between innings

[jicecone]

Originally Posted by Publius

I usually ask the managers at the plate meeting if they have a preference, and go with that. If they don't, or can't agree, I flip a coin.

????

Your kidding Right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE tell me your Kidding. Please!!!!!!!

[bob jenkins]

I go to the "next offense" side in the first 5 (or 7) innings and the "next defense" side in the last 2 innings.

[EsqUmp]

Has anyone read an umpire manual? That's usually a good place to start when it comes to proper mechanics. Virtually every manual has the plate umpire take a position on the side of the team going onto defense. There are two main reasons for that. First, most substitutions that occur between innings are defensive changes. Offensive changes tend to occur when that player is actually coming to bat. Second, that puts the umpire in a better position to "encourage" the defense to take the field without wasting a lot of time.

The position can change if you think you're going to get an earful from the defensive team, but umpires should be careful not to hide from trouble either.

Umpires should not regularly talk between innings unless you're working with a new umpire and find it beneficial to point things out each half inning. If you wonder why your games take so long, ask yourself how much time you waste talking to your partner.

While not all codes have time limits between innings, umpires should establish a good pace for the game. That's part of your game management. Consider this for a 7 inning game: if you allow 60 seconds between innings (including to start the game) thats 14 minutes per game; 90 seconds = 21 minutes per game; 120 seconds = 28 minutes.

MLB usually allows 2:30 between innings (depending on the channel.) That's 45 minutes per game, not including pitching changes!

Encourage the defense to take the field without unnecessary delay. Don't talk to your partner unless there's a good reason for it. Never make the teams wait for the umpires.

[johnnyg08]

Originally Posted by EsqUmp

Has anyone read an umpire manual? That's usually a good place to start when it comes to proper mechanics. Virtually every manual has the plate umpire take a position on the side of the team going onto defense. There are two main reasons for that. First, most substitutions that occur between innings are defensive changes. Offensive changes tend to occur when that player is actually coming to bat. Second, that puts the umpire in a better position to "encourage" the defense to take the field without wasting a lot of time.

The position can change if you think you're going to get an earful from the defensive team, but umpires should be careful not to hide from trouble either.

Umpires should not regularly talk between innings unless you're working with a new umpire and find it beneficial to point things out each half inning. If you wonder why your games take so long, ask yourself how much time you waste talking to your partner.

While not all codes have time limits between innings, umpires should establish a good pace for the game. That's part of your game management. Consider this for a 7 inning game: if you allow 60 seconds between innings (including to start the game) thats 14 minutes per game; 90 seconds = 21 minutes per game; 120 seconds = 28 minutes.

MLB usually allows 2:30 between innings (depending on the channel.) That's 45 minutes per game, not including pitching changes!

Encourage the defense to take the field without unnecessary delay. Don't talk to your partner unless there's a good reason for it. Never make the teams wait for the umpires.

*gasp...read the manual? :-) How dare you make so much sense!

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by EsqUmp

Has anyone read an umpire manual? That's usually a good place to start when it comes to proper mechanics. Virtually every manual has the plate umpire take a position on the side of the team going onto defense.

I don't recall it being in the CCA manual (but I admit I haven't cracked it open yet thisyear)

[smithma]

The PBUC two-man mechanics manual I have says to go to the side away from any potential trouble.

[ozzy6900]

Normally, you go to the side going on defense. The idea is not to have the pitcher coming off cross your path. It's not in the CCA or in FED or in NCAA. It's just something that was taught many years ago.

[etn_ump]

Go to the baseline near the team coming to bat. Alert next batter when 2 pitches are left.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by EsqUmp

Has anyone read an umpire manual?

There is no such manual at High School where I am. At the college level I do not see anywhere where it says specifically. And honestly these are guides anyway as many things like these people have opinions about and people do what they believe is best.

Peace

[Publius]

Originally Posted by jicecone

????

Your kidding Right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE tell me your Kidding. Please!!!!!!!

No, really; I do flip a coin if they can't agree.

It doesn't matter, though. My partner and I usually have plenty to talk about between innings, so I'm almost always on the first-base line. When the benches start yelling, "We're waiting on you, blue!" he finds the third-base line too far to run to get back in position.

[kylejt]

Originally Posted by Publius

No, really; I do flip a coin if they can't agree.

It doesn't matter, though. My partner and I usually have plenty to talk about between innings, so I'm almost always on the first-base line. When the benches start yelling, "We're waiting on you, blue!" he finds the third-base line too far to run to get back in position.

HA! Good stuff.

jicecone is right about using what side happy/unhappy. I use that as a factor, also, along with breeze, shade, and the GLM variable. But the hitting team is my starting point, and what I teach.