Although it sounds harsh, it might be one of the most important pieces of advice an aspiring umpire can hear. If your aim is to improve your game, the best way to do it is to seek feedback from those who are able to help you.

Good umpires who want to improve and advance can benefit from the collective umpiring wisdom that has developed over the years. We spend our hard-earned money going to clinics to improve our craft with the hope of being seen by assigners in whose conferences we aspire to work.  Shouldn’t we go into the experience with the right attitude?

My career in umpiring has been laden with incredible opportunities to work with others whose experience was beyond my own, and I was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time when I got my first shot at NCAA Division I baseball umpiring. A few of those experienced umpires had spent numerous years in professional baseball at the Triple-A minor league level and had a great deal of experience working in crews of three, whereas I had only a few years of experience at the high school level working crews of two. It was the ultimate opportunity to pick the brains of people who knew what I wanted to know and who possessed the skills that I wanted to possess.

In retrospect, while my umpiring accomplishments haven’t quite reached the level of my mentors, I took advantage of the opportunities they gave me and learned from them all that I could.

The key to that learning was listening. I know firsthand that not every umpire in that situation does listen. Some umpires have risen to a certain level of competence based on natural talent and ability without using proper techniques and mechanics. When confronted with opportunities to learn those techniques and mechanics, such as ways of manifesting their body language or positioning themselves to make the best judgments possible, a number of “good” umpires prevent themselves from becoming “great” by opposing methods to which they are unaccustomed.

Now that I am in a role where I can share what I have learned with the next generation of young umpires, I frequently find myself in the position of mentor. That has given me an interesting perspective. I now feel like I am looking at my former self when I work with less-experienced umpires who are trying to advance. What I wish for them is to benefit the same way I did. What that requires, however, is a mind-set that sets the ego aside and opens oneself up to vulnerability. It is human nature to resist criticism, even when given constructively in a setting where both the giver and receiver are voluntary participants. Yet nothing stifles my willingness to share more than excuse-making. “Yeah, but …” is not what a senior umpire wants to hear from a young umpire who is ostensibly in need of, and actively looking for, advice.

When I am working with less-experienced umpires, I almost never give unsolicited critiques. The exception is if a critical situation arose during a just completed game where additional games are to come with that same partner. In that situation, I would address the issue to ensure it was not repeated in subsequent games in that series. 

In any event, an umpire who wishes to continuously improve should seek critiques from his more- experienced partners. Any request to evaluate your work shows respect to the more senior member of your crew and is likely to be well received. You can always decide later if the advice you get is worth taking.

No one person invented good umpiring mechanics or techniques. They have been developed over many years of trial and error, discussion and debate, and a willingness to pass on best practices to new generations who can attempt to improve on them. But none of that knowledge can be passed on unless the next generation of umpires is willing to listen.

The post Listen Up to Go Up appeared first on Referee.com.

Think about it: There are nine possible players who can be involved in any particular play on defense. There could be anywhere between one and four baserunners. And just for fun, we have the actual baseball often moving at speeds close to 100 mph, whether the result of an incoming pitch, solid contact off the bat or a throw from across the infield or back in from the outfield. Expecting two, four, six or even 12 eyes to be able to see every last detail is basically one impossible ask.

So it’s imperative umpires do nothing during a game that is going to tilt those odds even more in favor of not being able to see something. Because then we are left in the position of having to make a guess — and not even an educated one at that.

Let’s examine a few situations where umpires can get themselves in trouble by taking their eyes away from the action — even if it’s just for a brief moment.

Strike-calling mechanics

There will likely be eternal debate among umpire instructors about which mechanic to use when calling a strike as the plate umpire: the hammer or the point. What typically happens is an umpire decides whichever mechanic simply feels better and looks better for his or her body type.

However, one part of the mechanic that should definitely not be in dispute no matter an umpire’s preference is where the eyes go while it’s happening. While some individual flair is not necessarily a bad thing — especially on a strike-three mechanic — the days of the big sideways step and point popularized by Dutch Rennert or the back-breaking twist more recently employed by Tom Hallion are now always going to be considered a no-no.
The reason? At some point in the mechanic, the eyes move away from the playing action on the field, creating a recipe for disaster.

What if it’s strike three and the catcher fails to cleanly secure the pitch? We need to know how the ball got on the ground. Did he simply drop it? Did the batter interfere via a wayward backswing? And what if that loose ball suddenly gets away from the catcher? Did the batter kick it with his foot? If so, was it done with intent or accidentally?
Another plausible situation: A runner is stealing on the pitch. If we’re looking anywhere but straight ahead, we could easily miss offensive interference by a batter who steps in front of the catcher who is attempting to make a throw. There are few worse feelings than having a coach question why interference was not called on a batter, and you knowing you are unable to provide an honest answer because you didn’t see what actually transpired, courtesy of being too wrapped up in a showy strike-three punch-out mechanic.

Catch/no catch situations

It’s seemingly elemental that knowing whether or not the ball has been caught is a primary job requirement for an umpire. But again, we have a lot of things to keep an eye on, and sometimes the desire to quickly move on to the next facet of play gets us in trouble on this most basic of tasks.

Let’s start with routine fly balls hit into the outfield with runners on base. It’s an understandable tendency that an umpire would like to shift the focus from that proverbial “can of corn” to subsequent playing action such as runners tagging up and trying to advance as quickly as possible. The problem is when that can of corn suddenly ends up spilled all over the supermarket aisle.

Did the outfielder actually complete the catch and drop the ball during his voluntary release of starting his throw back to the infield? Or did he never complete the act of making a catch by rule? Only a split-second may differentiate between the two, but you may not have the information to rule accurately if that’s the moment in time you have taken your eyes off the play.

Double-play situations are also a prime time for this type of problem. Let’s say you’re working two-umpire mechanics and the defense is trying to turn a 6-4-3 double play. As the base umpire in the middle of the infield, you need to be aware of a successful turn at second base that includes the second baseman catching the ball and stepping on the bag, while also keeping an initial look on any illegal activity by R1 coming into the base. You then must follow the second throw to first base and try to have a good look at what is often a bang-bang play. That’s a lot of information for one set of eyes to digest.

It’s made even more troubling, however, if you miss any one part of the play to move on to another. All umpires have faced the situation where, convinced of the first out, they turn their head too quickly to see the back end of the play, only to find out the baseball is now lying on the ground at the second baseman’s feet. Did he complete the catch of the first throw by the shortstop and then drop the ball on the transfer? Did he never actually complete the catch? It’s a play that can quickly put a knot in your stomach when you realize you didn’t actually see it and can’t honestly rule on it.

Errant throws

Lucky is the umpire who has never taken a thrown baseball off the melon. However, your odds of avoiding such ignominy are greatly increased if you can just remember to always keep your eye on the baseball and not assume a player is going to have true aim.
A perfect example is the ball hit deep in the hole at shortstop with an umpire in the “C” position. Once the ball has been fielded, many umpires have turned their back on the baseball on this play in anticipation of the long throw to first base, setting up two potential problems.

The first is there is no guarantee that shortstop is going to have the accuracy to avoid pegging you. How many times has one of these throws whizzed right past your ear, leaving you with the realization that had you taken one false step in your set-up to see the play at first base, you would have instead been lying on the ground seeing stars?
Or, how about this embarrassing wrinkle: The shortstop never actually throws the baseball. If you’re in “C,” that means there is a runner on second or third base. Ever experienced the situation where the ball is hit deep in the hole, you turn toward first and crouch down to give the shortstop plenty of room to make his throw, and then you realize there isn’t one, because instead a play is being made on that lead runner, and you never saw it? That’s a fun one to try to explain to an exasperated coach.

The bottom line in all of these situations, and the many, many more that we haven’t even dug into? Keep your eyes on the baseball. If you can see it, you can at least sell it. You may not have everyone in agreement with your judgment, but at least you will be able to say that you had all the necessary information to make your ruling.

The post Seeing Is Believing appeared first on Referee.com.

The shortstop ended up with the baseball, jogged near the bag, touched it on his way by, then tossed the ball back to the pitcher. I did nothing, and the game proceeded accordingly.

Because I had heard their conversation and have a pretty good understanding of the game, I knew what the defensive team was trying to do. However, because I also have a good understanding of the rulebook, I also knew that given how the players handled this particular situation, there was nothing for me to do as an umpire. There are specific conditions that must be adhered to in order for a defensive team to make a valid appeal. Asking the umpire to engage in guesswork is not one of them.

Let’s begin by looking at the definition of the word “appeal” as found in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary: a serious request for help or support; an application (as to a recognized authority) for corroboration, vindication or a decision; an earnest plea; to make an earnest request.

The key words to take away from that definition are “request” and “application.” In other words, the party seeking redress must ask for it. There is no assumption allowed and it cannot happen accidentally.

So, back to the baseball field. All three rules codes (NFHS, NCAA and pro) spell out their procedures for proper appeals. In both the NFHS and NCAA, runners being out on appeal are covered in rule 8, which details all the rules related to baserunning. In pro, the applicable rule is 5.09.

There are two basic reasons for an appeal: a baserunner has either missed a base or has left a base before the ball is first touched on a caught fly ball. While the reasons for an appeal are fairly basic, the manner in which they must be initiated and how they may ultimately be administered are many. For the purposes of this article, we are not going to get too deep into the weeds about “why” an appeal is being made. Instead, our focus is going to be on the “how.”

The game I mentioned at the outset of this article was played according to NFHS rules. So let’s look at the following provisions in the penalty section of NFHS rule 8-2: A live-ball appeal may be made by a defensive player with the ball in his possession by tagging the runner or touching the base that was missed or left too early. A dead-ball appeal may be made by a coach or any defensive player with or without the ball by verbally stating the runner missed the base or left the base too early.

In order to make a valid appeal in the play described, the shortstop would have needed to make a valid live-ball appeal by either tagging the runner he believed missed second base (assuming the runner was standing on a succeeding base) and informing me why he was doing so, or by touching second base and informing me why he was doing so (or through an act unmistakable in both its intent as an appeal and the nature of the appeal). He needed to appeal to me the baserunner had committed one of those two baserunning infractions we already listed. Instead, he did neither. And, as such, I did nothing.

Because this was a summer league baseball game where the stakes were minimal, I opted to use the situation as a teachable moment — something I would never do in a regular-season varsity contest or college game to avoid the appearance of coaching players. When the shortstop came back onto the field the next inning to play defense, I instructed him his appeal was not valid, which is why I did not react. For all I knew, his stepping on second base while holding the baseball was nothing more than a happy accident, one for which I could not reward his team with an out had the baserunner erred in his baserunning responsibilities.

I also explained to him that had he executed a valid appeal, the runner would have been safe, as I clearly saw him touch the base. The last thing I wanted was the shortstop to later mischaracterize our conversation with his coach, believing the only reason he did not get an out was because of what one might try to term a “technicality.”

Let’s look at a recent example on a much bigger stage of why a team cannot be given credit for a happy accident. During Game 6 of the 2021 World Series, the Astros’ Michael Brantley and Braves pitcher Max Fried became briefly tangled up on a play at first base. Brantley, the batter-runner, was trying to beat out a ground ball and reached first base before Fried caught a throw and brushed the bag with his foot. However, Brantley never touched first base. The ruling umpire, Doug Eddings, signaled Brantley was safe on the play.

Replays showed Fried was the only one of the two who actually touched first base. However, according to baseball rules not just at the MLB level, but also the NCAA and NFHS levels, once a batter-runner advances past first base, if he does so before a defensive player touches the base, he is ruled safe, and the only remedy for the defense is a valid appeal (NFHS 8-2 Pen.; NCAA 8-6a3; pro 5.09c2).

Had Fried touched first base and announced his intention he was appealing the fact Brantley missed the base, an out should have been ruled. Had Fried tagged Brantley before the latter safely returned to first base, an out should have been ruled.
The fact that Fried’s foot brushed the bag moments after Brantley passed it? A happy accident that has no bearing on the play.

The post No Happy Accidents appeared first on Referee.com.

But nothing gets (or deserves) the amount of attention, anticipation and excitement of a play at the plate.

Proper positioning and mechanics that govern plays at the plate will keep you from a bad result when all eyes are upon you.

Proper Positioning

Some umpires firmly believe in taking plays at the plate from a set location, whether it is the third-base line extended or the first-base line extended. Both positions have faults, however.

From the third-base line extended, you can’t see a swipe tag on the runner’s backside. And from the first-base line extended, you can get blocked out and not see if the runner reached the plate, especially if he cuts to the inside.

Because a play can develop from a wide variety of angles, the best place to start is just off the dirt circle and directly behind the point of the plate. That gives you the option to read the throw and adjust accordingly. Stay along the outside of the dirt circle so that you keep your field of vision wide. You may end up along one of the foul lines extended, or you could possibly circle all the way around and end up in fair territory.

One thing you’ll have to be ready for is previous runners, the on-deck batter and the pitcher getting in your way. Use your voice to keep them clear, but also be aware they can be guilty of obstruction or interference.

No matter how you adjust and move to get the best angle, you should still be stopped and set for the play when it happens. Being set, however, does not mean dropping to one knee. That traps you and gives you little opportunity to move or react to a bad throw or a runner’s sudden movement.

Mechanics

There are two specific things you need to be aware of when it comes to your mechanics of making the call — timing and the runner actually touching the plate.

Even though everyone is waiting with more anticipation than normal considering the magnitude of the play, there is no need for you to rush.

A good technique is to call the runner safe as soon as you determine that he is, but to ensure that you see the ball — “Show me the ball!” — before you call an out. More than one umpire has been fooled thinking that an out has occurred at the plate only to find the pitcher chasing the baseball that has gotten away.

The scoring of a run is final, so once you have ruled the runner has met his responsibilities, you can’t turn back. That is why the plate is treated differently than other bases when it comes to the runner missing. If you signal safe, the run has scored. You can’t make that (or any) signal until the runner is either out or has touched the plate.

Yes, that tips off the defense when no signal is made, but the defense isn’t the one who made the mistake of not touching.

The post All Eyes Are On You appeared first on Referee.com.

A long-standing topic of debate in baseball circles is how we should relate to catchers. There are several schools of thought.

I’ve heard some umpires say they work hard to build a relationship because catchers will try harder to protect them if they’re on good terms. This has even included having a smaller zone on catchers when they’re at bat. Other umpires aren’t concerned about protection but still talk catchers’ ears off from the first pitch to the last. A few are at the other end of the spectrum: They barely say a word during a game. Some lay down the law at the start with a sermon like, “We need to work together, so don’t pull pitches or turn around if you disagree with a call.”

I was in the second group early in my career. I didn’t fear being protected and didn’t cut them slack when they were hitting, but I did talk too much. I was nearly their age and had just finished playing so there were many on- and off-field things to talk about and I wasn’t shy about doing so. I don’t think I consciously thought about being their friend but I acted that way, never thinking about whether I was distracting them or one might sell me down the river. But in my first year of pro ball (1970) one did just that. It got back to me that after a game he went on and on about how I missed pitches and the game-ending call at the plate because I had been so busy BS-ing for 10 innings that I didn’t pay attention to what I was doing. This stung, and it caused me to reassess my approach. I reached two conclusions.

For starters, although I had heard this said, it finally sunk in that umpires shouldn’t try to be buddies with players. There are inherent barriers between us and it needs to stay that way. I’m not sure how much they respect us if we’re too chummy. And, as in my case, they can be lovey-dovey to our faces but knife us in the back when they get away from us. So, my first conclusion was that I had erred by not keeping some boundaries in place.

I also realized that their personalities are different. Some are gregarious while others are basically shy. Some are more easily distracted than others. Their maturity level may differ. My personality might mesh with catcher X but not Y. Plus, they’re a captive audience. What do we expect them to do if they don’t want to engage in a talkfest? Say, “Hey, would you please shut up”? Not likely. So my second conclusion was that I had erred in being Chatty Cathy with all of them. Some will be fine with that, maybe even welcome it; others won’t.

What to do? I didn’t want to be a robot devoid of personality because I thought that may be as off-putting as being too talkative. I didn’t like the lay-down-the-law approach for I thought that starts things off on an antagonistic note. I’d rather assume they know how to behave until they prove otherwise. In my career, most did; only a few were jerks. Finally, I knew that creating some rapport with that person two feet in front of me is necessary or it can be a long day behind the plate; it’s a matter of not going overboard.

So I charted a middle course — be amiable and share a comment or quip here and there but keep interaction minimal and on a professional level. That way I wouldn’t be distracting or as open to a cheap-shot attack and the variables in our dynamics wouldn’t matter.

I said hi when they came out in the first inning, asked their first name if I didn’t know it, and shook their hand if they stuck theirs out. I’d ask if their pitcher threw anything unusual so I wouldn’t be caught off-guard. That’s about it.

I took some warmup pitches behind them in the first inning. I thought this conveyed the message that I didn’t think I was so good that I could just start calling pitches cold. Plus, it gave me some feel for how they set up, received the ball, etc.
If they asked where a pitch was, I’d say down or whatever, but I didn’t engage in debate.

If they wanted to pursue the matter, I’d say nothing or, “That’s what I had, so let’s move on.” Sometimes I had to get firm and tell them to knock off the complaining — maybe even dust off the plate (ostensibly) so I could stress the need to zip it up without anyone knowing what was going on — but those occasions were rare.

If I knew I had missed the pitch, I wouldn’t flat out say that because some will throw it back in your face. Instead, I finessed it with something like, “I’d like to see that one again.” They got the message, and I thought this was better than coming across like I think I’m perfect. But I only did this if I knew I had kicked the crap out of the call, and I never did it if the catcher was a jerk.

I took my cues from them as far as conversation was concerned. If they wanted to talk, I’d oblige to a point, but usually I replied to comments rather than initiating them. If they wanted to keep to themselves, fine. I kept my language clean and avoided personalities and gossip. All in all, if I had more than four or five exchanges with each catcher in a game, it was a talkative day for me.

I’m not going to say my way is the only way, but it worked well for me. I think catchers appreciated that I had some interaction with them, but kept it limited and on a professional plane and that they respected me more than if I had tried to act like “one of the guys.” And I know from my years as a supervisor that many coaches think we talk with their players too much and that it’s distracting to them and us, so I’ve no doubt that my less-is-more approach also went down well with them.

Jon Bible, Austin1, Texas, worked six Division I College World Series.

The post Catcher You Later appeared first on Referee.com.

The main issue is player safety. One team may pressure you to keep a game going because it is concerned about its win-loss record, but you can’t be, especially today, when everyone is at risk of being sued if a game continued longer than it should have and someone gets hurt.

A couple seasons ago, the University of Texas wanted to play although it was misting and 31 degrees with ice storm warnings. There was pressure from the Longhorn TV Network. After trying to convince a game administrator that the game should be postponed — it’s an all-turf field, so I could see players smashing into outfield walls on the slick surface — I said that if need be I’d take the lineup cards and cancel the game, as I once did in pro ball. Thankfully, he relented. I knew the university might be mad, but I didn’t care. Had it been a grass field, we would have played, as teams up north do regularly in cold and wet weather.

Most umpires work on non-turf fields with poor (or no) ground crews. If, on game day, you think weather may be a factor, do some homework. Go online and check the hourly forecast. What are the rain (or snow) chances? Is it supposed to be light or a cloudburst? If storms are predicted, when? What do you know about the ability of the field to hold and drain water? Are tarps available, and if so, who will move them? In sum, don’t just waltz in unprepared; think of what-ifs beforehand.

If the question is whether to start in a drizzle, I’d get the two coaches together and try to talk them into a delay. But it is the home team’s call, and sometimes we can’t delay because of travel issues and the like. Once we start, we have to play on unless there is a monsoon or it gets so that players start slipping around. Of course, the decision then is in our hands, unless per league policy it has been put in someone else’s. A downpour might settle the matter, but I’ve had games where, when the rain stopped, there was pressure to resume although parts of the field were a swamp.

I, again, sought mutual agreement. If everyone wanted to go home, great. If they agreed to play, I was inclined that way, but player safety might override their mutual consent. I first focused on conditions on the mound and batter’s boxes, then the infield and finally the outfield. The biggest risk is pitchers pulling a muscle, or worse, a more serious injury from slipping while striding. Batters faced a similar risk of injury when they rush out of the box. On occasion I had a pitcher take the mound and do a test stride; if he couldn’t get a firm footing, case closed.

Steady, light drizzle is a nightmare. Again, homework may help. Is drying agent available? Is someone there to spread it? Are rakes on hand? That can help you decide how long to keep things going. If so, use them liberally but then focus on the factors in the previous paragraph. And use common sense. Once an umpire at UT kept a game going in drizzle from the second inning, only to end it after the seventh after UT had scored four runs to take the lead. The visitors were homicidal. Having gone that long, I think I would have continued with more drying agent for at least another half inning.

We can more easily plan for darkness than bad weather. If I’m going to work on a field with no lights, I’ll confirm sunset time. Then I’ll factor in clouds, hills and anything else that might obscure the sun sooner than usual. My main concern is when outfielders can’t follow the ball off the bat and batters can’t see the ball out of the pitcher’s hand — in particular, a fastball coming at their head.

It gets risky at about 15 minutes before sunset, earlier if it’s cloudy. So if I know that sunset is at 6:25 p.m., I can work backward. I don’t want to start an inning if I can’t expect to finish it. In calculating, which team is ahead, by how much, and how fast the game has been played, will be minor factors.

Assume that an inning ends at 5:55 with the home team up by four. I play on because I figure we should only have to play the top half of the next inning; why not give the visitors another at-bat? But they score five runs and take 12 minutes to do so. It’s now eight minutes before sunset and I’m facing a dilemma. Do we try to finish even though we are already near risk of injury or give up so the score reverts to the last inning? What should have gone through my mind at 5:55 was that we have about 15 minutes to safely complete the next inning; if the visitors don’t follow the script and we have to go to the bottom of the inning, we can’t reasonably expect to finish. So why start?

Obviously I can’t cover every variation on this theme. For example, the inning ended at 5:49 or the score was different. My point is to look ahead and do some reasonable planning, keeping in mind: 1) never risk safety, 2) never assume things will go as expected, and 3) consider the what-ifs that may come into play if you continue. Not only do visitors unexpectedly score, but games that have been whipping along may slow to a snail’s pace. And involve the base umpire(s), as he or she will be a better judge of what the outfielders can see.

To carry the anticipation theme further, if the inning that ended at 5:55 started at 5:30, I should recognize that the odds of finishing it plus another one aren’t good, so I’ll huddle up the coaches and tell them that, barring a miracle like a six-pitch inning, this inning is it. Then there is less grumbling when I do pull the plug.

If a less-experienced umpire has the plate, you may need to step in. Once I worked with a young umpire who eventually was assigned to the College World Series. He was the plate umpire, but I let the game go to the ninth inning against my better judgment. In near darkness and with outfielders misplaying fly balls, the home team scored four in the bottom of the inning to win, whereupon all hell broke loose. Going home I learned that he wanted my help but was afraid to ask. In hindsight, I should have approached him after the seventh inning and begun the what-ifs, most likely recommending that we tell everyone that the eighth inning would be it.

Under the best circumstances, weather and darkness are challenging calls. But if we do some homework before the game and planning during it, and keeping safety uppermost in mind, we have a better chance of emerging unscathed than if we just deal with things when they confront us.

The post When To Stop A Game appeared first on Referee.com.

• Consider the possibility of obstruction. Because fielders rotate in and out of the rundown as throws are made and the runner is chased down, it is pretty easy for one of the fielders who has just made a throw to fail to get out of the way quickly enough to avoid the runner changing direction.

• Interference can occur. Acts such as attempting to knock the ball out of the glove of a fielder in possession of the ball or using a body part to intentionally interfere with the flight of a throw from one fielder to another are the most common examples.

• While trying to avoid being tagged out, the runner may not run more than three feet left or right of a direct line between the base and his location at the time a play is made on him. The basepath may change due to multiple throws and changes of direction.

• Get in position to see a swipe tag. Moving laterally with the play will allow you to maintain an angle that may be necessary to see the tag properly. It is possible that despite great effort to maintain a good angle, you may not be able to see the tag placed clearly on the runner. In those situations, the reaction of the runner and/or whether the fielder’s outstretched glove hand appeared to meet some resistance as it swiped at the runner will help you make the call.

• Depending on the size of the crew and runner configurations, the plate umpire may be able to hustle from behind the plate to get in position to help his partner on the opposite end of a rundown. The responsibility of calling the tag varies. If a runner is tagged in the chest, for instance, the umpire whom the runner is facing has the call. If the runner is diving into a base, the trail umpire makes the call.

• Know how to react if two baserunners wind up on the same base. The defense likely doesn’t know the rule and will tag both runners. The lead runner is entitled to the base, unless it is a force-play situation. Consequently, he is not in jeopardy, while the trail runner is out.

The post How to Keep Calm During Rundowns appeared first on Referee.com.

Someone realizes you and your regular umpire partner are sitting in the stands and asks, “Hey, I know you’re both off duty tonight, but can you fill in so we can play?”

Naturally, you both feel compelled to help out. After all, your uniform and gear are in your respective cars. You’ve got everything that’s needed and the kids will be able to play. So why not, right?

But then it hits you. When’s the last time either of you worked a game on a 60-foot diamond? For some umpires, the answer might be never.

Here’s the key: Stick to the fundamentals.

First and foremost, it’s important to always remember to do your absolute best all the time. Even if this is a youth league contest where the players are simply learning the basics of the game, the participants deserve your best effort. Be “on your game” and hustle. Don’t let them down.

Second, find out what rules the game will be played under. Pro rules? NFHS? Some other code? Are there any specific league rules you need to know about so that you can manage the contest appropriately? Can runners lead off? Steal bases? Advance on a dropped third strike?

With that taken care of, you’re almost ready to step on the field. Time for a 60-second review of 60-foot mechanics. If you and your partner also regularly work softball, you’ll be in good shape. Otherwise, take note of the points you want to discuss with your partner so you’re on the same page.

Starting positions.

If the game is played with leadoffs, pickoffs and standard 90-foot diamond rules, it’s OK to work standard 90-foot mechanics if that’s all you’re used to. It will get a little tight for the base umpire to work inside the diamond — and staying out of the way will be problematic at times — but it can be done.

Typically, however, baseball games played on a 60-foot diamond will feature some rules that restrict runners from disengaging the base until the ball is released or reaches the batter. Runners who leave early are either called out or a penalty is assessed after playing action ends, such as putting runners back if they weren’t put out. Working inside the diamond will make it nearly impossible to assess whether a runner left early. As such, the umpires move to outside starting positions. “A” position remains the same on a 60-foot or 90-foot diamond. But “B” and “C” move behind the second baseman and shortstop, respectively. There’s no need to be way back on the outfield grass. Instead, position about 10 feet behind the infielder and to the side, leaving him room to move on a play, but giving you a view of the batter, pitcher and runner(s).

Fly ball coverage.

A 60-foot diamond is a smaller field, so routine fly balls can be left to the plate umpire. Discuss with your partner whether you will go out on trouble balls in the A, B or C positions. Going out often means all the bases are left to the plate umpire, which can be a lot to handle if you’re not used to it — playing action can move fast on the small diamond — so it might be OK to leave all catch/no-catch rulings to the plate umpire and let the base umpire follow the runner(s).

Inside-out mechanics.

A key mechanic when working a 60-foot diamond involves staying outside during an infield hit and moving into the working zone between the pitching mound and second base on an outfield hit. Just remember: On a hit that remains in the infield, work the play from outside the infield — keeping out of the way of the players and potential throws. When a ball is hit to the outfield, the base umpire comes in to the traditional working area. If you’re used to working inside the diamond, it will feel a little different to view plays from the outside. Just focus on getting the best angle to view the play.

Third-base coverage.

Make sure you discuss with your partner what circumstances will bring the plate umpire to third base for the calls there, such as on an outfield hit with a runner on first. Softball mechanics have more situations than 90-foot baseball mechanics for the plate umpire to cover third base, but that level of coverage isn’t necessary to master for your one night filling in. In fact, it’s probably counterproductive to try anything advanced if you’re already in foreign territory.

Ultimately, communication will be key to make sure all calls will be covered, especially if you have never worked with your partner before under these circumstances.

Even a youth game provides you with a chance to work on your footwork and positioning. Take advantage. Every opportunity to step on the field is an opportunity to improve.

Perhaps you’re working with a new or young partner who’s giving umpiring a try for the first time. Show him or her the ropes. Share your knowledge. That’s the only way to grow our brotherhood of officials.

And remember, officiating isn’t just about knowing the rules and enforcing them. It’s about attitude and dealing with people, and that’s even more critical at the youth level. This can be a thoroughly enjoyable experience if you have the right attitude, always strive to get the most from yourself, and treat players, coaches and fans in a professional, respectful and courteous manner.

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1. Appearance.

I won’t dwell on this topic for it is often addressed in this magazine, except to say that if I’m considering several prospects for a staff opening, it’s easy to eliminate those who aren’t flat-bellied and don’t look like they’re athletic. Maybe this isn’t fair, but it is reality in this day and age.

2. Don’t be too eager.

Some umpires want to advance before they’re ready. One thing I focused on when watching umpires work was whether they could maintain a consistent strike zone for nine innings, regardless of what happened. You can’t learn to do this overnight. It takes roughly five years at any level to develop a consistent, solid zone.

I also wanted to see how an umpire controlled the game and whether he could turn the page instantly if he blew a pitch or call or the crowd hooted at him. It takes several years in the saddle to learn how to do this. Be patient and take things a step at a time. If you happen to get a college game or schedule, but screw up because you don’t yet know the ropes, you may not get a second chance. I’ve seen this happen many times.

If working college scrimmages is an option, do it. Balls and strikes are where it’s at, so get behind the plate. Be objective about your work; maybe ask for feedback from the pitching coach afterward. Although scrimmages are not pressure situations, it should give you a sense of whether you can handle that level.

3. Network.

People won’t come knocking at your door asking you to umpire for them. You must put yourself out there if, objectively, you think you’re ready to advance. Submit letters of interest to the proper people. Let people you work with who may be in a position to “talk you up” to those at the next level know of your desire to advance. Many umpires have gotten a chance at a higher level because a partner who was already there put in a good word. Go to camps. (But don’t even hint that you’re there just to advance; this is a royal turn-off.) Be careful, however, not to come across as a suck-up. No coordinator has any use for real or perceived phonies.

4. Sound out veterans.

Veterans may not look the part or be on top of rules or mechanics, but they’ll know things that books and PowerPoints don’t teach. If you get a chance to soak up their wisdom, take it. Incorporate what you like into your repertoire and discard the rest. When I started out, I learned as much from the old-timers as I did in clinics and chapter meetings.

5. Be humble.

Don’t fight your assigners and gripe about assignments. Other umpires may be as good as you are. Take constructive criticism without protest; it can be a career-killer to be branded as the guy who always has an excuse or comeback when someone in authority tries to tell him something. Don’t turn back games unless you have to. For you to become a headache to an assigner gives an easy excuse to skip you over when the plum games come around.

6. Call strikes.

No one likes a walk parade, so call marginal pitches strikes, especially at the bottom of the knees (not the shins), where pitchers try to live, and on the corners. Don’t get hung up on how the catcher presents the ball. You can’t ring up strikes when they make a pitch look really bad, such as by reaching across their body or dropping to their knees to catch it, but otherwise don’t penalize a pitcher for subpar mitt work. This isn’t pro ball, where umpires won’t call a strike if, for example, the catcher turns his mitt down to catch a knee pitch.

I always said that when a pitch left the pitcher’s hand, I assumed it was a strike unless it convinced me otherwise. You won’t advance with a coffee-can-sized strike zone.

7. Don’t get lax.

Work as if someone who can help you is in the stands; in the case of many umpires, someone was. The late AL umpire Steve Palermo, one of the very best ever, got his start because the head of the Umpire Development Program happened to see a Little League game he worked, thought he had potential, and recommended that he go to umpire school.

8. Take care of business.

Know the rules, apply them with common sense and in light of their intent, and adhere to the prescribed mechanics. Have the guts to do what you’re supposed to do even if you get yelled at. And don’t let the troops run the show. If you don’t take charge — without being confrontational or overly aggressive — you’ll never gain anyone’s respect.

9. Always have your partner’s back.

If, for example, they have to eject someone, don’t stand aside and let them try to handle the aftermath. That has happened to me, and it wasn’t pleasant in the dressing room afterward.

10. Integrity.

Don’t trash talk umpires behind their back. You may think that dropping hints with an assigner about what another umpire did wrong may make you look better, but trust me, it doesn’t. If you screw up, own up to it. An umpire on my staff once called me after a game to say that he ejected a coach when he shouldn’t have. That earned tons of plus-points with me.

Lots of umpires today are competing for a limited number of collegiate umpiring slots. The amateur aspirant finds it harder with so many pro umpires coming to the college ranks after not surviving the minor league up-or-out system. Points like the ones above (and there are many others) may help you to set yourself apart from others and be attractive to a college umpire assigner or coordinator.

The post 10 Tips to Move Up the College Baseball Ranks appeared first on Referee.com.

It takes focus and attention to proper mechanics. Here are five things necessary for doing your best work as plate umpire:

Getting in the slot

It probably goes without saying that if you don’t have the best vantage point with which to judge pitches as the catcher catches them, you can’t expect to be at your best calling balls and strikes. Although most of us learn very early that the space between the inside shoulder of the catcher and the batter is where you always need to be, it is surprising how many good umpires don’t get enough into that slot position to see all the pitches.

I recall learning as a young umpire that you need to be in the slot so you can see the pitch that hits the outside corner at the knees. However, I believe more umpires miss the pitch that hits the inside corner at the knees because they are not sufficiently up into the slot to see that pitch. They get blocked by the catcher’s body and end up having to guess on its location when it is caught. The skill level of the catcher will determine how close you can get. Many lower level catchers will make it impossible for you to get too close without constantly making contact with them as they come up to throw.

Proper head height

A general rule of thumb to gauge your head height is to find the place where your chin is roughly even with the top of the catcher’s helmet. However, I would not tell any umpire that there is one perfect place to always place your head in relation to the catcher. Catchers come in all different sizes and use different stances, so your position should be more a function of its relationship to the batter’s stance and your ability to see the entire plate than any point on the catcher’s anatomy. However, the most common head-height error is to set up too low. An umpire who is too low will lose ability to see all of the plate. Find that position where you are high enough to see all of the plate, but not exposed to the point of being extra vulnerable to foul balls off the mask.

Track the ball with your eyes

An often overlooked but essential ingredient of good plate umpiring is proper use of your eyes. When I get set to see the pitch, I already have an imagined strike zone etched in my mind based on the hitter’s stance. As I pick up the pitch from the pitcher’s hand, I want to make sure my head does not move as the ball travels to the catcher’s mitt. Especially on pitches to the outside part of the plate, if your head moves with the ball, you will have a tendency to push the ball outside of the strike zone on close pitches. Make sure your eyes stay with the pitch all the way through the receiving process by the catcher.

There are other important plate responsibilities where proper use of your eyes is critical. As the plate umpire has primary responsibility for judging a checked swing, moving your eyes from the location of the pitch to the bat as soon as possible is necessary to make this ruling properly. When your eyes have determined that the pitch will be out of the strike zone, you can afford to move your eyes immediately to the hitter. On more borderline pitches, you will have to keep your eyes fixed longer on the pitch’s relationship to the strike zone. Fortunately, the rules allow you to get help from your partner(s) on this difficult call.

Good timing

If there is only one thing that I can share with an umpire to help him or her become good at calling balls and strikes, it is slow down your timing. See the pitch all the way into the catcher’s mitt, make a decision, and then make your call. If you think of those three steps as separate and distinct aspects of calling all pitches, you will likely find that your timing will improve. On pitches that are not strikes, but rather close to the strike zone, making yourself stay down in your stance a little longer will help your timing and promote the appearance that you are very sure of yourself and your call. It also will help you avoid the infamous “stee-ball” call or “umpire balk” where everyone thinks you are coming up to call a strike, but instead you flinch as you change your mind.

Good timing can also help you avoid many other mistakes. You’ll be better at judging checked swings, foul tip, batter interference and catcher obstruction plays. Those plays all take normal human beings time to process and rule on. Don’t be afraid to take the time that you need to sort out what just happened so you can rule accordingly. One of the best bits of advice I ever received from one of my umpiring mentors was this: “If you are in the middle of what you think is a great game calling balls and strikes, tell yourself to slow down.”

Proper use of your voice

As plate umpire, outside of calling the balls and strikes, your job is to manage the game. How better to establish your competence in this regard than by using a strong and assertive voice. A strike call should be sharp and quick, not long and drawn out, but it should definitely be something that people can hear. I consciously make it a point to be a little louder when I call a strike on marginal pitches, and this is especially true when that marginal pitch is called for strike three.

Some umpires will use a strong voice to call a ball on a marginal pitch. One caution I would suggest to umpires who use this method is make sure you use it sparingly. An over reliance on using your voice to sell your call of “ball” can create a belief that you are afraid to call strikes on the edges of the plate. I used to occasionally employ that tactic, until I was convinced that it was unnecessary. The argument that swayed me was that if the pitch was so close that you need to sell it, maybe you should have called it a strike.

The post 5 Time-Tested Tips to Be Great Behind the Plate  appeared first on Referee.com.

It’s a strong message delivered to a group known for their strong-willed nature. Shilstone is an expert on fitness and lifestyle management. The New Orleans resident was hired years ago by Major League Baseball to help its umpires lead healthier lives. “What we’ve developed is a functional program specific to what an umpire does,” says Shilstone.

The program has improved the quality of life for many umpires and changed the way the public views them. “I think years ago, the perception was, if an umpire missed a call, it was because he was fat and out of shape,” says Mark Letendre, retired director of medical services for MLB’s umpires. “The perception has changed.”

Attitudes toward umpiring have changed. MLB executives realized they needed to help umpires deal with the demands of their profession. A plate umpire averages more than 270 squats a game. In a four-man system, each umpire is required to move every time a ball is put into play. That’s a lot of starts and stops over a season. Throw in six months of planes, hotels, junk food, and it isn’t a surprise that some umpires view weight scales with the same disdain they do instant replay of their calls.

“Umpires have to realize that they age on the job,” says Shilstone. “They really have to have a program that is specific to their needs. …”

By the time a 30-year-old umpire reaches the bigs, he may have the body of a 40-year-old. You can’t stop aging, but Shilstone does his best to slow it down. He tests everything from blood chemistry and cholesterol to body mass. The tests help identify an umpire’s ideal weight and if he’s at-risk for problems. After proper nutrition and exercise, umpires lose weight and look and feel better. “I think they’ve come to realize, had they gone on the way they had gone, their quality of life would have been much less,” says Shilstone.

About 30 percent of MLB umpires take advantage of Shilstone’s services, paid for by the league. The services are voluntary and confidential. When umpires complete an assessment, they’re given a plan for proper nutrition on the road. An exercise program has been developed that’s simple enough to use in a hotel room but effective enough to keep umpires in good health.

The medical staff has also studied what areas of the body are most prone to injury. “There’s a tremendous amount of use and abuse in the lower leg joints,” says Letendre, who has discovered the 18 most common body movements umpires make in an effort to develop exercises and programs to ease the wear and tear on the body. “We have been able to reduce days lost because of the program.” For umpires, it means a better quality of life during their days on the diamond and when they retire.

Amateur umps may not face the same stress as those in the big leagues. But many are also at-risk. Working games doesn’t provide all the exercise they need. It’s up to the umpire to take the first step. “Stop renting your health,” says Shilstone. “Start taking ownership of your health.”

The post A Major League Road to Fitness appeared first on Referee.com.

Improve Your View At First Base

A play on the batter-runner at first base is one of the most common situations where proper use of the eyes can make the difference between getting a difficult call right and having to deal with the argument that follows a blown call. Whether taking a play at first from position A or sliding into position from B or C to make the call, umpires need to get set and focus their eyes on the front edge of the bag as the throw comes to the first baseman. It then becomes a matter of hearing the ball hit the first baseman’s mitt and determining if that came before or after the batter-runner’s foot hit the bag.

Where do your eyes go next? If the throw to the first baseman is in the dirt or high, umpires may have to rule on catch/no catch by the first baseman. That requires the umpire’s eyes to go directly to the ball after the runner has reached the bag. If the throw pulls the first baseman away from the bag, the umpire’s eyes have to stay on the bag to first determine if the ball was caught before the first baseman’s foot came off the bag. A throw toward the plate side of first base may result in a swipe tag that will require the umpire’s eyes to move to the ball in the first baseman’s glove. That may also require a quick read step to get a better viewing angle on the possible tag.

Improve Your View Of A Double Play

Another play situation on the bases where proper use of the eyes looms large is on the front end of a double play at second base. As is the case on most forceplay judgments, it’s important to have your body set and not to be too close to the play. However, without proper use of the eyes, even being far enough away to have the proper perspective may not be enough to prevent the umpire from missing key aspects of the play.

The umpire’s eyes will start on the bag. While the umpire listens for the ball to hit the fielder’s glove, his or her eyes need to move up to the ball as the fielder makes the exchange from catch to throw. If the ball falls to the ground, a judgment may be needed on whether there was an initial catch by the fielder and the ball came loose on that exchange. In games where there are more than two umpires, the base umpire will then need to move his eyes to the sliding runner in relation to the fielder. The force-play slide rule will require a good look at the direction of the slide into the bag and whether contact was made that altered the play.

Proper use of the eyes requires good timing. Any time a tag play occurs, umpires are often anxious to sell the out call with an emphatic voice and demonstrative signal. However, if your eyes aren’t fixed on the ball’s location after seeing the tag, that out signal might be made while the baseball is on the ground instead of the fielder’s glove.

Improve Your View Of A Catch/No Catch

When viewing a potential catch, an umpire’s body should be set. That allows the umpire’s eyes to work at their best. Movement can distort the umpire’s view of what happened. Umpires, particularly base umpires who decide to go out to the outfield to rule on a catch/no catch situation, should be mindful of that.

After reading the ball off the bat, the umpire’s eyes should go to the reaction of the fielder to whom the ball is headed. The fielder’s reaction, not the flight of the ball, is the best place for the umpire’s eyes to help judge whether to go out.

If the decision is made to go out, being stopped and set at the moment when the attempted catch is about to be made will give an umpire’s eyes the best opportunity to see the play clearly and make the right determination. Some umpires believe that continuing to run hard toward the play to get as close as possible will make the play easier to see. However, the closer proximity gained from continuing to run toward the fielder will not compensate for the distortion caused by a moving head. As with plays on the bases, if the umpire sees a catch, his or her eyes should stay on the fielder’s glove to make sure any release of the ball is voluntary.

Umpires who are on the foul line when a long fly ball is hit over their heads face a huge challenge to the use of their eyes. Attempting to follow the flight of the baseball from the bat through the air all the way to a possible home run ruling is a very difficult thing to do. Umpires are better off taking their eyes off the ball, refocusing their vision on the foul pole and then repicking up the ball in time to judge its relationship to the pole as it goes out of play.

Improve Your View When Plate Umpire

Plate umpires will also find that a still head will allow their eyes to better track the ball from the pitcher’s hand to the catcher’s mitt and make the ball/strike judgment easier. However, there are other important plate responsibilities where proper use of his eyes is critical. Since plate umpires have primary responsibility for judging a checked swing, moving their eyes from the location of the pitch to the bat as soon as possible is necessary to make that ruling properly. When their eyes have determined that the pitch will be out of the strike zone, plate umpires can afford to move their eyes immediately to the hitter. On borderline pitches, plate umpires will have to keep their eyes fixed longer on the pitch’s relationship to the strike zone. Fortunately, the rules allow plate umpires to get help from their partner(s) on that difficult call.

Additionally, judging whether the catcher caught a foul tip will require effective use of the eyes. Staying with the catcher’s mitt when the plate umpire hears the ball tipping off the bat is crucial, especially if the catcher is coming up throwing. If the catcher drops the ball, the plate umpire must determine whether the ball came out on the exchange. With two strikes on the batter, that could mean the difference between strike three or just a routine foul ball.

When working with young umpires, I always suggest that they keep their eyes forward when making a strike call. Many of them have seen plate umpires who will look away from the plate to the direction their right arm is pointing when making a strike signal and want to emulate that look. However, if the catcher comes up attempting to throw out a stealing runner or to pick off a runner straying too far from a base, a batter interference call may have to be made. It’s difficult to see all the elements of the play if you are pulling your eyes back after straying away from the plate area. That can be a tough enough call to make when your eyes stay forward throughout the action.

Base umpires who are positioned on the respective foul lines sometimes find it difficult to pick up the baseball off the bat of the hitter. When that happens, the issue may be that they are attempting to follow the ball from the pitcher’s hand to the hitter and then adjusting to the ball’s immediate change of direction. With the high exit speed balls are making in that turnaround, it’s no wonder the ball is hard to pick up. Move your eyes directly to the hitter as soon as the pitch is released. You can pick up the ball when it gets to the plate area. That will make it easier to pick up the ball off the bat while being better focused to help with a checked-swing appeal.

The post Improve Your View of the Play appeared first on Referee.com.

1. Don’t arrive at the ballpark looking like you just came out of the gutter.

Put away the flip-flops, cut-offs and tank tops, and instead wear a pair of slacks and a sport shirt. Don’t have three or four day’s worth of whisker growth. If you look like a slob when you arrive at the park, people are more likely to think you’re umpiring like a slob as the game progresses. When you arrive, give the home team a “hi” sign that you’re there. No need for extended conversations and visits. A quick acknowledgment of your presence will do. Some coaches won’t care, but others will because, for example, their starting pitcher routinely begins warming up X minutes before the contest starts and it throws a monkey wrench in things if the umpires are unexpectedly late. If they know you’re on site, the coaches can comfortably proceed with their pregame routine.

2. Even if you’re used to working with your crewmate(s), have a good pregame meeting.

You don’t necessarily have to follow everything in your usual script (and it’s good to have a script), but you should at least hit the high spots like basic coverage and rotations. It’s also a good idea to discuss how individual members and the crew as a whole are going to handle ejections if they occur and how to communicate to each other that you have useful information to provide if an unusual situation arises and is one that the applicable mechanics book allows umpires to get help on.

3. Be conscious of the impression you’re likely to create when you walk to home plate to start the game.

Especially if one or both teams don’t know who some or all of you are, they are likely to at least subconsciously form a positive or negative impression based on your body language and demeanor when you first appear on the field. If the impression is negative, it will almost inevitably affect whether they give you the benefit of the doubt on close pitches and plays.

A longtime assistant coach at the University of Texas, who had also had some years in minor league baseball, once told me that he absolutely believed that he could tell if a guy could umpire just by the way he walked up to the plate.

Don’t walk to the plate rigidly, like you’re a four-star general surveying the troops, but at the same time don’t slouch. Try to be as neutral and professional as you can. When you get to the plate, don’t throw your mask on the ground to free up your hands to deal with lineup cards. Keep it tucked under your upper arm.

4. If the ground rules need to be covered, ask the home team manager to do that.

 “How about taking us around the field, coach?” And unless he announces some unique twist that clearly violates the rulebook, go along with the ground rules he lays out and don’t try to change them. It’s his ballpark, not yours. The exception is if you think player safety is an issue or that something just doesn’t make sense, in which case you can tactfully ask if the coach has considered an alternative.

5. Don’t be overly friendly with the home team coaches and players when you enter the field, even if you’ve worked many games for that team and know everyone on a first-name basis.

The visitors will be watching, and if they don’t know who you are, you could feed paranoia. Don’t call one coach by his first name at home plate and the other one “coach.” Keep it consistent. During the game, don’t be overly talkative with the players. A few words here and there are fine, but don’t make it a yuk-it-up party.

6. Pay attention to what the base coaches are saying with runners on base, especially if you’re working a two-umpire crew.

They’ll let you know when, for example, the shortstop is creeping in behind a runner, so you’ll be better prepared if a pickoff attempt happens.

7. Don’t get together with your partner(s) every half inning.

It makes things look like you’re not taking the game seriously, especially if you’re joking around. As an observer, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched two base umpires seemingly having a party and then glanced over to see a coach looking at them with a grimace. If you really need to discuss something, fine, but keep it serious.

8. Don’t just walk everywhere; instead, use a little trot, or at least a brisk walk.

When we lope along like we’re bored to death — and sometimes we are — we give players and coaches an easy target if a close play happens. I can just hear it now: “Move around out there! You’re killing the grass!”

If we’re not conscious of the impressions we are creating, we can create negative impressions that affect assessments of our work. In an ideal world we’ll be given the benefit of the doubt and judged entirely on balls and strikes, safes and outs, how we manage the game and the like.

But that’s not the real world. Problems we create for ourselves can undermine all the good work we do during the game.

The post 8 Ways to Avoid Perception Issues appeared first on Referee.com.

mpires always stress the importance of good timing behind the plate (and on the bases, but that’s a topic for another day). But to talk about good timing begs the question: What does it mean? And how do we make it happen?

We can be too quick and, for example, ball a pitch that looked like it would be a high fastball because we didn’t give ourselves enough time to see it break down into the strike zone. I once did this on what would have been the game-ending third strike in a high-profile college game; fortunately, the batter — who no doubt knew he wasn’t going to get another gift — swung and missed at the next pitch, which was out of the zone.

Conversely, our timing can be too slow. Then we can second-guess ourselves, with bad results. For example, we see a pitch and instinctively know it caught the corner of the plate — was in our “window” — but because we’re so deliberate we talk ourselves into believing it was out of the zone, so we call it a ball. Analyzing things to the nth degree was required when I was in law school, but it can be counterproductive on the ball field.

In the early ’70s, when I was in the minor leagues, I saw a game with then-NL umpire Paul Runge behind the plate. I thought his timing was awesome and I concentrated on him during the game. A pitch would hit the mitt, there would be about a two-count pause and then he would make his call. He never deviated whether the pitch was down the middle or a foot outside. From then on, I consciously modeled myself after him.

If we’re quicker to call obvious pitches — balls or strikes — than close ones, people may infer we’re unsure of ourselves on the latter ones. Projecting uncertainty is a bad deal. So strive to pause for the same amount of time on each pitch, regardless of where it is. And I think a two-count pause after it hits the mitt is just right — not so quick that you can’t register where a close pitch is, and not so slow that we second-guess ourselves. If we keep the same rhythm on every pitch, we buy time to take a second look at close ones before calling them without anyone being the wiser.

I advocate the same volume whether or not it’s a close call — not so loud that we’re virtually screaming, which isn’t as convincing as some folks think, but not so soft that we’re barely heard, which doesn’t project confidence. Back in the day we poured it on if we had a close “decision” pitch — strike three or ball four — but I think we sell ourselves better if we look like it isn’t our first rodeo and we’re in command. The same forceful-but-not-over-the-top volume on each pitch is part of that sales effort. Keeping the same volume also makes it easier to keep our timing consistent.

Our strike signal can affect our timing. An exuberant signal — like the “punch” or arm jerked skyward that were once in vogue — can make us speed up our call. I favored signaling to the side in a deliberate, crisp, controlled manner. (Too lackadaisical and we won’t convince our mother we know what we’re doing.) This relaxed motion made it easier for me to slow down my timing and keep it the same throughout the game.

Finally, I think our stance can influence our timing. For years I worked on a knee, but I tried to keep my head up and not lean over so that the bulk of my weight was on my front leg. Not only can this distort the strike zone, but over the course of a game putting undue pressure on one leg — usually the left one, as we generally have more right-handed batters — can subconsciously make us want to bail out too quickly when a pitch comes in to take the pressure off that leg.

This is one problem I had with the scissors stance. Even if you keep your weight evenly distributed between the front and back leg it can be easier to get off balance in this stance than it is in, say, a box. I know because I tried it for a while after I got off of my knee when catchers started working more inside. Eventually I went to the box.
I always checked with a partner about the end of the second inning to see if my timing was consistent and not too fast or slow. We can work for ages and not recognize when our tempo is off a bit, and an outsider — at least one who will be honest with us — can tell us if things are amiss. Just as something a bit out of kilter can make a huge difference in our golf swing, it can matter in pitch-calling.

I tried not to deviate from my normal routine, cadence and volume when the game got in later, or extra, innings and heated up. It’s OK for the troops to get excited, but for us to appear to be may send the message we’re in over our heads. And if we get caught up in the hoopla it’s more likely our timing will speed up, which increases the odds of missing a pitch (or more) when things really count.

Finally, I tried not to anticipate what pitch may be thrown. Most of us have a pretty good sense of what to expect in particular situations, but I learned early on that it’s better to take each pitch as it comes without guessing what it will be. Unfortunately, I didn’t always succeed. That’s why, to return to the example I started with, I assessed the accuracy of what I thought would be a fastball, and made my call accordingly, before realizing it was actually a curve that broke right into the heart of the strike zone. Do this enough times and any notion of a solid plate game will go flying out the window.

The post High Time to Talk Timing appeared first on Referee.com.

Rule No. 1 is based on the old expression, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” Every tournament has a structure with designated people calling the shots. You may not like how things are run, but don’t make waves. It’s their show; we’re along for the ride. The games can’t go on without us, but in the end we’re peripheral — the competitors are the focal point. If something is a big deal — like once where it was 100 degrees and no one brought us water between innings until something was said — let the crew chief handle it. If you’re the chief, don’t raise a stink — go to one of the people in charge and politely express your concern.

Be careful what you say in the dressing room. Cutting up is a fun part of tournaments, but our mouths can get us in trouble. I know one umpire who is no longer part of the NCAA regional picture because he made comments that were construed as sexist. He has an acerbic wit and I’m sure he was clowning around, but that isn’t how it was perceived.

Same with off-field behavior. In an NCAA regional back in the day, I sat poolside late into the night with another umpire and a coach; we built a pyramid of 40 or so empty beer cans. Today, I’d be fired on the spot. Especially with social media scrutiny we must have our “good boy” hats on 24/7. No bringing “playmates” back to the hotel. No loud parties in the hotel room that will make people call management to complain. No leaving beer cans in the room. No being loud and obnoxious — worse, self-identifying as part of the tournament umpiring crew — at restaurants and bars you go to after games. Leave the dressing room reasonably clean when you leave each day.

Once I worked an NCAA regional with a young umpire I didn’t know. We hit it off at the pre-tournament dinner, so later I knocked on his door to see if he wanted to shoot the breeze. Immediately I detected the smell of marijuana smoke. How dumb is that? And in one College World Series an umpire just had to demonstrate what a stud he was by bringing two women back to the hotel and strutting them out to the pool the next morning, with NCAA folks peering through the restaurant window. That was his last CWS.

Don’t act like a big shot. You may be the top guy in your area, but you’re not there now. An umpire I chose for the CWS when I was NCAA national coordinator was a premier guy in his conference and, from the get-go, acted like the other umpires were beneath him. On day two, one guy told me if said umpire didn’t change his attitude, they were going to kill him. I met with him and got the message across.

Presumably you know the proper onfield mechanics, but brush up before you get to the site. If you’re a newbie, do what the crew chief says in your pre-tournament meeting; if you’re the chief, stick with what’s mandated. A veteran and I caused problems in our three-man 1984 NCAA regional because we switched field positions depending on the pitch count; a second-year guy on the plate finally complained that he didn’t know what to do. And I’ve often mentioned the 1980 CWS, where the crew had to group-call a play at the plate with no umpire nearer than 50 feet because one umpire refused to go along with the prescribed mechanics.

If you’re a postseason veteran, welcome the first-timers. I’ll never forget CWS-veteran Dale Williams coming to my hotel room in 1979, my first CWS, to welcome me. What a difference it made.

If you’re a first-timer, don’t change what you’ve been doing. As we say in Texas, “Dance with what brung you.” Obviously, someone liked your work enough to give you this assignment. The stakes are higher, there’s more pressure, the crowds will probably be larger than you’re used to and, until the first pitch, your nerves may be in overdrive, but remember that everyone who came before you went through the same thing. Trust yourself. If you belong, you’ll rise to the occasion.

Wear slacks and a golf shirt to the park. Shave every day. If you look grubby, it’ll likely be thought that your work is grubby. Treat everyone around you with respect.

Don’t gripe about assignments. You may be put at third base when you think you deserve the stick, but go with it; myriad factors can affect the assigning process. In that 1980 CWS the maverick umpire, a veteran, assumed he would have the plate in the final game — so did I — and was stunned when the assignment sheet was posted and I had it. He looked at one of the NCAA brass and said, “There’s a mistake here.” Without missing a beat the guy looked him in the eye and said, “There is, but it’s not on the sheet. I’m looking at him.” That was the umpire’s last CWS.

If there’s a postgame critique, process what’s said and discard it if it doesn’t make sense, but don’t argue or come up with a “Yes, but … .” Deal with it and go on.

In some settings the host institution will designate someone, probably a student, to take care of the umpires. If so, and they clean your shoes and do your laundry every night, kick in $25 or so apiece, depending on how long the tournament runs, to show your gratitude. Aside from the fact the “clubbie” can use the money, he or she will have a great impression of you and it will get back to the powers that be.

Playoffs are something to be proud of. Savor every moment. Work hard. Have fun. But above all, keep your nose clean and do the right thing.

Jon Bible, Austin, Texas, worked seven NCAA Division I College World Series. He was the 2019 recipient of the National Collegiate Umpire Award from the National College Baseball Hall of Fame.

The post How to Have a Playoff Mentality On and Off the Field appeared first on Referee.com.

Timing.

Good timing is as essential on the bases as it is on the plate. I have no idea why, but I always tended to be quicker in calling plays at first base and force-outs than I was on tag plays. I had to constantly engage in self-talk to make myself slow up in those situations.

So if you know you kicked a call, assess your timing; chances are that you called it too quickly. No matter how experienced we are or how sound our basic judgment is, our mind has to have a chance to process what our eyes have seen. Let the play go through to completion and then add a second or two before deciding. Fight the impulse to rush your call, especially if it’s a dramatic play like a runner trying to score the winning run with a perfect throw coming in. In these instances it’s easy to get caught up in the drama and think safe or out too quickly.

Positioning.

It’s more important to get a good angle on a play than it is to get on top of it. In the old days, for example, plate umpires from the big leagues on down called plays at the plate from up the third-base line. This resulted in them looking at the runner’s backside as he slid past into the catcher, and this horrible angle increased the chances of getting the play wrong.

In an NCAA regional tournament game, a veteran umpire ruled a player safe at the plate to give a team a victory and send it to the College World Series, although video showed the catcher tagged the runner a foot before he touched the plate. The umpire let himself get blocked out by being up the line, causing all hell to break loose.

In the early ’70s, when I was in the minors, NL umpire Frank Pulli created a stir when he began calling tag plays at the plate from his ball-strike position. This caught on as umpires realized they had a better view with the ball and runner coming into them. Now things have evolved so that umpires start on the third-base line extended and adjust depending on how the throw comes in and how the runner slides.

Trying to make the ball and runner come into you heightens your chances of being right at every base. We can’t always do this, especially in two- or three-umpire crews, but if I could, I did. As U2, I took steals of second from the shortstop side; as U3, I took plays with the throw coming from right field in foul territory, toward the home plate or the outfield side depending on how the play developed; and as U1 I took infield plays at first from just off the foul line in fair territory. This gave me a better chance to process what was happening and adjust to get a better view if necessary.

As for getting on top of the play, commentators and fans compliment this, but we can get so close that we lose sight of the forest for the trees. I tried to stay several feet away. As U1, for instance, I set up at least 15 feet back of the bag as I felt this improved my field of vision and made it easier to see things like a runner’s foot in relation to the base as the first baseman fielded a throw in the dirt.

You can’t see all the fine detail of the play if you’re on the run and your eyes are jiggling

Maybe you kicked the play because you weren’t stationary. You can’t see all the fine detail of a play if you’re on the run and your eyes are jiggling. Sometimes it’s hard to force yourself to stop when you’re far away from a play, as in a two-umpire crew where you have back-to-back plays at different bases, but you’re better off to do this and focus on getting the best angle.

Anticipation.

In the 1984 College World Series, I was working second base. A runner at first broke too quickly and my mind registered this as an easy out. The pitcher completed his pick to the first baseman who threw to second, but it was high so that the fielder had to climb the ladder. By the time he applied the tag it was on the runner’s upper arm with the rest of the arm over the bag. Because I had my mind made up before the play happened, I didn’t assess it objectively. My mistaken “out” call snuffed out a rally and likely cost that team the game.

We set ourselves up to fail if we anticipate how a play will develop, even subconsciously and for a split second. If Sam hits a ground ball in the hole so F6 has to backhand it, we can’t afford to let our first reaction be that there’s no way F6 can make the play. That plants a seed in our mind that’s hard to overcome if we suddenly have a whacker because Sam tripped coming out of the box or is just slow. Same thing if Bob hits a ground-ball bullet to F5 so that our mind instantly registers out but the runner is especially fast and beats the throw by an eyelash.

Making this mistake once caused me to ring up a guy at least a half-step past first when the throw got there. When the coach argued, I told him I got confused and thought the runner was coming from the opposite direction. He actually laughed.

In sum, if you think you missed a call, run through a checklist of these possible reasons. If you identify the problem, you’ll be less likely to screw up the next one. And then put it out of your mind, turn the page and move on, or the misses will continue to happen.

The post Tips for When You Struggle on the Bases appeared first on Referee.com.

OK, you jogged out to your position on the edge of the outfield grass. You notice the catcher calling for a throw down to second base and take that as your cue to jog quickly to the A position. You look up and see the plate umpire step out from behind the plate and point at you for final confirmation that you are ready. As you point back at him to confirm that you are ready, are you really as ready as you can be?

How many times have you found yourself waiting for pregame actions to be completed so the plate umpire can begin the game? Ideally you jogged from the home-plate meeting along the baseline past first base, then turned to a position at the outfield grass equidistant from both first base and second base. You stand there as you wait for the plate umpire to signal the last warmup pitch or the catcher to announce he will throw to second. Then you jog briskly to take up your position next to the baseline 10 to 12 feet behind the first baseman. This process takes a couple of minutes. You can and should use this time to improve your positioning and anticipation for calls.

Consider making the following a habit:

1) Introduce yourself to the batting team base coach, if he is already present. Just a simple exchange of names in a cordial manner will do. Knowing his first name is essential to the communication process when you have to quell dissent on a call, i.e., “No, Ken, he got him on the arm.” Be sure to introduce yourself to both team base coaches in the same manner. Keep it short, but be sure to do it.

2) Observe the playing area boundaries whether or not you are familiar with the field. Open dugouts, open or ill-fitting gates, gaps in fencing, the odd concrete post here and there and water drains all appear on baseball fields in foul territory behind first base. Make a mental note about how they can impact an overthrow. Are there obstacles in the line of an overthrown ball? Recognize trees or wires overhanging the field down the right-field boundary and prepare yourself to act accordingly. Situations with balls heading their way should have been covered in the pregame plate meeting, but be sure to recognize them from the A position before play begins. Check the gates as half-innings are getting ready to begin and remind bench personnel to close them.

3) Observe the area around your position. Is there a crown or bump along the baseline? Many groundskeeper-challenged high school fields have uneven surfaces along the right-field line behind first base. The last thing you need is to trip or stumble on uneven ground as you move into the infield or pivot to go out on a trouble fly ball.

4) Scan the dugout areas. Be alert for equipment or bats not stored within the confines of the dugout. Remind the appropriate coach to collect the stray team gear so the game isn’t unnecessarily delayed. Be sure to get players and extra team attendants in the dugout well before play can begin.

5) Scan along the boundary fence for baseballs on the playing field. Some balls may not be picked up after infield practice or before-inning warmups — some could even remain from a previous practice or game. Look for them and get them off the field. You should also scan for pieces of trash that might resemble a ball in the grass. Direct that these be picked up, too.

6) Observe infielder throws during warmups. You will probably get a couple of chances to observe second base, shortstop and third base throws. A third baseman whose practice throws consistently take the first baseman into the running lane on the home-plate side is likely to make a similar throw on a play in the upcoming innings. Watch for it and make a mental note. You can prepare yourself for a shift in positioniong to account for this offline throw, which may prompt a swipe tag or collision.

7) Track the infielder warmup throws into the first baseman. You probably have about six throws to observe his fielding skill and what he seems likely to do on a low throw. Is he proficient at digging out low throws or is every bounced throw getting by him? Knowing his tendencies makes your read-and-react process quicker if the ball is snagged or if it trickles by him to the boundary fence. Repeat this process when a substitute fielder enters at first base.

8) Keep observing the infield warmups during the game for offline-throw clues, especially when substitutions put a new player at second base, shortstop or third base.

Now, again, you see the plate umpire step out from behind the plate and point to you for final confirmation that you are ready. If you have taken care of business to get yourself ready for A position, when you point back to confirm that you are ready, you really are as ready as you can be!

The post Eight Habits to Improve Your Play Positioning appeared first on Referee.com.

Go to one camp, and you’ll receive detailed instruction about working hard to obtain a 90-degree angle with the location from where the throw originates. So, if a ball is hit to the third baseman, you are going to take at least two to three additional steps into the infield dirt toward second base than if the throw is coming from the second baseman who is deep into the hole moving toward shallow right field.

Fast forward a couple weeks, and you may find yourself at another camp where you’re taught the 90-degree rule is out of style, and instead all you need to do is to take one or two steps off the foul line for all plays at first base, because this gives you the best angle to see if there is any daylight between the first baseman’s foot and the bag when he catches the throw.

Sound familiar?

Every good camper knows which mechanic is correct: It’s the one being taught in that moment. You do as the instructor wants you to. Six months later, when you’re lined up for the first pitch of the new season and anticipating that first ball being put in play, your pre-pitch preparation, your read of the action and muscle memory are going to dictate which mechanic you use.

And here’s the good news: Neither is wrong … until it is. Because as we all know, no two plays are created or executed exactly the same. The mechanic that might best fit one particular play may not be best suited for another. That’s where we need to use all of the tools in our bag to get in the best position to make a ruling.

For example, let’s say you’re a general practitioner of the second mechanic — you take one to two steps off the line each time and achieve a strong position for ruling on a possible pulled foot whenever possible. With that in mind, the leadoff hitter drops a bunt that rolls 10 feet into fair territory, the catcher pounces on it and here comes the throw on a bang-bang play at first base.

The good news is you may have a great look at whether the first baseman pulls his foot. The bad news? That first baseman is stretching toward home plate, not one of his fellow infielders, in anticipation of the throw. And given your positioning near the foul line, you are looking through his back, trying to determine when the baseball has entered his glove without a clear line of sight for doing so.

Now, imagine the look you would have at the play by taking two or three more steps toward the middle of the diamond. Not only do you still have a great view of whether the foot remains on the bag — I would argue it’s an even better view because it involves the very front corner of the base with any possible foot pull going toward the plate — but also a clear view of the thrown ball as it approaches the glove. With this small positional adjustment, you have created an optimal look at all the necessary pieces of information needed to make — and sell — this ruling.

Conversely, let’s say you ride or die with the 90-degree angle. A ball is hit deep in the 5/6 hole, the shortstop fields it and his throw is up the line to the right-field side of the bag. The first baseman stretches almost directly toward you and you have a great look at when the ball enters his glove.

The problem? You have no idea if he kept his foot on the base, as you are in no position to see if there is any separation due to the first baseman’s movement coming at you instead of away from you at any type of angle. Rest assured, this is going to be a play where a coach is going to ask you to go to your home-plate partner for help, and you’re going to realize you need it, as you’re not sure if he held the bag or not.

Reading the ball off the bat and realizing this is going to be a close play where a pulled foot is a strong possibility, this is a good opportunity to stay near the line and make sure you have a great look at that particular element of it. Because the ball is coming from an infielder, you’ll still have an unobstructed look at the catch/no catch by the first baseman. Staying near the line gives you the best opportunity to have all the information you need to make this ruling.

As these two examples show, umpires need to be able to read plays and adjust, and understand when the dictums about “always” taking a play a certain way do not apply. Yes, there are absolutes we must follow when ruling on force plays at first base. We don’t want to be moving, so that our eyes have a set look at the action. We want to be far enough away from the play to see everything and not allow it to blow up on us. We want to do everything we can to remain in fair territory, as taking a force play at first base in foul territory in two- or three-person mechanics has the potential of creating additional problems for you and the crew. We want our timing to be on point, so we aren’t in the middle of our big “whacker” mechanic with the ball lying in the dirt.

Where do we set up shop to make that ruling? That comes with feel, experience and understanding it’s not necessarily a final destination, but a road map to help you ultimately get where you want to be.

The post ‘Feel It’ at First Base appeared first on Referee.com.

I had very few ejections in my career and tried to walk away from volatile situations, but I would not tolerate this kind of behavior. Depending on how agitated the pitcher was I might let him off the hook once. Not twice. If I let Sam do this it’s likely to get worse, and teammate Joe will infer that he can act up as well. Then opponent Bill might wonder why he should behave if Sam and Joe aren’t. So I have to nip this in the bud.

The question is how, and I say it depends. There are unique factors at work from youth baseball through high school and college ball that dictate different approaches.

Let’s start with youth baseball, whether it’s Little League, travel ball or somewhere in between. Pitchers are wilder, so more pitches will be out of the strike zone. Umpires working this level often have not yet mastered the zone, so the odds of missing calls are greater. Given their immaturity, pitchers are more prone to blame us for their shortcomings and show disapproval, verbally and/or visibly, when calls don’t go their way. It’s also harder for us to confront them directly, for we can come across as bullies if we scold little Johnny or Susie.

When I had problems with pitchers at this level, I involved the head coach. At the time said coach might not be crazy about me either, but I didn’t care because all I wanted was for the pitcher to quit showing me up. I thought that because the coach is in charge of the team, my best bet, even if I felt he was clueless, was to give him the first crack at solving my problem. Coming across as reasonable and non-confrontational also earned me brownie points with everyone.

I would call the coach out of the dugout — don’t go over there, because entering “their territory” seems aggressive — and ask the coach to help me out by settling the pitcher down. If the coach tried to fight me I’d observe that it would be better for everyone if we went this route because otherwise I’d have to take matters in my own hands, and most likely no one would be happy if I did that. Putting the ball squarely in the coach’s court in this manner almost always produced good results. On very rare occasions it didn’t and I had no choice but to toss the pitcher and/or the coach.

As we move into high school and college, pitchers are older, more mature and generally have been in the game long enough to know not to show up an umpire. Problems still occur, but when they do we can deal with them more directly and, if necessary, frankly than in youth ball. But it still behooves us to get across our message in a non-confrontational manner that we’re not going to put up with nonsense. Back in the day we could shrink the strike zone or jerk off our mask and storm out to the mound, but this stuff doesn’t fly in today’s era.

I’ve known umpires who gave catchers a pregame sermon that they need to catch, not umpire, so don’t turn around on a call, etc. A few had similar chats with pitchers. I never did this because I thought it started things on a bad note to appear to be going into the game expecting trouble; instead, I worked on the theory that players’ behavior would be fine until they demonstrated otherwise.

College and even high school catchers are mature enough that I could use them to send a message to a pitcher whose gestures indicated his displeasure with me. (I tried this in youth ball, but he got halfway to the mound, turned around and yelled, “What did you want me to tell him?” Never again.) I may, for example, whisper in his ear, “I’m not putting up with your buddy’s nonsense, so go out there and straighten him out.” I didn’t use profanity or make threats because I knew this could come back to haunt me; anyway, I figured they were perceptive enough to read between the lines.

The catcher might be as upset with me as the pitcher is, but in my experience almost all were sensible enough to know that starting a war with me was not a good move so they stifled their feelings and got their pitcher to settle down. So, problem solved, without World War III being declared.

Having myself toiled on the mound and been upset with umpires (especially if I was having a bad day and wanted to use them as scapegoats), I appreciated those who handled me in this unobtrusive way. When an umpire comes on strong with a player it’s easy for him to get defensive and want to fire back, but it’s hard to do that when the umpire takes the subtle approach. A couple of times I didn’t calm down and he had to take care of business, but I knew I had only myself to blame. As an umpire, that’s the thought process I want pitchers to go through.

If my “messenger” approach didn’t work, I would take (not jerk) off my mask, walk in front of the plate (not storm out), put up my hand and tell him (not yell and point) to settle down. Doing this in a stern, but not aggressive, manner usually produced results. At these levels the players’ egos aren’t so fragile that they’ll crack if we confront them directly and they’re old enough that we won’t come across as bullies. Often the direct approach just works best.

If all else fails, we’ve no option but to resort to ejection. In high school ball I first opted to involve the head coach, just like youth ball, because the players’ maturity is such that I still wanted him as the go-between. Not in college. And if we get to the point of ejection, it will, if we’ve played our cards right, be obvious to everyone that we had no other choice.

The post Pick the Proper Protocol with Pitchers appeared first on Referee.com.

One such situation comes when a batter is hit by a pitch, but you are not going to award him first base because he made no attempt to avoid being hit. That call is invariably going to lead to protest, so being on top of it right away in a manner that lets everyone know what you have is imperative.

In many cases the batter will have already started toward first, so you will have to come out from behind the plate and motion that he needs to come back to the batter’s box. A very strong signal such as pointing at the batter and then directly to his spot in the batter’s box is in order.

Calling batter’s interference when there was obvious contact between the hitter and catcher on the catcher’s attempt to throw out a runner needs to be sold. However, what about a situation in which there was no contact, or the catcher does not even make a throw? You may still have batter interference, and that is going to require coming out from behind the plate, pointing emphatically at the hitter and making a strong out signal.

Another situation needing a hard sell is when the interference is preceded by strike three. That means you are going to call the runner out on the batter’s interference in NCAA and pro and have the option of calling the runner out in NFHS.

Coming out from behind the plate and pointing at the batter while saying, “That’s interference!” will need to be followed by you moving toward the base where the runner ended up, pointing at him with an out signal and saying, “That runner is out!”

Another one of these unexpected calls for plate umpires that really needs a hard sell is when a batter who is attempting to bunt makes contact with the pitch while his foot is outside of the batter’s box.

While trying to bunt for a base hit, many speedy players will get a running start on the bunt attempt. If they have a foot completely outside the batter’s box at the time of contact, you will have to nullify a possible successful bunt attempt by calling the batter out. Even if the batter fouls the pitch off, you are still going to have an out with any contact with the bat in that situation. That will be a very unexpected call that again will require pointing to the spot where the batter’s foot was outside the box at the time of contact and following that with an emphatic out call.

One unexpected situation that arises occasionally in baseball is the time play. When the third out is made on a non-force-out situation on the bases at the same time that a runner from third is about to step on the plate, the plate umpire must determine if the runner scored before or after the third out was recorded on the bases. If the run scores, the umpire should wave at the press box and then point forcefully down to the plate indicating that the run scores. Conversely, if the out was made just prior to the run scoring, the umpire needs to be just as vigorous in selling that fact. It is vitally important for the plate umpire to again wave at the press box and then make a similar signal to what a basketball official would make in not awarding a last-second shot (open palm hands crossing above your head a couple of times). Some umpires will make a signal similar to a football official declaring a pass incomplete, but that looks too much like a safe signal, leading to potential confusion.

Any time obstruction is called, an ardently demonstrated call is in order. However, when that obstruction takes place on a runner on whom a play is not being made, you may have to have a little more insistence in your tone and demeanor after playing action is over. Since that does not result in an immediate dead ball, your call will come after all playing action has ceased.

Because you may be the only one on the field who saw the play, you will have to sell your possible award of additional bases to an unsuspecting group of players, coaches and fans. You should point at the incident and call out, “That’s obstruction,” when it occurs. However, after the play is over, if an award of additional bases is warranted, you’ll need to call time, point at the runner and then signal the base that he will be awarded, while repeating that you had obstruction. A strong voice and vigorous insistent signals will help defuse what could potentially lead to a volatile situation.

A couple of plays at second base come to mind when thinking about situations that require a hard sell. One involves invoking the force play slide rule.

Pointing at the runner while barking out, “That’s interference,” should be followed by turning and pointing to first and indicating that the batter-runner is also out.

The other situation that can happen in many different locations and situations on the field is the catch and drop of the ball on a voluntary transfer and release. Probably the most common occurrence is the front end of the double play in which the fielder covering second base catches the throw from his teammate in time to get the runner, but loses control of the ball in the transfer from the glove to his throwing hand.

As you sell the catch and out at second with a strong out signal and then mimicking the transfer from the glove to the throwing hand, it is important to make sure that your two hands are moving in a vertical direction, so as not to be confused with a safe signal.

One final note to consider is that “coming out of your shoes” to sell unexpected calls should be limited to situations that require such histrionics.

Any umpire who oversells calls that don’t require such emphasis will quickly lose credibility with his partners and the rest of the participants in the game.

The post Unexpected Calls Require Strong Voice, Signals appeared first on Referee.com.

From what I have experienced in my own umpiring career, it’s a wise statement. The problem is, it points to a very real chicken-or-the-egg scenario: How does one get the opportunity to work the levels of baseball that require three-umpire mechanics without having those 100 games of three-umpire mechanics already on the umpiring resume?
Let me offer the following blueprint as a way for umpires looking to learn the three-umpire system to, well, game the system and get the reps that can help expedite that 100-game education.

Attend Three-Umpire Camps

Every umpire can and should learn something from every umpiring camp. However, not all camps focus on the same systems and mechanics. If you are an umpire who wants to specifically learn the three-umpire system, attending a camp that is focused on the two-umpire system is not going to help with that specific goal.

Each offseason, there are several camps devoted to the three-umpire system throughout the country. Some of these camps lean more heavily toward education. Some lean more heavily toward evaluation and take a more advanced approach to three-umpire mechanics. Either way, a good three-umpire camp that runs between 3-4 days is going to provide not just a heavy dose of classroom instruction but multiple opportunities to get on the field and get a feel for the three-umpire system. Attend two of these in one offseason, and you’ll not only chalk up 8-10 games toward that 100-game experience goal, but you’ll also have the opportunity to build off the first camp in the second one. That “muscle memory” is what you are looking to achieve, so that working three-umpire mechanics one day becomes just as natural as two-umpire mechanics eventually did at some point in your career.

Take Advantage of Fall-Ball Assignments

Most colleges are looking for umpires to work their fall games in September and October, either on a paid or volunteer basis. Take advantage of these opportunities when they present themselves. These games offer the chance to work in front of college coaches and show you are ready to handle that level of baseball, but also offer a low-stress game environment in which to work on your craft. If the coach is willing to pay for three umpires, perfect — it’s another chance to work the three-umpire system. If the coach is only looking for two, offer to work a freebie so you and the other two umpires can still work three-umpire mechanics and get the experience.

Yes, the occasional freebie is OK. Generally, we frown on officials working on a volunteer basis, as we don’t want to send the message that officials should be de-valuing their work; we already have more than enough people who will do that for us. However, that typically means it is rarely a good idea for a full crew to show up and work a scrimmage or game for free. It’s different when there is a paid, two-umpire crew already scheduled, and you offer to step in and allow the crew to work three-person so that everyone can get that experience. Whether it’s a local youth game or high school game, or something more competitive, your goodwill gesture allows not only for that work experience but will also show your assigner or coordinator that you are willing to make some personal sacrifices to improve your game, which is never a bad look. And if you are working with two partners who have the same goals and professionalism as you, chances are they will either offer to split their game checks with you, or at the very least will buy your postgame dinner or refreshments.

Watch Film

One of the great benefits of increased technology in the world of sports is the availability to have vast amounts of game footage at our fingertips on our laptops, tablets and phones. Take advantage and search out games featuring three umpires and watch how they work. Notice what they do well and learn from their mistakes. Better yet, if there is footage available of your own three-umpire games, break it down and self-evaluate your performance, again taking note of what you did well and areas where improvement is needed.

Dig Deep into the Three-Umpire Mechanics Manual

Different umpires learn better in different ways. While experience is typically the greatest teacher, some feel they best supplement that education while watching video. Others learn better in a classroom environment. Some are auditory learners and choose to take advantage of lectures and podcasts. And finally, some learn best via the written word. No matter your preference, a key piece in your umpiring toolkit is the three-umpire mechanics manual. While not every situation an umpire may encounter is shown in the manual, there is a comprehensive breakdown of umpiring mechanics and responsibilities for every pre-pitch situation an umpire should work to commit to memory. Remember, you will never go wrong by doing things “by the book.” It’s not until you have an extremely solid foundation in these basic fundamentals that you should even consider deviating from them.

Find a Mentor or Study Group

Trying to learn any new skill on your own can be a daunting task. It’s always helpful to have someone else you can turn to for advice and ask questions — especially if that someone has been there, done that. One of the great things about umpires is they are almost universally willing to talk shop and help others. At some point, every umpire who is experienced in three-umpire mechanics was once a rookie trying to find his or her way. Tap into that learning process, whether it’s a one-on-one relationship with a mentor who can show you the ropes or getting together with a group of umpires to discuss plays, look at film or dig into the rulebook or mechanics manual.

The post See the Three, Be the Three appeared first on Referee.com.

The rule change, which deals with how a pitcher handles taking a sign from a catcher, and the POEs were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors in July.

The POEs are all considered to be of equal importance and appear in no particular order.
Referee thanks Elliot Hopkins, NFHS director of sports, sanctioning and student services, for reviewing this information.

Pitching (6-1-1)

A pitcher taking a sign from the catcher is one of the fundamental rules of baseball, allowing both the offensive and defensive teams to understand that playing action is about to take place. However, that basic act has become much more complex in recent years due to the proliferation of signals being verbally relayed directly from the dugout to the pitcher and catcher. However, such activity was not supported by an accompanying rule to allow the offensive team to be prepared for the start of action.

Therefore, rule 6-1-1 has been changed to include wording that, while defensive teams are legally allowed to relay signs in this newly accepted manner, the pitcher must still “take or simulate taking his sign from the catcher with his pivot foot in contact with the pitcher’s plate.” This is shown in PlayPics A and B. This requirement is in place whether the pitcher is working out of the windup or the set position, as established in 6-1-2 and 6-1-3.

By simulating taking a sign, the playing action is allowed to start in the same fashion as it always has, eliminating the possibility of a pitcher illegally delivering a quick pitch to an unsuspecting hitter or a baserunner now having the opportunity to lead off from a base.

Points Of Emphasis

Excessive Celebration

Spontaneous, in-the-moment celebrations of good plays have now evolved into more choreographed celebrations that include props and players being assigned specific roles, leading to activity that can best be described as “one-upmanship” or “showboating.” Coaches should be the first line in preventing this type of behavior from occurring.

However, if they are unwilling or unable to manage the emotions of their players or the celebrations, umpires have existing rules that provide warnings, possible restrictions and ejections, and should be willing to use them as necessary.

Proper Use of Equipment

Players should not be modifying or misusing equipment in a way it was not meant to be used as designed by equipment manufacturers. Doing so created questions about how the equipment will perform and creates liability issues.

Sitting on Buckets (Coaches)

Coaches, players, substitutes and other bench personnel are not allowed, by rule, to leave the dugout during a live ball for any unauthorized purpose. This includes sitting outside the dugout on a bucket or stool.

Lodged Ball Procedure

A baseball that remains on the playing field but has become wedged, stuck, lost or unreachable is defined to be a lodged ball. If the ball impacts something, stops abruptly and does not fall back or roll immediately, it is considered lodged. There are existing NFHS rules to deal with a batted, thrown or pitched ball that enters a player’s uniform, catcher’s equipment or umpire’s equipment. However, if a ball becomes stuck in a player’s glove, it remains in play, with the glove/ball combination being treated as a live ball.

Sportsmanship

Chants/intentional distractions and loud noises (natural or artificial) directed at the opponent prior to pitching, hitting or fielding are not good sportsmanship and should not be accepted. As with excessive celebrations, coaches should be the first line in curbing this behavior, and if they are unable to do so, the umpires have tools spelled out in the rulebook to address these actions.

The post Here’s Your Sign appeared first on Referee.com.

In today’s game, umpires who choose to follow those proverbs will likely benefit a great deal.

Unlike many other sports, baseball tends to be a social game with a considerable amount of lull time between plays during each contest. That creates opportunities and temptations for conversations to take place with players during the game. For base umpires particularly, submitting to such enticements is risky. Coaches and players from both dugouts, as well as fans in the stands, can’t help but notice when such talking takes place. Undoubtedly, some will wonder how what is being discussed will impact your next call, especially if the conversing takes place frequently over several innings.

Umpires don’t want to be construed as aloof and unfriendly, so responding tersely and politely to appropriate comments directed at them by players is the proper thing to do. However, where we err is when we originate the conversation, or when the talking becomes habitual and/or lengthy. A notable exception to that rule of avoiding initiating conversation with players can come occasionally right after a great defensive play is made. A briefly stated, “Great play, young man,” is completely appropriate in those circumstances and usually won’t violate the social boundaries between player and umpire that help maintain the integrity of the game.

For plate umpires, there is a divergence of opinion on the value of considerable speaking with catchers during a game. I’m one who doesn’t feel comfortable talking a lot with catchers. In fact, beyond the expected handshake and introduction prior to looking at some of the first warmup pitches, I’m usually more comfortable with the less said, the better. I will usually ask the catcher during those warmup pitches if there is anything about his pitcher that he would like me to know. I will also answer occasional appropriately asked questions about location from catchers when I call a ball on a marginal pitch. However, if it begins to become frequent, such that I believe he is critiquing the call, I put a quick end to it. A concise statement such as, “I’m not back here to do play by play,” will usually get the point across.

There are times in games when we definitely have to talk to players to prevent sparks from exploding into all-out conflagrations. Issuing warnings on pitches thrown high and tight comes to mind, as does telling a hitter to start running the bases while he is admiring a towering drive he just blasted deep to the outfield. An entire article could be devoted to such situations. Even in those situations, the less that can be said to make your point while using appropriate language will always be most effective.

Gone are the days when profanity could be used to make a point with players during a game. We live in an era of technological advancements in communications and media that make it almost impossible for something questionable to be said on the diamond that goes unnoticed, unrecorded or unreported. Consequently, it’s in our own best interest as umpires to be very discreet in what we say to players and how we say it.

I expect my partners to have my back, and I definitely will have theirs, when a player decides he is going to blast one of us during a game. A common situation is when a base umpire is in the middle of the diamond and one of the middle infielders decides to vociferously complain about pitches that he believes his pitcher is not getting called for strikes. My belief is that you must address the player in such circumstances. However, I try to be as dispassionate as possible when I tell players that I consider yelling at my partner the same as yelling directly at me. I will then remind them that their coach and teammates would like them to remain in the game, and their current behavior is casting doubt on the likelihood of that happening.

It is always good to remember that talk is cheap. Our job performance is usually not determined by what we say on the diamond, unless the evaluation is negative due to our words getting us in trouble. Another favorite idiom of mine is, “Some things are better left unsaid.” 

The post You Say It Best When You Say Nothing At All appeared first on Referee.com.

Plate umpires can make decisions on 250 to 300 pitches in a game, but one call at the plate might decide the outcome of the game. Consequently, the umpire community commits a lot of training to developing the best ways to judge plays at home plate. For many decades, umpires approached plays at the plate using the first-base line extended method, commonly referred to as 1BX. Plate umpires stand at an imaginary line that would extend the first-base foul line into foul territory past home plate.

Two decades ago, a new technique emerged called third-base line extended known as 3BX. This is the opposite position from 1BX with plate umpires standing on an imaginary line from the third-base foul line.

One call at the plate might determine the outcome of the game

The gradual change in this practice recently produced a new tactic called, “The Wedge.”

“I first learned The Wedge at a camp in New Jersey,” said Mike Lum, a college level baseball umpire. “I’ve had conversations with minor league and college umps about The Wedge and we all wonder why we are just hearing about this. I think the major league umpires have been using this method for a while, but someone coined the phrase The Wedge only recently.”

So why is it called The Wedge? Think of a shape of a wedge or a triangle. The two sides of the wedge represent the path of the runner and the flight of the ball. An umpire using The Wedge would be in between those two lines to see the point of the play where the tag is applied.

Chris Marshall is a major advocate of The Wedge. “I’ve completely bought into using The Wedge,” said Marshall, who is president & CEO of the New Jersey-based United Collegiate Umpires. “I can remember missing two plays at the plate in a Division I postseason tournament game a few years ago because I was using the old-school thinking. I read the plays correctly but they developed differently than I expected and I got them both wrong. The Wedge now gives me a whole new view of plays at the plate.”

The 1BX and 3BX positions have been commonly taught as places to stand and watch. The Wedge, however, is all about movement and putting umpires in a position to see the play completely and correctly. A key difference between The Wedge and the 1BX-3BX methods is that the home plate umpire is keying off the catcher’s movements to gain a good position to see the play. Using 1BX and 3BX, umpires use the flight of the ball. It is a new mindset.

“In the past, umpires would choose a pre-determined place to stand, either at the point of the plate or at the first-base or third-base line extended. That puts umpires in a pretty good position to see most plays. But if the play explodes, they will not get the best angle,” Marshall said.

Marshall cites four specific plays where The Wedge helps umpires get the optimal view at plays at home plate:

• Swipe tags (when the catcher applies a tag using a swipe motion)
• Crash plays (when the catcher and runner collide)
• Block plays (when the catcher blocks the runner from reaching the plate)
• Dropped balls (when the catcher drops the ball)

“I had been using third-base line extended for years until I learned The Wedge at a clinic two years ago in Binghamton (N.Y.),” said Sal Algozzino, a three-decade college baseball umpire. “The Wedge allows you to see all types of plays at the plate, but you can’t just stand in one place like we used to do. You must be very aggressive and be ready to move.”

When using The Wedge, some instructors say umpires should act like backpacks for the catchers while others urge umpires to stay on the catcher’s glove-side hip. Here are the mechanics of working the wedge:

• Locate the ball.
• Position yourself 2-3 feet immediately behind the catcher, lining up with the catcher’s left hip.
• Move in-step with the catcher and remain 2-3 feet behind him.
• Be prepared to make a final step — the “Read Step” — to see the tag applied. Marshall added, “Umpires need to take quiet, purposeful steps as the ball arrives to put themselves into that window to see the play.”

Two key parts of The Wedge mechanic contradict traditional thinking about home plate coverage, according to Marshall. First, umpires have been taught to keep 4-8 feet away from the play to have a wider field of vision. Second, umpires have been advised not to go into fair territory to call plays at the plate. Umpires using The Wedge often wind up in fair territory in front of the plate or even up the third -base line.

Marshall said, “The Wedge can be difficult to grasp right away but it is worth sticking with it because of the advantages it gives you in seeing the play. The game is changing and we need to change with it. As umpires, we might see a close play at the plate once a month so it may take a while to practice it. I wish we had more bangers at the plate so we could work on it.”

Tim Gaiser, an umpire who has worked college baseball for the last 2 decades in upstate New York, is another proponent of The Wedge.

“I learned The Wedge four years ago and I now apply the wedge fundamentals to plays all over the field,” said Gaiser. “The Wedge has helped me immensely. I look at it this way: I umpire baseball games involving boys ages 15-22. They stay the same age every year but I get one year older every year, so I need to find ways to be more efficient. The Wedge challenges what has been taught for years, but it puts us in the best place to see the play. It makes us better umpires.”

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