| For the many who have read my articles on | | | | be that you and your partner are not "clicking" |
| playing and coaching baseball, hopefully you believe | | | | and communicating properly and this needs to be |
| that I have a pretty good understanding of how | | | | remedied. Whatever the need to talk may be, the |
| baseball should and should not be played. Now that | | | | signal is to cross your wrists in front of your |
| I have become a certified high school umpire, I | | | | chest. |
| have found that I have alot to learn as far as | | | | Timing Play At The Plate |
| that aspect of baseball is concerned. | | | | When there is a runner on second base and two |
| First of all, a two umpire system is usually used in | | | | outs, you can possibly have a "timing" play at the |
| high school and not a four umpire system like the | | | | plate. This simply means that if the runner on |
| professionals use. The communication between | | | | second base tries to score on a hit, there is a |
| you and your partner is critical. You constantly | | | | possibility that the batter who got the hit may try |
| have to give your partner hand signals to make | | | | to go to second base on the throw to the plate. |
| sure you are both on the "same page." | | | | The umpires have to pay attention because if the |
| Number of Outs | | | | batter is out going to second before the runner |
| After every out you should point your fingers out | | | | on second touches home plate, the run does NOT |
| to your side signaling the number of outs to your | | | | count. |
| partner. He should then confirm by doing the | | | | The above mentioned are some of the forms of |
| same. | | | | communication between umpires that go on many |
| Infield Fly Situation | | | | times during the game. |
| With runners on first and second or the bases | | | | Positioning Of The Base Umpire |
| loaded and less than two outs, you have to give | | | | The base umpire has three different positions on |
| each other the "heads up" that you are in an | | | | the field. They are A, B and C positions. |
| infield fly situation. This can help avoid an | | | | A Position-When there are no runners on base. |
| embarrassing situation for an umpire. There may | | | | The umpire stands along the first base line about |
| be runners on second and third but an umpire | | | | six or eight feet behind the first baseman in foul |
| may be thinking they are on first and second. It | | | | territory. |
| will cause embarrassment if an umpire hollers out | | | | B Position-When there is a runner on first base or |
| "infield fly, batter is out" and it was NOT an infield | | | | runners on first and third base. He positions |
| fly situation. So once again, communication with | | | | himself between first and second base, standing |
| your partner is critical. In this case, the plate | | | | closer to second base and usually about seven or |
| umpire will bring his index finger or his complete | | | | eight steps from the pitching rubber. |
| hand up to the top of his forehead. Some use a | | | | C Position-When there is a runner on second, |
| karate chop type of motion to the forehead. The | | | | runners on second and third or the bases loaded. |
| base umpire will do the same to let him know | | | | He positions himself between second and third |
| that he received this signal and is in complete | | | | base, standing closer to second base and about |
| agreement about the situation. The reminder can | | | | seven or eight steps from the pitching rubber. |
| be given by the plate umpire to the base umpire | | | | My learning process has been a little rough at |
| or the base umpire can sometimes give it to the | | | | times. Fortunately for me, I have several friends |
| plate umpire. | | | | who are high school umpires that have done |
| The Count On The Hitter | | | | hundreds of high school games and they have |
| Occasionally, the plate umpire may lose track of | | | | been extremely helpful to me. My special thanks |
| the count on the batter. He desperately needs | | | | to Dave. After we had a meeting on umpiring |
| assistance from his partner. Rather than asking | | | | techniques for about ninety minutes, he stayed |
| him out loud and letting everyone in attendance | | | | with me in the parking lot and very patiently |
| know he lost the count, he simply rolls his fists in | | | | answered all my questions, concerns and fears |
| front of his stomach. His partner will use his | | | | for about an hour. Also to my friend Nick, who is |
| fingers to tell him the count. The left hand is for | | | | always there to answer all my questions. |
| balls and the right hand is for strikes. So if the | | | | Like I said, the learning process has been and still |
| base umpire holds up one finger with his left hand | | | | is somewhat tough. But almost all the baseball |
| and two fingers with his right hand, he is letting | | | | coaches I have dealt with have been a pleasure |
| the plate umpire know that the count is one ball | | | | to deal with. And as far as the players...99.9% are |
| and two strikes. The plate umpire can occasionally | | | | class acts. And I have emailed some of their |
| "lose" the count after a ball is fouled off his mask | | | | athletic directors to let them know that. |
| or on a wild pitch where he is looking at | | | | Sometimes the youth in this country get a bad |
| baserunners and forgets to click his indicator | | | | rap. But these kids have been totally respectful at |
| which is in his left hand. | | | | all times and I too show them lots of respect. No |
| We Need To Talk | | | | matter what may happen during the game, we |
| Something may have happened during the game | | | | still all have the common denominator of baseball! |
| and you may need to talk to your partner. It can | | | | I am almost 58 years old and for me to stay |
| be dozens of things. Maybe a coach is having a | | | | directly involved in baseball games in this capacity |
| major problem with your partner and you want | | | | is very rewarding to me! |
| to give him a "heads up." Another possibility can | | | | |