From behind the plate

I found the thread on Umpire screw ups to be humorous so I thought I would shed some light on some of these "rules" that umpires are asked to enforce. Keep in mind that the integrity of umpires is related to their willingness to enforce the rules and in doing so sometime make some people upset. Being an umpire is in many ways like being the police. We can't umpire using our morals we have to umpire using the rulebook and impartial judgement. When the police show up and Bubba is beating the hell out of Bobbi Sue, Bubba has consequences for his actions. The police don't care if Bobbi Sue called him every name in the book. He is not allowed to beat her up so he goes to jail. Umpiring a baseball game is similar. Morally I don't agree with stealing when you are up by 10 runs in the 6th but some teams do it. The rules don't prohibit it so it happens. On the other hand, the rules do speak to making sure that non playing personnel do not come out of the dugout. It also speaks to having 1 on deck hitter. It also speaks to keeping one foot in the box. Parents, players, coaches and even some umpires DO NOT understand that choosing which rules to enforce compromises an umpires integrity. Why the whole team thinks they need to come out of the dugout to congratulate Bobby for bunting John over to second is beyond me. It's ridiculous!!! They don't do it in the pros. The only time they come out is on a walk off hit/HR when the game is over. Simple rule...broken all the time and allowed by umpires. Not this one. On Deck hitters...it says one on deck hitter is allowed IN THE ON DECK AREA/CIRCLE to get loose. It doesn't say anything about having 6 guys out swinging the bats before the game starts. It doesn't say anything about the lead off hitter vs. the on deck hitter. You are the on deck hitter until you step in the box...than you are the lead off hitter. One foot in the box...the rule is simple. Unless you swing at a pitch, have to avoid getting hit by a pitch, have to avoid a play at the plate, ball goes to the backstop, etc. you need to keep one foot in the box. It's a good speed up rule. If a batter swings his foot out to take the sign from his coach I will protect the batter and make sure a pitch isn't coming. There is no need at any level of baseball for guys to get in and out of the box to take the sign. In closing, many people don't understand the legalities involved with umpiring. The same coaches, players, and parents that bitch about the rules and how they are enforced are the same ones that will sue you in a heartbeat when little Johnny gets hurt. My insurance isn't that good so I'm going to enforce the rules to the best of my ability.

 

Maybe/Maybe not

There is a difference between a rule book umpire and a good umpire. A rule book umpire doesn't understand why kids come out and pick up their teammates on a SAC bunt. A good umpire understands that teammates are saying thank you for being selfless and trying to help the team win. It seems that some umpires are out looking for things that are just a part of the game. Billy Joe and Bobby Sue don't have anything to do with a kid stepping out of the box or coming out of the dugout or wearing jewelry. From my point of view there is a lot more wrong with the game than those things. 1) Not knowing rules that matter. ex., balk calls. 2) Game management. ex., not letting the crowd affect the way the game is called, prolonging games because of incompetence. 3) Having a consistent strike zone. If it is big, it needs to stay big for both teams. If it is small, it needs to stay small for both teams.

There are certain situations where teams take advantage of coming out of the dugout, or stepping out of the box and taking too much time on purpose, or jewelry. What about all the garbage coming out of some dugouts throughout a game? It's not okay to pick a teammate up, but its' okay to act like horses rear ends during the game just as long as they are in the dugout.

There is a grey area there that some umpires get and some umpires don't get. Bottom line you have to follow the rules, but a little common sense goes a long way. If teams are handling themselves like they should, and most teams do, let the kids play the game.

 

A Few Clarifications...

A few details...

- Until the conference with coaches at the plate, the umpires are not officially in charge of the field. If six guys want to swing bats, that is up to them - the umpire is not in charge of the field yet. Once the conference is over, get into the dugout.

- The rulebook states that players may not address players from the other team. Simple rule that needs to be enforced better.

 

Umpires are suppose to be part of the game, not the main event or the highlight. Some are great at managing the game some are not. Nature of the beast. Same can be said about players, coaches and fans.

That being said I have been witness to very good umpiring this season.

 

I can say this with confidence...Mous is one of them.

 

The good umpire

is the one, who when he walks off, nobody really noticed he was there....

 

DawgCatcher...a good player or coach also recognizes that players/coaches are not allowed to come on the field while there is a live ball. I appreciate picking up your teammate. This umpire doesn't put up with bench-jockeying and the incessant lack of discipline displayed by some teams. Maybe you and I will cross paths someday and you will see in person.

 

I like an umpire who takes his job seriously, has good, crisp mechanics, knows rules, and hustles.... but I gotta say, Mr. A Non E Mus, you sound almost threatening with the "you'll see" quote.

Enforce the rules - but don't first tell how you are going to do it, do it (with venom), and then tell how you just did it. Just do it. Hey, that's kind of a catchy phrase!

By the way, nobody said you couldn't enforce with a kind tone and a smile. Help us coaches out a little. We don't know as much as you.

 

CatCoach, I went back and read my post...I didn't see any "you'll see" with venom. I simply put that if you saw me work you would see. Not threatening at all. I like to have a good time on the field. I also take pride in doing a good job, hustling, and calling an impartial game. See ya around.

 

How diid you take that as a threat? He replied to a question about bench jockeying and that he doesn't allow it. He stated that maybe he and a member will cross paths one day and that he and the member will see that he will not tolerate it. Nothing threatening about that.

But I do know who this umpire is and when he is assigned to games, coaches respect him and are glad he has their game.