Umpire HIT BY PITCH

[His High Holiness]

Originally posted by Atl Blue


As for, I let the catcher's coach (know) that if the catcher did not start doing his job, that coach would have to find a new catcher. By what rule? You can certainly "suggest" it, but I would contend that even "suggesting" it is not part of your job.

You don't get to choose who they put in front of you. You get to choose what levels of ball you want or can work, but once you accept the job, shut up and do it. It's why they are paying you. We tell coaches that we don't want them umpiring. Well guess what, they don't want you coaching either. That's a deal I have with all coaches, either stated or implied: you don't umpire, I won't coach.

I generally will not accept crappy baseball for this very reason. It is not worth the low pay and the risk of injury. I don't feel comfortable telling them to get another catcher but there are alternatives.

Go to the back of the mound to call the game. You are not supposed to tell them how to coach; well, they are not supposed to tell you how to umpire. The rules do not require the PU to stand behind the catcher.

I once went behind the screen to call the game when the catcher was particularly awful. They changed catchers and I came back to home plate.

I have an advantage that many of you do not have. I do not want to work this kind of baseball and am ecstatic if the league calls my assignor and says that they never want to see me again.

Peter