Signaling that you have the plate means there is no rotation. Any time there is a possible rotation, it is up to PU to signal it and BU to mirror it.

What is a signal for a rotation? I've never heard of one.

I just use the verbal, "I've got third if he goes". If the runner goes I use the verbal, "I've got third, I've got third".

BU should know in advance of a possible rotation.

The "Hang Ten" signal for a possible 1st to 3rd rotation is one. Just giving the BU a heads to let him know PU has 3B if necessary. Everyone should know their positioning but it is nice to make sure so 2 umpires are not at 3B making a call.

Umpires use hand signals so that we are on the same page concerning rotations etc. Surprised you never heard of this.

Why would you take it personally when someone says "you blew that call"? To me that's stating an opinion. You suck, you're terrible, you'll never work here again. Now I dump him. You missed it, you blew it. He's disagreeing with my decision. I can live with that.

From the OP in part

It's not a question of Me taking it personally. ANY statement that starts with you means someone is addressing your person.;) Skip is the one who has now made it personal, and in this case, has done so in a very "public" manner. I haven't been to a clinic, or read a reference where that type of behavior is acceptable.

That said, I've certainly had times where Skip has come up and told me his "opinion" of the call that was just made, but he has done so in a reasonable manner, and if he was standing in front of me talking and voiced his opinion including "you", I would be much more inclined to leave him in the game, state what I have, and move things along.

Tom

I've used hand signals. I just wasn't quite clear what was a 1st/3rd rotation signal was. The "Hang Ten" has probaly been flashed to me by the more experienced umps. I've just never heard of it during a pre-game.

I know my rotations, so I never looked for a sign. It's good to refresh my memory about this signal. I'll start to look for it in the future.

Or the plate guy can just point to 3rd. Remember why hand signals are given - they are to remind your partner AND yourself what the situation is. Even if I know the situation, and know that my partner knows the situation, I'll still give a hand signal ahead of the first pitch to the next batter. I also will hollar when things actually happen, but if it's a noisy crowd my partner may not hear me...a hand sign ahead of time keeps the crew "in the game".

JJ

I was told by a recent pro school grad and longtime D1 umpire that the schools are now teaching both umpires to signal their respective coverages. He said that the PU in this case should signal the outs with the right hand, and simultaneously point to 3rd with the left, signifying that he has R1 at third on a hit to the outfield. The BU should signal the outs with the right hand and point to 1st to signify that he has the BR on the play.

He corrected me after our game and said that by my using the old-school signal of waggling both the left and right index fingers for 1st and 3rd, I was telling him I had both 1st and 3rd. I said that I know where I'm supposed to be and where the PU is supposed to be, so what's the big deal. He said that whenever I work with him he wants it done that way

I don't know which school he attended, but as recently as last year, this was not what was taught at Evans. The signal taught there showed both the number or outs and the base covered with the right hand only by both PU and BU.

The right arm is bent a little less than 90 degrees at the elbow resulting in the forearm in front of the stomach and the right hand pointing in the direction of the base covered while displaying the number of outs.

We use a ton of hand signals in LL for a couple of reasons. First, it's a reminder for the lesser experienced umpires. A non-verbal reminder of who goes where, and why. Plus, on the small field, two man crews, and R1, it's the PU's call if he's taking third, or staying home.

Back on topic. If my partner is taking grief, and I think, for whatever reason, that I need to step in, I'll take a position on the line near the coach. Without looking at the offender, I'll use his name, and shut him down "Okay Jim, that's enough", in just a loud enough voice that the crowd doesn't hear me. If he takes issue with it, then it's me and him, and I'll deal with it directly.

Yeah, maybe that's what he meant, to use the right hand only. Either way it's a foreign concept to me.

Right hand, left hand? Who knows? It's important to let your partner(s) know what you are doing, in my opinion. I worked the plate in a 4 man game, no one on. The ball was hit in the gap, U2 goes to follow, BR rounds 1b heading toward 2nd. I rotate up to 3rd and end up standing next to U3 in the coaches box. Throw and runner arrive at 2b, but there is no one there to make the call. I nudge U3 and tell him to start walking toward 2b and make a call. He shrugs his shoulders and all hell breaks loose. We call a 4 umpire confab and finally make a call.

Moral of the story, make sure everyone knows that you are ALL going to do in the pre-game. Then signal or verbally tell each other during the game.

Signals, unless you're working with rookies, should be saved for things where there are choices. Like, two man, R1. Okay, the IFF too.

But four man, nobody on, and U2 goes out is a no-brainer (or should be). I mean, what would you signal anyway?

When I work four man with an experienced crew, I'll know they have the basics down. Rotation and tag up coverage is pretty standard. If you're the PU, with bases loaded, and you're signaling that you're staying home, that's overkill.

The problem is that we work so few 3 or 4 man games that you can't take ANYTHING for granted no matter the experience level. At the LL/youth level you are never sure of what you are going to get, experience wise unless you are lucky enough to work with just a few partners. HS, particularly in the play-offs, you get more senior guys, except for those 'first timers' who are breaking into the post season for the first time.

We hold post-season trainings on 3 and 4, unfortunately we don't get any on field reps on coverages or rotations, so we do a thorough pre-game. This pre-game can't cover all situations or rotations, so we rely on signals and verbal communication. Over communicating at times, but the option of not talking between or during plays can cause serious problems.

I personally do not feel that communicating, even between experienced partners , is a weakness.