Clearing equipment at the plate..

[WhatWuzThatBlue]

Apparently when you can't argue the point well, you need to take a cheap shot...okay T., you win.

I thought that the purpose of our beloved board was to impart knowledge and correct mistakes. T. seems to take great pride in his journalistic abilities, so I suggest a column is in order. The title "Doing the Batboy's Job" seems appropriate. I've provided the counterpoint already...what happens when you don't choose to remove a bat from the field of play? As all of us know, 'nothing' would be the correct answer. Picking up a bat when it is of no consequence, just smacks of brown nosing. Maybe you can tell us all what the penalty would be if the umpire moves the bat out of the way, only to have the ball deflect off of its new position and out of play. You could follow it up with a query about legal coverage when you slide the bat out of the runner's way, only to have the on deck batter trip on it and break his ankle; ahhh, that would be splendid reading indeed.

I never questioned what level of ball he works or how he umpires. On the contrary, I complimented him and stated that I know him to be competent. At the level of ball I work, I can ask the catcher to move the bat if it poses a problem for him or ignore it. At youth ball, you may not have that luxury and may feel the need to create more liability for yourself by handling playing equipment during a live ball situation. You know what? That would be a great summary...how do I get insurance for acting recklessly?

I have friends at the two major schools and they don't teach the umpire to do the bat boy's job. They also don't instruct umpire's to pick up the catcher's mask. Do you do that too?

[kylejt]

Originally Posted by WhatWuzThatBlue

I have friends at the two major schools and they don't teach the umpire to do the bat boy's job. They also don't instruct umpire's to pick up the catcher's mask. Do you do that too?

I thought we were talking about clearing a bat with a potential play on. If I have an opportunity to do so, I'll do it. And yes, if a catcher is fetching a foul ball at the backstop, I'll bend over, make the effort, and hand him his mask. After all, he is my new best friend. Would I teach that? Probably not. But I do it though.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by kylejt

I thought we were talking about clearing a bat with a potential play on. If I have an opportunity to do so, I'll do it. And yes, if a catcher is fetching a foul ball at the backstop, I'll bend over, make the effort, and hand him his mask. After all, he is my new best friend. Would I teach that? Probably not. But I do it though.

On deck hitters retrieve balls at the backstop. First time a catcher tries to get one, I'll stop him and tell him he works too hard to be chasing foul balls. Then I'll make sure the on deck hitter gets it.

But I will agree with one thing you said. On a routine grounder, I'll trail up to the 45 foot line and will grab the catcher's mask on my way back to the plate and toss it to him.

[WhatWuzThatBlue]

It really doesn't matter if the play is imminent or not. Actually, I'll rephrase that for clarity - if the play is imminent, GET THE HELL OUT OF THE WAY AND WATCH WHAT HAPPENS SO YOU CAN MAKE YOUR CALL.

At some point in your careers you'll realize that while you can be friendly towards the catcher, being friends with him is never a good idea. Perception is everything when you are trying to be considered impartial. If you pick up a mask for one catcher, you now have to make every attempt to even it up and that is never a good idea for an umpire.

Come on...what is the point of picking up a bat when it isn't in the way? If it is in the way, the rule book covers what to do if the ball is deflected off of it. Are you worried about a runner sliding into it at the dish? Unless you are doing small ball, who cares? His teammate put it there and on an imminent play you don't have time to worry about stuff like that. Did the umpire grab Dusty Baker's kid during the playoffs a few years ago...no, he left it to the team and that was a hell of a lot more dangerous.

We've all laughed at the video of the small ball Smitty who manhandles the toddler who strolls to near the dish when a play is imminent. KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF THE PLAYING EQUIPMENT AND PLAYERS WHEN THE BALL IS ALIVE. The liability is simply too great and perception is everything!

[mbyron]

Right, I think we've got it now: WWTB says clearing the bat ahead of a play at the plate is unnecessary, distracting, and wrong, whereas pro instruction is to clear the bat when there's the need, ability, and possibility to do so.

That should do it.

[Tim C]

WWTB:

No cheap shot was intended.

I meant exactly what I said:

You are a "nuts & bolts" umpire that concentrates specifically on the job of umpiring.

NO batboy will enter the play area during a play in my game. Therefore this is NOT a "batboy" issue. This is, and has always been, about clearing the bat that lies in the area of the plate.

I have no idea who you are talking with about the issue but the instructors at Evans all still teach to clear the bat.

As I noted in my original post "in the olden days" we were taught to squat and clear it through our legs. I don't make this crap up.

Regards,

[WhatWuzThatBlue]

Originally Posted by mbyron

Right, I think we've got it now: WWTB says clearing the bat ahead of a play at the plate is unnecessary, distracting, and wrong, whereas pro instruction is to clear the bat when there's the need, ability, and possibility to do so.

That should do it.

When exactly did you go to pro school? How many years were you assigned to MiLB? It always amazes me how many people 'know' what is taught at professional umpire school, but never actually had to impliment it as a professional. Having been to maybe a dozen MiLB games locally this past year (Kane, Schaumburg, Lightning), I can say that I've not witnesses one of the newbies picking up a bat. Maybe your experience is different and they pick up the catcher's mask too.

Once again...put your money where your mouth is...what happens if you don't act like a bat boy? NOTHING On the contrary, too many things can go wrong if you handle the equipment.

So, mbyron - it's time to put up or shut up. Tell us all about your vast experience and what you would call when the batter slides into the bat and is tagged out. Methinks that umpires who know how to handles coaches and situations aren't afraid of the coach who demands that I move the bat so his kid can slide or not trip on it. Methinks you may need to move the bat.

[UmpJM]

WWTB,

As a Coach, I certainly don't "expect" the umpire to clear the plate area of any loose equipment (bat, catcher's mask, etc.). And the notion of COMPLAINING to the umpire for his failure to do so strikes me as beyond ludicrous.

However, I have, from time to time, seen umpires clear the bat from the immediate vicinity of the plate in a way that did not distract them from their real duties. It generally leaves me with a favorable impression of the umpire.

JMO.

JM

[WhatWuzThatBlue]

Okay, Coach...

From what I've gathered, you are involved mainly with youth travel leagues and such. If I'm mistaken, it wouldn't be the first - I'm working from memory here. Many instructional league (travel is still considered instructional) umpires find it necessary to insert themselves into the game and ingratiate themselves with participants and fans. We've all seen examples of shaking hands with the gang after a game, helping to carry the equipment to and fro, gabbing at the backstop, explaining calls to anyone who would listen, etc. All of these things typically endear umpires to certain coaches but make fellow umpires plotz (hey, a North Shore term!).

I'm glad to see that you don't expect an umpire to remove playing equipment from live (or even dead ball) action. On a board that is so prone to whip out the umpire manual du jour, no one can find the instruction or advice for doing this particular mechanic. When these books illustrate everything from dusting the plate to breaking up a pitching conference, no one can point to the recommendation for clearing playing equipment. Hmmm?

Umpires will continue to do things that they think are appropriate even though they should know better. We've seen examples of these learned responses in the LL playoffs. If you want to scream 'Foul Ball' for every foul, go ahead. If you want to bring your left hand up to your right elbow when snapping an 'Out' call, go ahead. If you still feel compelled to do the bat boy or on deck batter's jobs, go ahead. The world needs its Smittys, so that places like this board can chuckle at them.