Various Thoughts on Umpiring

The following items have come to me over the years I have umpired.  They are not in any logical order but just thoughts that I have formulated over the past 53 years as an umpire, player, coach, manager and person involved in athletics.

VARIOUS THOUGHTS ON UMPIRING BY LARRY GALLAGHER

1.        It’s what you learn after you know everything that counts – Harry S. Truman

2.       Philosophy – Remember to develop good and solid mechanics with a personal touch or flair.

3.       Make sure a 90-year old person in the grandstand will understand your call.

4.       Never leave the inside of the diamond when umpiring in the 2-umpire system as the base umpire.

5.       Always call a strike at the beginning of the game as soon as you can.

6.       If the ball beats the runner and the tag attempt beats the runner, the runner is out.

7.       If the tag is above the knee and the runner is sliding near the bag, the runner is safe.

8.       Always watch the glove on the tag attempt because the ball and the runner are moving faster than the glove and it is easier to see on close plays.

9.       On a trap in the outfield or infield it is better to watch the glove to tell if it is a catch or a trap because the ball is moving faster than the eyes are able to track it.

10.    When deciding to go out on a fly ball or come in and pivot, seldom watch the ball.  Watch the fielders instead because they will tell you if it is “trouble” ball or just routine.

11.    Infield fly rule criteria:

        a.       Age of the players.

        b.       Skill level of the players.

        c.        Wind and sun.

        d.       Height of the ball.

        e.        Is there a possibility of getting a cheap double play.

        f.         Protect the offense with your call.

        g.        Remember, invoking the infield fly rule, eliminates all force plays because the batter is out.

        h.       The runners must be tagged while off their base for an out to occur on them.

        i.         The runners do not have to advance.

12.     Avoiding the catcher on a pop up (fair or foul) or on a wild pitch or passed ball too:

       a.       Watch the catcher’s shoulders.

       b.       Take a drop step (Open up the gate).

       c.        Balls to the inside of the plate usually go in that direction and those to the outside of the plate usually go in that direction.

       d.       Help your catcher understand that principle too so it makes it easier for you to avoid him.  Remember, it is the natural thing to do for him 

               anyway.

        e.        Do not look up to find the ball.  Let him take you to it. 

        f.         If it is near the stands, try to get between the fielder and the stands so you can avoid being straight-lined and also view any on-deck hitter’s movements or equipment that is out of the dugout.

        g.        Watch out for the catcher’s mask in case he tosses it away and toward you.

        h.       When there is a possible play at the plate after the wild pitch or passed ball, make sure you get a wide angle for the play at the plate and watch the release of the catcher’s throw and let his throw take you back to your play at the plate.

13.    Plays at the plate – the ball is coming from the field of play and not from behind the plate.

         a.       Starting point can either be on the point of the plate and make adjustments from there or stand facing the ball and the direction it will be coming from.  You are trying to get an angle that will allow you to see between the fielder’s tag attempt and the runner.  You do not want to get the runner between you and the tag.  You also do not want to get the fielder between you and the tag.

         b.       Basic rule of thumb is to move in the opposite direction of the throw.  For instance, if the throw pulls the catcher to his left, you should move to your right and vice-versa.  This handles about 90% of plays but there are still about 10% of the plays that you will have to adjust based on the play itself and this may go against the rule of thumb.

14.    If the batter drops his bat and leaves it near the plate.  What do you call if the throw to the plate hits the bat?  Nothing because it was not an intentional act to interfere.  If you follow the NAP Theory of bat removal that Jim Evans teaches in his professional school of umpiring, you will attempt to remove it from the plate area if it is NECESSARY, AVAILABLE AND POSSIBLE.  If any of these three are not involved in the play, do not try to remove it.  Also, you must remove it safely.  Never kick it away, you could put it into a worse spot that way, do not toss it away because you may toss it away and have it hit an on-deck hitter or the bat person.  The correct technique is to bend low at the knees and take one end of the bat and slide it directly behind you and the plate 15-20 feet.  This is the safe way to do it.  However, only do it if it is necessary, available and possible.  You might also tell the catcher it is his to get rid of too.  Don’t forget you also may have the responsibility to watch a runner touching 3rd base just prior to the bat removal.

15.    Any runner that is caught in a rundown is not required to evaporate just because he was tagged out.  They can continue to attempt to advance and be played upon if they are not sure of their status.

16.    Ties go to the runner – NOT.  Most of us believe there cannot be a tie.  To be safe, a runner or a batter must beat the ball to the base or the tag.  If they don’t, they are out.  Therefore, any ties actually go to the fielder since the runner did not beat the play.

17.    A pitch bounces and hits the batter.  Does the batter get first base?  Is the ball dead or not?  Whose fault is it the batter was hit?  Is it the pitcher or the batter?  If it is the pitcher, the batter is awarded first base?  If it is the batter, then keep him there and add a ball or a strike to his count as the case might be.  The answer to the questions above are almost always YES!!!!!!!  The only time the batter doesn’t get 1st base is when he attempts to get hit by the pitch.  A bouncing pitch is very difficult to avoid and therefore, if not sure it is the pitcher’s fault and the batter is awarded 1st base.

18.    If you see a balk, of course call it.  However, remember that it is only necessary to enforce the balk rule when the offense is truly put at a disadvantage.  There are several balks that are very technical and really would spoil the game if they were called every time they occurred.  Not only know the rule but know the intent of the rules when they need to be enforced.

19.    Check out the weaknesses in your personality and try to eliminate those traits that would antagonize others.  Remember also, that when you hear complaints they are not personally intending to attack you.  They are just disagreeing with your judgment.  Never get personal with the coaches, players or managers.  Also, do not let them get personal with you. 
They cannot call you names or anything that is personal.  Seldom go to a coach that is coming to you.  If they are charging you, put up a hand (stop sign).  Do not let them charge you.  Also, if the coach is walking away from you it is best not to follow him so you can hear something you don’t want to hear.

20.    Many times a coach or manager is not very rational in what they are saying.  Don’t try to say anything until they calm down and stop talking.  While this is going on, you need to begin to analyze what he is saying and more importantly, your response to what he is saying.  Once he has run out of steam, you might ask him if they are done and want to listen to your explanation.  If they say no, let them continue for a moment or two and then try again.  Do not let them repeat themselves.  After giving your explanation to their response.  Let them know you are going to continue the game.  If they continue for too long and won’t leave, you may have to eject them. 

21.    If they manager or coach is out visiting a pitcher after they think you have just missed a pitch and they want to give you a piece of their mind when you come out to get the game going again, you must go out there.  If they begin to speak about the pitch, remind them that they are not going to be arguing balls and strikes.  If you can put up a hand when you tell them you are here to find out what they are going to do as far as making a change of pitchers or not and not to discuss balls and strikes.  YOU MUST GO OUT THERE!!!!  You should never just wait for them to leave.  This is unprofessional and in my opinion is being a CHICKEN by not facing the problem.  If you can get out of this without an ejection great but once you have given the warning and they want to continue, you have no alternative but to eject at least the manager or coach.  You might have to get the pitcher or catcher too.  But never just wait until they go to the dugout.  Give them a little more time to decide what they are going to do and then go face the music.

22.    Players don’t belong in arguments.  Get the coach out and get the player to leave. 

23.    Do not let any physical contact to occur.  This is considered an automatic ejection.  Make sure you are not the one that caused the physical contact.

24.    Spitting on, dirt kicking, equipment thrown are automatic ejections.

25.    Cuss words directed at you or others is an automatic ejection.

26.    Rotating baseballs – Never give the pitcher the same ball.  Try to end the game with all the balls approximately equally used.  Remember that the pitcher can request a different ball.  You don’t have to give him the exact one he likes the best.  If he carries his request to an extreme, it is a good idea to toss that ball out of the game.  Especially if his team is the one that supplies the balls.  I always toss the pitcher the ball in the front of the ball bag.  I always place any returned ball to the back of the ball bag.  This way I always use the balls in the same order throughout the game.

27.    Returning Balls to You and to the Pitcher – Have a plan that you like to have balls come back to you after foul balls.  For example, I tell the coaches and ball boys that I like to get a ball returned in between batters and not destroy the continuity of the game if at all possible.  I also instruct them to run the ball to me rather than throw me the ball.  I may be the best umpire catching a ball, but I always look foolish when I miss one.  Try to conduct your job professionally.  Missing an occasional ball does not look very professional.  If a ball goes back to the backstop and it is dead, I try to give a new ball to the pitcher or catcher right away.  This keeps the game flowing.  If you let the catcher chase them you usually slow the game down.  Never return the ball to a pitcher unless you get their attention.  It makes you look bad if you throw a bad one or hit him with the ball.  Maybe a lawsuit!  If you can’t throw like an athlete, I recommend you give the ball to the catcher.  In other words, if they think you can’t throw, you lose credibility immediately.  It is best to give it to the catcher then.       

28.    This probably belongs in my Pet Peeves #2 but I am placing it here.  I feel that when an umpire cleans the plate he must always do it with his brush facing the stands and with his back to the pitcher and squared up to the plate.  The plate should be cleaned only with the plate brush and not with the foot.  There is one time you may use your foot or plate shoe to clean the plate and that is when the dirt around the plate is dry and the plate itself is wet and muddy.  You sometimes can dry the plate off by using your foot to put dry dirt on it and allow it to dry some and then using your shoe to push or pull the dry dirt, the mud or the wetness off the plate.  You can also ask the home team grounds crew for a wet or dry towel to help clean the plate when it is dirty or muddy.  In my opinion, it shows disrespect to the game and is unprofessional not to follow the tradition of cleaning the plate properly.  I also believe it looks like you are too LAZY to bend over and do it properly.