Between Innings

[Lawrence.Dorsey]

Your best bet as the BU is to head for right field between innings. When I am a BU, I might come in once or twice a game if at all. It may be to go over a mechanics issue, it may be to settle my partner down a little if he is too quick or I am working with a young guy in a training mode, or if something is up between the two teams and I want my partner to know about it. Again, these are rarely used but I won't say never.

I was working with a very respected umpire in our association for the first time in 2007 during an American Legion game. I was the BU. I didn't come in until the 6th or 7th and it was because the legionaires that operate the concession stand at that field always bring 2 bottles of water over to the BU and he takes 1 down to the plate guy between innings. My partner, who I assumed wanted me to keep my rear end in short RF as much as possible, said "I was beginning to think you didn't like me or had an issue with me because you hadn't come in yet". I was a little befuddled but the point is you never know what some guys are thinking. Still, it's best to limit the between innings visits among umpires.

Lawrence