Umpire Mechanics

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by Skahtboi

...This is not a calling of time, it is just an umpire telling a pitcher that you cannot pitch yet!...

Well, it is more than just that. It is holding up play, effectively a momentary dead ball.

As to the batter's box, if the box is improperly drawn so as to put the batter at a disadvantage, I will inform the coaches AND solicit the team captains' help in kicking out at least the front of the boxes, depending on how badly they are drawn. I take it this far just to avoid the inevitable fan comments if I merely blatantly ignore the lines during the game.

As to umpire uni's... we have such a wide disparity of umpires in my group, ranging from "spit and polish" to wearing whatever is kind of gray (including skin tight capris by one female), never-washed hats, etc., that I can't possibly be offended by it or I would be in a constant state of offense...

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by Dakota

...including skin tight capris by one female...

But does she wear 'em well? Any pictures?

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

But does she wear 'em well? Any pictures?

Unfortunately, no... she should NOT be wearing anything skin tight in public!

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by Dakota

Unfortunately, no... she should NOT be wearing anything skin tight in public!

A conversation with a female catcher who frequently wore spandex went like this last year at the beginning of the game where I was PU...

Catcher: You're so lucky.
Me: Why's that?
Catcher: You get to stare at my fabulous a$$ all night.
Me (mentally): It's not that fabulous, honey.

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

A conversation with a female catcher who frequently wore spandex went like this last year at the beginning of the game where I was PU...

Catcher: You're so lucky.
Me: Why's that?
Catcher: You get to stare at my fabulous a$$ all night.
Me (mentally): It's not that fabulous, honey.

I've had those too...more than once, and usually in coed wreck or in some women's leagues.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Dakota

Well, it is more than just that. It is holding up play, effectively a momentary dead ball.

I disagree. Would you not enforce the LBR during this "momentary" period? After all, you just stated it is a "dead ball". Cannot have an LBR violation during a DB period.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

I disagree. Would you not enforce the LBR during this "momentary" period? After all, you just stated it is a "dead ball". Cannot have an LBR violation during a DB period.

The signal is described in the ASA umpire manual as "Holding up Play" not "Holding up the Pitcher." Play is play, isn't it?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Dakota

The signal is described in the ASA umpire manual as "Holding up Play" not "Holding up the Pitcher." Play is play, isn't it?

Did you not just post on another thread about taking the wording of a rule book literally?

So, you would not enforce the LBR during this period since that, too, could be considered PLAY. Good luck with that DC.

[Andy]

I've always been taught that holding up the hand to the pitcher should be used judiciously.

It you are doing it between every pitch, it soon becomes part of the background and has a better chance to be ignored.

Most pitchers will wait until the batter is set to begin their delivery. While this is not always true, the umpire can gauge this as the game goes on and stop the pitcher when necessary. This is also very dependent on the level of ball you are calling as well. As you move to higher levels, you should almost never have to stop a pitcher to allow a batter to get set. So when you do hold up your hand, it is a different sight and is more likely to be noticed.

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by Andy

I've always been taught that holding up the hand to the pitcher should be used judiciously.

And it should be. No doubt about that. But there are times when it absolutely has to be used!

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Andy

I've always been taught that holding up the hand to the pitcher should be used judiciously.

Absolutely.

It you are doing it between every pitch, it soon becomes part of the background and has a better chance to be ignored.

Most pitchers will wait until the batter is set to begin their delivery. While this is not always true, the umpire can gauge this as the game goes on and stop the pitcher when necessary.

The only time it goes up a lot is when you have an Energizer Bunny-type of pitcher that just keeps going UNTIL you stop them.

This is also very dependent on the level of ball you are calling as well. As you move to higher levels, you should almost never have to stop a pitcher to allow a batter to get set.

In FP, yes. In SP, not necessarily especially if you have a team that plays multiple sanctions and will do whatever they can to catch a batter or throw off their timing. Never understood it, as it is a slow pitched softball and should make no difference, but that isn't the way it works.