Mirroring PU

Chess Ref · #1 (**permalink**) Wed Apr 25, 2007, 01:49pm

When you are the BU do you mirror the PU dead ball signal ? Like on a routine foul ball...

I have been under the impression that you were suppose to but in watching other umps it seems like I am in the minority (about 25% do mirror)....

MNBlue · #2 (**permalink**) Wed Apr 25, 2007, 01:53pm

I do not, unless there is confusion by runners on the field. Then I will echo the dead ball call.

mcrowder · #3 (**permalink**) Wed Apr 25, 2007, 02:00pm

I find that I do.

NCASAUmp · #4 (**permalink**) Wed Apr 25, 2007, 02:40pm

I do, but no verbal call (unless runners are confused).

No double-fists, though.

Skahtboi · #5 (**permalink**) Wed Apr 25, 2007, 02:51pm

I don't ever mirror my partner's signals.

Dutch Alex · #6 (**permalink**) Wed Apr 25, 2007, 03:43pm

I do to.
On a high foul ball, at the backstop I'm mostly ahead on PU.
This gives PU the time to avoid being hit by the down coming ball and PU doesn't have to turn around watching the foul ball at the backstop (he can see me by looking straight foreward).
I've started this at the moment I was working with a (almost) deaf PU. He asked me to give him as much help (in signals) as I could give. Now my partners like it all!!! And are starting to do it also...

IRISHMAFIA · #7 (**permalink**) Wed Apr 25, 2007, 09:15pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chess Ref

When you are the BU do you mirror the PU dead ball signal ? Like on a routine foul ball...

I have been under the impression that you were suppose to but in watching other umps it seems like I am in the minority (about 25% do mirror)....

Pretty much what others have stated. Only do it when it is necessary. That usually means that there is a runner in motion on a foul or dead ball.

Mountaineer · #8 (**permalink**) Wed Apr 25, 2007, 10:15pm

What about mirroring the count back to the PU - just about everyone here does that. Personally, I don't anymore. If they want help from me on the count they'll ask - so will the players or the coaches.

bkbjones · #9 (**permalink**) Wed Apr 25, 2007, 10:47pm

The only time I might "mirror" is if I see the batted ball hit the batter and I am 100% CERTAIN that is what I have seen. All I call is dead ball...up to PU to call foul or out. But...I don't mirror (unless we have ongoing action long after the ball is dead).

I have threatened to shoot partners who mirror me (well, not literally, but...) with foul ball calls, etc. I have threatened to neuter (with a dull, rusty knife) those partners who insist on making a foul ball call on a ball hit straight back into the screen with no one on base.

BuggBob · #10 (**permalink**) Thu Apr 26, 2007, 09:42am

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkbjones

I have threatened to shoot partners who mirror me (well, not literally, but...) with foul ball calls, etc. I have threatened to neuter (with a dull, rusty knife) those partners who insist on making a foul ball call on a ball hit straight back into the screen with no one on base.

If the plate ump signaled so did I -- that is until the day I worked with John. While John did not actually threaten me with harm, he did ask me nicly to stop, so I did. And now I don't mirror signals, it has actually helped my game quite a bit.

Bugg

Dakota · #11 (**permalink**) Thu Apr 26, 2007, 10:03am

Count? Not unless asked.

Dead ball (foul)? Not unless necessary (soft spoken PU, no foul signal at all, etc., and runner who keeps going, stuff like that).

BU / PU mirroring the outs to each other between batters? That is pretty common.

bkbjones · #12 (**permalink**) Thu Apr 26, 2007, 10:13pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuggBob

If the plate ump signaled so did I -- that is until the day I worked with John. While John did not actually threaten me with harm, he did ask me nicly to stop, so I did. And now I don't mirror signals, it has actually helped my game quite a bit.

Bugg

Thanks Bob. As I have said before. I'll work with ya anywhere.

wadeintothem · #13 (**permalink**) Wed Apr 25, 2007, 10:56pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mountaineer

What about mirroring the count back to the PU - just about everyone here does that. Personally, I don't anymore. If they want help from me on the count they'll ask - so will the players or the coaches.

Thats some cheeseball stuff right there.

These umps dont happen to wear their ball bags or fanny packs when BU do they?

IRISHMAFIA · #14 (**permalink**) Thu Apr 26, 2007, 06:40am

Quote:

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

These umps dont happen to wear their ball bags or fanny packs when BU do they?

Fanny packs? You guys in CA wear fanny packs when working the plate?

Talk about cheeseball

Chess Ref · #15 (**permalink**) Thu Apr 26, 2007, 06:59am

Now I haven't seen any SB umps bustin out the fanny packs out here in Cal ..I also do VB and we have too many of them doing the fanny pack thing. It is very painful. You have the fanny pack and the white shoe look going in VB and in the words of my wife "You dorks look like Felix Unger."