Weird or maddening "mechanics"

[Dakota]

Taking Cecil's suggestion, from the last 2 weeks, I've had partners who:

1. Grabbed a mouthful of sunflower seeds from a bag in his pocket between every batter (he was BU)

2. Always did the "inform the new pitcher" deal (2 different partners, PU's obviously).

The first just looks bad, IMO. The second is annoying, especially since these were 18U teams!

[jmkupka]

Every time there is a pitching change, I'm always watching my partner (BU or PU), & thinking to myself, "please don't, please don't"...

If I were an OC and had an umpire do this, I'm sure I'd have words with him.

[teebob21]

I've been lucky enough to work with good partners so much recently I haven't seen weird mechanics for a while. Last season, I worked with a partner that called "Ball Down! Ball Down!" on anything to the outfield that wasn't caught. Is that a baseball thing?

Regarding new pitchers, I don't give them the situation except for one exception: after an injury to the previous pitcher when someone comes off the bench to throw. Even then, I only give the outs and count if applicable from behind the plate after making eye contact. (The outs is partly to ensure my partner and I are on the same page after an injury timeout, and partly for the new player.)

I've never had anyone comment on that mechanic. Thoughts?

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by teebob21

I've been lucky enough to work with good partners so much recently I haven't seen weird mechanics for a while. Last season, I worked with a partner that called "Ball Down! Ball Down!" on anything to the outfield that wasn't caught. Is that a baseball thing?

Regarding new pitchers, I don't give them the situation except for one exception: after an injury to the previous pitcher when someone comes off the bench to throw. Even then, I only give the outs and count if applicable from behind the plate after making eye contact. (The outs is partly to ensure my partner and I are on the same page after an injury timeout, and partly for the new player.)

I've never had anyone comment on that mechanic. Thoughts?

Outs is not necessary, really. Count is appropriate though. You would give the count before a pitch anyway - no problem reminding pitcher and batter what the count is after a delay.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

Outs is not necessary, really. Count is appropriate though. You would give the count before a pitch anyway - no problem reminding pitcher and batter what the count is after a delay.

Even the existing pitcher gets the count after a delay or after a running play (mostly for my partner), but not outs AND CERTAINLY NOT runners.

[teebob21]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

Even the existing pitcher gets the count after a delay or after a running play (mostly for my partner),

Agreed. I do this as well, but not as consistently as I should after a steal/passed ball.

Originally Posted by CecilOne

but not outs

Duly noted.

Originally Posted by CecilOne

AND CERTAINLY NOT runners.

Agreed. They're standing on the bases; just look around before you pitch!

Is there ever a time we give the entire field the outs? Other than what I mentioned I do, I never give the outs, unless a smart player has learned to steal my two-out timing play/wiping off IFF sign to my partner.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by teebob21

Last season, I worked with a partner that called "Ball Down! Ball Down!" on anything to the outfield that wasn't caught. Is that a baseball thing?

Ummm, No.

[Moosie74]

Originally Posted by teebob21

I've been lucky enough to work with good partners so much recently I haven't seen weird mechanics for a while. Last season, I worked with a partner that called "Ball Down! Ball Down!" on anything to the outfield that wasn't caught. Is that a baseball thing?

While most of us use it in baseball, it does come over to softball fairly often which is quite helpful while I am still coming in and if you don't give a verbal catch, I have no idea what's happening behind me.

[charliej47]

Originally Posted by Moosie74

While most of us use it in baseball, it does come over to softball fairly often which is quite helpful while I am still coming in and if you don't give a verbal catch, I have no idea what's happening behind me.

My instructor told the class to say "On the ground, on the ground" to mean that the ball touched the ground. I carry this over to baseball.

[Tru_in_Blu]

Originally Posted by charliej47

My instructor told the class to say "On the ground, on the ground" to mean that the ball touched the ground. I carry this over to baseball.

I also use "on the ground" when working w/ a partner. If there are baserunners, however, BU has to be taking a peek at when first touch occurs for tag up purposes.

Too many times I'll see a base partner gandering at the outfield w/ no runners on and he has no clue if the BR touched first base.

I've asked at NUSs and Nationals regarding the fouls directly back to the fence. Got different answers. Some are of the opinion that "everybody knows it's a foul ball - save your energy" and others, as noted in this string want everything called and/or signaled.

That's why I ask the questions. One to know what to do in a particular tournament (when in Rome), and two, to try and figure out what the actual standard is.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by Moosie74

While most of us use it in baseball, it does come over to softball fairly often which is quite helpful while I am still coming in and if you don't give a verbal catch, I have no idea what's happening behind me.

No biggie. If I don't hear my partner say "Catch", I'm assuming one wasn't made. I'm not listening for "on the ground" or "ball's down" or (Heaven forbid) "no catch".

And quite often, I will know myself whether or not one was made because I'll watch the ball and only glance at the runner as she reaches the base.

[Tru_in_Blu]

I always use a verbal "no catch" on a trapped ball with a safe signal.

Especially with runners on base, I think I should make a call as soon as I can so as not to put anyone in jeopardy.

I've had partners not say or do anything and runners are hung out to dry - not knowing whether to go back to their base or attempt to get to the next base.

So what's a better protocol/mechanic for a line drive that F4 traps on the backhand. A runner on first and the BU might not be able to tell.

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by Manny A

No biggie. If I don't hear my partner say "Catch", I'm assuming one wasn't made. I'm not listening for "on the ground" or "ball's down" or (Heaven forbid) "no catch".

And quite often, I will know myself whether or not one was made because I'll watch the ball and only glance at the runner as she reaches the base.

The prior regime heading the ASA NUS recommended/urged/pushed "one word" and simple calls in any possible situation, to minimize any possible misunderstandings. Secondary advantage of being less likely to misstate what you saw. Of course, as you might expect, the newer regime disavowed the recommendation.

"Out", "safe", "swing", "YES!", "ball", "foul", and "NO!" are examples that are difficult to claim were heard differently. There are worse things than "catch"; "no catch" would be one such worse thing.

[EsqUmp]

Originally Posted by Manny A

No biggie. If I don't hear my partner say "Catch", I'm assuming one wasn't made. I'm not listening for "on the ground" or "ball's down" or (Heaven forbid) "no catch".

And quite often, I will know myself whether or not one was made because I'll watch the ball and only glance at the runner as she reaches the base.

Another way to know that the ball wasn't caught is to watch the ball.

[BretMan]

Lately I've had a rash of "inform the new pitcher" partners. It's bad enough that they want to interject themselves to tell the pitcher the number of outs and how many runners are on base. A lot of guys need to point at each baserunner as they announce them to the pitcher. Just in case the pitcher doesn't know where first, second or third bases are, I guess?

This happened again yesterday. All I could think was, "This pitcher has at least four coaches in the dugout and her own set of eyeballs. Why does the umpire need to tell her the situation?".

I'm seeing a lot of strange stuff on the field this year:

- Last week I worked with a guy who verbally announced called strikes, but didn't use any sort of arm signal! He only made a hammer/arm signal on swinging strikes.

- Was partnered up with two different guys in the past week who didn't wear a chest protector or shin guards. One was in 12U, the other was in 18U. This is just a snapped collar bone or shattered knee cap waiting to happen.

- Was working a game with our associations UIC earlier this year, a guy who has been around forever. He would give the foul tip signal on ALL "fouled straight back to the screen" foul balls!

- My partner yesterday was wearing a blank, non-logo'd hat in our ASA sanctioned event. And it was a beanie!

- Then there was the guy who worked behind the plate with NO hat.