Umpire "Etiquette"

[JRutledge]

1. I do not think it matters as much as people are making this out to be. I am mostly worried about leaving the field first. I have never really thought about where I shake my partner’s hand. People will read into these things even if you do it in the parking lot.

2. Never heard this one before. Usually they flip the ball and if they make me have to go out of my way to get it, I will let it go. That being said flipping it to me is likely going to keep the game moving. Also when I have on-deck batter go get the ball, I do not try to get the ball from them unless I have no baseballs in the bag. Other than that I could give a darn how they give me the ball unless they are making me have to run and get it. I think sometimes people get these "pro" ideals in their head and try to apply it to a level where we do not have the luxury of ball boys/girls or an organized level where there are multiple balls sitting off to the side.

Peace