umpire-catcher courtesies

[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.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by Steve M

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.

It's picking nits if you're going to get offended by it and stop the game to brush the plate to warn the catcher. Basically you're telling her to lie? If she "let the coach know" that she thought it was a strike by that shrug - what did you expect her to say instead? She thought it was a strike - telling the coach a direction is giving him bad information.

[Andy]

When the coach asks where the pitch missed, and the catcher shrugs her shoulders, that is telling everybody that is watching that she (F2) thought it was a strike and the umpire missed it. It's going toward the direction of showing up the umpire.

I don't know that I would be so obvious as to brush a clean plate, but I would say to the catcher, "If you don't know where it missed, ask..I'll tell you."

If I did miss the pitch (it happened once ), I will say, "Sorry catch, I missed it." I will say this loud enough for the catcher and the batter to hear.

What some coaches and players don't seem to realize is that I want to call strikes...gets the ball in play, keeps the game moving and everybody interested

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by Andy

When the coach asks where the pitch missed, and the catcher shrugs her shoulders, that is telling everybody that is watching that she (F2) thought it was a strike and the umpire missed it. It's going toward the direction of showing up the umpire.

While I think that's an insane over-reaction... let's say you're right. What exactly should catcher say to her coach when you fail to call a strike on a pitch she thought was in the zone so as to not show you up?

[MDUmp]

The full story...guess I should have added this from the start...
This was a point in the game where Maryland had a comfortable lead and brought in their 3rd pitcher to complete the game. She walked the first two batters on close pitches. The crowd was getting on the blue.

I also should add, this was a pretty demonstrative shrug by the catcher.

I don't know if the umpire cleaned off the plate for this reason, but it sure seemed like it from where I was sitting. I will say she didn't shrug anymore.

[LIUmp]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

While I think that's an insane over-reaction... let's say you're right. What exactly should catcher say to her coach when you fail to call a strike on a pitch she thought was in the zone so as to not show you up?

How about repeating what the coach asked, politely. "Blue, where did that pitch miss?"

I'm not saying I disagree with you mb...I am the umpire, not the play by play announcer. I am not there to say "inside", "low", etc. And I don't think it's showing up the umpire when she shrugs her shoulders if we're talking about 12U, 14U, etc. But 18U and college, and even some 16U and varsity catchers, shrugging their shoulders is a way of saying they didn't agree. If she shrugs, you bet that the coach will then ask you. And that is when you can tell the coach and the catcher where the pitch missed. The first and ONLY time I will do it. If it happens again, I would put an end to it fast. Showing up or not, I'm not going to describe the pitches. If I call a ball, it's NOT a strike. That simple.

[Andy]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

While I think that's an insane over-reaction... let's say you're right. What exactly should catcher say to her coach when you fail to call a strike on a pitch she thought was in the zone so as to not show you up?

I think I answered that question - if s/he doesn't know, s/he should ask. I will answer..."low", "inside", whatever...she can then relay that info to coach.

If it was a strike and I missed it...see above.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by Andy

I think I answered that question - if s/he doesn't know, s/he should ask. I will answer..."low", "inside", whatever...she can then relay that info to coach.

If it was a strike and I missed it...see above.

I guess I'm not understanding how she's showing you up by telling coach she doesn't know why it wasn't a strike... but it's perfectly ok for her to show the word that she didn't know why it wasn't a strike by asking you and then relaying. What's not clicking for me is why this is "showing you up".

I grant you that if coach reacted to this information, I could see your point. I just don't think this catcher is doing anything other than answering he coach's question, and not getting why you, personally (and singularly based on the lack of support here), feel this is taboo.