It's funny sometimes how huge debates can come to fruition. In addition we often distinguish our responses between players that shave and those who do not.

If the contoversial play happened at a youth event people would say they are just learning and that wouldn't happen in the PROS.

Another main response is "third world or weird type plays" only happen to third world umpires.

Ok what does all of this have to do with the price of bagles.

During the summer, we had a huge debate on umpire mechanics concerning the VERY play that happened the other night. If memory serves, there were 2 camps.

Camp Number 1 - The same camp that got Doug Eddings in "hot water" meaning say nothing, the players should know what's going on

Camp 2 - verbalize what's going on. In other words say Catch/No catch or batter's out. Give Information

In addition it was mentioned that one wouldn't see these "strange type plays" in the PROS or that these types of things only happend to "Third World Umpires"

Doug Eddings prooved the aforementioned statement false. He is not a "third world umpire" but human and in an interview with the NY Times/Post admitted he made a mistake. Not with the Call but with the <b> MECHANIC. </b>

Therefore, perhaps the PRO Schools will start to change there philosophy and instruct the umpires to be more vocal even at the highest level.

In Summary: The debate probably is not settled, but you saw first hand what happenes when umpires remain silent and do not let anyone know what's going on. Verbalize your calls when it warrants it, especially on an uncaught/caught third strike.

Pete Booth

Pete, I agree 100%. To argue about "catch/no catch" is futile, we will never have a definitive answer. To debate this issue really prevents us from dicussing the "REAL" issue in my mind. Mechanics.

The issue for me was the confusing mechanic that Eddings used on the play. You said it perfectly in your article, a little communication would have prevented this from becoming a confligration.

I will begin writing for the site soon, as per Carls motivation.

Bob P.

This is a perfect example of how players can make even the best umpires look bad. I'm of the opinion that the players have a responsibility of knowing what the situation is both on offense and defense. As much as possible I try to verbalize my calls especially catch, no catch. To avoid having a "Three Stooges Episode" breaking out on the field. I admit in the past I have not verbalized on whether a ball is in the dirt. I think I'm going to start verbalizing this as well. The vast majority of time everyone knows when it happens. Those times when I'm unsure either the catcher sells me the call or he tags the batter and we have no problems.

To each his own
 

I have NEVER, nor will I ever, say: "Batter's Out!"

T

I disagree with the entire premise....a dropped third strike is not a third world play.

Eddings got into trouble because of his mechanics. Doesn't matter is you thought he called the batter out or not. doesn't matter if he thought he called the batter out or not. Whatever he was doing, he did poorly and ended up with a sh!t storm.

The lesson here has nothing to do with third world plays. It has everything to do with terrible mechanics.

Re: To each his own
 

Tim, what mechanic do you recommend using when there are less than 2 outs, w/1B occupied, and the ball is in the dirt, and the batter mistakenly starts to run, and the catcher mistakenly starts to go after the batter, meanwhile the runner at first thinks he has to run? Do you not say "he's out!" so they all stop, or do you just let them make a mess out of it?

I am talking about HS level game or below.

Re: To each his own
 

I said it this past Sunday. Situation, bases loaded, no outs. Popup hit to edge of outfield grass behind SS. SS camps under, and I say "infield fly". Of course he drops the ball, and the runner on 3b scampers home as the ball hits the SS foot and gets away from him. I turn to 1b, point at the batter-runner who is standing on 1b and say "batter's out".

I don't know why we should avoid saying "batter's out" when he is. When there is a runner on 1B and less than 2 outs, and a pitch on a swinging strike hits the dirt, I always say "batter's out", or something similar (he's out).

Re: Re: To each his own
 

Precisely, and I was taught that the proper mechanic for the Infield Fly Rule was to say "Infield fly, the batter's out", or if near a foul line, "Infield fly, if fair", while pointing with the right index finger to the sky.

Re: To each his own
 

I say this all the time when the batter is actually out. I do not say it when I am unsure of a catch or if I think the ball has hit the ground.

It works for me. ;)

Peace

Wellll,
 

"Tim, what mechanic do you recommend using when there are less than 2 outs, w/1B occupied, and the ball is in the dirt, and the batter mistakenly starts to run, and the catcher mistakenly starts to go after the batter, . . ."

------------

I do nothing. It is the responsability of both the offense and defense to know the rules, the situation, and the compliance therein.

If this happens in my HS game - - - it happens.

------------

"Precisely, and I was taught that the proper mechanic for the Infield Fly Rule was to say "Infield fly, the batter's out", . . . "

-----------

On an Infield Fly I say the following:

Either:

"Infield fly, infield fly!"

or

"Infield Fly, Infield fly IF fair!"

I would never, ever say: "Batter's Out!"

Of course I am the same guy that as BU I have never asked for help from the PU in 36 seasons.

[Edited by Tim C on Oct 26th, 2005 at 09:22 AM]

Tim,
I respectfully disagree. I think there are instances where it is ok (sometimes even preventive officiating) to say "the batter's out". In fact, if Eddings didn't have that horsesh!t strike 3 flat arm mechanic and just come out with the fist only, Pierzynski probably wouldn't have run to first. Take it one step further and say "that's a catch" while pumping the fist and I can almost guarantee he wouldn't have run to first. And if that doesn't do the trick, as soon as Pierzynski took off to first, I would have sold the sh!t out of the call by walking up the line and emphatically saying "that's a catch, batter's out, the batter is out!" while pumping my fist.

At umpire school, back in 2000, they still taught "Infield Fly, batter's out". I don't know if that has changed since then. Just my opinion

Sal,
 

Just for general information:

I have never said: "I was trained to say Infield fly, Infield Fly!" I simple stated that is what I say.

Whipping the Dead Horse yet one more time:

There are two things in a game I will NEVER do:

1) Say, "Batter's Out!"

2) And as a PU say, "NO, he didn't go!" (on a checked/unchecked swing)

Tee

Now I'll crawl back into my hole and allow all those who think MLB needs "instant replay", umpire huddles, and "getting the call right at all costs" take back over the "New Direction" of umpiring.

T

Re: Sal,
 

Certainly, saying "Infield Fly, Batter's Out" is not "New Direction" umpiring, in fact, I wouldn't know what "New Direction" is about, since I am "Old School" through and through.

I do know that in the early 1980's, the pro school's were teaching "Infield Fly, Batter's Out", and "Ball, NO, he didn't go!" as the standard mechanic. On the latter, my association adopted the call of "Ball" only, and ask for help if requested.

I know I'm not as good as you, Tim, because in my meager 19 years as an umpire, I have had to ask the PU for help on pulled foot/swipe tag. I can count the occasions on one hand, however.

Baseball needs instant replay like a fish needs a bicycle, and huddles should be for football. I have always prided myself on living and dying with my own call, as I was taught to get my own plays. When I was a plebe of an umpire, I once asked for help from a veteran, on a call that was all mine. He gruffly yelled, "NOT my call!", and I learned a valuable lesson about getting my calls myself!

Dead Horse Beaten Once Again

Steve
 

Sorry to disagree with anything you said because I think we are twins when considering the need for accountability in umpiring and making your own call.

I ask simply that you read my words carefully:

I have stated for the last nine years on the internet that I have NEVER asked for help on a swipe tag/pulled foot at first base. I have never, however, said that I should not have asked.

I went to Professional Umpire school in 1982 and 1986 and NEVER (EVER) did they teach at school to say: "No, he didn't go!" It must have been on the day I missed class. :-}

Tee

Re: Steve
 

Tee-bone, you know that I never physically attended the pro school, but I was taught by graduates of both major schools. My #1 mentor supplied me with a mechanics manual, and he had written notes in the margin. One of the notes mentioned saying "Ball, NO, he didn't go!". He went to Brinkman's in 1980, so that's where I got that. Anyway, we never use it, we always just say "ball".

Horse Remains Dead, Film At 11:00

Knowing mechanics, adjusting to the throw and getting the call right without a huddle earns even more respect.

Well,
 

"So Tim, let me get this straight. Even if your in a position where you don't get the best possible look at a swipe tag or a pulled foot, there is no way you are going to ask for help. Then why does the PU even waste his time hustling down there for? Isn't that the purpose for this mechanic? Less vanity and more humility equal more respect."

------------


First, I will consider the source of this question.

It comes from an umpire, that by his own admission, has never ejected anyone. That says a enough about an umpire.

The answer:

I pride myself at understanding umpiring. I work hard at the skills needed.

Just as MLB umpires (no, I am not comparing my self to an MLB umpire) would never ask -- nor would I.

PWL, I get my calls. I read, move, lean and adjust.

If a base umpire does this there is never a need to "go for help."

Getting my calls correct by myself earns even more respect and more rapidly.

The PU should hustle out since he has the end responsibility of DBT on a misplay at first.

I can not stand umpires that come from the school of group hugs, huddle up, and lean to the umpire masses of the lowest common denoiminator.

And in closing, no one has ever thought I had any humility.

Read my column and you'll get the picture.

Thanks,

Tee


PS: Since when is it vain for any umpire to get his own calls. Things are heading south in the umpire ranks guys!

Heehehehe,
 

San Diego Steve . . . you might be interested:

In the winter of 1974 I was sitting at a bar in Las Vegas.

There was an older, wrinkled skinny guy next to me drinking straight shots of Southern Comfort.

We got talking and I said I was an umpire. He seemed to know a lot about umpiring in general.

After a few pops he asked me to go to his car with him.

He opened the truck and ther was a white inside chest protector.

He handed to me and said: "I don't have any need for this anymore . . . by the way, my name is Augie Donattelli."

True story, I sure wish I had that protector . . . I'd wear it under my balloon.

Tee

JJ: Yeah, I was really meaning on a pulled foot/swipe tag type sitch . . . but great comment.

Hey PWL, as soon as you gain enough experience and get "clear up there" to high school varsity games and have had the balls to use the "Big KAPOW" in a game -- then get back to me, thanks. xxoo T

T



[Edited by Tim C on Oct 26th, 2005 at 05:24 PM]

Tim said MLB umpires wouldn't ask for help at first base, but do I recall Randy Marsh and an interference call at first involving some New York Yankee slapping a ball out of a fielder's hands in which help was sought and given? I'm not looking to pick a nit here, and it may be irrelevant, but it IS an example of helping at first base....

JJ

Then you haven't learned to read the throw and adjust as necessary.

Augie D.
 

Okay, Tim, I'll bite...where is that chest protector now? I would treasure memorabilia from my namesake!

I borrowed my assignor's old balloon for 3 Senior LL games on the same day some years back, just to see what it was like. He told me that this league was horrible, and to wear his balloon. So I wore it, and was glad I had. He wasn't lying! I got nailed at least 10 times that day, because the catchers couldn't even catch a cold. Working the games alone, I found out what a challenge it is to do any significant running with the outside protector. It gave me a new found respect for the old AL umpires.

OK,
 

Steve:

Two points. One short one long . . .

1) The protector was donated to the Hall of Fame when Augie died (I think that was about 1990 but I don't really remember) it is in storage at one of their sites.

2) When wearing the balloon (actually is called "The Raft Protector" by Cece Carlucci) there is a long forgotten way to move around the infield to make calls.

It always seemed cumbersome to me to see a guy with a mask in his left hand, the indiclickercounter in his left hand and then try to make a big "SAFE" call with both arms, and raft, flying around.

In the mid-70's I was taught a "new" mechanic by an umpire named John Hand.

John said: "Tee, you make to big a deal about it, here's what you do."

John then proceeded to act like he was behind a catcher with R1 and a single to the outfield and a play developing at third base.

As John started towards third he threw the protector back against the fence and sprinted to third.

"See Tee," intoned the funniest guy in my association, "no problem!"

I went to his next game and, sure enough, that protector was tossed any time there was a possible play.

If MLB had seen this mechanic we may still be blessed with some wearing "The Raft."

Tee

Hey,
 

PWL, an umpire "starts" in "C" -- when plays are made you read, react, move, adjust and lean as necessary . . .

I know you'll ignore my advice but that is what both Garth and yrs trly are trying to tell you.

Starting in "C" does not mean ending in "C" . . .

If you get straight lined (sunny, cloudy or even during a night game) it is your fault as an umpire. You can adjust and get your own calls. That is all this is meant to mean.

I'm gonna go eat a Stegesourous now . . .

One thing PWL, you are really funny.

xxxooo

Tee

Hmmm,
 

Don't know what this "Be Humble" BS you are trying to sell (my memory fails was that song lyric from Buck Owens or Roy Clark) but that's your gig. Humble is not found in my dictionary (BTW, M/W.com is like the Cliff Note version of the dictionary . . . I "pity the fool" that uses it as a reference). I yam, what I yam.

PWL, Pause, READ, REACT . . . it works in the infield too.

Trust me.

If you understand the game, understand umpire movement and follow the three simple rules you never get straight lined.

xxxooo

T

Guys,
Before this thread starts to get ugly - I think you both make good points. Tim has some good thoughts regarding reading throws, building angles, taking a read step (or step and a lean) etc.

PWL - I understand, especially in a 2 man system, that there are times when you could possibly get straight lined or blocked out. This should not happen very often, in fact, probably rarely if you do some of the things Tim has mentioned.

Let's just try and keep the discussion civil so that it doesn't escalate into a "mudd slinging" affair.

Re: Re: Hey,
 

PWL,

You talking the exception. On almost every play in the infield you should be able to react to the mound, be eqidistant from all bases, read and react. If your setting up in the B or C and staying there well, your going to miss a lot.

Those are only starting positions. Thats exacty what were saying here.

Who the hell are you talking to? You quote my post and then launch into some kind of a tirade about T-Rex, your level of play and what BALLS have to do with something or other, none of which have anything to do with my post. I neither addressed level of play or your manhood or my good friend and a fine umpire from Washington, T-Rex.

Best you don't even try to explain, you don't appear terribly stable at this point.

I'm finished with this thread.

Not that it really matters,but i seem to remember
that "It's Hard to be Humble" was recorded by
Mac Davis.

The typical umpire who asks for help starts in the C position and finishes about 2 steps from the C position. Why work to get in position -- if screened he'll just ask the plate umpire?

It's called pride, working hard, and having the attitude that it's your call and you're going to make it. Not dump it on the plate guy, who has enough to do.

If you can't tell, you have a poor angle. Ball's hit, you work to the back of the mound, chesting up to the ball. Wait until you know where the balls' thrown and once it's thrown to first move towards the start of the running lane, not in the direction of the stretch.

I've asked for help twice since I worked my first game in 1983. I was in the A position both times -- the first time was at the MSBL World Series in Phoenix -- I got set on a 3-1 play at first and F4 ran right in front of the money shot. The second time I got lazy on a simple 1-3 play and F1 threw it into the dirt and F3 blocked me. Completely my fault, but again, my partner was in a good position to see the bobbled ball after I failed to react to the throw.

I've had coaches ask, but it's not my job to appease coaches when I know I got a call right.

If you don't want advice, go away!
 

This is the last thing I am going to add to this thread. If I know I got the call right. I'm not asking for help, either. But, somehow all this other stuff gets added into the post by certain people. I haven't gone to the home plate umpire in a long time. If Tee doesn't want to or feel he needs to get help that is fine and dandy. That is what starts all the fireworks. His belittle of me and other posters. He is the one that gets off base, if you know what I mean. Right now, him and his cronies are ripping someone over the spelling of a word. Even pulling out their dictionairies. I may come off as harse, but I refuse to be patronized. To know me is to love me. [/B][/QUOTE]


PWL,

Lord knows Tee and I don't always agree, but this is one of the times he is on the money.

You're the one who is belittling him for not going along with your "feel good" approach to umpiring. Tee responds to your nonsense and tries to give you some sound advice, and you dismiss it without even considering he might be right.

Just because some of us agree with Tim that you should be able to move to the developing play and set yourself to make the right call, doesn't mean were his "cronies." It means that you may want to get over yourself for a minute and consider we simply are in agreement on this issue.

If you feel you were straight lined and possibly missed the swipe tag or pulled foot, the first thing you should do is sell the call with confidence! After you've made the call, wait for any continuing action to relax and then turn your back to the close call and hustle back to your position.

If the manager comes out and is granted time to discuss the call with you, tell him what you saw. When you have the discussion you need to be confident in your explaination. More often than not you will convince him that going to your partner for help is going to be a conference made in futility. If he insists that you ask for help, the proper protocol is to grant his request. That doesn't mean your not going to ultimately make the call yourself. It means your simply going to have a discussion with your partner.

Most of the time when a manager asks for my partner and I to have a conference, we discuss one of the MILFS in the stands. The reason we do this, is we are all about making our own calls!

My opinion, is whiney coaches who argue a judgement call, can lay back and try to piss up a rope. It's my call, and as long as I've made it to the best of my ability, no amount of "huddling up" is going to change my mind.

In 15 years of umpiring, I've only overturned myself twice because of a partners input. Both times were early in my career and had to do with poor positioning. After learning how to be in the right position to avoid being blocked out, I've never had another umpire tell me anything I already didn't know myself.

You stated that you've never ejected a coach. I find that hard to believe, but I'll take you at your word. Now you advocate going for help if you think you missed a call. Going for help because a manager thinks you should is one thing. Going for help because you think you should due to poor positioning is another matter entirely.

The point the guys are trying to make to you is that we've learned through experience that this playing nicey nice with the coaches will make you a whipping boy for them. Make your own calls, eject without predjudice, and stop being such a pu$$y!


Tim.

[Edited by bigump56 on Oct 27th, 2005 at 10:14 AM]

You have a gift for the English language.

PWL,are you saying you ask for help from the PU when you are in B or C because you are "straight-lined" on the play? You need to "splain" me, because I don't get it.

B, and C (particularly) can be troublesome if you don't move and fight to get to the 45 degree angle. That is where the running lane starts, for those that don't know. I just don't see how you can be straightlined if you're moving properly.

I have asked for help on the pulled foot twice in the last 5 years. Well, actually, once. I wanted to ask a second time but my old Smitty partner was convering third with no one on base on a ground ball, so he wasn't there to ask.

Bob P.

Re: If you don't want advice, go away!
 

PWL,

Lord knows Tee and I don't always agree, but this is one of the times he is on the money.

You're the one who is belittling him for not going along with your "feel good" approach to umpiring. Tee responds to your nonsense and tries to give you some sound advice, and you dismiss it without even considering he might be right.

Just because some of us agree with Tim that you should be able to move to the developing play and set yourself to make the right call, doesn't mean were his "cronies." It means that you may want to get over yourself for a minute and consider we simply are in agreement on this issue.

If you feel you were straight lined and possibly missed the swipe tag or pulled foot, the first thing you should do is sell the call with confidence! After you've made the call, wait for any continuing action to relax and then turn your back to the close call and hustle back to your position.

If the manager comes out and is granted time to discuss the call with you, tell him what you saw. When you have the discussion you need to be confident in your explaination. More often than not you will convince him that going to your partner for help is going to be a conference made in futility. If he insists that you ask for help, the proper protocol is to grant his request. That doesn't mean your not going to ultimately make the call yourself. It means your simply going to have a discussion with your partner.

Most of the time when a manager asks for my partner and I to have a conference, we discuss one of the MILFS in the stands. The reason we do this, is we are all about making our own calls!

My opinion, is whiney coaches who argue a judgement call, can lay back and try to piss up a rope. It's my call, and as long as I've made it to the best of my ability, no amount of "huddling up" is going to change my mind.

In 15 years of umpiring, I've only overturned myself twice because of a partners input. Both times were early in my career and had to do with poor positioning. After learning how to be in the right position to avoid being blocked out, I've never had another umpire tell me anything I already didn't know myself.

You stated that you've never ejected a coach. I find that hard to believe, but I'll take you at your word. Now you advocate going for help if you think you missed a call. Going for help because a manager thinks you should is one thing. Going for help because you think you should due to poor positioning is another matter entirely.

The point the guys are trying to make to you is that we've learned through experience that this playing nicey nice with the coaches will make you a whipping boy for them. Make your own calls, eject without predjudice, and stop being such a pu$$y!


Tim.

[Edited by bigump56 on Oct 27th, 2005 at 10:14 AM] [/B][/QUOTE]

Can I get an AMEN?

Not that anyone asked, but here are MY random thoughts about various things discussed at various points in this thread:

1) At umpire school and at the UDP (now known as PBUC) camp in 1997, we were taught (among other things) to say loudly and clearly (at the proper time), "infield fly, batter's out" or "infield fly, if fair"...which ever was appropriate for the particular play.

2) We were also taught that the home plate umpire has PRIMARY responsibility on check swings and he was to say, "Ball, no he didn't go" or "yes, you went" as appropriate. However, if the defense appealed, the base umpire was to call what he saw, no matter which position he was in (A, B or C).

3) We were taught that with no runners on, the home plate umpire, on a ground ball in the infield, trailed the batter runner to first, to (a) watch for a possible running lane violation (interference), but more likely (b) to stay with the ball on an overthrow to rule on anything involving dead ball territory/fan interference. It definitely was NOT to assist on a pulled foot or a swipe tag past the 45-foot line (to see why the plate umpire shouldn't be watching for a pulled foot, see #6 below).

4) On an uncaught third strike we were to (1) if a check swing was involved use the proper mechanic as discussed in #2 above. (2) Give the appropriate strike mechanic (either called strike three or a point to the right if a swing and a miss). (3) Signal safe and say "no catch, no catch" if appropriate OR signal out (with a fist out in front of the chest) and say "that's a catch". (4) If uncaught and the runner is going to first, use the same mechanics as you would use if the ball was put into play.

5) In my opinion there has been a change in umpiring philosophy since 1997. It has gone from, "I have my calls, you have your calls, and we'll each stay the hell away from the other's call" to "let's all get together and huddle on close plays." Seriously, there are pluses on both sides. However, in my opinion the change has swung too far in the favor of "let's get together", especially on the amateur level.

As an example, it seems like in every other game I work I have coaches coming out asking for help on plays that I would never, ever go for help on. AND THEY ARE PLAYS THAT THEY SHOULD NEVER EXPECT FOR THE UMPIRE TO GET HELP ON. Yet, they do. Why? They ask for me to get help because other umpires in prior games have set a bad precedent by agreeing to ask for help in situations where they shouldn't rather than having the guts to stick by their call and telling the coach that the call stands. Let me give two examples of coaches coming out asking me to get help where the coach should never have expected me to get help:

Last weekend, I was the base umpire. R1, no out. Ground ball to F6 who throws to F4. F4 drops the ball, and, as he never brought his hands together, I ruled it was a drop and the runner was safe. Defensive coach comes to argue. He wanted me to get help from the plate umpire. Request denied. As I told him, "I'm not going to get help from someone a hundred feet away when I had the whole play 10 feet in front of me." He was mad that I wouldn't get help, and stormed off. But the key is: HE LEFT. The argument was over in a minute (not five minutes after a huddle) and the game resumed. (As an aside one father at this game actually gets it. A father of a player on the losing team came to my partner and I after the game and said that we were the first umpires all year that actually had control of the game and handled everything "fairly and consitently".)

Another example, earlier this season. R1 no outs. Ground ball 25 feet up the line. Batter is slow getting out of the box. Pitcher fields the ball and has a tag attempt on the runner well before the 45-foot line. I (the plate umpire) signal safe and say "no tag!, no tag!". After the play, the defensive coach (who could have no idea if there was a tag or not from the first base dugout) comes out to argue. He gets more animated as the discussion progesses, but nothing over-the-top. However, he then asks for me to get help. I tell him, "that's my call, and I had a perfect view, I don't need help". He starts to walk away from me and toward my partner who is standing in "B". I say, "Don't go out there, that's my call, if you want to talk about it you talk to me." He tells me as he continues toward my parter, "He can help you." He then says to my partner, "Come on blue, you have to help him on that play." Before he even finishes the sentence he is ejected. GOOD-BYE. And anyone who wouldn't eject a coach for doing that in this situation needs to get some guts.

I'm all for getting together to get home-run vs. a ground rule double or home-run vs. foul ball calls right. And I'm even in favor of getting together when a truly weird situation occurs (although this should be rare). But damn, outs and safes, balls and strikes, fair and fouls, balks and a bunch of other stuff are routine and shouldn't require the amount of conferences I see amateur umpires having.

6) As I have posted on one of the internet boards during this past season, FAR to many amateur base umpires fail to get into a good position to see plays at first. Never mind when they start in "C", but even when they start in "A". Nothing says "untrained" more than an umpire asking for help on a pulled foot at first when there were no runners on base to begin with. I don't understand how this happens.

If we first, get our 90-degree angle; second, watch the throw as it is released by the fielder toward first and follow the ball until it is halfway toward first; AND third, adjust our position away from a perfect 90-degree angle when we see that the throw is not true...then we should always be in position to see a pulled foot and/or swipe tag. Too many umpires (1) come set in a bad spot (often too close to the bag or at a bad angle) AND (2) fail to adjust when there is a poor throw to first.

As for starting in "B" or "C" the trick is to move toward the 45-foot line, and not toward first. The other trick, is to make sure that your starting position (where you stand as the pitch is about to be delivered) is not too deep (too close to the infield skin). I was told by Tom Lepperd (formerly a PBUC evaluator, now an MLB executive) that when I was in "B" or "C" to be at least one step in front of the midway point between the back of the mound and the beginning of the infield dirt. That is you should be one step closer to the mound than the infield dirt. That is the only way you're going to have a chance to get the proper angle at first or third. If you start in the right spot...After that its all about moving toward the correct subsequent spot to get the angle for the play at first (running toward the 45-foot line and not toward first base).

One poster has said that when starting in "C" the initial throw isn't always to first base, and I believe suggested that as a result, the base umpire could be out of position to see a pulled foot on the subsequent play at first. Let's take a typical example: R1, R2. Ground ball to F6 who is going to try to turn a 6-4-3 double play.

As the base umpire, our first steps (from our initial "C" position) have to be in a straight line toward the first base side of the mound. This straight line should be parallel to the second base cutout. At no time should we move toward second base. After a few steps we come set and see the play at second base. We record the call (out or safe) in our head. We then move toward the 45-foot line. As we are moving toward the 45-foot line we signal and vocalize the call we have already made in our head on the play at second.

We then come set and see and call the play at first. If you chase the first play into second (or even third) you absolutely have no chance to get the proper angle at first. If you resist the urge to chase the play into second (and having taught a lot of local clinics in the Carolinas I know that this is a strong urge) you CAN get the proper angle at first to see a pulled foot or swipe tag.

There I'm done with this little rant/diatribe.
(oops, I lied...edited at 4:33 p.m. on 10/27 to fix a spelling mistake)

[Edited by lawump on Oct 27th, 2005 at 04:31 PM]

I definitely see this trend as well - it's obvious MLB has changed and in NCAA baseball, we are pretty much instructed the same way.

I think those days of "you get a pay check just like I do, get your calls right on your own" are fading fast. The issue in this umpiring "transitional phase" is educating when to get help and how to do it.

Judging by your examples, you definitely have a "clue". The problem is, at the amateur level, there is quite a varying degree of officiating experience. Thus, coaches will use this to try and get umpires to overule each other.

Excellent post - one of the best I've read in a long time.

Agreed. Truly excellent.

Most of those umpires asking their partners for help start in what we like to call D-plus (or C-minus) or B-plus (or A-minus). They stand closer to one base than the other while in the middle because they simply don't understand why the B and C positions are so important and how to move from them.

These are the same umpires that, on pickoffs at first, move towards the base instead of stepping up forward. Same umpire who run towards third base on a steal of third. Angles are always, ALWAYS more important than distance and a good, hard-working base umpire will almost always be able to get a good angle.

Two seasons ago I had a similar ejection. A manager came out and wanted me to get help. I refused, telling him I had a better look at the play than my partner could ever have. He replied, "I'll go ask him myself." I warned him not to do it and when he ignored me and turned to start walking towards my partner, I ejected him.

"harse?" Isn't that what Unca Bubba rode in to the foon -real?

..by the way, McGriff's called.....they are missing an important contributor, so don't dally here too long.

Excellent post, lawump. I have a question though. You stated in #3 that you would explain in #6 why the PU should not be watching for a pulled foot. I never saw the explanation. You did explain how the BU should be in position to get the call himself. Could you explain why the plate umpire should not see the pulled foot, since he is looking right at it?

This happened to me last year. I was the PU in a Varsity HS game between cross-town rivals. First play of the game, ground ball to F6, throw a bit off line, fairly close play at first. 1B had his foot on the base, but tried a swipe tag but missed. My partner makes no call, looks up at me and says, "waddya got?" I told him I had the plate. He gave me an exasperated look, then made the safe sign. Had he asked me a specific question, I would have given him an answer, but I didn't know if he wanted a pulled foot, or a swipe tag, or did the ball beat the runner, or what? He laid into me after the game, and I told him to ask a specific question when coming for help, and that he should have gotten it himself anyway, it wasn't that difficult. He came up with lame excuses, and that was that. He does weird things often, so I wasn't too surprised he would blame me.

Re: To each his own
 

Tee, if the batter is not entitled to run (first base is occupied with fewer than two out) in a FED game you're supposed to verbalize "forcefully" that the batter is out. CB 8.4.1k

Re: Steve
 

"No, he didn't go" arrived in 1990 or 91. AFTER you have left Florida.

The explanation in #6 is as you thought...with no one on there is no excuse, IMHO, as to why a base umpire should need help if he uses proper mechanics, thus the plate umpire should focus on a running lane violation (if applicable) and overthrows.