umpire-catcher courtesies

[Andy]

I may not always brush the plate when a catcher takes a foul ball or otherwise gets hit, but I will ask if they are OK. If we need to stop for a bit, we do. If I get a "Yeah, I'm fine" right away, I just tell them I will always ask just to make sure...kind of a "you and I are back her together with balls being thrown at us."

When a batter is hit, we kill the ball (duh), and most of the time, the batter will stumble/limp/hop down to first base, the first base coach will ask for time (which we already have) to let the player regain composure. I let them take as much time as they need, within reason, and I will usually confirm with the coach, in a youth game, that the player is ready to go.

I have found that the Men's FP game is a bit different...if the PU gets hit, the catcher will almost automatically ask for time and go talk to his pitcher. If the catcher gets hit, the PU will almost automatically call time and brush the plate. I think most of that comes from a baseball mentality, since most of the mens FP players have played some high level baseball in the past. I have also found that the catcher will almost always apologize if the PU gets hit, even if its a foul ball that the catcher had no chance of deflecting.

When a mens batter gets hit, if they don't want to charge the pitcher , they almost always suck it up and get to first base to show how tough they are...they certainly don't want anyone to know if they're hurt!

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by Andy

...baseball mentality...they certainly don't want anyone to know if they're hurt!

Which is what is behind the courtesies. I see no harm in them, but they are a courtesy intended to provide ego cover for a minor issue. I've seen plenty of female catchers (older ages) who have this same "tough it out" attitude.

These courtesies are not useful for actual injuries or with younger players.

[Skahtboi]

I agree with Mike, Mark, Cecil and Tom. No need for any game playing or stalling tactics. Just wait until the player indicates she is ready to go on.

[argodad]

Originally Posted by Andy

I may not always brush the plate when a catcher takes a foul ball or otherwise gets hit, but I will ask if they are OK. If we need to stop for a bit, we do. If I get a "Yeah, I'm fine" right away, I just tell them I will always ask just to make sure...kind of a "you and I are back her together with balls being thrown at us."

... and you are the one with a glove!

[MDUmp]

I saw a different version of this at the Maryland regional this past weekend. I had noticed during the game that the catcher from Maryland would tell the coach if a close pitch was outside or inside with hand signals. At one point, this catcher gave the "I don't know" sign to the coach. Almost immediately after that the umpire called time and brushed off the plate that appeared to be very clean. You could see the catcher nodding her head up and down. It was my assumption this was the umpire informing the catcher that he would not put up with that.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by MDUmp

I saw a different version of this at the Maryland regional this past weekend. I had noticed during the game that the catcher from Maryland would tell the coach if a close pitch was outside or inside with hand signals. At one point, this catcher gave the "I don't know" sign to the coach. Almost immediately after that the umpire called time and brushed off the plate that appeared to be very clean. You could see the catcher nodding her head up and down. It was my assumption this was the umpire informing the catcher that he would not put up with that.

Rabbit ears are bad... what's this one, Rabbit eyes?

[Snocatzdad]

Why would it be innappropriate for the catcher to be relaying infromation to the coach on where the pitch was ending up? If the coach is calling pitches wouldn't you want to know where that pitch was missing??

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by Snocatzdad

Why would it be innappropriate for the catcher to be relaying infromation to the coach on where the pitch was ending up? If the coach is calling pitches wouldn't you want to know where that pitch was missing??

And if she doesn't know, she doesn't know. As long as she's not making some snide remark about me, what's the big deal?

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by Snocatzdad

Why would it be innappropriate for the catcher to be relaying infromation to the coach on where the pitch was ending up? If the coach is calling pitches wouldn't you want to know where that pitch was missing??

I think the inappropriate was when F2 shrugged the shoulders to indicate they didn't know where the pitch was. Apparently this PU took offense to F2's lack of knowledge. Talk about picking nits though.

[Steve M]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

I think the inappropriate was when F2 shrugged the shoulders to indicate they didn't know where the pitch was. Apparently this PU took offense to F2's lack of knowledge. Talk about picking nits though.

You're talking about very good D1 players. She knew where the pitch was and let the coach know with that shrug. Not too sure that it's picking nits, but I don't use that particular approach.

[mikeref]

to Irishmafia....boy you are breath of fresh air.....no need to be concerned about the well being of a 15 year old girl. She's tough!!! You must be a lot of fun to work with

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by mikeref

to Irishmafia....boy you are breath of fresh air.....no need to be concerned about the well being of a 15 year old girl. She's tough!!! You must be a lot of fun to work with

WTF are you talking about? Think you need to go back to the top and try reading the actual posts in the thread.

[azbigdawg]

Originally Posted by mikeref

to irishmafia....boy you are breath of fresh air.....no need to be concerned about the well being of a 15 year old girl. She's tough!!! You must be a lot of fun to work with

easssssyyyyyyyyy........

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by mikeref

to Irishmafia....boy you are breath of fresh air.....no need to be concerned about the well being of a 15 year old girl. She's tough!!! You must be a lot of fun to work with

Huh ?? Can you explain this non-sequitur?

[TexBlue]

Whenever a catcher has a collision or takes a foul ball and I get the impression she is not quite a 100%, I will call time, walk to the front of the plate, accidentally kicking dirt on it and ask her if she is ok, while I am cleaning the plate. I can see no negative aspect or impact on the game by asking the kids if they are ok. This isn't everytime they get bumped, just when I feel they are hiding something. I'm not a babysitter and have no intentions of being one. However, as the plate umpire, I do feel the responsibility of insuring the wellbeing and safety of the kids who are playing a GAME on my field. Nothing wrong with spending 10 seconds or so to check on a kid.