Umpire Interference

[nickrego]

2 years ago...FED Vasity...I have the bases;

1 out, R1, R3.

BR hits into a possible double play. I call the first out at 2nd. As the play is developing at 1st, my partner steps in to wipe the plate, thinking it is going to be an automatic out at 1st.

BR is safe at 1st on a pulled foot, R3 crashes into the plate umpire. They both go down in a tangled mess. R3 has not touched the plate, F3 throws the ball to the catcher, who tags R3. Plate umpire sees the tag, and calls the runner out from the ground.

Yep, the runner was out, but in my heart, I wanted to nullify the out, and give him home and the run.

It took almost 20 min. to get the game started again. I didn't toss anyone, even though things were said that would normally get someone tossed. Somehow, my hard a$$ partner didn't toss anyone either.

One the way back to the car after the game, my partner blamed me for not making the Bang-Bang call at 1st. In my heart, I kicked him in the B@lls and went home. (I didn't of course)

[UmpJM]

Hmmm,

In my extremely limited experiece umpiring, I have observed that the only times I dust the plate are:

1. At the beginning of each and every half inning, whether the plate is "dirty" or not.

2. When a manager or catcher requests time to talk to the pitcher (after I have granted it), again, whether the plate is dirty or not.

3. When the catcher or batter asks me to (I call "Time!" first), when the plate is dirty.

4. If the catcher gets "nicked" by a pitch and I feel he might need a moment to gather himself. I call "Time!" first (whether the catcher asks or not & whether the plate is "dirty" or not).

The rest of the time, I don't really seem to care whether the plate is dirty or not. After reading nickrego's dreadful little tale, I don't plan to change my practice.

JM

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by CoachJM

Hmmm,

In my extremely limited experiece umpiring, I have observed that the only times I dust the plate are:

1. At the beginning of each and every half inning, whether the plate is "dirty" or not.

2. When a manager or catcher requests time to talk to the pitcher (after I have granted it), again, whether the plate is dirty or not.

3. When the catcher or batter asks me to (I call "Time!" first), when the plate is dirty.

4. If the catcher gets "nicked" by a pitch and I feel he might need a moment to gather himself. I call "Time!" first (whether the catcher asks or not & whether the plate is "dirty" or not).

The rest of the time, I don't really seem to care whether the plate is dirty or not. After reading nickrego's dreadful little tale, I don't plan to change my practice.

JM

# 5 - After a play at the plate. Sometimes we need a shovel though.



Tim.

[mcrowder]

#6 - when the catcher (and/or possibly the batter) needs a private "talking-to". You know what I mean.

# 5 - After a play at the plate. Sometimes we need a shovel though.

Been there, done that. Someone needs to invent a device that pops out of the ground, cleans the plate and then retracts. Happens a lot when you get a 15-14 game.

[njdevs00cup]

Originally Posted by BigGuy

# 5 - After a play at the plate. Sometimes we need a shovel though.

Been there, done that. Someone needs to invent a device that pops out of the ground, cleans the plate and then retracts. Happens a lot when you get a 15-14 game.

The insightful catcher (JV) I had the other day suggested that catchers carry a plate brush!

[David B]

Originally Posted by CoachJM

Hmmm,

In my extremely limited experiece umpiring, I have observed that the only times I dust the plate are:

1. At the beginning of each and every half inning, whether the plate is "dirty" or not.

2. When a manager or catcher requests time to talk to the pitcher (after I have granted it), again, whether the plate is dirty or not.

3. When the catcher or batter asks me to (I call "Time!" first), when the plate is dirty.

4. If the catcher gets "nicked" by a pitch and I feel he might need a moment to gather himself. I call "Time!" first (whether the catcher asks or not & whether the plate is "dirty" or not).

The rest of the time, I don't really seem to care whether the plate is dirty or not. After reading nickrego's dreadful little tale, I don't plan to change my practice.

JM

Very good practice. One of the things that I cannot stand is watching a game when the umpire continually delays the game to clean the plate when its not needed.

The times that you mentioned, the plate can be cleaned unnoticed by anyone, and the game is not delayed at all.

Thanks
David

[blueump]

I can't believe the coincidence of this post!

I showed up at my son's baseball game last night, as an observer, and had the head coach approach me to ask about umpire interference. Apparently, just before I arrived the umpire behind the plate had a play at home, and decided at the last possible minute to step into the runner's path to move the bat. (DOH! ) The runner and the ump collided and fell in a heap to the ground. The ball was thrown in, and the runner tagged for the out. Man the coach was MAD!

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE leave the bats alone!