Quote:
Originally posted by edhern
I've been to clinics where you are taught to say "he didn't go", "he went", "safe, off the bag" to make certain calls. There are times I have expanded these calls to avoid issues with coaches. For example "safe, he's under the tag" "safe, he dropped the ball" or "out, he blocked the base". So far, no arguments or discussions because the coaches and players know why I made the call if they weren't sure of what happened from their vantage point. Do other umps do this or am I going a bit too far?
Ed H
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Ed:
In my clinics I teach the very minimum language for calls. You're better of with: safe; out; yes, he went; no, he didn't go; he's out on the tag (repeated as needed).
The problems are legion:
- You may become confused and SAY the wrong thing.
- Coaches, players, or fans may misunderstand what you say.
- You may become so interested in "explaining" a call that you miss a follow-up call at another base.
Once you start "broadcasting" calls (on a pick-off play, "No, he's back!" for example), it's just a small step to describing the pitches: "Ball, a little outside." "Strike, right on the corner!" You're not Vince Scully. Stick to the traditional comments, and leave the talking to the radio announcers.
BTW: Professional umpires don't say: "Safe! He's off the bag!" They say "Safe!" and signal the fielder is off the bag by putting both open hands together and making a broad, sweeping gesture away from the body. (I go "right to left," but I've seen wrong-handers do it the other way.)