Clearing equipment at the plate..

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Tim C

WWTB noted:

"Use whatever works for you; an umpire holding a bat while the ball is live just makes him/her look like a novice though."

Ozzy wrote:

"I can just picture an umpire holding the bat in his right hand and OMG here comes the throw."

Last night while I was tooling around I went to SportsCenter and watched highlights from last nights games.

In the Twins game:

r2 and a single to center. As r2 scored the highlight showed PU Paul Schrieber holding the bat in his hand. As r2 scored he handed the bat to the runner.

ANY umpire can clear a bat the "correct" way and should (if at all possible). Your eyes NEVER leave the ball if you simply squat like a catcher with the bat on the ground between your legs -- with your chin "up" and eyes on the ball you reach down, without looking, grab the bat and slide it backwards between your legs (somewhat like a center snap that never leaves the ground).

This is how it was taught at professional umpire school in the "good old days" and is evident if you watch the senior umpires at the MLB level.

WWTB sorry that I did not identify the exact statement that I took such umbrage too.

Regards,

I've seen a ML umpire with a bat in his hand during a play at the plate. He watched the play, tossed the bat the the side, and punched the runner out.

It's amazing how much we argue over trivial things. I move the bat if I have a chance and deem it necessary. Big deal -- nobody's watching me at that point anyway.

[WhatWuzThatBlue]

Point taken...

If you feel the need to do the player's or bat boy's job, have fun doing it.

If you don't remove the bat and the player slides into it, then what? NOTHING!!!

You are not charged with or mandated to provide a safe, obstruction free playing environment while playing action occurs. The bat was put there by a member of the offensive team. If it impedes his teammate, so be it. If the throw is deflected off of it, so be it - that's baseball. What happens when you pick it up, slide it back and the off line throw now hits it and deflects into the dugout? What if the on deck batter isn't looking and you slide it back, he steps on it and breaks an ankle? C'mon...you guys should know better than this.

KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF THE PLAYING EQUIPMENT DURING LIVE BALL ACTION!

BTW, as it was described by T. was not how it was taught at B-F years ago. We were shown the foot wedge - and only when necessary. Both of those guys still subscribe to that mechanic and they are responsible for a whole legion of professional umpires. Maybe Evans and Wendlestedt are teaching the bend and reach...how come Hunter doesn't do it then? Neither did his father.

[Carbide Keyman]

If the opportunity presents itself to move equipment, then do it.

If it doesn't, then don't.

Am I missing something ?





Doug

[WhatWuzThatBlue]

Unless you are working a beeping ball league, there is no reason to do it.

Even at the youth instructional level, you should not concern yourself with equipment during live ball action. There simply is too much going on - in the case cited, a player easily scoring from second on an outfield hit, why would you feel compelled to pick it up and hand it to him? Brownie points??? A secret desire to be loved by bat boys worldwide???

Read my last post.

For those who insist that they saw a MLB umpire once do this, I believe that they also said a member of that same group once called an out with the wrong hand. What is it they say about two wrongs...?

[Tim C]

WWTB post says it all:

I now know how he umpires.

Regards