Between Innings

[JJ]

In the Big Ten, Horizon, and MidAmerica leagues we tell the catchers and pitchers in the first inning when there are "two more". In the second I tell them "throw the 5th one down". And yes, I count anyway to make sure and remind them if they abuse the number of warmups.

As for the PU between innings - I was taught at umpire school to stand on the side of the team coming off the field. That avoids that batter you just rang up on that borderline pitch running past you and making a comment he probably shouldn't. If he has to yell that comment because you're on the other side of the field, it's easier to deal with.

JJ

[Publius]

When we had one guy in charge of evaluations, it was "follow the sticks", or stand on the side of the team who just finished batting. The guy that took his place is the opposite. Each had his reasons. Neither was convincing that it was the "right" way. Only that it was "his" way.

It's just as likely (probably more) you'll be confronted by an unhappy pitcher as an unhappy hitter. Stay away from guys who might be mad at you.

There are a couple of fields I work that are poorly laid out, with the 1st base line running out due south. On those fields, I usually stand on the 1st base line, because on the 3rd base line the sun gets in your eyes. Of course, most of the fans sit in the 1st base bleachers for the same reason, so if the players' wives/girlfriends are hot, I will stand on the 3rd base line in order to get a better view between innings. I've been dinged on evaluations a few times, but who cares when you get views like that! The games may have taken 1:47 instead of 1:45 because of it, but the sun always came up the next day.

[SanDiegoSteve]

I was taught to stand on the foul line of the team that just finished batting, for reasons stated earlier. I didn't care who dared to confront me, they were on an extra short leash bothering me on my rest period. I didn't hear much grumbling on their way to their positions. My reputation for not taking a lot of crap had preceeded me quite well.

I too am of the school that says, "Two more" to the catcher. Some thought I meant two more then take it down. Those catchers didn't get to throw to 2nd base.

[PeteBooth]

[QUOTE=briancurtin;543142]

If we're counting small college ball as high caliber, I have both played and umpired high caliber baseball. As a catcher, like I was through college, I wouldn't throw down until the umpire said so, especially when it's cool or cold. If the umpire isn't paying attention and I can get my pitcher two extra pitches, I'll take that advantage. On a hot day when arms are easily loose and more pitches means tiring a lot quicker, I'll probably call for two before the umpire said so. Yes, these young men do know what they are doing, and they will take advantage of someone who isn't paying attention.

This is an area by area "thing" and as I stated if this is an association mandate as with many things (like uniform apparel) then of coarse you follow the mandate.

For the most part all I say is "catch Normal routine" which means 8 to start and 5 in between. Other than an association mandate I do not understand the need to tell F1 he has 2 pitches left etc. as they ALREADY know that but if that's what they do in Rome then do as the Romans do.

I find this a paradox meaning we do not tell F1 the "situation" after his warm-ups are complete. By situation I mean tell F1 "Hey pitch there is 1 out and runners at the corners" That's the coaches job

YET we now want to tell F1 he has 2 pitches left during his warm-ups.

If F1 and F2 want to be treated like "Children" then that's how they will be treated.

In Summary getting back to the original OP, we are all different meaning some want NO Conversation at all etc. and that's ok. As I stated in my original response it all depends upon who my partner is. I have a few that like to chat in between innings and some that do not.

Again another OP which IMO is an area by area "thing" and also governed by association protocol.

Perhaps we should start a new thread on how we would be if there were NO association Protocols at all.

Pete Booth

[johnnyg08]

Personally, I dislike it when my partner comes down to talk to me while I'm working the dish, unless it's about a play, rotations, or something related to the game. I'll probably never tell a guy to not come and talk to me, but I may move to the 3B side as he's coming down...typically they get the hint. I'm sure there are guys on here who will bring it up in their pregames, and that's cool too.