Bunting (2.00)

[etbaseball]

Changeup -

I really wish not to cloud the point being made about a batter having to "OFFER" at a pitched ball while in the process of, or preparing to bunt. OFFERING is certainly the critera that one judges when ruling strike or ball. However, there will be times when no noticeable "offering" is being made but the ball passes extremely close to the bat. 99.9% of the time the pitched ball will probably be in the strike zone and therefore judged a "called" strike, rather than an attempt.

Umpiring is all about making judgements. In most contests an umpire earns his/her fee on just a handful of calls. Most of the required calls are 'no brainers.' Watch the reaction of the batter as the ball approaches the bat. You will either detect an attempt to contact the ball, or no attempt. Simply call it as you see it. Many umpires, myself included, declare (audibly for all to hear) "Yes! That's an attempt," or "Yes, he did,"(offer) while pointing at the batter. Usually this pro-active declaration demonstrates confidence in the decision process. Here it's refered to as "selling the call." If the pitched ball is a marginal strike, and the batter doesn't move the bat whatsoever, give the benefit of doubt to the pitcher and declare a "called" strike.

There will be times when searching for the correct judgemnt is difficult, but not rendering a judgement or delivering a bad judgement will motivate you to seek out a different sport to officiate. Remember, the harder you work at it, the better you'll get. Good, better, best; never let it rest, until the good gets better and the better gets best.