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

[mbyron]

Many umpires in my association want to chat between innings. This has a couple of consequences: by "doing it right," I sometimes seem stand-offish by comparison. Also, coaches expect the umpires to be accessible.

More than once an inning has ended with a banger, and I've had a base coach say, "yeah, you'd better run away" as I headed out to right field. His status for the remainder of the game depended on whether anyone but me could hear him.

[DG]

Originally Posted by mbyron

Many umpires in my association want to chat between innings.

More than once an inning has ended with a banger, and I've had a base coach say, "yeah, you'd better run away" as I headed out to right field. His status for the remainder of the game depended on whether anyone but me could hear him.

I cover after completion of the pre-game conference; if I am working bases I typically say "I will see you after the game".

I never run after an inning ending banger. I do turn and walk briskly away.

[JJ]

Here's another reason to stay in the outfield between innings. If the inning ends on a whacker at first and you head IN to talk to your partner, you're a much easier target for that irate coach AND everyone on his side of the field. If you stay in the outfield and that coach comes out to you, HE looks like an aggressor and it's much easier to deal with him.

JJ

[aschramm]

Originally Posted by JJ

Here's another reason to stay in the outfield between innings. If the inning ends on a whacker at first and you head IN to talk to your partner, you're a much easier target for that irate coach AND everyone on his side of the field. If you stay in the outfield and that coach comes out to you, HE looks like an aggressor and it's much easier to deal with him.

JJ

And that one was always obvious to me...I had a partner a few weeks ago (I was PU, he was BU) come to me right after a banger at first to end the inning. I'm glad it was fall HS frosh ball and circumstances were pretty laid back, but that's definitely the time to always go out into right field.

[Tim C]

"If you are doing high calibur ball etc. for the most part no need to count warm-up pitches etc. These young men know what they are doing and no need for you to say "balls in" or "bring it down" etc that one one do in "kiddy ball" or "teenage ball""

I find it strange how different things are in different parts of the USA.

In Oregon our training comes directly from umpires and umpire evaluators that work in the PAC-10.

In major college baseball (PAC-10/WCAC) plate umpires are required to "count warm-up pitches". When there are two pitches remaining we are trained to step to towards home plate, hold up two fingers and loudly announce "TWO MORE!"

To not do this during a Pac-10 or WCAC game will mean a major ding on your evaluation.

I just find mileage varying is a strange concept when dealing with umpire items such as this.

In closing:

When I umpire the plate I have a lot of stuff to do between innings and I certainly don't want (nor need) someone to come down and have a discussion with me. At my advanced years I need the time between innings to work on my focus and make sure the game is being managed correctly.

[Rich Ives]

In major college baseball (PAC-10/WCAC) plate umpires are required to "count warm-up pitches". When there are two pitches remaining we are trained to step to towards home plate, hold up two fingers and loudly announce "TWO MORE!"


The Eastern League umpires do that also.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by JJ

Here's another reason to stay in the outfield between innings. If the inning ends on a whacker at first and you head IN to talk to your partner, you're a much easier target for that irate coach AND everyone on his side of the field. If you stay in the outfield and that coach comes out to you, HE looks like an aggressor and it's much easier to deal with him.

JJ

Not only that, but it just plain looks bad to come talk to the PU after a banger anywhere in the inning, not just the third out. I feel it gives everyone the impression that you weren't really sure of the call and are looking for confirmation from your partner.

As far as regular visits between innings, I only will come in a maximum of once, late in the game, and only then if I know my partner is open to the idea. With most umpires I never come in to talk, but I know which guys welcome the company and which don't (usually really close buddies only). But don't make a habit out of coming in. I can't stand it when a guy comes down almost every half inning.

When working 3 or 4 man, the field umpires often converse between innings, even in the majors. But you rarely, if ever, see them gabbing with the plate man. Like MC Hammer said, "It ain't proper."