not score, “No run scores, no run scores” or “No run, no run.” Face the press box and wave arms in a cross-wise fashion above your head and in front of you. 

11.    Runner on third base

     a.       Positioning—C

     b.       Fly balls and line drives to the outfield-Using the V-Working Area-Plate man-“I’m on the line, Bill” or “I’ve got the ball, Bill” or “That’s my ball, Bill”

     c.        Base hits to the outfield-“Shading”

     d.       Ground balls to the infield – Plate umpire stays home unless, with 2 outs you might be able to do it just like you do with a runner on 1st base only.

     e.        Pick-offs at third base, rundowns—“Half and half”

12.    Runners on first and second

     a.       Positioning—C or B

     b.       Fly balls and line drives to the outfield-Using the V-Working Area-Plate man-“I’ve got third if he tags” or “I’ve got third, Bill, I’ve got third” “Staying home, Bill, staying home” or “I’m on the line, Bill” “I’ve got the ball, Bill,” or “That’s my ball, Bill” “Going home, Bill, going home”

     c.        Base hits to the outfield—“Staying home, Bill”

     d.       Fly balls and line drives to the infield-Using the V

     e.        Infield fly situations—“Infield fly, batter is out” or “Infield fly, if fair”

     f.        Ground balls to the infield – plate umpire will stay home.

     g.        Steals with runners at first and second

     h.       Pick-offs, rundowns

     i.         Time plays-“Staying home, Bill, staying home”

13.    Runners on first and third

     a.       Positioning—B

     b.       Fly balls and line drives to the outfield-Using the V- Working Area-“I’m on the line, Bill” “I’ve got the ball, Bill” or “That’s my ball, Bill” “Going home, Bill, going home”  “I’ve got third, Bill, I’ve got third”

     c.        Base hits to the outfield-“I’ve got third, if he comes” and when a play develops at third, “I’ve got third, Bill, I’ve got third”

     d.       Fly balls and line drives to the infield

     e.        Ground balls to the infield – PU looks for front end of DP at 2nd base for illegal slide in NCAA and FED rules.  Not in pro but we don’t do any ball that does not have the NCAA or FED rules on this type of play.  You also might be able to cover 3rd if the runner at 2nd is safe.  You do need to check on what R3 is doing and also what the infielders are doing before you leave the plate unguarded.

     f.        Steals with runners at first and third-do not over commit to any one play.

     g.       Pick-offs and rundowns-“I’ve got it all, Bill, I’ve got it all”  “I’ve got this half, Bill, I’ve got this half” or “Half and half”

14.    Runners on second and third

     a.       Positioning—C

     b.       Fly balls and line drives to the outfield-Using the V – Working Area-“I’m on the line, Bill” “I’ve got the ball, Bill” or “That’s my ball, Bill” or  “Staying home, Bill, staying home”

     c.        Base hits to the outfield-“Staying home, Bill, staying home”

     d.       Fly balls and line drives to the infield

     e.        Ground balls to the infield – PU stays at home.

     f.        Pick-offs and rundowns-“I’ve got it all, Bill, I’ve got it all” or “I’ve got this half, Bill, I’ve got this half”

     g.        Time plays—“Count the run, the run counts” or “Score the run, score the run”

15.    Bases loaded

     a.     Positioning—C or B

     b.       Fly balls and line drives to the outfield-Using the V – Working Area-“Staying home, Bill, staying home”

     c.        Base hits to the outfield-“Staying home, Bill, staying home”

     d.       Fly balls and line drives to the infield

     e.        Ground balls to the infield – PU stays at home and also needs to observe if there is an illegal slide or not on a force play on R3.

     f.        Pick-offs and rundowns-“I’ve got it all, Bill”

     g.        Time plays-“That run scores, that run scores, score that run” or “The run scores, the run scores, score the run” or “Score that run, score that run, that run scores”

16.    Positioning for plays at the plate – from the outfield stay mostly on the point of the plate and then adjust based on the quality of the throw.

17.    Hands on knees – most plays for the base umpire.  Almost never for the plate umpire.

18.    Signaling “no trip”—“No trip”, after injury time out to the mound.  Wave closed fist back and forth to inform both managers.

19.    Procedure for lineup changes—changes must be confirmed by the manager.  Point to the press box the change.  As a courtesy, inform the other manager but do not go to their dugout.  Meet halfway to the dugout or just let them know from the plate unless there are multiple changes.

20.    Procedures for pitching changes – how do you handle this when going to the mound? 

21.    Position between innings – neutral position in outfield for BU.  Usually opposite the new defensive dugout.

22.    Procedure for calling ball when the pitcher goes to his mouth—“That’s a ball, you went to your mouth” while pointing at the pitcher.  “Time” and then announce to the press box, “Pitcher went to his mouth” (indicating with a wiping motion of the hand in front of the mouth), and then giving the new count.

23.    Procedure for practice swing hitting the catcher’s mitt—“Time,” “Backswing hit the catcher!” The same mechanic can be used when it occurs on the follow through and you will not be awarding any bases or calling any outs.  You might be returning runners.

24.    Procedure for check swings—“Ball, no he didn’t go” or “Yes, he went”, while pointing directly at the batter, followed by the strike signal.  If you are asked after calling it a ball you can say, “Bill, did he go?”  It is preferable to ask with a point of the left hand so as not to confuse with the strike signal.  Your partner may say, “Yes, he went” with the appropriate strike signal or “No, he didn’t go”, while giving the safe signal.  The plate umpire will follow by giving the correct count.  If it results in a strike three, the base umpire should be very emphatic to help protect the baserunners as much as possible.  It is their responsibility to be aware, however.

25.    Procedure for calling balks—1) Either umpire may call a balk, although the plate umpire has the best look at a step-balk in the two-umpire system.  2) The call of “That’s a balk” is to be made loudly and emphatically.  3) When one umpire calls a balk, his partner should follow with the same call.  4) At the proper moment for calling “Time” after a balk, both umpires shall call “Time” loudly and emphatically.  5) Before the next pitch the plate umpire will give the correct count and put the ball back in play.  6) Don’t forget that in Federation rules the ball is immediately dead.  In pro and NCAA the ball is delayed dead and if a play follows the balk, do not call time without letting the play continue for at least some time period to determine when you need to call time.

26.    Explaining unusual plays to the press box—Plays of this nature include catcher’s interference, batter’s interference, a balk followed by a batted ball which nullifies the balk, spectator interference, etc.

27.    Foul balls in the batter’s box—“Foul” or “Time” or “Dead ball” and signal an out if he is hit outside the batter’s box. 

There are some things that I did not say above that you might say because there are so many different scenarios but to be able to handle all situations that can come up for an umpire, I suggest you role play some of these and come up with something that will work for you.  For instance, How do you break up a trip to the mound?  When do you break it up?  What are you going to say when you go to the mound?  How are you going to approach the manager or coach? 

These are real life actions that you need a PLAN so you can succeed.  Don’t try to make it up as you go.  Develop a PLAN for these type of situations so you at least look like you know what you are doing? 

When should you clean the plate?  How do you clean the plate?  When should you not clean the plate? 

 

Again, here is something you need to develop a plan so you look like you know what you are doing.

 

 

I want to hear from some of you during our orientation meeting about some scenarios like the ones I just mentioned above.

 

 

This is a test for those that read this article or not.  Do not tell anyone about it because I want to trap those that did not read it.

 

 

Remember this is a test.  Like many things in life, "ALL'S FAIR IN LOVE AND WAR AND ALSO IN TEACHING UMPIRING!"

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