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I've been at it a few years, and I've put together a list of things umpires should be aware of in order to be better umpires and move on up the ladder. Here's that list:
1. Head out to home plate and the mound with head up and with
determination.
2. If a catcher asks for help on a check swing, NEVER refuse.
3. When a relief pitcher comes in and is warming up, and you are the base umpire, walk behind first base to see where that free leg and foot are in relation to the plane of the rubber. It won't change when you're in the middle of the infield and you'll know when he does something differently.
4. If the team in the first base dugout is giving you static after a play, stand on the third base line between innings for a while.
5. If you are the base umpire, don't talk much to any players or coaches, even when a relief pitcher is warming up, unless you have something to say relative to the game.
6. Record all changes on your lineup card, even in a blowout.
7. Count warm-up pitches and don't allow excess ones unless the situation merits it.
8. Notice which foot a pitcher steps off the rubber with when nobody is on base - chances are he'll do it with the same foot when runners are on.
9. Clean your shoes. Polish them, too.
10. Get clean matching ball bags and pants that fit.
11. Buy a new fitted hat at least every two years. Shirts, too.
12. Make frequent eye contact with your partner, especially when runners are on base, and acknowledge hand signs.
13. Someone else keep an indicator and use it with runners on base.
14. As the plate umpire, flash the count regularly with runners on base.
15. Ask other umpires why they do the things they do, and ask for critique of your own work from umpires you respect.
16. Discuss odd plays every chance you get, and dig for the answers in
as many sources as you can - don't quit looking for an answer just because you find one.
17. Never stop learning how to umpire. Don't be satisfied with your
performance.
18. Take a lawn chair and a carpet square in your trunk, and a water jug will save your life.
19. Take the appropriate rulebook to the game site, but leave it in the car or locker room.
20. Always volunteer to do the plate when you work with someone for the
first time - you have more control there.
21. Join some professional organizations. Attend their meetings and read their literature.
22. Go to a school or camp. More than once.
23. In the last inning, if the catchers have been working hard, tell them, “You’ve done a nice job today”. They appreciate the compliment. Don’t carry on a running conversation throughout the game.
24. Don’t be afraid to admit you missed a pitch.
25. Work hard to keep people IN the game. Be a good listener.
26. Don’t get caught up in the game – you have a job to do that does not involve emotion. Coaches argue – we don’t.
27. When a hitter steps up to the plate, look at his hands. If his fingers extend off the end of the knob, odds are you’ll have a better chance of knowing if that “up and in” pitch hit the knob of the bat or his hand. If it hit the hand, he’ll be in pain. If his fingers extend off the knob it can’t hit the knob.
3-MAN and more -
Any time there’s a runner at first, there should be an umpire at first.
Base umps - stay in short right and left between innings.
Don’t chit-chat with players or coaches, and don’t visit with your partners unless necessary.
When a runner scores, DON’T point at home plate to acknowledge it.
With runners on base, after a foul ball or timeout, remember to point the ball back in play. Partners look for this, because it will affect pickoffs and balks.
When at first base with a runner being held there, stay up on the line.
Remember to talk during that first-to-third play.
When the plate guy is writing down lineup changes, base umps count warmup pitches and make sure the next batter stays in his own warmup area on his own side of the field. He may visit with a base coach, but it must be well away from home plate, and when that visit is over he must go back to his own warmup area.
Anytime you call “Time”, make sure your partners know!!
If there’s a runner on first and a pop foul outside of first, the first base umpire should go with the ball/catch. The guy in the middle should drift toward first for a snap throw there, and also be ready to take that runner to second if he tags up.
With nobody on base, it the third base ump goes out, the first base ump has the batter-runner all the way to third.
If there’s a runner of third and the first base ump goes out, the third base ump has to book it to first to watch the touch by the batter-runner, and take a throwback there.
If there’s a runner on third and the third base umpire goes out, the first base ump has to book it into the infield to take not only the batter-runner, but a throwback to third if that runner retreats.
When you’re in the middle don’t spend time between pitches looking where the fielders and runners are - keep your eye on the ball and the pitcher.
On a ground ball to second or first, first base ump should try to stay in fair territory - don’t get “pushed” into foul ground. If you go in foul ground and the pitcher covers, you may not see him hit the inside part of the bag with his foot.
That's the list. You may or may not agree with it or parts of it, but that's the fun of learning to be an umpire - "consider the source" is one of my rules of thumb. You can learn something from everyone you umpire with - even if it's something you DON'T want to do.
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