2009 Fall Baseball Letter #10

Hi NW Umpires,

Here is more information from Jim Evans "Maximizing the 2-Umpire System."  I also am placing some other items into this from stuff I have prepared using some of Jim Evans ideas.

Peace,

Larry Gallagher

BASE UMPIRE SPECIFIC

Some of the most challenging plays umpires encounter, occur at first base.  Not only is the base umpire required to exercise superb judgment in determining whether a batter-runner’s foot touched the first base bag before the ball was secured by the fielder, but he is also required to make quick, split-second adjustments to a player’s miscue.  This means that the routine force play that “should” occur at first often turns into a tough tag play when the throw pulls the first baseman off the base.  If this occurs, a specific signal is required to explain and sell the call.

12.40       Out On the Tag               

If the throw pulls the first baseman off the base to his left but the fielder is able to successfully tag the batter-runner before he reaches the base, the umpire should call him OUT using the following signal:                               

“On the tag … He’s out!”               

Since this was not a true throw, the base umpire makes an adjustment to his left from a standing set position to enhance his view of the attempted tag.  Once the umpire determines a legal tag, he shall point to the location of the tag with the index finger of the left hand while verbalizing, “On the tag…” then raise the right fist signaling out as he verbalizes, “He’s out!”

12.41       Missed the Tag               

If the throw pulls the first baseman off the base to his left and the fielder fails to tag the base-runner before he reaches the base, the umpire should call him SAFE using the following signal:                               

“Safe!  Missed the tag!  Safe!” or “Safe!  No tag!  Safe!”               

Since this was not a true throw, the base umpire makes an adjustment to his left from a standing set position to enhance his view of the attempted tag.  Once the umpire determines that the tag was missed and the batter-runner has touched the base, the umpire should verbalize and signal, “Safe!  Missed the tag!  Safe” or “Safe!  No tag!  Safe!”  He physically signals SAFE twice.

12.42       Off the Bag               

Sometimes the throw will pull the first baseman off the bag before he secures the ball and there is no time for a tag attempt.  To many on the field, in the dugouts and in the stands it may appear that the ball beat the batter-runner to first.  And, it may have but the first baseman did not legally tag the base before the batter-runner touched it.  In this case, it is important to call the batter-runner safe and indicate why.  The following mechanic is recommended:                               

“Safe!  He’s off the bag!”               

The umpire signals SAFE while verbalizing, “Safe!  He’s off the bag!”  As he declares, “He’s off the bag!” he physically waves his arms in unison in the direction the fielder came off the bag.

12.43       Dropped the Ball               

Occasionally, the ball will beat the batter-runner to first base but the first baseman will drop the ball then quickly recover it.  Before the fielder can regain control of the ball, however, the batter-runner touches the base.  In this case, the batter-runner is SAFE but it is not always obvious to players, coaches and fans the reason for the unexpected safe call.  For that reason, it is recommended that the umpire use an additional signal to sell the call.                               

“Safe!  Dropped the ball!”               

The umpire signals SAFE in the conventional manner and then points to the ground where the ball was originally dropped.  This additional signal is not necessary if the ball rolls several feet from the fielder.  Never point to the ball when it has rolled away from him.  You could be accused of locating the ball for the defensive team.  If a point is necessary, point to the ground where the ball was dropped and not to the ball itself.

12.44       Juggled the Ball               

Occasionally, the ball will beat the batter-runner to first base but the first baseman will “juggle” or “bobble” the ball before securely controlling it.  Before the fielder can gain “firm and secure possession” of the ball, however, the batter-runner touches the base.  In this case, the batter-runner is SAFE but it is not always obvious to players, coaches and fans the reason for the unexpected safe call.  For that  reason, it is recommended that the umpire use an additional signal to sell the call.                               

“Safe!  He juggled the ball!” or “Safe!  He bobbled the ball!”               

The umpire signals SAFE in the conventional manner and then simulates the juggling acting indicating that the fielder did not have secure possession before the batter-runner reached the base.

12.45       Runner Interference               

If a runner is out for being hit with a batted ball or for interfering with the fielder in the act of fielding a batted ball, the ball is dead immediately.  Time shall be called and the runner declared out.  Other runners would be returned to the bases occupied at the time of the pitch.  The batter-runner would be awarded first base.  Only runners forced by the award to the batter-runner would be allowed to advance.               

(Note:  There situations in which both the runner who interfered and the batter-runner are called out resulting in a double play.  This        ruling would apply when a runner or batter-runner intentionally interferes to break-up a double play.)

“Time!”  “That’s interference!”  “He’s out!”         “Batter!  First base!”  Point to batter…then first base.

12.46       Obstruction               

There are two types of obstruction in pro rules:  Type A and Type B.               

Time is called immediately when a play is being made on (1) a batter-runner before he reaches first base or, (2) a runner who has been obstructed while a play is being made on him.     

In Type A obstruction, the umpire shall signal “Time!”, call the obstruction and place the runners.  The minimum award for Type A  obstruction is one base.

Type A

“Time!”   “That’s obstruction!”  “You, second base!”  (Obstructed Runner Awarded Minimum One Base)               

Exception:  When a batter-runner is obstructed after hitting a fly ball, the ball remains alive until the play is over.  If the catch is made, the play stands and the obstruction is disregarded.  If the batter-runner is obstructed after hitting a ground ball, the ball shall be killed immediately and the obstruction penalty enforced.

Type B

“That’s obstruction!” 

Observe the Play                 “Time!”  “That’s obstruction!”              

Allow the Play to Stand or Make the Proper Award               

If no play is being made on a runner when he is obstructed, the umpire shall point to the obstruction and declare, “That’s obstruction!”    He then awaits the outcome of the play and enforces the penalty for Type B obstruction.  Based on his judgment as to what would have happened had the obstruction not occurred, the umpire allows the play to stand or calls “Time!” and makes the proper award.

12.47       Balk               

In professional baseball, the ball is not automatically dead when a balk is called.  If a pitch or play is imminent, the umpire shall signal the infraction by pointing at the pitcher and verbalizing, “That’s a balk!”  He shall resume his set position and await the outcome of the pitch or play and then enforce the balk penalty, if necessary.               

If no pitch or play is imminent when a balk is committed, the umpire shall signal the balk and immediately call “Time!”  He then enforces the balk penalty.               

If the plate umpire is in his set position when the balk occurs, he shall verbally declare, “That’s a balk!” and await the outcome of the pitch.  He does not physically signal anytime a pitch is imminent.

Hands on Knees Set                                “That’s a balk!”      

Back to Hands on Knees Set   “Time!”“That’s a balk!        “You, second base!”              

When Placing Multiple Runners…Start With the Lead Runner

                Note:  Under some amateur rules (National Federation of High Schools – NFHS), the ball is automatically dead when the balk is called.  Know your rules.

1.     Putting on the mask and taking off the mask/Use of the indicator/Giving the count/Cleaning the plate – Demo & Practice – Need your cap, mask and indicator and a plate to clean. 

a.       Putting on the mask – Use the left hand on the lower left bar and use your thumb, index and middle finger.  Your right hand is holding the back and bottom of the strap.  Place the top, rear pad of the mask above the brim of the cap with the bottom of the mask above and in front of the face.  Snap the mask and strap down at the same time.  Do not look down – keep watching the field and/or the pitcher.  Move to behind the plate while keeping your eye on the ball.  Have the indicator in your left hand.  Never go behind the catcher with the mask off and a pitcher on the rubber.  It is not safe.

 

b.       Taking off the mask – Always remove the mask with the left hand and indicator in it.  Grasp the lower left part of your mask with the thumb, index and middle finger.  Use your head as a hinge – lift out and up.  Make sure your cap fits snugly.  Keep eyes looking at the play as you remove the mask.  Do not look down.  Keep moving toward your play with the mask held in your left hand.  Do not discard it.  Do not remove right-handed and switch it to your left hand.  This will take a lot of practice on your part.  Do it while watching TV or in front of a mirror.

 

c.        Use of the indicator – Do not bring your indicator up toward your face to look at it.  When you call a pitch, make sure you move the appropriate part of the indicator.  Use the indicator in the left hand and carry it in the bottom part of the hand toward your little finger side.  The reason it is in the left hand is because if you signal an out with the right hand it may fly out of the hand and if you were to look at it in the right hand it might look like a strike call.  Also, the shape of most indicators is designed for the left hand.  The plate umpire is required to use one and the base umpire in professional baseball never carries one.  This does not mean that you should try it.  Learn to use it so you do not have to look at it all the time to know what you have.  You should try to stay focused enough so that you automatically move it and also know from memory the count and the outs.  Someone should be able to ask you without you referencing the indicator for the count and/or number of outs.  The name of this device is indicator and never clicker or anything else.  It is just an indicator or a ball and strike indicator.  Some of them have the inning too.  There is a new one that is electronic.  It costs close to $20.00.

 

d.       Giving the count – Always use your fingers to show the count.  Never use closed fists to indicate a full count.  Never use the index finger and pinky finger for a count of 2 balls or 2 strikes.  That is for hook ‘em horns in Texas.  I verbalize the count every pitch.  It is never 1 and 2 or 2 and 0, etc.  It is always 1 ball and 2 strikes or 2 balls and no strikes.  I visually show the count after the 3rd pitch, i.e., 2 balls and

 

        1 strike, 1 ball and 2 strikes or 3 balls and no strikes.  I verbalize at this time with the visual count.  I also show and say the count when it is a full count, i.e., 3 balls and 2 strikes.  It is not 3-2 or 32 or full count.  It is always 3 balls and 2 strikes.  Make sure you have the count high enough and about shoulder width apart.  Do not let the batter or catcher obstruct the pitcher’s view of the count.  If someone requests the count, I let them know what it is either verbally or visually or both.  Don’t lose your patience if you are asked many times during the game.  Younger players usually cannot remain focused very long and therefore sometimes need to know more often.  This is one reason that I verbalize the count every pitch.  Remember that the left hand shows the number of balls and the right hand is used for the strikes.  Some umpires visually give the count every pitch, too.  This is ok but I personally do not think it is necessary.

 e.        Cleaning the plate – One of your duties is keeping the plate clean.  There is a correct way to do it.  The small broom is a must for two reasons.  One, it can be placed in a shirt pocket, in your coat breast pocket, in your ball bag or in the back pocket of your trousers without being noticeable.  Second, the plate surface is not very large.  When you begin cleaning the plate, move toward the front of the pate with some enthusiasm and athleticism.  Face the spectators/backstop.  This is a baseball umpiring tradition because it shows the fans and the game respect.  Do not do it any other way.  You are flouting tradition if you do.  If your plants split, you won’t have to hear their laughter either.  Brush the plate with enthusiasm and crisp back and forth strokes.  Never use your foot to clean the plate.  If it is muddy, ask the groundskeeper for a towel to wipe it off and then use your brush thereafter if you can.  Brush the plate whenever it is dirty and always before each half-inning.  In fact, I do it at the end of a half-inning so the warm-up pitcher and catcher have something to work with.  If the batter or catcher requests that it be cleaned, do it promptly, willingly and again with some enthusiasm and athleticism.  Do not let the catcher clean it for you.  It looks like you are shirking one of your duties if he does it.  If he does it anyway, let him know that you will do it from now on.  Do this diplomatically.  Sometimes you will also use the cleaning of the plate as a tool to communicate with the catcher face to face.  It may be one step in warning him about how he is handling himself or it might be used to send the catcher out to let the pitcher know something that needs to be changed.  Coming to a complete stop in his set position or maybe in his behavior toward the last pitch that he showed some form of disagreement with.   When you clean the plate, use good body language as you approach the plate (move athletically to your position of cleaning – do not amble to it.  Hustle to the spot and hustle back to your position behind the catcher.  Always clean the plate with your mask in your left hand and not on your face.

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