MLB Umpire without mask during IBB?

LMan · #1 (**permalink**) Mon Jul 12, 2004, 08:53am

Saw this on SportsCenter and wanted to ask the cognosceti here....

During a MLB game (I *think* this was the Cards game the other day where Tony LaRussa was banged out for arguing balls/strikes, but not sure), I watched a pitcher giving an intentional pass to a batter, tossing the four balls to the catcher...but during this entire sequence, the PU was standing upright behind the catchers box, with his mask off, holding it in his left hand down by his waist. He was idly watching the pitcher, looking bored.

Is this right? The pitcher is throwing a live ball, although I guess the bases were empty (camera didnt show that). Plus, even a soft intention-walk pitch is hard enough to hurt you if you take it off your unprotected face. Thoughts?

I guess my bigger question is, is there a 'mechanic' for observing/'managing' an IBB?

ozzy6900 · #2 (**permalink**) Mon Jul 12, 2004, 08:59am

Quote:

Originally posted by LMan
Saw this on SportsCenter and wanted to ask the cognosceti here....

During a MLB game (I *think* this was the Cards game the other day where Tony LaRussa was banged out for arguing balls/strikes, but not sure), I watched a pitcher giving an intentional pass to a batter, tossing the four balls to the catcher...but during this entire sequence, the PU was standing upright behind the catchers box, with his mask off, holding it in his left hand down by his waist. He was idly watching the pitcher, looking bored.

Is this right? The pitcher is throwing a live ball, although I guess the bases were empty (camera didnt show that). Plus, even a soft intention-walk pitch is hard enough to hurt you if you take it off your unprotected face. Thoughts?

I guess my bigger question is, is there a 'mechanic' for observing/'managing' an IBB?

Yes there is - unless you are earning $100,000 in the bigs, KEEP YOUR MASK ON! Remember, you have to go to work on Monday morning.

rmstone · #3 (**permalink**) Mon Jul 12, 2004, 09:42am

Yeah this was the cards game... I saw it and thought it was odd too.

YoungRighty · #4 (**permalink**) Mon Jul 12, 2004, 10:32am

Quote:

although I guess the bases were empty (camera didnt show that)

I would expect that there were runners on, otherwise they wouldn't have been issuing an intentional walk. (Unless Barry Bonds was batting.)

Tim C · #5 (**permalink**) Mon Jul 12, 2004, 11:00am

Ed Montegue (for one) never wears his mask during an IBB.

He has done that for many, many years.

Tee

Jay R · #6 (**permalink**) Mon Jul 12, 2004, 11:34am

I don't know how many times I have seen a pitcher throw a strike during this situation. Although, at the ML level you expect the pitcher to know what he is doing.

In a related situation, I saw a pitcher throw a strike yesterday when the catcher called for a pitch out. The umpire seeing the ball coming at him flinched, the catcher did managed to catch the ball.

DG · #7 (**permalink**) Mon Jul 12, 2004, 07:13pm

Wear a mask, and be in a position to call a strike if you see one.

Rich · #8 (**permalink**) Mon Jul 12, 2004, 07:27pm

Quote:

Originally posted by DG
Wear a mask, and be in a position to call a strike if you see one.

If the catcher is standing with his glove out, it wouldn't matter where the pitch was -- it's a ball. Although I'd love to see an umpire call a strike on one of these -- it would be entertaining to watch.

DG · #9 (**permalink**) Mon Jul 12, 2004, 07:43pm

I forget the situation, and the players, but there is a fammous strike call in a situation like this. I want to say Johnny Bench was involved, but I can't remember. Anyway, it was a called third strike. I have never had a strike to call, but have always been ready for one, and I have had some players swing at pitches out of the zone but close enough to reach and I would rather watch that with my mask on.

Rich · #10 (**permalink**) Mon Jul 12, 2004, 07:49pm

Quote:

Originally posted by DG
I forget the situation, and the players, but there is a fammous strike call in a situation like this. I want to say Johnny Bench was involved, but I can't remember. Anyway, it was a called third strike. I have never had a strike to call, but have always been ready for one, and I have had some players swing at pitches out of the zone but close enough to reach and I would rather watch that with my mask on.

I agree with that. I always keep my mask on, but I certainly don't set up to call a pitch. It only takes one wild swing to foul one back off the nose.

I'll admit I've done it occasionally in higher level games, though.

--Rich

DG · #11 (**permalink**) Mon Jul 12, 2004, 08:01pm

I may have said "in a position to call a strike" but I did not mean the "regular" position. I generally stand straight up, with both hands on hips, with mask on, and I watch the pitch, in case there is a strike, or if there is something else to call. I don't want to mislead anyone to think I am in my normal stance.

Jim Porter · #12 (**permalink**) Mon Jul 12, 2004, 09:04pm

I have witnessed a few times, most notably a couple of years ago when the Braves and Red Sox played interleague and the Sox tried this on Chipper Jones -- where a team will fake an IBB and then throw it down the middle. I'd hate to have my mask in my hand when the ball gets fouled straight back.