Just because MLB umpires do it, that doesn't make it correct.

What is still being taught as far as I know is to NOT verbalize location. But plenty of umpires will go ahead and do it anyway out of personal preference. I do it as well only on close pitches, despite evaluators telling me I shouldn't.

But it still isn't forbidden.

First of all, the main reason they are asking is because they didn't like the call. They ask hoping to get into your mind. Anyone, ANYONE, can see what side of the plate or if a pitch is high or low, so to ask "where was that pitch", well your just getting played.

If you feel as an umpire that you have to appease the coach, then go for it.

Its a strike when I say "Strike" and a ball when I say "Ball".

Stay consistent and you minimize the questions.

And please, don't tell me about how you need to know so I can tell the pitcher how to adjust. Teach him to find the zone and learn what his out pitch is for the official doing the game.

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Years ago, I'd do what everyone else did -- punish the catcher that set up outside and then reached over to catch the pitch on the plate.

I don't do that anymore. I don't throw away strikes, not even in college games. So reading catchers isn't sufficient to tell a coach if a pitch is in or out.

Besides, a lot of guys set up 6 inches off and the pitcher dutifully puts it there. Doesn't make it a strike, regardless of how pretty it looks from the dugout.

I never implied one should call pitches based on where the catcher was. Not at all. The catcher is irrelevant to my call.

What I said was that in the vast majority of the cases, an umpire in A or C, or a coach near any dugout, can easily see the difference between an inside pitch or an outside pitch based on the movements of the catcher. They are not stupid - they KNOW why it was a ball (with the exception of a pitch near a corner that I mentioned earlier). They are asking so they can be rats - that's all they're doing.

Well, it's not forbidden for all three base umpires to position themselves around the mound either.

Off the top of my head, I cannot think of something that is outright forbidden for umpires when it comes to positioning and mechanics. That doesn't mean we can do anything we want out there.

Reaching.


If you can verbalize effectively for the level you work and the players and coaches you're working with, I don't see what the problem is. I give in/out and it works and I still get to call games.

I'm only working softball these days, but if the catcher moves the glove after catching it, I might tell them "if you like it-frame it" to let them know how I work.

You missed my point. Just cuz something isn't forbidden, it doesn't make it right.

And I mentioned before that I, too, verbalize every now and then.

Tevye danced with his wife.

Nostrovia!