What do you do when...

[MD Longhorn]

You are PU. You've had a decent pregame.

Partner is
A) a relatively new guy you've never worked with before.
B) a rookie you are charges with helping train
C) a guy you know to be experienced with whom you've never or rarely worked before.
D) a guy who tells you he's experienced, with whom you've never worked befoer.
D) a partner you've worked with hundreds of times.

First batter hits a double. You are moving behind the plate, start to get ready, and notice your partner is in A.

What do you do with each of the 5 partners mentioned above. Had this happen recently and I didn't know what to do (if anything) about it.

[NCASAUmp]

C through E: I'd do nothing unless they ask me. If they don't get into the proper position, that's their problem.

B: I'd definitely tell them that where they need to be is wrong in a polite fashion. Key words: constructive criticism.

A: Not sure. Are you saying that this is a new guy to umpiring? Or just a new guy to your crew, but aren't aware of his experience level? If it's the former, I might stick with my answer for B. If it's the latter, I'd keep my comments to myself unless asked.

If you're an experienced (or even advanced) umpire, it's natural to want to correct this behavior. However, there's an appropriate time, place and manner in which to do it. If the person isn't ready to receive it, your points, though valid, will fall on deaf ears, or worse - create tension on the field.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

B: I'd definitely tell them that where they need to be is wrong in a polite fashion. Key words: constructive criticism.

A: Not sure. Are you saying that this is a new guy to umpiring? Or just a new guy to your crew, but aren't aware of his experience level? If it's the former, I might stick with my answer for B. If it's the latter, I'd keep my comments to myself unless asked.

On B and probably A ... my question is - what do you do RIGHT THEN. Stop play, bring him to you and tell him (constructively, of course)? Try to make eye contact and point toward his position? Wait until a break in innings or a pitching change? Etc.

And on C-E (ignore), do you prepare yourself to get into position for a play at 3rd, or just do nothing, waiting for him to burn himself?

(Personally, on E, I think I'd find a way to wake my partner up in a way that is unobtrusive if possible, and then have him buy round one later).

[MNBlue]

I would kind of subtly gesture to move over. If I get a 'deer in the headlights' look, or a 'no way' look, I would call time, walk toward my partner and appear to have a discussion about the field or whatever, WHILE asking why aren't you going to work in the 'C' slot with a runner on second. I'm hoping not to get an answer other than "I'm having a brain cramp."

Although, what NCASAUmp said about time/place for correcting is valid, I'm not going to continue without having my partner where they belong.

[NCASAUmp]

And I suddenly just realized that we were not talking SP mechanics.

[tcblue13]

In my early days, during a slugfest, sometimes the only time I would spend in A would be at the beginning of a half inning. I would spend so much time in C, that if somehow the bases would be emptied, (6-3 w/ 1 out, R1 on 3B who scores) I would forget to go back to A. My partners would wait for me to make eye contact and just point to 1B. I got the messaage and trotted over. It was usually pretty subtle but the coaches or F1 probably noticed.

[Mountaineer]

I've had it happen with my partners on occasion. Not just necessarily where they are stuck in the A position but even a play at 3rd with them in the C and the runner is called out and they forget to move back to A. I had a partner not move in a college game last year and I just stood there and moved my head to remind him (3x). He didn't "get" my signal so I finally took my mask off and said "You gonna call from there?" Everyone laughed and no one seemed to have a problem. After the inning he said he just had a brain cramp - it can happen.

[Andy]

Originally Posted by MNBlue

I would kind of subtly gesture to move over. If I get a 'deer in the headlights' look, or a 'no way' look, I would call time, walk toward my partner and appear to have a discussion about the field or whatever, WHILE asking why aren't you going to work in the 'C' slot with a runner on second. I'm hoping not to get an answer other than "I'm having a brain cramp."

Although, what NCASAUmp said about time/place for correcting is valid, I'm not going to continue without having my partner where they belong.

I'm with Mark here...a subtle reminder, then a conference only between the two of us. The game does not continue with my partner in the wrong place.

[bkbjones]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

What do you do with each of the 5 partners mentioned above.

Isn't that what the double fist pump is for?